Molecular Pharmacological approaches against lung diseases: targeted drug discovery
The global burden of lung diseases is rising continuously and is a constant concern. Lung diseases of concern, including asthma, infection (pneumonia), lung cancer, abnormal build-up of fluid, swelling, and inflammation, both neoplastic and non-neoplastic diseases, are listed as the third leading cause of death by the World Health Organization. The most common disease in the lungs includes asthma, cystic fibrosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease etc. The respiratory issues listed here, among others, are exacerbated by environmental toxicants which directly come in contact with the lung architecture thereby causing lung pathologies resulting in the exacerbated immune response in affected patients.
Biologically active molecules including small or large molecular weight compounds from natural or synthetic sources exhibit prominent pharmacological properties that impact health by modulating disease pathophysiology, and influence the ligand-receptor interactions, depending upon the pathway and their bioavailability.
There is an urgent need to explore these bioactive compounds at the molecular level, focusing particularly on the mechanism of action, for the development of new drug products. This collection will provide scientists, biotechnology experts, researchers, industry personnel, and academicians with significant knowledge to promote future research and utilization of this research and novel products in the pharmaceutical industry.
Assessing the impact of novel pharmacological interventions in modifying the course of pathophysiology in lung disorders is a priority in this collection. The prime focus is to highlight molecular mechanisms underpinning the pharmacological effects of bioactive molecules from plant extracts and isolated metabolites as well as synthetic sources. In addition, the development of novel drug delivery systems for enhanced bioavailability of bioactive compounds as a tool to cure targeted lung diseases is also of particular interest.
This Research Topic aims to collect high-quality studies exploring the pharmacology/toxicology of therapeutically active molecules targeting diseases of the lungs. Papers that present data on new or less studied molecules/compounds/mixtures (like extracts of medicinal plants) demonstrating biological activity as well as novel properties of well-known substances related to lung disorders are welcome. We welcome the latest basic and applied original research and review articles disseminating research leading to drug discovery targeting the lungs for the treatment of the listed lung diseases with an application to modern biotechnological research and development. Furthermore, any kind of bioactivity related to the above criteria is within the scope, provided the reported potency was adequate and molecular mechanisms of action are addressed.
This Research Topic welcomes topics on, but is not limited to, the following:
- Research/review papers from all concerned areas related to lung disorders and lung toxicology of bioactive molecules are of specific interest.
- Studies on well characterized crude extracts that have shown strong and promising therapeutic potentials are welcome.
- Development of novel drug delivery systems for enhancing safety, efficacy, potency, and bioavailability of existing interventions as tool to cure lung diseases are within scope of this collection.
- Comprehensive, systematic, critical reviews and perspectives that relay recent developments in the advancement of lung pharmacology and toxicology of bioactive molecules are of particular interest.
- Metabolomics, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic studies on the bioavailability of drugs/drug-like candidates particularly in the lungs are encouraged.
- Original research/review manuscripts on new or existing drug molecules that highlight a new direction for combating dreadful diseases associated with lungs are highly appreciated.
All manuscripts dealing with mixtures must clearly describe the composition and preparation of the preparation, including the source of an extract and a chemical fingerprint. These manuscripts need to fully comply with the Four Pillars of Best Practice in Ethnopharmacology (you can freely download the full version
here. The use of valid species names and pharmacognostic authentication is mandatory.