Inflammation, a vital response to stimulation by invading pathogens or endogenous signals (such as damaged cells that result in tissue repair or sometimes pathology), plays a dual role in both tissue repair and disease pathology. While inflammation as a defense system is essential for survival, the excessive or uncontrollable inflammatory response could trigger a variety of diseases such as cancer, multiple sclerosis, atherosclerosis, arthritis, cardiovascular disease, insulin resistance, neurodegenerative diseases, etc. Therefore, new therapeutic targets and drugs need to be explored for the prevention and treatment of pathological inflammation.

Marine organisms, adapted to the dynamic marine environment, have evolved unique genetic systems and biosynthetic pathways. These have led to a plethora of natural products (proteins, terpenes, sterols, polyphenols, cyclic polysulfides, macrolides, as well as more undiscovered molecules) and polysaccharides with novel structures and varied biological activities. These compounds, exhibiting a wide range of activities such as antitumor, antimicrobial, anticoagulant, antihypertensive, hypolipidemic, antioxidant, and other activities, are also known for their immunomodulatory properties. This makes them a valuable resource for drug discovery, forming a valuable "blue medicine bank with immense potential.

We welcome Original Research, Review, Mini Review, and Perspective articles on themes including, but not limited to:
• Screening marine-derived natural products and polysaccharides (isolation and chemical modifications) for immunomodulatory properties.
• Investigating anti-inflammatory targets of these marine-derived compounds.
• Studying the pharmacokinetics of marine-derived immunomodulators.
• Elucidating the anti-inflammatory mechanisms of these compounds.
• Tracking the progress in the anti-inflammatory potential of marine-derived compounds.

Please note the following:

1) All studies must use a therapeutically realistic dose level, and the data must be reported on the basis of the amount of extract administered. Single-dose studies are not accepted unless they focus on a species/compound not yet studied in detail and can be justified on specific ethical grounds (e.g. the 4R rule - Reduce, refine, replace – responsibility, see the Four Pillars).

2) A detailed chemical profile of the extract and pharmacognostic definition of the botanical drugs used is essential, as defined in the ConPhyMP statement 2022 (Front. Pharmacol. 13:953205.)

3) All the manuscripts submitted to this project will be peer-reviewed and need to fully comply with the Four Pillars of Best Practice in Ethnopharmacology Four Pillars of Best Practice in Ethnopharmacology (you can freely download the full version here). Importantly, please ascertain that the ethnopharmacological context is clearly described (pillar 3d) and that the material investigated is characterized in detail (pillars 2 a and b).

4) Traditional context - The traditional context must be described in the introduction and supported with bibliographical primary references (see also Section 3 esp. 3d - traditional medicinal preparations and their assessment). This may be based on modern uses of a plant in general healthcare.

5) You need to check your MS using ‘https://ga-online.org/best-practice/)’ and include a PDF in your submissions with the relevant tables of the tool filled (1 and 2a).

6) Sustainable and ethical sourcing is essential. If drugs derived from animals are included in a preparation used experimentally, detailed evidence on ethical sourcing is essential. Frontiers in Pharmacology will generally not consider manuscripts that are sourced causing unacceptable levels of suffering to animals or where there are concerns about the sustainability of its sourcing.

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Frontiers in Pharmacology

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