Infectious diseases, including malaria, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, and various neglected tropical diseases, continue to represent a severe burden on global health, exacerbated by the rapid emergence of drug-resistant pathogens. With the diminishing returns from synthetic pharmaceuticals in generating new treatments, the scientific community is turning back to nature. Natural products, derived from diverse biological sources such as plants, marine organisms, and microbes, have historically served as fruitful reservoirs for the identification of unique bioactive compounds that offer potential therapeutic benefits.

This Research Topic aims to reposition natural products at the forefront of drug discovery efforts against infectious diseases. We seek to explore and expand on the integrative processes involved in the identification, extraction, and development of natural compounds as promising new therapeutic agents. Contributions from across the globe, detailing rigorous research into these natural substances, are instrumental in paving the way toward novel healthcare solutions.

We are particularly interested in the following areas:

• Identification and Isolation of Bioactive Compounds: Studies focused on mining the rich biodiversity of our planet for potential anti-infective agents, utilizing state-of-the-art extraction and analytical methods such as chromatography, spectroscopy, and various bioassays.
• Characterization of Bioactive Compounds: Detailed analyses using techniques like NMR, X-ray crystallography, and mass spectrometry to elucidate the molecular structures of promising compounds. Papers should also discuss the bioactivity profiles of these compounds against a range of pathogens.
• Preclinical Evaluation of Natural Products: Reports on in vitro and in vivo evaluations aiming to understand the pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, and therapeutic potential of natural compounds, setting the stage for clinical development.
• Clinical Evaluation and Translation: Papers detailing phase I to III trials that assess efficacy, safety, and optimal dosing schedules. Submissions may also cover translational research efforts that integrate pharmacogenomic strategies to enhance individual treatment responses.
• Exploration of Traditional Medicine for Drug Discovery: Investigations into how traditional healing practices and ethnobotanical knowledge can be scientifically validated and integrated into modern drug discovery and development processes.

Submissions can include Original Research, Reviews, Mini Reviews, Case Reports, and Perspectives that deepen our understanding of natural products' role in combating infectious diseases. Through this collective effort, we aim to ignite a global discourse on sustainable and effective alternatives to conventional synthetic treatments, leveraging the untapped potentials of natural products.

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Frontiers in Pharmacology

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