About this Research Topic
Exploring phytochemistry and the treatment of neurological disorders, this research topic addresses CNS disorders like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, which lack effective treatments. A key area of research in this context is plants used in traditional and local medical systems. The research topic merges ancient herbal traditions with modern science, aiming to develop groundbreaking treatments for debilitating CNS conditions. Plant and fungal metabolites known for their neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory properties, offer promising therapeutic strategies. Advances in understanding their molecular mechanisms could offer novel therapeutic options for treating such neurological disorders. Therefore this research topic explores the research themes linking ethnopharmacology and neuropharmacology. By integrating traditional knowledge with contemporary scientific techniques, studying plant and fungal extracts and individual metabolites could transform global treatment approaches for CNS disorders.
We envision that these contributions will improve the treatment of central nervous system (CNS) disorders by harnessing the therapeutic potential of phytochemicals and that they will contribute to a better understanding of existing treatments using plant and fungal extracts. It addresses significant challenges posed by neurodegenerative diseases, traumatic injuries, and strokes, characterized by complex pathologies and limited effective treatments. By exploring the mechanisms, bioavailability, and safety profiles of such extracts and metabolites, along with potential synergies with existing therapies, this research seeks to bridge the gap between traditional and modern medical practices. Advances in analytical technologies, molecular biology, and clinical methodologies facilitate precise identification, isolation, and evaluation of these compounds. The initiative encourages collaborative research spanning molecular studies to clinical trials. This effort underscores the critical role of plant-derived compounds in neurotherapy and promotes their further exploration and application.
The Research Topic encompasses exploring medicinal plants and fungi for the treatment of CNS disorders, conducting mechanistic studies on metabolites' interactions with the CNS, and clinical trials to evaluate the efficacy and safety of such preparations. These essential components aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of how plant-derived compounds can play a crucial role in Neurotherapy, paving the way for innovative treatments and improved outcomes for individuals grappling with CNS-related conditions.
• Discovery of new metabolites or chemically well-characterised (special) extracts for treating CNS disorder.
• Advances in drug delivery systems to enhance the bioavailability and therapeutic impact of chemically well-defined extracts and metabolites.
• Exploration of the molecular mechanisms of such metabolites and extracts and their interactions with the CNS.
• Clinical or pre-clinical studies on such preparations.
Please note:
All contributions to this Research Topic must follow the guidelines listed in this section:
• Please self-assess your MS using the ConPhyMP tool, and follow the standards established in the ConPhyMP statement Front. Pharmacol. 13:953205.’ WITH ‘Please self-assess your MS using the ConPhyMP tool, and follow the standards established in the ConPhyMP statement Front. Pharmacol. 13:953205.
• All the manuscripts need to fully comply with the 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).
Importantly note some specific points based on the above:
• The introduction must include a description of the topic’s background within an ethnopharmacological context and provide bibliographical references that illustrate the preparation’s application in traditional medicine or general healthcare.
• Research based solely on in silico approaches (e.g., network studies or docking experiments) does not fit with the scopes of this RT.
• Small molecules exhibiting in silico or in vitro effects but without specific pharmacological targets do not fit with the scopes of this RT.
• Chemical anti-oxidant assays like the DPPH or ABTS assay are of no pharmacological relevance, Therefore they can only be used as chemical-analytical assays without pharmacological claims.
We envision that these contributions will improve the treatment of central nervous system (CNS) disorders by harnessing the therapeutic potential of phytochemicals and that they will contribute to a better understanding of existing treatments using plant and fungal extracts. It addresses significant challenges posed by neurodegenerative diseases, traumatic injuries, and strokes, characterized by complex pathologies and limited effective treatments. By exploring the mechanisms, bioavailability, and safety profiles of such extracts and metabolites, along with potential synergies with existing therapies, this research seeks to bridge the gap between traditional and modern medical practices. Advances in analytical technologies, molecular biology, and clinical methodologies facilitate precise identification, isolation, and evaluation of these compounds. The initiative encourages collaborative research spanning molecular studies to clinical trials. This effort underscores the critical role of plant-derived compounds in neurotherapy and promotes their further exploration and application.
The Research Topic encompasses exploring medicinal plants and fungi for the treatment of CNS disorders, conducting mechanistic studies on metabolites' interactions with the CNS, and clinical trials to evaluate the efficacy and safety of such preparations. These essential components aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of how plant-derived compounds can play a crucial role in Neurotherapy, paving the way for innovative treatments and improved outcomes for individuals grappling with CNS-related conditions.
• Discovery of new metabolites or chemically well-characterised (special) extracts for treating CNS disorder.
• Advances in drug delivery systems to enhance the bioavailability and therapeutic impact of chemically well-defined extracts and metabolites.
• Exploration of the molecular mechanisms of such metabolites and extracts and their interactions with the CNS.
• Clinical or pre-clinical studies on such preparations.
Please note:
All contributions to this Research Topic must follow the guidelines listed in this section:
• Please self-assess your MS using the ConPhyMP tool, and follow the standards established in the ConPhyMP statement Front. Pharmacol. 13:953205.’ WITH ‘Please self-assess your MS using the ConPhyMP tool, and follow the standards established in the ConPhyMP statement Front. Pharmacol. 13:953205.
• All the manuscripts need to fully comply with the 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).
Importantly note some specific points based on the above:
• The introduction must include a description of the topic’s background within an ethnopharmacological context and provide bibliographical references that illustrate the preparation’s application in traditional medicine or general healthcare.
• Research based solely on in silico approaches (e.g., network studies or docking experiments) does not fit with the scopes of this RT.
• Small molecules exhibiting in silico or in vitro effects but without specific pharmacological targets do not fit with the scopes of this RT.
• Chemical anti-oxidant assays like the DPPH or ABTS assay are of no pharmacological relevance, Therefore they can only be used as chemical-analytical assays without pharmacological claims.
Keywords: Phytochemicals, CNS Injury and Disease, Mechanism, Drug discovery, Clinical Translation
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
