About this Research Topic

Background

American medicinal plants have been an integral part of Indigenous healing traditions for generations, offering remedies for a variety of ailments through naturally derived compounds. In recent years, the growing demand for novel therapeutic agents due to emerging diseases and antibiotic resistance has heightened interest in these botanical resources. Leveraging traditional knowledge alongside modern scientific techniques, researchers are uncovering the vast potential of bioactive extracts and metabolites from these plants. Their significance extends beyond cultural heritage, positioning them as valuable candidates in drug discovery and pharmacotherapy.

The primary goal of this Research Topic is to foster interdisciplinary research that explores the biologically active compounds found in American medicinal plants. By uniting diverse expertise—from ethnobotanists who document traditional plant uses to chemists who isolate and characterize active compounds, and pharmacologists who assess their therapeutic properties—this collection aims to build a comprehensive understanding of these botanical resources. The ultimate vision is to identify and develop new, effective therapeutic agents that can address unmet medical needs, thus bridging the gap between ancient wisdom and contemporary medical science.

This Research Topic welcomes contributions that delve into various aspects of American medicinal plants, including but not limited to:
- Ethnobotanical Studies: Documentation of traditional knowledge and uses.
- Phytochemical Analyses: Isolation, characterization, and synthesis of bioactive compounds.
- Pharmacological Research: Exploration of the therapeutic potentials of these extracts and compounds in vitro and in vivo.
- Mechanisms of Action: Studies on how these bioactive substances work.
- Safety and Toxicological Profiles: Research on their safety and toxic effects.
- Sustainable Practices: Exploration of sustainable harvesting and conservation practices to ensure the longevity of these medicinal plant resources.

By providing a platform for comprehensive research, we aim to uncover the full therapeutic potential of American medicinal plants and pave the way for future innovations in healthcare.

Please self-assess your manuscript using the ConPhyMP tool (https://ga-online.org/best-practice/), 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).

Dr. Haddad and Dr. Cuerrier are part of a consulting company acting in the field of natural health products and indigenous health. All other Topic Editors declare no conflicts of interest

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Clinical Trial
• Data Report
• Editorial
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Clinical Trial
• Data Report
• Editorial
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Review
• Study Protocol
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: bioactive compounds, ethnobotany, phytochemicals, pharmacology, natural products, traditional medicine, plant metabolites, therapeutic agents, drug discovery, molecular mechanisms, toxicity, plant extracts

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.

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