Forthcoming Special Issue

Natural compounds: New strategies to prevent, counteract and slow down the progression of chronic inflammatory diseases and to decrease the adverse effects of current therapies

Dear Colleagues,
To date, extracts from micro-organisms, plants and animals, and their synthetic derivatives, are known for their usefulness as therapeutic agents, for other purposes connected to the maintaining of normal physiological functions, or because they have other applications being utilized as pigments, insecticides, substances of nutritional value, additives, cosmetics, etc... Bioactive compounds derive from metabolites, exudates, excretion products, venoms, whole tissues, etc., and are normally utilized for organisms’ life needs in the relationships with the environment and with other organisms (such as predation, research for food, defence). Taking into account that unhealthy habits are the leading causes of several disorders, the use of various natural formulations (microorganism, plant or animal tissueextracts) has increased rapidly in the last decades, not only in order to treat, but also to prevent various lifestyle diseases. Furthermore, it has been reported that such natural supplementations reduce the side effects of currently used therapies, including anticancer therapies. However, the extraction process and formulation with a high content of compounds of interest, its bioavailability/stability as well delivery to the specific target, still represent a big challenge. Also, the underlaying mechanisms of numerous beneficial effects remain largely unknown. Finally, also the development of the new nutraceuticals characterized by the particular nutrient value with a favorable health effect are highly supported and have a promising role in improving overall health.

This Special Issue of JBR, entitled “Natural Compounds: New Strategies to Prevent, Counteract and Slow Down the Progression of Chronic Inflammatory Diseases and to Decrease the Adverse Effects of Current Therapies”, aims to focus on the latest research achievement on the obtaining ofnatural extracts including advanced techniques that help to enhance both their effects and flavor, as well as on molecular mechanisms by whichsuch extracts exert different beneficial effects in various inflammatory-mediated diseases, including cancer. Also, advanced new formulation of nutraceuticals (such as nanoformulated nutraceuticals) and their combination with currently used therapies in the fight against different chronic disorders as well as future directions on the topic will be considered. The Special Issue will cover a wide range of research from basic (from model used, specific techniques of extraction, their formulation), trough investigation of specific effects (efficacy, pharmacokinetics, and toxicity), to their clinical use as mono or an add-on supplementation. Authors from diverse multidisciplinary fields (scientists, nurses, pharmacologists, clinical doctors, etc.) are welcomed to submit original or review articles, short communications as well as their own expert opinions.

Kindest regards,
Dr. Gian Luigi Mariottini MSc, MD
retired from University of Genova, Italy. Research Fellow, Department of Earth, Environment and Life Sciences.
Email: Gian.Luigi.Mariottini@unige.it - glmariottini@libero.it

Dr. Dragana Nikolic, PhD
Assistant Professor, Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, University of Bari, Bari, Italy.
Email: dragana.nikolic@uniba.it

Dr. Gian Luigi Mariottini MSc, MD
Dr. Mariottini, retired from University of Genova, dealt with several project in the field of biological and environmental research, ecology, toxicology, ecotoxicology and cell biology. His work has been particularly focused on studying bioactive extracts from marine organisms. Also, he had experience in the research on neuroblastoma at the Giannina Gaslini Pediatric Hospital of Genova. He was planner, tutor and teacher of technical courses about the knowledge of the chemical and biological laboratory, cell culture methods and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR).
E-mail: Gian.Luigi.Mariottini@unige.it - glmariottini@libero.it

Dr. Dragana Nikolic, PhD
Dr. Nikolic has worked on numerous research projects in the field of diabetes and cardiovascular prevention, including effects of lifestyles (diet and nutrition) on health. Her research work combines translational research (on the effects and mechanisms ofaction of anti-diabetic,lipid-loweringagents, and nutraceuticals) and basic research (on novel cardiovascular riskfactors). In the last two years, her research has focused on cancer, examining in particular antitumor properties of plant extracts. Dr. Nikolic has strong experience in both clinical and pre-clinical research.
E-mail: dragana.nikolic@uniba.it

Manuscript Submission Information:

Manuscripts must be submitted online by registering and logging in as indicated on this website, where also a guide for authors and other relevant information is available. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline (EXTENDED TO: August 31st, 2024). Submitted manuscripts must not have been published previously, nor simultaneously submitted for publication elsewhere. All submissions will pass pre-check by Editors and then will be peer-reviewed by anonymous Reviewers. As soon as accepted, the papers will be published continuously and listed on the special issue website. Research and review articles, as well as short communications, experts’ opinion are invited. Please visit the Guidelines for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication is EUR 200.00 (plus 4% VAT, if applicable).

Topics: Natural extracts; nutraceuticals; chronic diseases; translational nanomedicine; therapeutic approaches.