Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry

Journal Impact Factor: 3.3
Scopus Cite Score: 6.4

Indexed in: Scopus, SCI Expanded, MEDLINE/PubMed

View All
Aims and Scope:
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry is a forum for the review of areas of keen and topical interest to medicinal chemists and others in the allied disciplines. Each issue is solely devoted to timely in-depth mini-reviews/ research and guest-edited reviews/ research which provide the reader a comprehensive survey of that area. A Guest Editor who is an expert in the topic under review will assemble each issue. The scope of Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry will cover all areas of medicinal chemistry, including current developments in rational drug design, synthetic chemistry, bioorganic chemistry, high-throughput screening, combinatorial chemistry, compound diversity measurements, drug absorption, drug distribution, metabolism, new and emerging drug targets, natural products, pharmacogenomics, and structure-activity relationships. Medicinal chemistry is a rapidly maturing discipline. The study of how structure and function are related is absolutely essential to understanding the molecular basis of life. Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry aims to contribute to the growth of scientific knowledge and insight and facilitate the discovery and development of new therapeutic agents to treat debilitating human disorders. The journal is essential for every medicinal chemist who wishes to be kept informed and up-to-date with the latest and most important advances.
Read more...
Start Submission Button Icon

Editor-in-Chief:

  • Jia Zhou Chemical Biology Program
    Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology
    University of Texas
    Galveston, TX
    United States of America

ISSN: 1568-0266 (Print)

eISSN: 1873-4294 (Online)

Special Issues With Active Call for Papers

Submission closes on: Sep 14, 2026
MicroRNAs: Unlocking New Horizons in Solid Tumor Therapy with Tiny Keys

Over the past five years, miRNA-based treatments have gained traction as diagnostic and therapeutic modalities in solid tumors. Dysregulated miRNAs, including miR-21, miR-155, and members of the let-7 family, have been demonstrated to promote tumor development, angiogenesis, and immune evasion, thereby establishing them as key therapeutic targets. Recent advancements encompass miRNA mimics (e.g., miR-34a) and inhibitors (antagomiRs) administered by lipid nanoparticles, viral vectors, or exosome-based carriers, aimed at addressing stability and delivery challenges within the... see more

Impact Factor: 3.3
Guest Editor(s): Dr. Imran Khan
Co-Guest Editor(s): Dr. Asad Ur Rehman,Dr. Sadaf Mahfooz
Start Submission
Submission closes on: Sep 04, 2026
Next-Generation RNA Therapeutics: Mechanisms, Materials and Translation

RNA-based medicines are advancing from concept to clinical reality, reshaping vaccines, oncology, rare disease treatment, and regenerative medicine. This thematic issue will gather authoritative reviews covering the full spectrum of RNA therapeutic research—from molecular design and chemical modification of mRNA, saRNA, circRNA, and gene-editing components, to delivery systems including lipid, polymeric, peptide/protein, extracellular vesicle, and conjugate-based platforms. We also welcome perspectives on RNA pharmacology, immune modulation, and therapeutic mechanisms, as well as computational and bioinformatics... see more

Impact Factor: 3.3
Guest Editor(s): Dr. Shi Du
Co-Guest Editor(s): Dr. Yuebao Zhang,Dr. Yonger Xue
Start Submission
Submission closes on: Aug 30, 2026
Artificial intelligence and In Silico Strategies for Novel Target Identification in Alzheimer's Disease

The title "Artificial Intelligence and In Silico Strategies for Novel Target Identification in Alzheimer's Disease" emphasizes the use of Artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced in silico methods to address Alzheimer's disease (AD), a neurodegenerative condition that currently has few effective treatments. AI and insilico methods, including molecular modeling, simulations, are transforming how we discover new therapeutic targets for AD. These technologies allow researchers to examine complicated biological data, like protein interactions, genetic markers, and disease... see more

Impact Factor: 3.3
Guest Editor(s): Dr. Dileep Kumar
Start Submission
Submission closes on: Aug 24, 2026
Medicinal Chemistry Research for Anticancer Agents

The use of several compounds has been the subject of increasing interest in phytochemistry, biochemistry and other fields of research at the chemistry-biology-ecosystems interface. In spite of the continued search for new anticancer drugs, cancer remains a leading cause of death. Cancer mortalities are expected to increase to 12.9 million, while cancer incidence itself should rise to 20 million by the year 2030. Chemotherapeutic strategies are needed that provide selective tumor toxicity. However, the most... see more

Impact Factor: 3.3
Guest Editor(s): Dr. Luciana Scotti
Co-Guest Editor(s): Dr. Marcus Tullius Scotti
Start Submission
Submission closes on: Jul 18, 2026
Enzyme-Targeted Drug Discovery: Emerging Targets, Strategic Approaches, and Evaluation Frameworks

Enzyme-targeted drug discovery represents one of the most relevant strategies in pharmaceutical development, owing to the high specificity, selectivity, and central role of enzymes in the regulation of biological processes. This proposed issue aims to compile key information on the current landscape of enzyme-targeted drug discovery, with emphasis on the identification of relevant therapeutic targets, innovative approaches for enzyme modulation (such as covalent inhibitors, allosteric modulators, and fragment-based strategies), and modern methodologies for assessing the... see more

Impact Factor: 3.3
Guest Editor(s): Dr. Fernando de Carvalho da Silva
Co-Guest Editor(s): Dr. Luana Forezi,Dr. Gleyton Sousa
Start Submission
Submission closes on: Jun 25, 2026
From Code to Cure: The Evolving Landscape of Computer-Aided Drug Discovery and AI-Driven Design

Advancements in computational science and high-performance computing have made computer-aided drug design (CADD) a fundamental approach in modern drug discovery. CADD enables precise molecular-level analysis of target binding sites and interaction mechanisms, expediting the identification and refinement of drug candidates. It comprises structure-based drug design (SBDD), enhanced by crystallography and homology modeling, and ligand-based drug design (LBDD), which utilizes bioactivity data through techniques like QSAR modeling, pharmacophore mapping, and scaffold hopping. Further, advanced tools such... see more

Impact Factor: 3.3
Guest Editor(s): Dr. Dharmendra Kumar Yadav
Start Submission
Submission closes on: Mar 23, 2026
Big Data in Biomedicine: Integrating Bioinformatics and Clinical Databases

The rapid advancement of big data technologies is transforming biomedicine by integrating bioinformatics and clinical databases to drive precision medicine and innovative healthcare solutions. This thematic issue explores the intersection of computational biology, machine learning, and biomedical informatics, highlighting how large-scale data analysis enhances disease diagnosis, biomarker discovery, and personalized treatment strategies. Key topics include multi-omics data integration, AI-driven predictive modeling, electronic health record mining, and ethical considerations in data sharing. By bridging the gap... see more

Impact Factor: 3.3
Guest Editor(s): Dr. Heng Li
Start Submission
Submission closes on: Jan 24, 2026
Recent Advances In The Biological Nanomaterials-Based Treatment Of Neurological Disorders

The thematic issue "Recent Advances in the Biological Nanomaterials-Based Treatment of Neurological Disorders" addresses innovative uses of plant and microorganism-derived biological nanomaterials to treat neurological diseases like Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, stroke, and glioblastoma, which are becoming increasingly important medically and scientifically. Nanomaterials from plants, microorganisms, peptides, proteins, polysaccharides, and exosomes are developed, characterized, and tested for therapeutic use. These materials' biocompatibility, bioactivity, and targeted delivery make them potential options for treating complicated neurological illnesses like Alzheimer's,... see more

Impact Factor: 3.3
Guest Editor(s): Dr. Virendra Kumar Yadav
Co-Guest Editor(s): Dr. Nisha Choudhary,Dr. Govindhan Gnanamoorthy
Start Submission
Submission closes on: Dec 31, 2025
Mendelian Randomization Applied for Tumor Personalized Drug Therapy, Molecular Mechanisms and New Therapeutic Targets

The convergence of medicinal chemistry and mendelian randomization analysis represents a dynamic and interdisciplinary area of research with immense potential for advancing cancer therapy. Medicinal chemistry encompasses the design, synthesis, and optimization of small molecules targeting disease pathways, while Mendelian randomization leverages genetic variants as instrumental variables to infer causal relationships between risk factors and disease outcomes. Bioinformatics analysis plays a crucial role in integrating multi-omics data to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of cancer pathogenesis... see more

Impact Factor: 3.3
Guest Editor(s): Dr. Huizhong Jiang
Co-Guest Editor(s): Prof. Jun Liu,Dr. Di Xie,Dr. Biao Zhang
Start Submission
Submission closes on: Dec 31, 2025
Drug Discovery in the Age of Artificial Intelligence

In the age of artificial intelligence (AI), we have witnessed a significant boom in AI techniques for drug discovery. AI techniques are increasingly integrated and accelerating the drug discovery process. These developments have not only attracted the attention of academia and industry but also raised important questions regarding the selection of the most suitable AI methods. The thematic issue aims to showcase the latest advancements, methodologies, and applications of artificial intelligence in the field of... see more

Impact Factor: 3.3
Guest Editor(s): Dr. Liangxu Xie
Co-Guest Editor(s): Dr. Xiaojun Xu
Start Submission
Submission closes on: Dec 31, 2025
Transcriptional Regulation in Ageing and Age-Related Diseases

Ageing is a universal biological phenomenon that presents a significant challenge to global health due to the rising incidence of age-related diseases. Understanding the transcriptional regulatory mechanisms that drive ageing processes is crucial for developing innovative interventions to enhance healthspan and lifespan. This special issue is particularly timely and relevant given the recent advancements in high-throughput sequencing technologies and bioinformatics tools that have revolutionized our ability to study transcriptional changes on a genome-wide scale. By... see more

Impact Factor: 3.3
Guest Editor(s): Dr. Dechao Feng
Co-Guest Editor(s): Dr. Dengxiong Li,Dr. Wuran Wei
Start Submission
Submission closes on: Dec 31, 2025
From Biodiversity to Chemical Diversity: Focus of Flavonoids

Flavonoids are the largest group of polyphenols, plant secondary metabolites arising from the essential aromatic amino acid phenylalanine (or more rarely from tyrosine) via the phenylpropanoid pathway. The flavan nucleus is the basic 15-carbon skeleton of flavonoids (C6-C3-C6), which consists of two phenyl rings (A and B) and a heterocyclic ring (C). The main classes of flavonoids (flavonols, flavanols, flavones, flavanones, isoflavones and anthocyanidins) differ in the level of oxidation and saturation of the C... see more

Impact Factor: 3.3
Guest Editor(s): Dr. Marcello Iriti
Start Submission
Submission closes on: Dec 31, 2025
Privileged Scaffolds in Drug Discovery and Medicinal Chemistry

Privileged scaffolds stand as linchpins in the realm of drug discovery, forming the bedrock for the development of new therapeutic agents. These molecular frameworks, distinguished by their versatile structural features and chemical properties, emerge as important foundation in the quest for groundbreaking drugs. The significance of privileged scaffolds is underscored by their role in furnishing a sturdy platform for the synthesis and fine-tuning of drug candidates, ultimately paving the way for the discovery of efficacious... see more

Impact Factor: 3.3
Guest Editor(s): Dr. Guang Huang
Co-Guest Editor(s): Dr. Wen Zhou,Dr. Raj Kumar,Dr. Mohammad Abrar Alam,Dr. Hongtao Zhao
Start Submission
Submission closes on: Dec 31, 2025
Next-Generation Drug Targets in Antimicrobial Research: Strategies for Overcoming Resistance

This thematic issue focuses on the urgent need to develop innovative strategies and identify novel drug targets to fight against antimicrobial resistance. As resistant strains of bacteria, fungi, and other pathogens continue to emerge, the global healthcare community faces a critical challenge: the diminishing effectiveness of existing antimicrobial therapies. As traditional antimicrobials lose efficacy, there is an urgent need to identify and exploit novel molecular targets within microbial cells and host-pathogen interactions. To address this,... see more

Impact Factor: 3.3
Guest Editor(s): Dr. Ajay Kumar
Co-Guest Editor(s): Dr. Dileep Kumar,Dr. Pranay Wal
Start Submission
Submission closes on: Dec 31, 2025
Role of Kynurenine Pathway in Depression and Potential Therapeutic Implications

According to WHO data, one in four people in the world will be affected by mental or neurological disorders at some point in their lives. Although depression is categorized as a brain disorder, its symptomatology includes some behaviors that also occur during chronic inflammatory stress. According to research, cytokine production and immune system activation may have a role in depression, so this relationship has received much attention. Moreover, there is a bidirectional relationship between oxidative... see more

Impact Factor: 3.3
Guest Editor(s): Dr. Hande Sipahi
Co-Guest Editor(s): Dr. Mete Şaylan
Start Submission
Submission closes on: Dec 31, 2025
Recent Advances in Antimicrobial Research

"Recent Advances in Antimicrobial Research" intends to cover a broad spectrum of topics related to the development, application, and discovery of antimicrobial drugs, as well as understanding the management of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Antimicrobial resistance poses a serious concern to the efficacy of currently available medicines and hinders our ability to treat various infections, making it a critical global health concern. Researchers have been actively working to advance antimicrobial research in response to this growing... see more

Impact Factor: 3.3
Guest Editor(s): Dr. Ajay Kumar
Co-Guest Editor(s): Dr. Rikeshwer Prasad Dewangan,Dr. Jairam Meena,Dr. Avinash Kumar
Start Submission
Submission closes on: Dec 31, 2025
Natural Products And Natural Products-Based Formulations In The Biomedicine Field

Natural products derived from plants, animals, minerals, etc., have attracted much attention in the biomedicine fields. They often have good anti-tumor, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and other physiological activities and excellent biocompatibility, structural modifiable characteristics, are potential treasure house of drug development. Most of them have the advantages of wide source, low cost and easy large-scale industrial production. Therefore, on the basis of natural products, it is of great significance to explore and develop various natural... see more

Impact Factor: 3.3
Guest Editor(s): Dr. Yang Liu
Co-Guest Editor(s): Dr. Fouad Damiri,Dr. Mohammed Berrada
Start Submission
Submission closes on: Dec 31, 2025
Adaptogens—History and Future Perspectives

Adaptogens are pharmacologically active compounds or plant extracts that are associated with the ability to enhance the body’s stability against stress. The intake of adaptogens is associated not only with a better ability to adapt to stress and maintain or normalise metabolic functions but also with better mental and physical performance. The potential to increase the working capacity makes some of the adaptogens of particular interest for sport medicine. Currently, adaptogens are used by many... see more

Impact Factor: 3.3
Guest Editor(s): Dr. Drozdstoy Stoyanov
Co-Guest Editor(s): Dr. Stanislava Ivanova
Start Submission
Submission closes on: Dec 31, 2025
Natural Product-Driven Antimicrobial Drug Discovery

Natural products (NPs) have been an important source of drug discovery and development due to their novel structures and wide range of pharmacological activities. Especially in the discovery of antibiotics, most antibiotics are derived from NPs and their derivatives, such as penicillin G, amoxicillin, oxytetracycline, and minocycline. NPs have particular advantages over purely synthetic molecules. First, they are evolutionarily “optimized” structurally for specific biological functions, including anti-infection, interaction with other organisms, and receptor/protein binding. Second,... see more

Impact Factor: 3.3
Guest Editor(s): Dr. Yong Guo
Start Submission
Submission closes on: Dec 31, 2025
Recent Advances and Challenges in Molecular Modeling and Interaction for Drug Designing

Molecular modeling and structure prediction along with docking and molecular dynamics simulations have revolutionized the drug designing process. Moreover, modeling tools have proven to be extremely useful in the discovery of new molecules for agricultural and environmental applications too. Several software tools are available to predict the structure of molecules based on different algorithms. Furthermore, for studying the structures of different types of molecules like proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, DNA, RNA and their interactions with other... see more

Impact Factor: 3.3
Guest Editor(s): Dr. Ashutosh Mani
Co-Guest Editor(s): Dr. Sandeep Kushwaha,Prof Pritish Varadwaj,Dr. Salman Akhtar
Start Submission
Submission closes on: Dec 31, 2025
Functional Nanomaterials for The Inactivation of Resistant Pathogens

In the last century, the rise of microbial infections significantly impacted mortality rates. This global issue was partially addressed by the discovery and development of antibiotics and related substances. However, their extensive use led to the emergence of "antimicrobial resistance," a phenomenon where several pathogens develop mechanisms to evade the effects of these drugs. In this context, the advent of nanotechnology has facilitated the design and development of materials at the sub-micrometric level, aiding in... see more

Impact Factor: 3.3
Guest Editor(s): Dr. Silvestre Bongiovanni Abel
Start Submission
Submission closes on: Dec 31, 2025
Vaccines and Therapeutics Against Human Respiratory Pathogens

Respiratory viruses like coronavirus, influenza, adenovirus, and respiratory syncytial virus pose severe threats to public health. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2, has resulted in over 276 million confirmed cases and over 7 million deaths. Annual influenza epidemics cause 290,000 to 650,000 deaths globally, according to WHO. Vaccines and antiviral agents are key in combating viruses, but their development faces challenges due to virus variations and emerging threats. To address this, urgent exploration of... see more

Impact Factor: 3.3
Guest Editor(s): Dr. Minghui Yang
Co-Guest Editor(s): Dr. Guoguo Ye,Dr. Long Zhang
Start Submission
Submission closes on: Dec 31, 2025
Chemistry Based on Natural Products for Therapeutic Purposes

The development of new pharmaceuticals for a wide range of medical conditions has long relied on the identification of promising natural products (NPs). There are over sixty percent of cancer, infectious illness, and CNS disease medications that include an NP pharmacophore, according to the Food and Drug Administration. Since NP pharmacophores are the only ones that can pass the blood-brain barrier, they are more common (>80%) in central nervous system medications. More than seventy new... see more

Impact Factor: 3.3
Guest Editor(s): Dr. Parag Jain
Co-Guest Editor(s): Dr. Akanksha Jain
Start Submission
Submission closes on: Dec 31, 2025
Structure, Bio-activities, Synthesis, Biosynthesis, and Chemical Synthesis of Microbial Secondary Metabolites

The main the scope of the Thematic Issue are structure, bioactivities, synthesis, biosynthesis and chemical synthesis of microbial secondary metabolites. Microbe secondary metabolites contain many pharmacologically active compounds with complex chemical structures and diverse biological activities, which are an important source of potential new drugs and have significant pharmaceutical value. The study of the biosynthesis and chemical synthesis pathways of microbial secondary metabolites will help to subsequently obtain structurally more complex and biologically more diverse... see more

Impact Factor: 3.3
Guest Editor(s): Dr. Bing Liu
Co-Guest Editor(s): Dr. Xuan Lu,Dr. Zheng Xiang,Dr. Haifeng Wang
Start Submission
Submission closes on: Dec 31, 2025
Artificial intelligence for Natural Products Discovery and Development

Our approach involves using computational methods to predict the potential therapeutic benefits of natural products by considering factors such as drug structure, targets, and interactions. We also employ multitarget analysis to understand the role of drug targets in disease pathways. We advocate for the use of artificial intelligence in predicting drug targets, assessing activity, and predicting toxicity, as well as in studying drug repositioning. We encourage contributors to utilize the latest artificial intelligence techniques, including... see more

Impact Factor: 3.3
Guest Editor(s): Dr. Lianxiang Luo
Start Submission
Submission closes on: Dec 31, 2025
Medicinal Oxidative Stress and Neuroinflammation Chemistry: Pioneering Breakthroughs in the Convergence of Psychiatry

This thematic issue explores the intricate relationship between certain psychological factors (e.g., depression, anxiety) and medicinal oxidative stress chemistry, highlighting the advancements at the intersection of psychiatry. Psychological factors play a significant role in mental health disorders such as schizophrenia, and emerging research suggests that oxidative stress, an imbalance between reactive oxygen species and antioxidant defenses, may contribute to the pathophysiology of psychiatric problems. This special issue sheds light on how medicinal oxidative stress chemistry... see more

Impact Factor: 3.3
Guest Editor(s): Dr. Kadir Uludag
Co-Guest Editor(s): Dr. Tahmineh Mokhtari,Dr. Fahad Akhtar,Dr. Yanhua Bi
Start Submission
Submission closes on: Dec 31, 2025
Deciphering Novel Drug Targets for Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of the most challenging neurodegenerative disorders, affecting millions worldwide with no definitive cure in sight. As the global population ages, the urgency to discover new and effective drug targets for AD intensifies. Emerging molecular targets, such as amyloid beta (Aβ) peptide, GSK-3β, tau protein, and apolipoprotein E 4 (APOE4) effects, are gaining recognition for their role in AD pathogenesis. These novel targets open the door to innovative therapies that may... see more

Impact Factor: 3.3
Guest Editor(s): Dr. Dileep Kumar
Start Submission
Submission closes on: Dec 31, 2025
AlphaFold in Medicinal Chemistry: Opportunities and Challenges

AlphaFold, a groundbreaking AI tool for protein structure prediction, is revolutionizing drug discovery. Its near-atomic accuracy unlocks new avenues for designing targeted drugs and performing efficient virtual screening. However, AlphaFold's static predictions lack the dynamic nature of proteins, crucial for understanding drug action. This is especially true for multi-domain proteins, where binding sites involve domain movements. This special issue captures the transformative potential of AlphaFold on drug discovery. We also welcome research and reviews in... see more

Impact Factor: 3.3
Guest Editor(s): Dr. Jun Chen
Co-Guest Editor(s): Dr. Falu Wang
Start Submission
Submission closes on: Dec 31, 2025
Interactions between Drugs or Drug Carriers and Biomolecules of the Cell Membrane

When drugs or drug preparations enter the body, some drugs directly adhere to the cell membrane, insert into the cell membrane, and interact with the lipid and protein molecules on the membrane to play a role. There are also drugs that cross the cell membrane and enter the inside of the cell to exert their effects. It is of great value to study the affinity between drugs and cell membranes, the molecular action and the... see more

Impact Factor: 3.3
Guest Editor(s): Dr. Juan Wang
Start Submission