Bioactive Natural Products from Underexplored Medicinal Plants: Combating Antimicrobial Resistance, Metabolic Disorders, and Inflammation

The global burden of antimicrobial resistance and chronic inflammation continues to grow, and medicinal plant science is increasingly well placed to contribute structured, evidence-based responses. Traditional medicine systems across Africa, Asia, and Latin America have long employed plant species against these conditions, and ongoing scientific investigation is steadily expanding our understanding of their bioactive constituents and therapeutic potential. The breadth of this diversity represents a rich and growing source of structurally novel compounds for drug discovery and complementary therapeutics.Beyond direct antimicrobial effects, research increasingly examines how plant-derived compounds influence microbial communication and behavior including quorum sensing, biofilm formation, and virulence regulation and how these processes shape microbial persistence and adaptive responses. Experimental studies investigate plant extracts, fractions, and isolated compounds for these effects, underpinned by rigorous botanical authentication and chemical characterization.This Research Topic brings together investigations of bioactive natural products from underexplored medicinal plants across two interconnected therapeutic domains: antimicrobial resistance and inflammation. What unites contributions to this collection is a shared commitment to scientific rigour in the study of plant-based preparations. Contributions are expected to situate their plant material within a documented traditional or ethnobotanical use context before proceeding to chemical, biological, or computational investigation, building a clear line from provenance to evidence.We welcome contributions addressing topics including, but not limited to:> Ethnobotanical surveys and documentation of plant species from traditional medicine used against infection or inflammatory conditions> Antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity of plant extracts and isolated compounds against resistant pathogens, including bacteria and parasites> Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant mechanisms of phytochemicals from underexplored species> Phytochemical profiling, structure-activity relationships, and extract characterisation aligned with ConPhyMP standards> In vitro or in vivo approaches to infection, or inflammation using plant extracts or isolated constituents> Safety profiling, toxicological assessment, and conservation considerations for underexplored medicinal species used in the context of infections and resulting inflammatory conditionsOverall, this collection aims to build a cohesive, high-quality body of evidence that advances the scientific understanding of underexplored medicinal plants as credible contributors to addressing three of the most pressing health challenges of our time. The intended outcome is a resource that bridges traditional knowledge and modern pharmacological science, equipping researchers, clinicians, and policymakers with the evidence needed to consider plant-derived compounds within broader therapeutic and drug discovery frameworks.To support reproducibility and quality across the collection, authors need to follow the Four Pillars of Best Practice in Ethnopharmacology https://www.frontiersin.org/files/pdf/4_pillars_FULL_TEXT.pdf and the ConPhyMP consensus guidelines for the phytochemical characterisation of medicinal plant extracts https://ga-online.org/best-practice/ These frameworks set the standard for botanical authentication, voucher deposition, extract characterisation, and pharmacological reporting. Studies that connect provenance with experimental data and apply appropriate analytical methods for the material under investigation are particularly encouraged. Topic editors: Maryam Malmir, Ikponmwosa Evbuomwan, Jeremiah Unuofin Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/82734/bioactive-natural-products-from-underexplored-medicinal-plants-combating-antimicrobial-resistance-metabolic-disorders-and-inflammation