From Ethnopharmacology to Evidence-Based Phytotherapy – Translational Research Needs and Challenges in the Development of New Medicines

Ethnopharmacology, the scientific study of traditional medicinal knowledge and practices, has long served as a bridge between cultural heritage and therapeutic innovation. While centuries of indigenous experience with herbal remedies have laid a foundation for modern phytotherapeutic research, many traditional uses have remained only partially explored in terms of their underlying mechanisms, safety, and clinical efficacy. Recent advances in analytical techniques, systems biology, and evidence-based medicine have revitalized the field, enabling a transition from largely observational accounts to rigorous experimental assessment. Despite these developments, substantial gaps persist between empirical knowledge and clinical implementation, with ongoing debates about the best ways to reconcile traditional knowledge with the demands of modern scientific scrutiny. While the study of such traditional medicines in pharmacological and analytical terms is at the center of ethnopharmacology, the translational process of developing new evidence-based phytotherapeutic preparations is generally neglected.This Research Topic aims to showcase and advance the transformation of ethnopharmacological insights into robust, evidence-based phytotherapy. A key objective is to showcase examples of such translational developments—from preparations for which the evidence base is derived from empirical knowledge to preparations supported by robust biomedical and clinical assessment. Elements relevant in this context include clarifying the mechanistic foundations driving the effects of traditional herbal remedies, evaluating their safety profiles, and assessing their real-world effectiveness through clinical trials and systematic reviews. However, each study in this Research Topic must clearly outline the translational aspect of the project. Ultimately, this topic aspires to foster interdisciplinary dialogue while empowering a more integrative and scientifically assessed use of herbal medicine. We encourage submissions analyzing the scientific development underlying the commercial and/or industrial development of herbal medicines and herbal medicinal products.To gather further insights into this intersection between traditional knowledge and contemporary science, we welcome articles that combine cultural, pharmacological, and clinical perspectives, while remaining rooted in ethnopharmacology and offering a translational perspective. With a focus on translational research, submissions may incorporate, but are not limited to, the following themes:Systematic documentation and prioritization of traditional herbal medicinesPhytochemical analysis, standardization, and quality controlPharmacological mechanisms and molecular targets of medicinal plantsPreclinical and clinical assessment of safety and efficacyChallenges and strategies for regulatory approval and integration of validated herbal therapies into modern healthcare systems, and the development of commercial medical products based on local/traditional knowledgeWe welcome original research, reviews, meta-analyses, and case studies pertinent to these themes.Please note:All submissions must adhere to best-practice guidelines for pharmacological studies on plant and fungal extracts and natural products, including the Four Pillars of Best Practice in Ethnopharmacology and the ConPhyMP statement (Front. Pharmacol. 13:953205). Detailed documentation of material origin, extraction, and processing is essential; manuscripts lacking this information will be desk-rejected. The full guidelines and ConPhyMP self-assessment tool are available at: https://ga-online.org/best-practice/. Topic editors: Dorin Dragoş, Fulun Li Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/78483/from-ethnopharmacology-to-evidence-based-phytotherapy---translational-research-needs-and-challenges-in-the-development-of-new-medicines