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Call for Papers: From Molecules to Holistic Effects: Unveiling the Scientific Basis of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Pain, Chronic Diseases, and Bioactive Compound Biosynthesis

Introduction

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) encompasses complex formulations, extracts, and bioactive compounds that are increasingly being investigated using modern biomedical and systems-level approaches. Advances in molecular biology, multi-omics, network pharmacology, synthetic biology, and metabolic engineering have created new opportunities to understand the biological effects and mechanisms of TCM.

This Special Issue invites researchers to submit original studies investigating the mechanisms of action of TCM in pain management and chronic diseases, as well as new approaches for the biosynthesis of TCM bioactive compounds. It invites research studies covering phytomedicine, pharmacology, biotechnology, molecular biology, systems biology, and translational medicine.

Research Areas Covered by This Special Issue

This Special Issue provides an opportunity to explore diverse aspects of TCM research, from molecular mechanisms and therapeutic efficacy to bioactive components, biosynthesis, quality control, and emerging applications.

Key advantages:

  • Pain Research: Research involving TCM formulations, extracts, and purified molecules for acute, chronic, neuropathic, and inflammatory pain.
  • Molecular mechanisms: Research on mechanisms of action involving nociception, neuroinflammation, sensitisation, and the targets of TCM bioactive agents.
  • Research on Chronic Disease: Studies related to type 2 diabetes, obesity, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, cardiovascular diseases, neurodegeneration, inflammation, oxidative stress, and other chronic diseases.
  • Network pharmacology and multi-omics studies: Studies using network pharmacology, systems biology, and multi-omics techniques to study multi-compound and multi-target TCM mechanisms.
  • Bioactive Compounds Biosynthesis Research: Studies on biosynthetic pathways, metabolic engineering, synthetic biology, and microbial cells to produce TCM bioactive compounds.
  • Translational Research and Quality Improvement: Research on bioactivity indicators, drug delivery systems, quality control methods, clinical studies, safety assessments, and drug-herb interactions.

    • Scope

    Research Articles, Short Communications, and Review Articles addressing the scientific basis of Traditional Chinese Medicine are encouraged for submission to the Special Issue. Studies integrating pharmacology, molecular biology, biotechnology, systems biology, phytomedicine, and clinical or translational research will be especially relevant to this TCM Research Call for Papers.

    Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

  • Molecular mechanisms of TCM in pain management
  • TCM formulas, extracts, and bioactive compounds
  • Acute, chronic, neuropathic, and inflammatory pain
  • TCM for type 2 diabetes, obesity, and metabolic diseases
  • TCM interventions for NAFLD and cardiovascular diseases
  • Network pharmacology, systems biology, and multi-omics
  • Biosynthetic pathways of TCM metabolites
  • Metabolic engineering, synthetic biology, and microbial cell factories
  • Bioactivity markers, quality control, and standardisation

    • Research Areas and Potential Approaches

    Research area Suitable focus Possible approaches
    Pain Nociception, neuroinflammation, sensitisation Molecular biology, pharmacology
    Chronic disease Metabolic, cardiovascular, neurodegenerative
    disease    		 Clinical, experimental, systems biology
    Multi-component mechanisms Formulae, extracts, multi-target effects Network pharmacology, multi-omics
    Bioactive biosynthesis Secondary metabolites Synthetic biology, metabolic engineering
    Translation & quality Biomarkers, standardisation, safety, delivery Analytical, preclinical, clinical

    Know More About This Issue

    Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) involves multi-component formulations that may influence multiple biological targets and pathways. Recent research has applied network pharmacology and systems approaches to investigate these complex mechanisms and connect TCM compounds with potential therapeutic pathways.

    Clinical research has also examined Traditional Chinese Medicine in chronic disease settings. Systematic reviews have evaluated TCM interventions for chronic pain conditions, including fibromyalgia (Cai et al., 2023). Research in type 2 diabetes with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease has also investigated outcomes such as glucose metabolism, lipid profiles, liver function, and insulin resistance (Peng et al., 2022). Research on Jinlida, a TCM formulation used as an add-on treatment for type 2 diabetes, has also synthesised evidence from randomised controlled trials (Zhao et al., 2022).

    An umbrella review of systematic reviews of randomised controlled trials reported potential benefits across several cardiovascular conditions, while also noting limitations in the quality and certainty of the available evidence (Li et al., 2024). A 2024 systematic review and meta-analysis also examined TCM as part of treatment strategies for chronic coronary syndrome, providing further evidence for ongoing investigation in this area (Ma et al., 2024).

    How We Support Your Submission

    PhD Assistance Research Lab supports researchers with manuscript development, scientific editing, structuring and submission preparation while preserving researcher authorship and responsibility.

    Our services include:

    1. Scientific Manuscript Development and Editing

  • Problem: TCM research may involve complex pharmacological, molecular, clinical, and biotechnology-related concepts.
  • Solution:  We provide support with technical manuscript development, academic editing, and content polishing focused on clear scientific communication in the domain.
  • Value: A coherent manuscript that presents the research methodology, findings, mechanisms, and scientific significance clearly.

    • 2. Research Design & Methodology

  • Problem: Interdisciplinary TCM studies may require the integration of experimental, computational, clinical, or analytical approaches.
  • Solution: We assist with research design, methodology, data considerations, and appropriate analytical approaches.
  • Value: A systematic research framework that clearly connects research methods with study objectives.

    • 3. Journal Formatting & Manuscript Structuring

  • Problem: Special Issue submissions must follow the relevant journal’s author instructions and submission requirements.
  • Solution: We provide guidance for manuscript organisation, formatting, and structural editing based on the applicable journal guidelines.
  • Value: Better submission preparedness and consistency with journal requirements.

    • 4. Academic Language Editing & Proofreading

  • Problem: Complex TCM research concepts can become difficult to communicate when language, structure, or scientific terminology is inconsistent.
  • Solution: Our experts assist with academic language editing, proofreading, and scientific communication refinement
  • Value: A clear, consistent, and professionally presented research paper.

    • 5. Pre-Submission Review & Submission Support

  • Problem: Manuscripts may contain structural, formatting, or presentation issues before submission.
  • Solution: Final manuscript review and support with document preparation.
  • Value: A more organised manuscript submission process.

    • Special Issue Submission Information

    Journal Guidelines:

  • Original research, short communications, and review papers are invited.
  • The research should investigate the scientific background of TCM, which includes the mechanisms behind pain, chronic disease, active substances, biosynthesis, quality assurance, or translational applications.
  • Articles should adhere to the submission guidelines of the respective journals.
  • Research involving pain management, chronic and metabolic diseases, bioactive compound biosynthesis, quality control, drug delivery, safety, efficacy, or herb-drug interactions is especially encouraged.
  • All manuscripts will undergo peer review per the standard procedures of the journal.
  • Submissions will be made via the journal’s submission system, Editorial Manager®, selecting “VSI: Scientific Basis of TCM” as the manuscript type.
  • Submission deadline: 30 September 2027.

    • Verify all information against the latest official Elsevier CFP before submitting your paper.

    If your research addresses the scientific basis of Traditional Chinese Medicine for pain, chronic diseases, or bioactive compound biosynthesis, consider submitting your manuscript to this Special Issue.

    Traditional Chinese Medicine Chronic Disease Research

    Is My Paper a Fit?

    Your manuscript may be a good fit if it:

  • Studies molecular actions of TCM formulae, extracts, or bioactive molecules.
  • Studies the use of TCMs to treat acute, chronic, neuropathic, or inflammatory pain.
  • Researches nociception, neuroinflammation and sensitisation.
  • Investigates the use of TCM to treat metabolic, cardiovascular, neurodegenerative or inflammatory diseases.
  • Investigates gut microbiota, inflammation, oxidative stress, and proteostasis.
  • Applies network pharmacology, systems biology, and multi-omics approaches.
  • Investigates biosynthesis of secondary metabolites in TCMs.
  • Discusses metabolic engineering, synthetic biology, or microbial cell factories.
  • Ideas for bioactivity markers, standardisation, quality control, or development of new drug delivery systems.
  • Clinical or translational studies related to safety, efficacy or interaction of TCMs with pharmaceutical drugs.

    • Check Your Manuscript’s Fit for This Special Issue

    Get guidance on manuscript scope, structure, formatting and pre-submission preparation, including how to prepare for and respond to peer-review requirements.

    The free guide covers manuscript preparation, formatting, Peer review, and pre-submission readiness

    FAQs:

    1. What is the focus of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Special Issue?

    This Special Issue focuses on the scientific basis of TCM, including molecular mechanisms in pain and chronic diseases, bioactive compound biosynthesis, quality control, and translational research.

    2. What article types are accepted for this Special Issue?

    The Special Issue welcomes original research articles, short communications, and review articles covering TCM, pain research, chronic diseases, bioactive compounds, and related biotechnology.

    3. What areas are covered by Traditional Chinese Medicine Research?

    Research areas include TCM mechanisms in pain management, metabolic and chronic diseases, network pharmacology, multi-omics, bioactive compound biosynthesis, quality control, and clinical applications.

    4. What topics are relevant to Traditional Chinese Medicine and Pain Research?

    Relevant topics include acute, chronic, neuropathic, and inflammatory pain, nociceptive pathways, neuroinflammation, sensitisation, and interactions between TCM bioactive compounds and pain-related targets.

    5. How can I publish an article in this Special Issue?

    Authors can submit their manuscripts through the journal’s Editorial Manager® submission system by selecting the article type “VSI: Scientific Basis of TCM” during submission and following the journal’s latest Guide for Authors.

    Reference

    1. (2026). From Molecules to Holistic Effects: Unveiling the Scientific Basis of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Pain, Chronic Diseases, and Bioactive Compound Biosynthesis. Submission deadline: 30 September 2027. Phytomedicine | ScienceDirect.com by Elsevier – Phytomedicine | ScienceDirect.com by Elsevier  
    2. Zhao, X., Liu, L., & Liu, J. (2022). Treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus using the traditional Chinese medicine Jinlida as an add-on medication: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Frontiers in Endocrinology, 13, 1018450.  https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2022.101
    3. Cai L, Chen Z, Liang J, Song Y, Yu H, Zhu J, Wu Q, Zhou X and Du Q (2023) Effectiveness of non-pharmacological traditional Chinese medicine combined with conventional therapy in treating fibromyalgia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Front. Neurosci. 17:1097475. doi: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1097475
    4. Li, J., Jiao, R., Su, W., Chen, W., Hu, X., Xu, S., Xu, L., Yao, W., Liu, K., You, H., & Zhao, J. (2025). Traditional Chinese medicine for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: An overview of systematic reviews with evidence mapping and metabolic outcome assessment. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 16, 1675793. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2025
    5. Peng, S., Liu, L., Xie, Z., Zhang, X., Xie, C., Ye, S., Zhang, X., Liang, X., Wang, H., & Liu, Y. (2022). Chinese herbal medicine for type 2 diabetes mellitus with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 13, 863839. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2022.
    6. Li, X., Yu, T., Jiang, Q., Tan, J., & Liu, K. (2024). The Efficacy of Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine Across Multiple Cardiovascular Diseases: An Umbrella Review of Systematic Reviews of Randomised Controlled Trials. Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology, 83(4), 340–352. https://doi.org/10.1097/FJC.0000000
    7. Ma, X. H., Chen, Y., Huang, X. Y., Jiang, J. R., Liu, X., An, D. Q., & He, R. R. (2024). Characteristics and efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine in the therapeutic strategy of chronic coronary syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Phytomedicine: international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology, 129, 155579. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2024.1
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