The Lamiaceae Family as a Source of Bioactive Natural Products: Chemodiversity, Bioactivity, and Therapeutic Potential

The field of natural product research has long recognized the Lamiaceae family, commonly known as the mint family, as a pivotal source of bioactive compounds and chemodiversity. The Lamiaceae family encompasses over 7,000 species, including genera such as Salvia, Thymus, Mentha, Ocimum, Lavandula, and Origanum, and Lamiaceae plants have substantial significance in health, culinary, and commercial contexts. These taxa are characterized by a remarkable array of specialized metabolites, most notably diverse terpenoids, phenolic acids, flavonoids, and phenolic diterpenes, which contribute to a spectrum of biological activities. Recent studies have continued to highlight their roles in antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and metabolic processes. Yet, significant gaps remain; many species are underexplored, biosynthetic and regulatory mechanisms are only partly resolved, and the complexity of metabolite interactions, together with challenges posed by genetic, environmental, and post-harvest influences, often hinders translation from laboratory discoveries to effective and standardized applications.

This Research Topic aims to consolidate and expand upon current knowledge on the chemodiversity, bioactivity, and therapeutic potential of natural products derived from Lamiaceae. We seek contributions that reveal the wealth of natural products in Lamiaceae taxa, critically evaluate recent pharmacological and mechanistic evidence of certain natural product categories, and investigate biosynthetic pathways and metabolic engineering strategies. Articles exploring translational potential in drug development, nutraceuticals, cosmetics, food preservation, and sustainable agriculture are particularly encouraged. Furthermore, studies utilizing advanced analytical, metabolomic, and computational methodologies are welcomed to drive discovery, mechanistic insight, and valorization of bioactive compounds from Lamiaceae.

This Research Topic centers on the Lamiaceae family and its specialized metabolites; submissions may focus on a single species or broader phylogenetic/comparative approaches, as well as experimental, computational, or translational perspectives. We welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

- Comprehensive phytochemical profiling and chemodiversity assessment using advanced analytical and metabolomic techniques
- Isolation, identification, and structural characterization of new bioactive compounds from Lamiaceae species
- Critical evaluation of pharmacological and mechanistic evidence from recent studies
- Biological activity evaluation, including antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, anticancer, antidiabetic, and cardioprotective effects
- Biosynthetic pathway elucidation and strategies for metabolic engineering of key Lamiaceae metabolites
- Chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic studies connecting chemical diversity with evolutionary patterns within the family
- In silico approaches such as molecular docking, network pharmacology, and QSAR modeling for Lamiaceae compounds
- Essential oil profiling, analysis of variability, quality determinants, and associated biological properties
- Synergistic and antagonistic effects within complex mixtures or essential oil blends
- Translational research advancing Lamiaceae bioactive compounds into therapeutic, nutraceutical, cosmeceutical, agricultural, or industrial contexts

We welcome submissions including Original Research, Reviews, Systematic Reviews, Mini Reviews, Methods, Perspectives, and Brief Research Reports.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Original Research
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review

Keywords: Lamiaceae, Chemodiversity, Metabolomics, Terpenoids, Bioactivity

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.