About the Journal

Synergy in Natural Products and Drug Discovery (Synergy NPDD) is a peer-reviewed, open-access journal focused on research at the interface of natural products and pharmaceutical sciences.
The journal publishes high-quality original studies on the isolation, characterization, pharmacological evaluation, mechanistic insights, and therapeutic development of bioactive natural compounds, with particular emphasis on their translational potential and synergistic roles in modern drug discovery pipelines.

Scope

Natural Products and Phytochemistry

• Isolation, purification, and structural elucidation of bioactive compounds from plants, marine organisms, and microorganisms
• Metabolomic profiling, chemotaxonomic characterization, and dereplication strategies
• Traditional medicine, ethnobotany, and ethnopharmacological surveys
• Investigation of synergistic effects within complex phytochemical mixtures

Pharmacological Evaluation and Mechanistic Studies

• In vitro, in vivo, and in silico screening for bioactivity and therapeutic relevance
• Molecular targets and cellular pathways underlying pharmacological effects
• Studies on antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anticancer, neuroprotective, and metabolic disease activities
• Pharmacokinetics (ADME) and pharmacodynamics of natural compounds and their derivatives

Drug Discovery and Development

• Natural products like molecules, templates, or scaffolds for drug design
• Semi-synthetic modifications and optimization of pharmacological properties
• Synergistic formulations combining natural and synthetic agents or adjuvants
• Advanced formulation strategies including nanotechnology and targeted delivery systems for plant-based therapeutics

Safety, Toxicology, and Regulatory Aspects

• In vitro and in vivo toxicity profiling and risk assessment
• Preclinical development and translational medicine approaches
• Regulatory frameworks and quality control standards for natural therapeutics

Interdisciplinary and Societal Perspectives

• Integration of traditional knowledge systems with contemporary scientific validation
• Biodiversity conservation and sustainable sourcing of medicinal species
• Education, training, and public awareness in natural product-based healthcare
• Policy development and ethical considerations in bioprospecting and benefit sharing

Journal Salient Features

• Collaboration with pharmacopoeias and regulatory bodies for standardisation guidelines
• Open data and compound libraries for structure and bioactivity repositories
• Video abstracts and visual summaries to enhance visibility of key discoveries « Research-to-Product » case series bridging academia and industry 

Target Audience

• Researchers in natural products chemistry, pharmacognosy, phytochemistry, and pharmacology
• Academics and professionals in drug discovery, herbal medicine, and biotechnology
• Physicians, pharmacists, and integrative medicine practitioners
• Regulatory scientists, policymakers, and public health professionals
• Industry R&D specialists involved in nutraceuticals, cosmeceuticals, and herbal formulations
• Graduate students and educators in life sciences and pharmaceutical sciences

 Article Types

• Original Research Articles: Experimental studies on bioactive compounds, pharmacological properties, mechanisms of action, and formulation strategies
• Review Articles: Systematic, meta-analysis, and narrative reviews on therapeutic classes, synergistic interactions, or emerging trends in phytotherapy
• Case Studies: Clinical or preclinical reports highlighting real-world applications, success stories, or product development journeys
• Short Communications: Rapid dissemination of breakthrough findings or new compound discoveries
• Perspectives and Commentaries: Expert insights on policy, scientific innovation, integration into healthcare systems, or public health implications

Publication Frequency

Synergy operates on an annual volume model, publishing articles online continuously upon acceptance. At the end of each calendar year, these articles are assembled into that year’s volume. Synergy NPDD will commence publication starting with Volume 2025.

Article Preparation

Please see the Author Guidelines to help ensure submissions align with the journal’s requirements. Accepted manuscripts will receive professional editorial review, formatting, and typesetting prior to publication.

Article Processing Charges (APC)

Synergy Publishers will waive all publication fees for accepted articles until December 31, 2026. During this period, every accepted article will be published Open Access at no costs to authors.

Open Access Policy

Synergy Publishers is committed to the principles of open access. All published articles are freely available under the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) license. This ensures that published research can be shared, reused, and built upon without restriction, thus, maximizing visibility and impact of the published work. For more information, please refer to our Open Access Policy.

Peer Review

Synergy journals maintain a single-blind peer review process, where reviewers remain anonymous, but authors’ identities are disclosed. This approach ensures impartiality while safeguarding the integrity, clarity, and originality of accepted manuscripts. Further details are available in our Editorial Policy and Peer Review Policy.

Editorial Process

All submissions undergo a structured editorial workflow designed to guarantee fairness, transparency, and quality. Authors are encouraged to review  the journal’s editorial process before submission to understand how manuscripts are screened, reviewed, and advanced to publication. Further details are available in our Editorial Policy.

 Plagiarism Screening

At Synergy, originality is non-negotiable. All submissions are screened using iThenticate via Crossref Similarity Check. While the software identifies potential overlaps, final evaluation is always conducted manually by the editorial team to distinguish acceptable similarity from unethical duplication. Authors may be asked to revise their manuscripts based on similarity reports before the review process proceeds..

Publication Ethics

Synergy upholds the highest standards of publishing integrity. Guided by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) principles, we maintain a strict zero-tolerance policy on plagiarism, data fabrication, falsification, or unethical authorship practices. Editors are trained to enforce these standards consistently, ensuring that all published work is original, accurate, and ethically sound. For more details, please see our Publication Ethics Policy.

Digital Archive

Synergy is committed to the long-term preservation and accessibility of scholarly research. All Synergy journals are archived in Portico, which provides secure and permanent digital archiving for scholarly publications.

Advertising Policy

Synergy journals currently do not host or promote commercial advertising. This policy protects editorial independence and scientific neutrality.

Direct Marketing

Synergy promotes its journals through academic engagement rather than commercial advertising. Awareness campaigns include distributing journal information through the website, brochures, and targeted invitations to conference speakers, workshop presenters, and seminar participants whose work aligns with the journal’s scope.