Science AI Journal
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Research topic

Open research questions in Natural product bioactivities and synthesis

148 gap statements mined from Natural product bioactivities and synthesis papers in our 4.5M-paper local library, which holds 582 papers on the topic — drawn mostly from each paper's own stated research gap, future-work, challenge and limitation notes, and its abstract. The ones listed below are a selection still marked open; each names the study that raised it, with a DOI link where the paper has one.

Choosing where to publish on Natural product bioactivities and synthesis? See the ranked Biology journals.

What the literature leaves open

  • There is a need to understand the mechanisms of oxidative stress in carcinogenesis. The current knowledge on the dual role of reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen species in cancer processes is not systematized. Effective prevention and therapy strategies for cancer are needed.

    Targeting Oxidative Stress in Carcinogenesis: Oleanolic Acid and Its Molecular Pathways · 2026 · DOI

  • The urgent need to optimize perioperative evaluation systems. The need to identify the potential binding target of Platycodin D.

    Multidimensional Proteomics Reveals the Pro-apoptotic Mechanism of Platycodin D: Targeting RFC4 to Regulate the Notch Signaling Axis in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer · 2026 · DOI

  • The need to reduce the environmental impact of forestry activities and transition towards a circular and sustainable economy.

    Optimized ultrasound-assisted extraction of betulin from Betula pendula bark: a sustainable approach to forest residue valorization · 2026 · DOI

  • The poor water solubility and low bioavailability of oleanolic acid are challenges that need to be addressed. Oxidative stress is a challenge that oleanolic acid has the potential to prevent. The development of effective drug delivery systems for oleanolic acid is a challenge.

    Oleanolic Acid: A Promising Antioxidant—Sources, Mechanisms of Action, Therapeutic Potential, and Enhancement of Bioactivity · 2025 · DOI

  • More in-depth studies are needed to fully understand the potential of phenolic chemicals from I. rotunda as pharmacological products. Further research should investigate the effects of these compounds on oxidative stress and immune response in different contexts.

    Phenolics from Ilex rotunda Possess Antioxidative Effects and Block Activation of MAPK and NF-κB Signaling by Inhibiting IL-2 Production in CD3/CD28 Activated Jurkat T Cells · 2025 · DOI

  • The limited clinical application of Kunzea ericoides oil due to poor solubility, instability, and inadequate skin penetration. The need for a safe and effective transdermal therapy for managing inflammatory and dermatological conditions.

    Development and Optimization of Kunzea ericoides Nanoemulgel Using a Quality by Design Approach for Transdermal Anti-Inflammatory Therapy · 2025 · DOI

  • The lack of understanding of the active ingredients, potential targets, and mechanisms of action of peppermint in treating bovine mastitis. The need for alternative treatments for bovine mastitis, as current treatments have limitations.

    Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking: Exploring the Mechanism of Peppermint in Mastitis Prevention and Treatment in Dairy Cows · 2025 · DOI

  • The lack of understanding of the histochemical characteristics of the submandibular gland of Bactrian camels. The need for characterization of the gland's composition and the distribution of EGF and EGFR.

    Analysis of Histochemical Characteristics of Submandibular Gland of the Bactrian Camel · 2025 · DOI

  • However, a comprehensive review that systematically summarizes the antitumor potential of DY and its bioactive constituents is still lacking.

    Therapeutic Potential of Ziyuglycosides from Sanguisorba officinalis: Anticancer and Immunomodulatory Properties · 2026 · DOI

  • In conclusion, schaftoside is a promising bioactive compound; however, its pharmacokinetic properties and available clinical evidence need to be further investigated.

    Advances in Schaftoside Research: Pharmacological Mechanisms, Pharmacokinetics, and Therapeutic Perspectives · 2026 · DOI

  • Despite this, UA has not been recognized as a pivotal component during Prunella vulgaris evaluation, and its specific anticancer mechanism remains elusive.

    Ursolic acid, a key anticancer compound derived from Prunella vulgaris L., induces apoptosis in HepG2 cells by directly targeting the STAT3 signaling pathway · 2025 · DOI

  • Interpretation is limited by the absence of raw chromatograms, replicate injection tables, peak purity data, exact LOD/LOQ calculation worksheets, and inferential statistical analysis.

    HIGH -PERFORMANCE LIQUID CHROMATOGRAPHY METHOD FOR THE METHOD DEVELOPMENT OF URSOLIC ACID AND MOMETASON FUROATE: DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION · 2026 · DOI

  • The lack of effective oral delivery systems for antiparasitic triterpenic compounds. The need for improved solubility and oral bioavailability of these compounds.

    Antiparasitic triterpenic ester and ursolic acid lipid nanocapsule design, cytotoxicity, and permeability evaluation for oral delivery · 2026 · DOI

  • There is a need to understand the mechanisms by which bioactive compounds influence greenhouse gas production and carbon storage. There is a need to identify various bioactive compounds with potential to reduce emissions and enhance carbon sequestration.

    A review on bioactive compounds mitigating climate change · 2026 · DOI

  • Some effective components are not fully extracted, leading to significant resource waste.

    Multi-Omics Unveils Inflammatory Regulation of Fermented Sini Decoction Dregs in Broilers Infected with Avian Pathogenic Escherichia coli · 2025 · DOI

  • Several limitations are associated with SMEDDS formulations, including in vivo drug precipitation, challenges in formulation handling, limited lymphatic uptake, absence of reliable predictive in vitro models, and the susceptibility of unsaturated fatty acids…

    Targeting Oxidative Stress in Carcinogenesis: Oleanolic Acid and Its Molecular Pathways · 2026 · DOI

  • Most studies investigating GR remain limited to in vitro assays and preclinical models not specifically related to oral diseases, - The heterogeneity of extraction methods, tested concentrations, and experimental models further limits comparison between studies, - Part of the evidence derives from studies on individual bioactive constituents identified in GR and cannot be extrapolated to the plant…

    Geranium robertianum L. in Oral Health: From Phytochemical Profile to Therapeutic Potential · 2026 · DOI

  • Clinical and disease-specific experimental models are needed to strengthen the evidence, - Further research is required to confirm the potential relevance of GR in the management of oral diseases, - Investigation of plant-based remedies with antiviral potential is currently…

    Geranium robertianum L. in Oral Health: From Phytochemical Profile to Therapeutic Potential · 2026 · DOI

  • The statistical power was limited by the scarcity of normal tissue, - The study focused on the identification of target proteins with potential binding…

    Multidimensional Proteomics Reveals the Pro-apoptotic Mechanism of Platycodin D: Targeting RFC4 to Regulate the Notch Signaling Axis in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer · 2026 · DOI

  • Further research could be done to optimize the extraction process for other types of tree bark, - the study could be expanded to include other variables, - the antioxidant capacity of the extracts could be further…

    Optimized ultrasound-assisted extraction of betulin from Betula pendula bark: a sustainable approach to forest residue valorization · 2026 · DOI

  • OA's poor water solubility and low bioavailability limit its pharmacological applications, - the structure of the intestinal microbiota was not significantly affected by OA, - the study on mice was conducted for a limited time…

    Oleanolic Acid: A Promising Antioxidant—Sources, Mechanisms of Action, Therapeutic Potential, and Enhancement of Bioactivity · 2025 · DOI

  • The study identifies a gap in the understanding of the antioxidative effects of phenolic compounds from Ilex rotunda. The study identifies a gap in the understanding of the ability of these compounds to block activation of MAPK and NF-κB signaling by inhibiting IL-2 production in CD3/CD28 activated Jurkat T cells.

    Phenolics from Ilex rotunda Possess Antioxidative Effects and Block Activation of MAPK and NF-κB Signaling by Inhibiting IL-2 Production in CD3/CD28 Activated Jurkat T Cells · 2025 · DOI

  • Research on innovative extraction methods, - Use of compatible vehicles for delivery, - Development of improved (nano)formulations for therapeutic compounds…

    Mechanistic Insights into the Metabolic Pathways and Neuroprotective Potential of Pentacyclic Triterpenoids: In-Depth Analysis of Betulin, Betulinic, and Ursolic Acids · 2025 · DOI

  • Further studies on the mechanisms of fermented liquid of Sini decoction dregs, - Investigation of other potential applications of fermented liquid of Sini decoction dregs, - Optimization of the extraction process of active ingredients in TCM…

    Multi-Omics Unveils Inflammatory Regulation of Fermented Sini Decoction Dregs in Broilers Infected with Avian Pathogenic Escherichia coli · 2025 · DOI

  • In vivo pharmacokinetic and efficacy studies to confirm the therapeutic potential. Further evaluation of the cytotoxicity and permeability of the formulations.

    Antiparasitic triterpenic ester and ursolic acid lipid nanocapsule design, cytotoxicity, and permeability evaluation for oral delivery · 2026 · DOI

Most-cited papers in Natural product bioactivities and synthesis

Most recent work

Find a gap in your own Natural product bioactivities and synthesis sub-topic

This page shows what the Natural product bioactivities and synthesis literature already flags as unresolved. To narrow it to your specific question, search the Research Gap Finder: the search is free with a free account and lists the papers closest to your topic first. Unlocking that topic (50 credits, charged once) fills the comparison table from our 4.5M-paper local library and writes the gaps from its rows.

Open the Research Gap Finder →

Related topics in Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Gut microbiota and health
3,948 open questions
Extracellular vesicles in disease
1,668 open questions
Antibiotic Resistance in Bacteria
1,641 open questions
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
1,196 open questions
RNA modifications and cancer
1,171 open questions
Single-cell and spatial transcriptomics
1,135 open questions
Genetic Associations and Epidemiology
1,076 open questions
Epigenetics and DNA Methylation
957 open questions
Open questions raised by papers listed on this page include: (1) There is a need to understand the mechanisms of oxidative stress in carcinogenesis (“Targeting Oxidative Stress in Carcinogenesis: Oleanolic Acid and Its Molecular…”, 2026); (2) A comprehensive review that systematically summarizes the antitumor potential of DY and its bioactive constituents is still lacking (“Therapeutic Potential of Ziyuglycosides from Sanguisorba officinalis:…”, 2026); (3) The lack of effective oral delivery systems for antiparasitic triterpenic compounds (“Antiparasitic triterpenic ester and ursolic acid lipid nanocapsule design,…”, 2026); (4) There is a need to understand the mechanisms by which bioactive compounds influence greenhouse gas production and carbon storage (“A review on bioactive compounds mitigating climate change”, 2026); (5) More in-depth studies are needed to fully understand the potential of phenolic chemicals from I. rotunda as pharmacological products (“Phenolics from Ilex rotunda Possess Antioxidative Effects and Block Activation…”, 2025). 148 gap statements have been mined from Natural product bioactivities and synthesis papers in our 4.5M-paper local library, which holds 582 papers on the topic; the gaps come from whichever of those papers state one. They are mostly the research gaps the authors state and the papers' abstracts, plus future-work, limitations and challenges passages. The ones listed below are a selection still marked open; each names the study that raised it, with a DOI link where the paper has one, so you can read the original claim in context.

Tools for your next paper

Gaps & Literature SearchFind open questions in any field — 120,000+ open gaps mined from our own library.Pre-CheckIs your paper ready? Acceptance odds for top, mid and open/emerging journals, in seconds.Journal FinderA ranked shortlist of target journals from a 17,500-venue index.Duplicate Publication CheckerCheck for prior publication across 7 sources and our local library.Citation GeneratorFreeA DOI or title → APA, MLA, Vancouver, Chicago, BibTeX, RIS. No signup.Graphical Abstract MakerFreeTurn your findings into a colorblind-safe graphical abstract.

How Pre-Check worksHow AI Review works

Compare the category — Honest roundups of the AI research tools, ours listed alongside the alternatives.

Command palette

Jump anywhere, run any action.