There is an emerging trend in biotechnology and therapeutic applications of medicinal plants in the last century. Many studies have been focused on the various advanced biotechnological methods used to identify and synthesise active compounds of medicinal significance. In addition, there have been some recent novel studies on the therapeutic applications of various medicinal plants from different geographical regions of the world. These studies reported the presence of antiviral activity of medicinal plants against some pathogenic microbial strains.

Such pharmacological properties play an important role in discovering novel bioactive compounds which will lead to the development of drugs treating human diseases including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and hypertension. In addition, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the screening and identification of natural compounds from medicinal plants against coronavirus diseases are also particularly important for drug discovery.

Therefore, in light of the enormous pharmacological uses of medicinal plants waiting to be studied and validated, we invite researchers to contribute the latest research findings or reviews to this Special Issue, which will bring together current research concerning the observation and experimental investigation of biotechnology and therapeutic applications of medicinal plants and/or their extracts (including their substances). Contributions can include either original research articles or review articles relating to any of the following topics: medicinal plant biotechnology, therapeutic applications of medicinal plants, pharmacognosy, phytotherapy, phytopharmacology, phytopharmaceuticals standardization, and phytotoxicology.

Potential topics include but are not limited to the following:

• Applications of medicinal plants in antiviral therapy
• Trends and goals in biotechnology of medicinal plants in antiviral therapy
• Discovery of novel bioactive compounds targeting at coronavirus disease and other viral infections
• Antiviral mechanisms of action of novel bioactive compounds from medicinal plants
• Screening of novel bioactive compounds with antiviral properties
• New insights into the relationship between the pharmacological properties of novel bioactive compounds and human viral diseases
• In vitro and in vivo studies on the pharmacological activity of novel antiviral compounds
• Biological markers to assess the in vivo pharmacological activity of novel antiviral compounds