Author Guidelines

Comprehensive guidelines for submitting to Journal of Advanced Pharmaceutical Sciences and Natural Products

Scope and Focus

The Journal of Advanced Pharmaceutical Sciences and Natural Products publishes high-quality research contributing to the advancement of pharmaceutical sciences, natural products research, and related therapeutic applications.

Subject Areas

Drug Discovery and Development
Natural Products Chemistry and Pharmacology
Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Medicinal Chemistry
Pharmacokinetics and Drug Metabolism
Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics
Pharmaceutical Technology and Drug Delivery
Pharmacology and Toxicology
Pharmaceutical Analysis and Quality Control
Biopharmaceutics and Pharmacovigilance
Computational Drug Design and AI in Drug Discovery

Manuscript Types

Original Research Articles

Full reports of original research contributing new knowledge to pharmaceutical sciences

Word Limit: 6000-8000 words
Abstract: 300 words
References: 60-80 references
Figures/Tables: 8-10 combined

Review Articles

Comprehensive, critical reviews of current knowledge in specific areas

Word Limit: 8000-12000 words
Abstract: 350 words
References: 150-200 references
Figures/Tables: 6-8 combined

Short Communications

Brief reports of significant preliminary findings or novel methodologies

Word Limit: 2500-3000 words
Abstract: 200 words
References: 30-40 references
Figures/Tables: 4-5 combined

Drug Annotations

Detailed reports on novel therapeutic compounds with clinical potential

Word Limit: 4000-5000 words
Abstract: 250 words
References: 50-60 references
Figures/Tables: 6-7 combined

Perspectives

Interpretive accounts on subjects of current interest in pharmaceutical sciences

Word Limit: 3000-4000 words
Abstract: 200 words
References: 40-50 references
Figures/Tables: 3-4 combined

Manuscript Structure

Title Page

  • Manuscript title (maximum 120 characters including spaces)
  • Running title (maximum 50 characters)
  • Complete names and affiliations of all authors
  • ORCID IDs for all authors (required)
  • Corresponding author contact information
  • Word count excluding references and figure legends
  • Number of figures and tables
  • Keywords (3-6 terms following MeSH terminology)

Abstract

Structure: Structured format required

Background: Rationale and objectives
Methods: Study design and methodology
Results: Key findings with specific data
Conclusions: Implications and significance

Requirements:

  • Must be self-contained and intelligible without reference to the text
  • No abbreviations except standard units
  • No citations or references
  • Include primary endpoint data for clinical studies

Introduction

  • Clear statement of research objectives
  • Concise literature review establishing context
  • Hypothesis or research questions
  • Significance and novelty of the work

Methods

  • Sufficient detail for replication
  • Statistical analysis methods clearly described
  • Data and Statistical Analysis subsection (mandatory)
  • Ethics approvals and consent procedures
  • Reagents with supplier information and catalog numbers
  • Software and version numbers used
  • ARRIVE 2.0 compliance for animal studies

Results

  • Present findings without interpretation
  • Use active voice where appropriate
  • Reference all figures and tables in logical order
  • Include statistical significance and confidence intervals
  • Report negative results and limitations

Discussion

  • Interpret results in context of existing literature
  • Address study limitations honestly
  • Suggest future research directions
  • Avoid repetition of results section
  • Clinical relevance and translational potential

Formatting Requirements

General Format

  • Double-spaced throughout including references
  • 12-point Times New Roman or Arial font
  • 1-inch margins on all sides
  • Line numbers on every page
  • Pages numbered consecutively
  • SI units for all measurements
  • American or British English (consistent throughout)

Figures

  • High resolution (minimum 300 DPI for print)
  • TIFF, EPS, or PDF format preferred
  • Maximum width: 17 cm (full page) or 8.5 cm (single column)
  • Color figures encouraged for online publication
  • Clear, readable labels and legends
  • Scale bars required for microscopy images
  • Chemical structures drawn with ChemDraw or equivalent

Tables

  • Submit as editable text, not images
  • Clear column and row headers
  • Footnotes for abbreviations and statistical significance
  • Maximum width to fit journal format
  • Avoid vertical lines; use horizontal lines sparingly

Chemical Data Requirements

Chemical Characterization

  • Complete spectroscopic data (NMR, MS, IR)
  • Purity determination (≥95% required)
  • Synthetic procedures with yields
  • Elemental analysis or HRMS data
  • Stereochemistry clearly defined

Biological Data

  • IC50, EC50, Ki values with confidence intervals
  • Assay conditions fully described
  • Statistical analysis of biological data
  • Control compounds included
  • Dose-response curves when appropriate

Computational Data

  • Software and version numbers
  • Parameters and force fields used
  • Validation of computational models
  • Comparison with experimental data
  • Statistical analysis of predictions

Ethical Requirements

Clinical Studies

  • IRB/Ethics committee approval (approval number required)
  • Written informed consent from participants
  • Clinical trial registration (ICMJE-approved registry)
  • CONSORT flow diagram for randomized trials
  • Data sharing statement
  • Competing interests disclosure

Animal Studies

  • IACUC approval with approval number
  • Compliance with ARRIVE 2.0 guidelines
  • Species, strain, age, weight, and sex of animals
  • Housing and environmental conditions
  • Anesthesia, analgesia, and euthanasia methods
  • Minimization of animal numbers (power analysis)

In Vitro Studies

  • Cell line authentication
  • Mycoplasma testing confirmation
  • Culture conditions clearly described
  • Passage numbers reported
  • Serum batch testing when relevant

Statistical Requirements

General Principles

  • Statistical methods appropriate for data type
  • Sample size justification with power analysis
  • Pre-specified primary and secondary endpoints
  • Multiple comparisons corrections when applicable
  • Confidence intervals reported alongside p-values

Required Information

  • Statistical software and version used
  • Tests performed with rationale
  • Significance level (typically p < 0.05)
  • Effect sizes and confidence intervals
  • Number of independent experiments/replicates

Data Presentation

  • Individual data points shown when possible
  • Error bars clearly defined (SEM vs SD)
  • Statistical significance indicators (* p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01, etc.)
  • Exact p-values when p > 0.01
  • Raw data availability statement

Review Process

1

Initial Screening

  • Editorial assessment for scope and quality (5-7 days)
  • Plagiarism and similarity checking
  • Format and completeness verification
  • Ethics compliance check
2

Peer Review

  • Double-blind peer review process
  • 2-3 expert reviewers in relevant field
  • Average review time: 4-6 weeks
  • Reviewers assess novelty, significance, and methodology
3

Editorial Decision

  • Accept: Ready for publication
  • Minor Revision: Small changes required (2-3 weeks)
  • Major Revision: Substantial changes needed (6-8 weeks)
  • Reject with Resubmission: Significant issues, resubmission invited
  • Reject: Work not suitable for journal

Submission Requirements

Mandatory Documents

  • Cover letter describing significance and novelty
  • Main manuscript file (Word or LaTeX)
  • Figure files (separate high-resolution files)
  • Supporting Information document
  • Chemical compound data spreadsheet (CSV format)
  • Author contribution statement
  • Competing interests statement

Clinical Trials Additional

  • Study protocol document
  • Statistical analysis plan (SAP)
  • CONSORT checklist and flow diagram
  • Data sharing plan

Supplementary Materials

  • Additional experimental details
  • Extended data tables and figures
  • Supplementary methods
  • Chemical synthesis procedures
  • NMR spectra and analytical data
  • Raw data files when appropriate

Publication Ethics

Authorship

  • Substantial contribution to conception, design, or data acquisition
  • Drafting or critically revising intellectual content
  • Final approval of version to be published
  • Agreement to be accountable for all aspects of work

Conflicts of Interest

  • Financial relationships with pharmaceutical companies
  • Patents or patent applications related to the work
  • Employment, consultancy, or board membership
  • Stock ownership or stock options
  • Research funding sources

Data Integrity

  • Original research not previously published
  • Proper citation of previous work
  • No fabrication, falsification, or plagiarism
  • Image manipulation guidelines compliance
  • Data sharing and transparency