Traditional medicines including herbal remedies, and holistic formulations are widely used across diverse cultures. However, their mechanisms of action remain poorly understood, often lacking scientific explanation beyond clinical observations. Recent advances in omics technologies (genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and transcriptomics) offer new opportunities to investigate the biological changes linked to these interventions. Despite this potential, few studies have systematically used omics to interpret outcomes from rigorously conducted clinical trials of traditional medicines. Existing research tends to focus on efficacy, safety, and pharmacological profiles, often overlooking the biological pathways and molecular mechanisms that drive these effects. A more integrated approach is urgently needed. By anchoring omics investigations within well-designed clinical studies, researchers can better illuminate how traditional therapies exert therapeutic effects at the cellular and molecular levels.
This topic aims to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying the clinical efficacy of traditional medicine interventions by integrating clinical trial data with multi-omics analyses. The objective is to go beyond traditional pharmacological evaluations and decode the biological processes modulated by these therapies. Specifically, this research seeks to:
1) Identify and validate biomarkers that indicate treatment response or toxicity.
2) Map molecular pathways influenced by traditional interventions.
3) Generate insights for personalized medicine strategies based on traditional knowledge systems.
By combining omics data such as genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics with clinical outcomes, we can help to uncover new biological mechanisms, clarify therapeutic responses, and guide the development of novel therapeutics or combinatory treatment approaches. Ultimately, it supports the safe, evidence-based application of traditional medicine while advancing fundamental biomedical knowledge. This integrative systems biology approach aims to bridge traditional healing practices with modern science for improved global health outcomes.

We welcome original research and reviews that apply omics-based approaches to investigate biologically active interventions rooted in long-standing therapeutic practices. Submissions should emphasise:
• Mechanistic insights into plant-based or traditional therapeutic formulations
• Identification of bioactive compounds, therapeutic targets, and biomarkers of response or toxicity
• Integration of clinical trial data and/or ethnobotanical knowledge
• Approaches supporting personalised healthcare grounded in historical or regionally informed practices.
All submissions must comply with international standards for pharmacological studies on natural products, including the Four Pillars of Best Practice in Ethnopharmacology and the ConPhyMP guidelines (Front. Pharmacol. 13:953205). A comprehensive description of study materials, including origin, preparation, and extraction methods, is required. Please use the ConPhyMP self-assessment tool prior to submission: https://ga-online.org/best-practice.

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Integrative Omics Analysis of Clinical Trial Outcomes in Traditional Medicine: Unveiling Molecular Mechanisms and Biomarkers