Journal profile · Chemistry, Medicinal
Medicinal Chemistry Research
ISSN 1054-2523 · eISSN 1554-8120 · Springer US · UNITED STATES · Monthly · Founded 2004
Medicinal Chemistry Research: CAS Zone 4 · Medicine (2025 upgraded edition); impact factor 3.49; hybrid open access; APC about USD 3,990; median 56 days to acceptance (107 articles, last 24 months); community-reported acceptance: easy; 153 articles in 2025; indexed in SCIE and Scopus.
Scope
Aims, scope and focus
Medicinal Chemistry Research is published by Springer US and is in Zone 4 of Medicine in the CAS Journal Ranking (2025 upgraded edition). By OpenAlex counts of its recent articles, its largest topics are Synthesis and biological activity, Synthesis and Biological Evaluation and Computational Drug Discovery Methods, together about 41% of its articles. Its main subfields are Organic Chemistry. (generated from OpenAlex topic counts and CAS ranking data)
Medicinal Chemistry Research is a journal for the prompt disclosure of novel experimental achievements in the many facets of drug design, drug discovery, and the elucidation of mechanisms of action of biologically active compounds. Articles are sought which emphasize research in chemical biological relationships, especially on: structure-activity relationships, investigations of biochemical and pharmacological targets of drug action, and correlations of structures with the mode of action of biologically active compounds. Studies will be welcomed that increase our understanding of biochemical interactions between drug molecules, ions, free radicals, and sterically important sections of macromolecular targets.The journal will strive to publish short papers of approximately 8-10 pages within two months of acceptance. A rapid peer-reviewing system will be maintained by the Editors. In addition, reviews and "New Trends" articles will appear at the invitation of the Editors. These articles will be solicited from the leading researchers in all fields of medicinal chemistry.Medicinal Chemistry Research is a Journal dedicated to biologically active compounds including bioactive natural products of plant origin. It publishes original contributions in six major areas:1. Design, synthesis, and structure-activity relationships of bioactive compounds2. Docking, molecular modeling, and computational studies of bioactive interactions3. Characterization of active ingredients of medicinal plants/identification of bioactivity in plant extracts4. Identification of targets and mechanism of activity of bioactive compounds 5. Chemistry and biochemistry of bioactive natural products of plant origin6. Critical reviews of the historical, clinical and legal status of medicinal agents, and accounts on topical issues.Bibliographic DataFirst published in 19911 volume per year, 12 issues per volumeFormat: 15,5 x 23,5 cmISSN 1054-2523 (print)ISSN 1554-8120 (electronic)
From the journal's Aims & Scope
Research area (LetPub): Chemistry, Medicinal
Editor-in-chief Longqin HuPublisher website
Editorial board by country: 12 in mainland China (about 17%); most named United States 35, Mainland China 12, India 5, Italy 3, Spain 3 (69 members with a country) Editorial board ↗Publisher website ·
Main research topics OpenAlex counts of recent articles; shares are approximate
- Synthesis and biological activityChemistry22.7%
- Synthesis and Biological EvaluationChemistry9.3%
- Computational Drug Discovery MethodsComputer Science9%
- Synthesis and Characterization of Heterocyclic CompoundsChemistry5.5%
- Click Chemistry and ApplicationsChemistry5.1%
- Multicomponent Synthesis of HeterocyclesChemistry4.6%
- Quinazolinone synthesis and applicationsChemistry4.2%
- Bioactive Compounds and Antitumor AgentsPharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics4.1%
Rankings & indexing
CAS ranking and database indexing
CAS Journal Ranking
CAS Journal Ranking, upgraded edition (March 2025)Medicine Zone 4
| Level | Category | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Major | Medicine | Zone 4 |
| Minor | Chemistry, Medicinal | Zone 4 |
Top journal: noReview journal: no
CAS Xinrui Journal Ranking (March 2026)Medicine Zone 4
| Level | Category | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Major | Medicine | Zone 4 |
| Minor | Chemistry, Medicinal | Zone 3 |
Top journal: noReview journal: not marked
CAS Journal Ranking, previous upgraded edition (December 2023)Medicine Zone 4
| Level | Category | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Major | Medicine | Zone 4 |
| Minor | Chemistry, Medicinal | Zone 4 |
Top journal: noReview journal: no
Database indexing
SCIEScopusLetPub
International journal early-warning lists: not listed in any editionLetPub
Indexing the journal's website claims
MEDLINEEmbaseCASCAB AbstractsCurrent ContentsPublisher website
Other: Google Scholar, EBSCO, ProQuest, Dimensions, CNKI, Baidu, AGRICOLA, Naver, OCLC, Portico, CLOCKSS
As the journal's website lists them, not checked against each database; for Web of Science editions the records above apply.
Editions, and major and minor categories, are shown separately and never merged into one zone; check which edition your institution uses before you submit or report.
Metrics
Impact metrics and publication volume
Impact
- Impact factor
- 3.49LetPub ·
- Impact factor (publisher) 2025
- 3.5Publisher website ·
- 5-year impact factor (publisher) 2025
- 3Publisher website ·
- CiteScore 2026-06
- 5.5LetPub ·
- SJR 2026-06
- 0.5LetPub ·
- SNIP 2026-06
- 0.82LetPub ·
- h-index
- 38LetPub ·
- h-index
- 74OpenAlex ·
- i10-index
- 2,498OpenAlex ·
- 2-year mean citedness
- 3.68OpenAlex ·
- Self-citation rate
- 0%LetPub ·
- Share of gold OA articles
- 14.73%LetPub ·
Volume
- Articles per year
- 143LetPub ·
- Downloads per year (publisher) 2025
- 530,600Publisher website ·
Articles by year OpenAlex count · 4,742 in total · the current year is incomplete
| Year | Articles | Open access | Citations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 107 | 30 | 39 |
| 2025 | 153 | 34 | 370 |
| 2024 | 181 | 52 | 1,214 |
| 2023 | 173 | 44 | 1,815 |
| 2022 | 180 | 38 | 1,967 |
| 2021 | 155 | 34 | 2,193 |
Sources count differently and were observed at different times, so each source's own value is kept; "publisher" marks figures from the journal's website.
Review & acceptance
Review time and acceptance
Review time from article dates manuscript dates registered with Crossref · to
56 daysMedian, submission to acceptance · P25–P75 37 days – 76 days
- Acceptance to online
- median 15 days (107 articles)
- Submission to online
- median 71 days
- Sample
- 107 articles with submission and acceptance dates (302 in the window); the latest was accepted on
Only articles that were accepted and published are counted, not the time spent on rejected manuscripts, so this usually runs longer than a publisher's "time to first decision".
Other sources
- Average review time (community reports)
- about 5 monthsLetPub ·
- Average acceptance (community reports)
- EasyLetPub ·
- Submission to first decision
- 3 daysPublisher website ·
- Peer review
- Double anonymous peer review, Single anonymous peer reviewPublisher website
Community reports come from authors' own submissions (confidence 0.5) and are not a promise from the journal; for publisher figures, the journal's own definitions apply.
Fees & open access
APC and open-access policy
Hybrid open accessLetPub
A subscription journal in which authors can pay to publish their article open access.
| Source | APC | Fee waiver | License | Observed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OpenAlex | USD 3,990 / EUR 3,090 / GBP 2,690 | — | — |
A hybrid journal charges the APC only when the author chooses open access; publishing under the subscription model is usually free.
The journal's website is authoritative for fees; sources were observed at different times and each keeps its own value, without averaging.
Submission
Article types and submission policies (journal website)
Open calls for papers1, by deadline
Publisher websiteWhat to prepare4 items from the author guidelines
- Abstract
- 150–250 words
- Keywords
- ≥ 4
- Reference style
- Numbered, in order of citation
- Cover letter
- Required
Article types accepted10, with length limits
- brief reportAuthors are strongly encouraged to provide their manuscript in an electronic format. The text must be in a single-column format and lines with double space. Use…main text ≤ 3,000 words
- commentCommentLength not stated
- editorialAuthors are strongly encouraged to provide their manuscript in an electronic format. The text must be in a single-column format and lines with double space. Use…Length not stated
- opinions 1. Comments Short focused comments or Opinion pieces By invitation only Editorial in nature <3,000 words ≤6 print pages With or without figures +schemes +tabl…main text ≤ 3,000 words
- original researchOriginal ResearchLength not stated
- original research articleAuthors are strongly encouraged to provide their manuscript in an electronic format. The text must be in a single-column format and lines with double space. Use…main text ≤ 10,000 words
- research articleCommentsReviewsBrief ReportsOriginal Research Articles Detailed Instructions for Authors (Download pdf, 1.01 MB) Back to topLength not stated
- reviewAuthors are strongly encouraged to provide their manuscript in an electronic format. The text must be in a single-column format and lines with double space. Use…Length not stated
- review articleAuthors are strongly encouraged to provide their manuscript in an electronic format. The text must be in a single-column format and lines with double space. Use…Length not stated
- viewpointAuthors are strongly encouraged to provide their manuscript in an electronic format. The text must be in a single-column format and lines with double space. Use…Length not stated
Policy excerpts from the journal's websiteAI use, Authorship, Conflicts of interest, Data availability, License & copyright, Open access, Peer review, Trial registration / reporting guidelines
- AI use Generative AI Images
Please check Springer’s policy on generative AI images and make sure your work adheres to the principles described therein. Back to top
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Authorship Authorship principles
These guidelines describe authorship principles and good authorship practices to which prospective authors should adhere to. Authorship clarified The Journal and Publisher assume all authors agreed with the content and that all gave explicit consent to submit and that they obtained consent from the responsible authorities at the institute/organization where the work has been carried out, before th…
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Conflicts of interest Competing Interests
Authors are requested to disclose interests that are directly or indirectly related to the work submitted for publication. Interests within the last 3 years of beginning the work (conducting the research and preparing the work for submission) should be reported. Interests outside the 3-year time frame must be disclosed if they could reasonably be perceived as influencing the submitted work. Disclo…
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Data availability Data availability statements
All original research must include a data availability statement. This statement should explain how to access data supporting the results and analysis in the article, including links/citations to publicly archived datasets analysed or generated during the study. Please see our full policy here. If it is not possible to share research data publicly, for instance when individual privacy could be com…
Source ↗Publisher website ·- License & copyright Copyright
Open Choice articles do not require transfer of copyright as the copyright remains with the author. In opting for open access, the author(s) agree to publish the article under a Creative Commons license. Details of the OA licences offered to authors can be found on the individual journal website, in the journal's How to publish with us guide. Back to top
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Open access Open access publishing
To find out more about publishing your work Open Access in Medicinal Chemistry Research, including information on fees, funding and licences, visit our Open access publishing page. Back to top
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Peer review Single-blind peer review
This journal follows a single-blind reviewing procedure. This journal also publishes special/guest-edited issues. The peer review process for these articles is the same as the peer review process of the journal in general. Additionally, if a guest editor authors an article in their issue/collection, they will not handle the peer review process.
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Trial registration / reporting guidelines Clinical Trial Registration
The World Health Organization (WHO) definition of a clinical trial is "any research study that prospectively assigns human participants or groups of humans to one or more health-related interventions to evaluate the effects on health outcomes". The WHO defines health interventions as “A health intervention is an act performed for, with or on behalf of a person or population whose purpose is to ass…
Source ↗Publisher website ·
Excerpts are quoted from the journal's website; "model summary" lines are written by Workers AI and checked against the text. The journal's website is authoritative.
Profile
Publication details and official links
- Publisher
- Springer US
- Country or region
- UNITED STATES
- Language
- English
- Frequency
- Monthly
- Founded
- 2004
- ISSN
- 1054-2523
- Electronic ISSN
- 1554-8120
- Latest issue on the website
- Volume 35, Issue 9 (September 2026)
- Official links
- Journal homepage ↗OpenAlex
- Submission system ↗Publisher website
- Author guidelines ↗LetPub
- Special issues ↗Publisher website
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Medicinal Chemistry Research
What CAS zone is Medicinal Chemistry Research in?
In the 2025 upgraded edition of the CAS Journal Ranking, Medicinal Chemistry Research is in Zone 4 of Medicine, and in Zone 4 of the minor category Chemistry, Medicinal. In the 2026 Xinrui edition it is in Zone 4 of Medicine. Zones from different editions, and from major and minor categories, are not interchangeable.
What is the impact factor of Medicinal Chemistry Research?
The latest impact factor listed by LetPub is 3.49; CiteScore 5.5, h-index 74.
How long does peer review take at Medicinal Chemistry Research?
Based on the dates recorded on 107 articles published between October 2024 and October 2026 (the last 24 months), the median time from submission to acceptance is 56 days (interquartile range 37–76 days); authors report an average review time of about 5 months; the community-reported acceptance is “Easy”. Article statistics cover accepted papers only, publisher figures follow the journal's own definitions, and community reports come from authors' own submissions; none is a promise from the journal.
What are the manuscript requirements of Medicinal Chemistry Research?
According to the journal's author guidelines: Abstract: 150–250 words; Keywords: ≥ 4; Reference style: Numbered, in order of citation; Cover letter: Required. A model extracted these from the author guidelines and each was checked against the text; check the latest version on the journal's website before submitting.
Where are the editorial board members of Medicinal Chemistry Research based?
Of the 69 board members whose country the journal's board page names, 12 (about 17%) are in mainland China; the countries named most often are United States (35), Mainland China (12) and India (5). Counted from the institutions listed on the board page; for reference only.
Which databases index Medicinal Chemistry Research?
According to LetPub and DOAJ records, Medicinal Chemistry Research is indexed in SCIE and Scopus. The journal's website also lists MEDLINE, Embase, CAS, CAB Abstracts and Current Contents; that list has not been checked against each database.
Is Medicinal Chemistry Research open access, and what is the APC?
Medicinal Chemistry Research is a hybrid journal. For open-access publication: APC about USD 3,990.
Sources and updates
The facts on this page come from LetPub, OpenAlex, Publisher website; every figure is tagged with its source and the date it was observed, and conflicting values are kept per source. LetPub source page: view ↗ (archived 2026-08-25). Last updated: .