Peer Reviewed Open Access Journal
Editorial Board Author Guidelines
Description of icon Journal of Phytomedicine and Botany Peer Reviewed Open Access Journal
International Peer Reviewed
Open Access Immediate Access

Journal of Phytomedicine and Botany is an international, peer-reviewed, open-access journal publishing original and high-quality research in phytomedicine, medicinal plants, pharmacognosy, phytochemistry, natural products, plant sciences, and related interdisciplinary fields.

Authors are requested to read these guidelines carefully before submitting a manuscript.

Manuscripts must be original, scientifically sound, and not previously published or simultaneously submitted to another journal.

Manuscript Submission

Authors should submit manuscripts electronically to:

Email: editor@phytomedbotany.com

The corresponding author is responsible for communication with the journal and should ensure that all authors have approved the submitted manuscript.

All manuscripts are initially assessed by the editorial team for scope, quality, originality, formatting, and research-integrity requirements. Suitable manuscripts are subsequently sent for external peer review.

The journal may use plagiarism/similarity-checking software as part of its editorial quality-control process.

The final decision regarding publication rests with the Editor-in-Chief or an authorized editor, taking into consideration the peer-review reports and editorial assessment.

Manuscript Types

The journal accepts the following types of manuscripts:

  1. Original Research Articles
  2. Research Notes
  3. Review Articles
    • Systematic Reviews
    • Meta-Analyses
    • Comprehensive Narrative Reviews
  4. Short Communications
  5. Case Reports
  6. Methodology Papers
  7. Commentaries and Editorials

Authors should select the manuscript type that best represents their work.

General Manuscript Format

All manuscripts should:

  • Be written in clear English.
  • Be prepared in Microsoft Word format.
  • Be typed using double spacing.
  • Have a 2.5 cm margin on all sides.
  • Include continuous line numbers throughout the manuscript.
  • Use appropriate headings and subheadings.
  • Include tables and figures within the manuscript at their appropriate positions.
  • Follow the reference style specified below.
  • Use standard scientific terminology and SI units where applicable.

1. Original Research Articles

Original Research Articles should present novel research findings supported by appropriate methodology, analysis, and interpretation.

Manuscript structure

  • Title Page
  • Abstract – maximum 300 words, with a short description of Background, Methods, Results, and Conclusion
  • Keywords – 5–6 keywords
  • Introduction
  • Materials and Methods
  • Results
  • Discussion
  • Conclusion
  • Acknowledgments
  • Author Contributions
  • Conflict of Interest
  • Ethics Approval, where applicable
  • AI Tool Usage Declaration
  • Data Availability Statement, where applicable
  • References (APA format)

Tables and figures should be appropriately numbered and cited in the text.

2. Research Notes

Research Notes are intended for concise reports of focused research findings, preliminary observations, or limited but scientifically valuable studies.

Manuscript structure

  • Title Page
  • Abstract – maximum 250 words, with a short description of Background, Methods, Results, and Conclusion
  • Keywords – 5–6 keywords
  • Introduction
  • Materials and Methods
  • Results
  • Discussion
  • Conclusion, where appropriate
  • Acknowledgments
  • Author Contributions
  • Conflict of Interest
  • Ethics Approval, where applicable
  • AI Tool Usage Declaration
  • Data Availability Statement, where applicable
  • References (APA format)

The manuscript should be concise and focused on the principal research findings.

3. Review Articles

The journal accepts:

  • Systematic Reviews
  • Meta-Analyses
  • Comprehensive Narrative Reviews

Review Articles should provide a critical and up-to-date synthesis of relevant scientific literature.

3.1 Systematic Reviews

Manuscript structure

  • Title Page
  • Abstract – maximum 300 words, briefly covering Background, Methods, Results, and Conclusion
  • Keywords – 5–6 keywords
  • Introduction
  • Materials and Methods / Search Strategy
  • Results
  • Discussion
  • Conclusion
  • Acknowledgments, where applicable
  • Author Contributions
  • Conflict of Interest
  • AI Tool Usage Declaration
  • Data Availability Statement, where applicable
  • References (APA format)

Authors are encouraged to follow appropriate reporting guidelines such as PRISMA, where applicable.

3.2 Meta-Analyses

Manuscript structure

  • Title Page
  • Abstract – maximum 300 words, briefly covering Background, Methods, Results, and Conclusion
  • Keywords – 5–6 keywords
  • Introduction
  • Materials and Methods / Search Strategy and Statistical Analysis
  • Results
  • Discussion
  • Conclusion
  • Acknowledgments, where applicable
  • Author Contributions
  • Conflict of Interest
  • AI Tool Usage Declaration
  • Data Availability Statement, where applicable
  • References (APA format)

The statistical methods, study selection criteria, data synthesis, and relevant analyses should be clearly described.

3.3 Comprehensive Narrative Reviews

Manuscript structure

  • Title Page
  • Abstract – maximum 300 words, briefly covering the Background, scope/purpose, major findings, and Conclusion
  • Keywords – 5–6 keywords
  • Introduction
  • Main Review Text
  • Conclusion/Future Perspectives
  • Acknowledgments, where applicable
  • Author Contributions
  • Conflict of Interest
  • AI Tool Usage Declaration
  • References (APA format)

Narrative Reviews should provide a balanced and critical discussion of the available literature rather than simply listing previously published studies.

4. Short Communications

Short Communications are intended for brief reports of novel findings, important observations, preliminary results, or focused studies.

Manuscript structure

  • Title Page
  • Abstract – maximum 250 words, with a short description of Background, Methods, Results, and Conclusion
  • Keywords – 5–6 keywords
  • Introduction
  • Materials and Methods
  • Results
  • Discussion
  • Conclusion, where appropriate
  • Acknowledgments
  • Author Contributions
  • Conflict of Interest
  • Ethics Approval, where applicable
  • AI Tool Usage Declaration
  • Data Availability Statement, where applicable
  • References (APA format)

The manuscript should be concise and focused on a clearly defined research finding or observation.

5. Case Reports

Case Reports should describe scientifically or clinically significant cases relevant to phytomedicine, medicinal plants, pharmacology, toxicology, botany, or related fields.

Manuscript structure

  • Title Page
  • Abstract – maximum 250 words, briefly covering Background, Case Description, Key Findings, and Conclusion
  • Keywords – 5–6 keywords
  • Introduction
  • Case Description
  • Relevant Investigations/Observations, where applicable
  • Treatment or Intervention, where applicable
  • Outcome/Follow-up, where applicable
  • Discussion
  • Conclusion
  • Acknowledgments, where applicable
  • Author Contributions
  • Conflict of Interest
  • Ethics Approval, where applicable
  • Consent for Publication, where applicable
  • AI Tool Usage Declaration
  • References (APA format)

Identifiable information concerning patients or participants should not be included without appropriate consent for publication.

6. Methodology Papers

Methodology Papers should describe new, improved, validated, or useful research methods, protocols, analytical procedures, or techniques relevant to the scope of the journal.

Manuscript structure

  • Title Page
  • Abstract – maximum 300 words, briefly covering Background, Methods/Protocol, Results or Validation, and Conclusion
  • Keywords – 5–6 keywords
  • Introduction
  • Materials and Methods / Method or Protocol
  • Results/Validation, where applicable
  • Discussion
  • Conclusion
  • Acknowledgments
  • Author Contributions
  • Conflict of Interest
  • Ethics Approval, where applicable
  • AI Tool Usage Declaration
  • Data Availability Statement, where applicable
  • References (APA format)

The methodology should be described sufficiently for readers to understand the procedure and, where appropriate, reproduce it.

7. Commentaries and Editorials

Commentaries

Commentaries should provide scholarly perspectives, critical discussions, expert viewpoints, or observations on important developments relevant to the journal.

Manuscript structure

  • Title Page
  • Abstract – maximum 250 words, where appropriate
  • Keywords – 5–6 keywords, where appropriate
  • Introduction
  • Main Commentary
  • Conclusion/Future Perspectives, where appropriate
  • Acknowledgments, where applicable
  • Author Contributions, where applicable
  • Conflict of Interest
  • AI Tool Usage Declaration
  • References (APA format)

Editorials

Editorials may be invited or commissioned by the journal.

They may address important developments in the field, emerging research areas, significant scientific issues, or matters relevant to the journal and its readership.

Editorials may follow a flexible structure according to their purpose and normally include:

  • Title
  • Author(s) and Affiliation
  • Main Editorial Text
  • Conclusion, where appropriate
  • Conflict of Interest, where applicable
  • References, where applicable

Title Page

The Title Page should contain:

  • Title of the article – preferably not exceeding 90 characters.
  • Full name of each author.
  • Institutional affiliation and complete address of each author.
  • Email address of the corresponding author.
  • ORCID iD, where available.
  • Author contributions.

The title should be concise, informative, and accurately reflect the content of the manuscript.

Abstract

The abstract should be concise and accurately represent the manuscript.

For research-based manuscripts, the abstract should briefly cover:

Background – Methods – Results – Conclusion

The following maximum word limits apply:

Article Type

Maximum Abstract

Original Research Article

300 words

Research Note

250 words

Systematic Review

300 words

Meta-Analysis

300 words

Narrative Review

300 words

Short Communication

250 words

Case Report

250 words

Methodology Paper

300 words

Commentary

250 words, where applicable

Editorial

Not normally required

Keywords

Authors should provide 5–6 relevant keywords immediately below the abstract.

Keywords should accurately represent the major subjects of the manuscript and should facilitate indexing and discoverability.

Introduction

The Introduction should provide relevant background information, identify the research problem or knowledge gap, and clearly state the objective or purpose of the study.

Materials and Methods

The Materials and Methods section should provide sufficient information about the materials, experimental design, procedures, analytical methods, and statistical methods used in the study.

Previously published methods may be described briefly with appropriate references. New or substantially modified methods should be described in sufficient detail.

Appropriate ethical approval and regulatory information should be provided where applicable.

Results

The Results should present the findings clearly and objectively.

Tables and figures should be used where appropriate. Statistical methods should be suitable for the study design and clearly reported.

Discussion

The Discussion should interpret the findings in relation to previous research.

Authors should explain the significance of the findings and discuss relevant similarities, differences, implications, and limitations.

The Discussion should not simply repeat the Results.

Conclusion

The Conclusion should provide a concise summary of the main findings and their significance. Where appropriate, authors may include implications, recommendations, limitations, and future research directions.

Acknowledgments

Acknowledgments should be brief and limited to individuals or organizations that provided specific assistance, guidance, technical support, or financial support but do not qualify for authorship.

Author Contributions

Authors should clearly describe their individual contributions to the research and manuscript.

Examples may include:

  • Conceptualization
  • Methodology
  • Investigation
  • Data collection
  • Data analysis
  • Writing – original draft
  • Writing – review and editing
  • Supervision
  • Project administration
  • Funding acquisition

All authors should have approved the final manuscript.

Conflict of Interest

Authors must disclose any financial or non-financial interests that could influence the research or its interpretation.

If no conflict exists, authors may state:

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Ethics Approval

Where applicable, manuscripts should provide information regarding:

  • Human research ethics approval
  • Animal research ethics approval
  • Institutional approval
  • Informed consent
  • Consent for publication
  • Clinical trial registration

The name of the approving institution and approval/reference number should be provided where available.

AI Tool Usage Declaration

Authors may use AI-assisted tools for limited and appropriate purposes such as language editing, grammar correction, formatting, or improving readability.

Any substantive use of generative AI or other AI-assisted tools should be clearly and transparently disclosed in the manuscript. The disclosure should identify the AI tool and version used, its purpose, and how it was used.

AI tools cannot be listed as authors. Authors remain fully responsible for the accuracy, originality, integrity, and final content of the manuscript.

Restrictions on AI-generated scientific content

The journal does not accept manuscripts in which AI tools have been used to independently interpret the research results, generate the scientific Discussion, or develop scientific conclusions without substantive author analysis and responsibility.

The journal also does not accept AI-generated citations or references. Authors are responsible for verifying every citation and reference against the original scientific source.

AI-generated text, data, interpretations, citations, or references must not be presented as the authors' own scientific work.

The journal's policy follows the principle that authors remain responsible for AI-assisted content and that AI systems cannot be credited as authors or cited as scientific sources.

Data Availability Statement

Authors should provide a Data Availability Statement, where applicable.

Where data are publicly available, authors should provide the repository name and persistent identifier or link.

Where data cannot be publicly shared because of ethical, privacy, legal, or other restrictions, the authors should briefly state the reason.

References

References should be prepared in APA format.

Authors should ensure that:

  • Every in-text citation appears in the reference list.
  • Every reference listed is cited in the manuscript.
  • Author names and publication years are consistent.
  • References are accurate and complete.
  • DOI information is included where available.
  • References have been checked against the original sources.

In-text Citations

For two authors, cite both authors:

(Mohali & Bhowmik, 2013)

For three or more authors, use the first author's surname followed by et al.:

(Mullar et al., 2014)

When multiple references are cited together, arrange them chronologically by year and separate them with semicolons:

(Smith, 1987; John, 1999; Moriss et al., 2000)

Authors should ensure that names and publication years in the text exactly correspond to the reference list.

Reference Examples

Journal Articles

Abusaleha, A., & Shanmugavelu, K. G. (1988). Studies on the effect of organic versus inorganic sources of nitrogen on growth, yield and quality of okra. Indian Journal of Horticulture, 45, 312–318.

Batra, V. K., Dhankhar, S. K., Bhatia, A. K., Virender, S., Arora, S. K., & Singh, V. P. (2006). Response of brinjal to foliar feeding of water soluble fertilizers. Haryana Journal of Horticultural Sciences, 35(3–4).

Book – Personal Author(s)

Jackson, L. M. (2019). The psychology of prejudice: From attitudes to social action (2nd ed.). American Psychological Association. https://doi.org/10.1037/0000168-000

Sapolsky, R. M. (2017). Behave: The biology of humans at our best and worst. Penguin Books.

Edited Book

Kesharwani, P. (Ed.). (2020). Nanotechnology based approaches for tuberculosis treatment. Academic Press.

Torino, G. C., Rivera, D. P., Capodilupo, C. M., Nadal, K. L., & Sue, D. W. (Eds.). (2019). Microaggression theory: Influence and implications. John Wiley & Sons. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119466642

Chapter in a Book

Author, A. A. (Year). Title of chapter. In B. B. Editor (Ed.), Title of book (pp. xxx–xxx). Publisher.

Published Proceedings Paper

Duckworth, A. L., Quirk, A., Gallop, R., Hoyle, R. H., Kelly, D. R., & Matthews, M. D. (2019). Cognitive and noncognitive predictors of success. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 116(47), 23499–23504. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1910510116

Dissertation or Thesis

Knight, A. (2001). Exercise and osteoarthritis of the knee (Unpublished master's dissertation). Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand.

Tables and Figures

Tables and figures should be placed within the manuscript at their appropriate positions and should be numbered consecutively.

Tables

Tables should:

  • Have a clear and descriptive heading.
  • Be numbered using Arabic numerals (Table 1, Table 2, etc.).
  • Be cited in the text.
  • Clearly define abbreviations and units.
  • Avoid unnecessary duplication of information presented in the text.

Figures

Figures should:

  • Be numbered consecutively (Figure 1, Figure 2, etc.).
  • Be cited in the text.
  • Be of suitable quality for publication.
  • Have clear legends and labels.
  • Include appropriate units where applicable.

Figure legends should clearly explain the content of each figure.

Photographs and Image Quality

Photographs should be of good quality and preferably have a resolution of at least 300 dpi.

Images intended to occupy approximately one text-column width should preferably have sufficient pixel dimensions for clear reproduction.

Photographs should preferably be submitted in JPEG or TIFF format and should be provided in their original quality whenever possible.

Authors should ensure that photographs do not contain unnecessary text, labels, or identifying information.

Where photographs contain identifiable individuals, appropriate consent for publication should be obtained.

Scientific Style

Authors should follow the following conventions:

  • Use SI units wherever applicable.
  • Define abbreviations at their first appearance.
  • Avoid unnecessary abbreviations in the title and abstract.
  • Use generic names for chemicals and drugs where appropriate.
  • Genus and species names should be written in italics.
  • Scientific names should be checked for correct spelling and nomenclature.
  • Use clear and consistent scientific terminology throughout the manuscript.

Submission Checklist

Before submitting the manuscript, authors should ensure that:

  • The manuscript has not been previously published.
  • The manuscript is not under consideration by another journal.
  • All authors have approved the final manuscript.
  • The manuscript is submitted in Microsoft Word format.
  • The manuscript is double-spaced.
  • A 2.5 cm margin is used on all sides.
  • Continuous line numbers are included.
  • The appropriate article type has been selected.
  • The title page contains complete author information.
  • The abstract meets the applicable word limit.
  • 5–6 keywords are provided.
  • Tables and figures are placed appropriately in the manuscript.
  • All tables and figures are cited in the text.
  • References follow APA format.
  • All in-text citations appear in the reference list.
  • All listed references are cited in the manuscript.
  • Ethics approval is provided where applicable.
  • Conflict of interest is declared.
  • Author contributions are provided.
  • Data availability information is provided where applicable.
  • AI Tool Usage Declaration is provided where applicable.
  • AI-generated citations and references have not been used.
  • AI has not been used to independently interpret the Results, Discussion, or scientific conclusions.
  • The manuscript has been checked for plagiarism and inappropriate text reuse.

Proofs and Publication

Page proofs may be sent to the corresponding author by email before publication.

Authors should carefully check the proofs for typographical and factual errors and return corrections within 5 days of receipt.

At the proof stage, only necessary corrections should be requested. Substantial changes to the manuscript after acceptance may not be permitted.

The corresponding author is responsible for carefully checking the final proof, including:

  • Author names
  • Affiliations
  • Tables
  • Figures
  • References
  • Numerical values
  • Units
  • Corresponding-author information

A PDF of the published article will be made available to the corresponding author and readers through the journal website.

Copyright and Originality Declaration

Submission of a manuscript confirms that:

  1. The manuscript is original.
  2. The manuscript has not been published previously in whole or in substantial part.
  3. The manuscript is not currently under consideration by another journal.
  4. All authors have approved the submission.
  5. All sources and previously published material have been appropriately acknowledged.
  6. Any necessary permissions for copyrighted material have been obtained.

Copyright and licensing of published articles are governed by the journal's Copyright Policy and Open Access Policy.

Research Integrity and Ethical Responsibility

Authors are responsible for the integrity and accuracy of their submitted work.

The journal does not accept manuscripts involving:

  • Fabricated or falsified data
  • Plagiarism
  • Duplicate or redundant publication
  • Manipulation of images or research data
  • Improper authorship
  • Citation manipulation
  • Undisclosed conflicts of interest
  • Unethical research practices

Research involving humans or animals must comply with applicable ethical standards and institutional requirements.

Concerns relating to research misconduct will be handled according to the journal's Publication Ethics and Malpractice Statement.

Editorial and Peer Review Process

Manuscripts that meet the journal's basic requirements and fall within its scope are sent for external peer review.

Research manuscripts are normally reviewed by at least two independent reviewers with appropriate expertise.

The journal follows a double-anonymous peer-review process.

Authors may suggest potential reviewers, but the final selection of reviewers remains entirely at the discretion of the editorial team.

The possible editorial decisions are:

  • Accept
  • Minor Revision
  • Major Revision
  • Reject

The Editor-in-Chief or authorized editor makes the final editorial decision.

The same editorial and external peer-review standards apply to articles published as part of special issues, where applicable.

Correspondence

All correspondence concerning manuscript submission, peer review, revision, and publication should be directed to:

Editorial Office
Journal of Phytomedicine and Botany

Email: editor@phytomedbotany.com

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