Contents
Special Issue Topic

Remedial benefits of natural products in inflammation and cancer

Submission Deadline: June 30, 2025

Guest Editors

Noah Isakov E-Mail

Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Genetics Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel

Research Keywords: cancer immunobiology; T cell activation; signal transduction; protooncogenes; adaptor proteins; kinase; phosphatase; isomerase

Ruby John Anto E-Mail

Molecular Bioassay Laboratory, Institute of Advanced Virology, Thiruvananthapuram, India

Research Keywords: bioprospecting for anticancer molecules; chemosensitization; chemoprevention; carcinogenesis; chemotherapeutics

About the Special lssue

The utilization of natural products as remedies for the treatment of a wide range of diseases has been practiced since ancient times. The earliest indication of human use of natural products was found in the cuneiform writing on clay tablets, dating to circa 2600 B.C, illustrating that people from the Near East region of Mesopotamia had been making use of the health benefits of oil extracts from plants such as Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens) and Myrrh (Commiphora), to relieve conditions like cough and inflammation. Interestingly, these extracts are still being used today as remedies for these illnesses. Over the past few decades, tremendous effort has gone into isolating and characterizing novel natural compounds from plants, animals, and other living organisms. Ethno pharmacological studies and more recent usage of cutting-edge molecular technologies, have led to the discovery of numerous active natural compounds and structurally related analogues. Some of these compounds are currently being used as effective medications for the treatment of distinct types of cancers as well as inflammatory and infectious diseases.

This Special Issue on Remedial benefits of natural products in inflammation and cancer is devoted to in-depth research on natural products, descriptions of their biological effects, evaluation of their therapeutic properties, and investigation of their mechanisms of action.

Areas of interest include, but are not limited to:
Discovery, identification, and characterization of natural products
Technological advances in the discovery of drugs derived from natural products
Pharmacological models in the study of natural products
The therapeutic benefits of natural products and their derivatives
Effect of natural products on immune functions and anti-cancer responses

Both original research papers and review manuscripts are welcome.

Keywords: natural products; plant extract; bioactive compound; remedies; drug discovery; cancer; inflammation

Published Articles

Open Access Review
Natural products targeting cancer stem cells: a promising therapeutic approach
Cancer remains the second leading cause of death globally, posing an ongoing threat to public health. A hallmark of cancer cells is their capacity to invade adjacent tissues and evolve into malignan
Published: April 18, 2025 Explor Drug Sci. 2025;3:1008106
293 19 0
Open Access Review
Lutein and inflammation: a comprehensive review of its mechanisms of action
Lutein, a natural dihydroxy carotenoid and a member of the non-vitamin A carotenoids family, is abundant in yellow-colored fruits and green leafy vegetables such as spinach and lettuce. As the secon
Published: January 25, 2025 Explor Drug Sci. 2025;3:100885
1101 31 0
Open Access Review
Unlocking nature’s pharmacy: an in-depth exploration of phytochemicals as potential sources of anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory molecules
Phytochemicals, the bioactive compounds derived from plants, play a significant role in modulating pathways leading to cancer and inflammation, rendering themselves promising candidates for therapeu
Published: October 30, 2024 Explor Drug Sci. 2024;2:744–784
1872 66 0
Open Access Review
Psoralidin: emerging biological activities of therapeutic benefits and its potential utility in cervical cancer
Cervical cancer (CaCx) is the fourth most prevalent cancer in women contributing to 341,831 annual deaths globally in 2020. Owing to its high mortality rate, the identification of novel inhibitors p
Published: September 24, 2024 Explor Drug Sci. 2024;2:583–613
1203 38 0
Open Access Review
Multi-target and natural product-based multi-drug approach for anti-VEGF resistance in glioblastoma
Glioblastoma (GBM) remains a formidable challenge in neuro-oncology due to its aggressive nature and propensity for therapeutic resistance. Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapies,
Published: September 13, 2024 Explor Drug Sci. 2024;2:567–582
1532 38 1
Open Access Perspective
Plants and fungi metabolites as novel autophagy inducers and senescence inhibitors
Premature aging can be partially explained by inefficient autophagy (the process of cellular self-digestion that recycles intracellular components) and premature senescence (cease of cellular divisi
Published: July 01, 2024 Explor Drug Sci. 2024;2:361–368
1768 36 1