Isoflavones as Therapeutic Leads: From Natural Sources to Mechanisms and Translational

Dear Colleagues,

Isoflavones, a prominent class of phytoestrogens derived mainly from soy and other legumes, have attracted considerable attention due to their wide-ranging biological and pharmacological activities. Their potential roles extend from antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions to modulatory effects on hormone-dependent pathways, cell cycle regulation, and apoptosis. Recent advances in preclinical and clinical studies have revealed their promise in the prevention and treatment of diverse human diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular disorders, neurodegeneration, and metabolic syndromes. Despite these promising findings, the translation of isoflavones into effective therapeutic applications requires deeper mechanistic insights, innovative delivery systems, and rigorous clinical validation.

This Special Issue aims to provide a comprehensive platform for advancing our understanding of isoflavones as therapeutic leads, bridging natural product research, mechanistic biology, and translational medicine. We invite contributions that align with the scope of Biomedicines, covering the discovery, characterization, and development of naturally driven therapeutics, with special emphasis on isoflavones. The collection will highlight both experimental and clinical evidence, foster cross-disciplinary dialog, and pave the way for novel therapeutic strategies based on these bioactive compounds. If at least eight contributions are collected, this Special Issue may also be published as a book volume.

In this Special Issue, we welcome both original research articles and review papers. Potential areas of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Natural sources, biosynthesis, and chemical characterization of isoflavones;
• Molecular mechanisms of action (e.g., modulation of signaling pathways, apoptosis, oxidative stress, and inflammation);
• Isoflavones in cancer biology, cardiovascular health, neuroprotection, and metabolic regulation;
• Novel drug delivery systems, formulations, and bioavailability enhancement strategies;
• Preclinical models and translational studies of isoflavones;
• Clinical evidence, safety profiles, and therapeutic applications;
• Synergistic effects of isoflavones with other bioactive molecules or conventional drugs.

We look forward to receiving your valuable contributions to this Special Issue.

Dr. Bruno Kaufmann Robbs
Prof. Dr. Lucas Silva Abreu
Guest Editors

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