Phytochemicals: Bioactivity in Disease Prevention, Anti-Inflammation, and Animal/Human Health

Dear Colleagues,

Phytochemicals—such as polyphenols, terpenoids, alkaloids, carotenoids, and organosulfur compounds—form a diverse repertoire of bioactive molecules that influence inflammation, oxidative stress, cellular metabolism, and host–microbiome interactions. Across cell, animal, and human studies, these compounds modulate conserved pathways including NF-κB, Nrf2/Keap1, AMPK/mTOR, inflammasome signaling, and mitochondrial redox balance—pathways central to disease initiation, progression, and resolution. Despite rapid advances, translation remains limited by variability in compound identity and dose, matrix effects, bioavailability, and reproducibility across species, as well as a need for validated biomarkers that connect mechanisms to measurable outcomes.
We are pleased to invite you to contribute to this Special Issue, which will gather rigorous mechanistic and translational studies that clarify how phytochemicals prevent disease and resolve inflammation, and how these insights can be applied across animal and human health within a One-Health framework.

This Special Issue will showcase mechanistic and translational studies on plant-derived compounds (e.g., polyphenols, terpenoids, alkaloids, organosulfur compounds) that modulate inflammation, oxidative stress, and metabolic resilience in animal and human systems. We particularly welcome work that (i) dissects molecular pathways (NF-κB, Nrf2/Keap1, AMPK/mTOR, inflammasome, redox signaling); (ii) quantifies bioavailability, metabolism, and dose–response in relevant food/feed matrices; (iii) links multi-omics readouts (transcriptomics, proteomics/phosphoproteomics, metabolomics, lipidomics) to functional outcomes; and (iv) develops robust biomarkers and reproducible analytics (including interpretable AI/ML) for predicting exposure and efficacy. One-Health-oriented submissions that connect animal nutrition and product quality with human nutrition and safety are encouraged. The aim is a coherent collection that advances fundamental mechanisms → validated markers → practical guidance, enabling safer foods, healthier animals, and improved human well-being.

This Special Issue will assemble studies that (i) elucidate the molecular basis of phytochemical action, (ii) quantify bioavailability and dose–response in relevant food/feed matrices, (iii) link multi-omics readouts (transcriptomics, proteomics/phosphoproteomics, metabolomics/lipidomics) to phenotypic and clinical outcomes, and (iv) develop robust biomarkers and reproducible analytics (including interpretable AI/ML) for exposure and efficacy. We particularly welcome work that bridges animal models, livestock applications, and human studies, emphasizing standardized methods, transparent data, and practical guidance. 

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:

• Mechanistic studies of anti-inflammatory and disease-preventive actions of phytochemicals (NF-κB, Nrf2/Keap1, AMPK/mTOR, inflammasome, mitochondrial/redox control);
• Gut–liver–immune axes and microbiome-mediated mechanisms of phytochemical action;
• Bioavailability, metabolism, pharmacokinetics, and dose–response in food/feed matrices and matrix effects and delivery science;
• Green extraction, analytical characterization (LC–MS/MS, NMR), authenticity, and quality control;
• Targeted delivery systems (nano/microencapsulation), stability, and controlled release;
• Integrative multi-omics with causal inference; interpretable AI/ML for biomarker discovery, prediction, and uncertainty estimation (FAIR data and code);
• Biomarkers of exposure and efficacy validated across species (animal → human) within One-Health frameworks;
• Safety, risk–benefit assessment, interactions (drug–nutrient/feed), and regulatory science and dose translation and standards.

Dr. Jayasimha Rayalu Daddam
Dr. Kotha Peddanna
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Biomolecules is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• phytochemicals
• anti-inflammatory
• metabolic health
• oxidative stress
• gut microbiome
• nutrigenomics
• animal health
• human health
• systems biology
• AI/ML