Antioxidant and Anticancer Activities of Plant-Derived Compounds

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue aims to highlight recent advances in the discovery, characterization, and biomedical applications of natural phytochemicals with therapeutic potential against oxidative stress-related diseases and cancer. Plant-derived compounds, including polyphenols, flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, and phenolic acids, have attracted considerable scientific attention due to their diverse biological activities, relatively low toxicity, and abundance in medicinal plants, fruits, vegetables, and traditional herbal remedies. Increasing evidence suggests that these natural compounds can modulate multiple molecular pathways involved in inflammation, oxidative damage, apoptosis, angiogenesis, metastasis, and cell proliferation.

Oxidative stress plays a central role in the initiation and progression of many chronic diseases, particularly cancer. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) can induce DNA damage, protein oxidation, and lipid peroxidation, ultimately contributing to tumorigenesis and resistance to therapy. Antioxidant phytochemicals may help restore redox balance and protect cellular systems from oxidative injury. At the same time, many plant-derived compounds exhibit selective anticancer properties by inducing programmed cell death, suppressing tumor growth, sensitizing cancer cells to chemotherapy, and regulating signaling pathways associated with carcinogenesis.

This Special Issue seeks to provide a multidisciplinary platform for researchers working in pharmacology, oncology, natural product chemistry, molecular biology, food science, and related fields. Original research articles, reviews, and mechanistic studies are encouraged, particularly those exploring novel bioactive compounds, synergistic effects, nanoformulations, bioavailability enhancement, and translational applications in disease prevention and therapy. Studies involving in vitro, in vivo, and clinical investigations are welcome.

By bringing together current findings on antioxidant and anticancer phytochemicals, this Special Issue aims to advance the scientific understanding of plant-based therapeutics and support the development of safer, more effective strategies for cancer prevention and treatment.

Prof. Dr. Oana Cioanca
Prof. Dr. Monica Hancianu
Dr. Cornelia Mircea
Guest Editors

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