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Pharmacological Activities and Mechanisms of Action of Natural Products, 2nd Edition

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A special issue of Current Issues in Molecular Biology (ISSN 1467-3045). This special issue belongs to the section "Bioorganic Chemistry and Medicinal Chemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 August 2026 | Viewed by 6583

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Dr. Shining Loo

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1. School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 60 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 637551, Singapore
2. Wisdom Lake Academy of Pharmacy, Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Suzhou 215123, China
Interests: precision medicine; peptide drug discovery and design; mass spectrometry; proteomics-based target-identification, functional and structural characterization; high-throughput drug screening and validation; peptide and protein chemistry; molecular pharmacology; targeted protein modifiers; targeted drug delivery; natural products
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Dr. Antony Kam

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Department of Biological Sciences, Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Wuzhong No.111, Renai Road, Suzhou 215123, China
Interests: peptide; drug discovery; molecular pharmacology; natural products; chemical biology
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Prof. Dr. Simon Ming-Yuen Lee

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1. State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macao 999078, China
2. MoE Frontiers Science Center for Precision Oncology, University of Macau, Taipa, Macao 999078, China
Interests: cardiovascular, neurodegenerative diseases and brain disorders; molecular pharmacology; mitochondrial functions; systems biology; genome; transcriptome; proteome; protein interaction network; natural product chemistry; Chinese medicine; peptide chemistry
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Dear Colleagues,

Natural products are small molecules biosynthesized by living organisms that have evolved to modulate biochemical pathways and biological processes. This Special Issue focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms by which natural products exert their pharmacological activities and therapeutic effects. For centuries, natural products have been invaluable sources of medicinal agents, exemplified by antibiotics, antimalarials, analgesics, and anticancer drugs like penicillin, artemisinin, ziconotide, and paclitaxel, respectively. Unraveling their molecular targets, modes of binding, and regulatory roles can unlock new therapeutic strategies.

This SI welcomes original research elucidating the structural basis of natural products’ bioactivity through techniques like X-ray crystallography, NMR spectroscopy, computational modeling, and pharmacological assays. Also of interest are investigations into natural products’ interactions with proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, and other biomolecules, underlying their pharmacological effects, and mechanistic studies dissecting their impact on cellular signaling pathways, gene expression, enzyme activities, and other molecular processes. Additionally, this Special Issue aims to showcase cutting-edge strategies for natural product isolation, derivatization, and molecular target deconvolution to accelerate drug discovery. Through an enhanced understanding of natural products’ mechanisms of action, this Special Issue strives to enrich the pipeline for molecular probes and therapeutic leads.

You can read the publications in the first volume here:

https://www.mdpi.com/journal/cimb/special_issues/PWPYC3660Y

Dr. Shining Loo
Dr. Antony Kam
Prof. Dr. Simon Ming-Yuen Lee
Guest Editors

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Keywords

natural products
pharmacological activity
molecular mechanisms
therapeutic targets
structure–activity relationships
protein–ligand interactions
cell signaling pathways
enzyme inhibition/activation
molecular targets

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Published Papers (11 papers)

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Research

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26 pages, 25073 KB

Open AccessArticle

Coreopsistinctoria Nutt. Alleviates Intestinal Barrier Damage in Slow Transit Constipation Through the PI3K/AKT Pathway

by Guliziremu Ainiwaer, Xiaoxuan Zhang, Mukatansi Tayier and Xin Luo

Curr. Issues Mol. Biol. 2026, 48(5), 510; https://doi.org/10.3390/cimb48050510 (registering DOI) - 14 May 2026

Abstract

Background: The development of Slow Transit Constipation (STC) is associated with intestinal barrier damage. Coreopsis tinctoria Nutt. (CT) is effective in treating STC, but the mechanisms are unclear. Methods: We investigated three CT extracts—traditional aqueous extract, and an aqueous extract from supercritical fluid extraction, with or without lipophilic components—on intestinal transit in a loperamide-induced STC rat model. The potential therapeutic targets of CT for STC were initially predicted using an integrated approach of network pharmacology and molecular docking. The therapeutic effect of CT was evaluated in a STC rat model by assessing defecation parameters (fecal count, water content, intestinal transit), colon histology (H&E and AB-PAS staining), inflammatory markers (ELISA), and target protein expression (Western blotting and immunohistochemistry). In parallel, an LPS-induced IEC-6 cell injury model was used to investigate intestinal barrier protection, analyzing cell viability (CCK-8), apoptosis (flow cytometry and Western blotting), migration (scratch assay), and protein expression (Western blotting). Results: Docking and enrichment analysis highlighted hub targets (TNF, AKT1, Caspase3, STAT3, and BCL-2) and the PI3K/AKT pathway. In vivo, CT treatment improved defecation function, reduced colonic damage, and decreased markers of inflammation and apoptosis in STC rats. It also up-regulated ZO-1 and Occludin, lowered serum markers of intestinal permeability D-lactate (D-LA) and Diamine oxidase (DAO), and restored intestinal barrier function. Furthermore, CT reduced Caspase3 expression and increased the expression of proteins such as BCL-2, PI3K, and P-AKT/AKT. These findings were further supported by in vitro experiments. Conclusions: CT improves STC and its associated intestinal barrier damage by activating the PI3K/AKT pathway and suppressing inflammation and apoptosis, among which the aqueous extract from supercritical fluid extraction combined with the lipophilic fraction exhibits the best efficacy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pharmacological Activities and Mechanisms of Action of Natural Products, 2nd Edition)

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20 pages, 10570 KB

Open AccessArticle

Precision Intervention of Isorhamnetin Total Flavonoids in Ischemic Heart Failure: Mechanistic Exploration Based on Signature Gene Targets

by Li-Juan Zhang, Xu Hu, Kader Kaderyea, Wen-Ling Su, Yue Wang, Di-Wei Liu, Rui-Fang Zheng and Jian-Guo Xing

Curr. Issues Mol. Biol. 2026, 48(4), 406; https://doi.org/10.3390/cimb48040406 - 15 Apr 2026

Viewed by 334

Abstract

Early identification of ischemic heart failure (IHF) is critical for improving patient prognosis and clinical outcomes. However, effective diagnostic biomarkers and targeted therapeutic strategies for IHF remain limited. Total flavonoids from Dracocephalum moldavica L. (TFDM) exert potential cardioprotective effects; however, the molecular mechanisms by which TFDM acts against IHF have not been fully elucidated. Therefore, this study aims to identify diagnostic biomarkers for IHF and explore the potential therapeutic mechanism of TFDM targeting these key genes. Given the small sample size (n = 17) of the clinical dataset, LASSO regression and Random Forest were employed due to their superior performance in feature selection, noise reduction, and stability in small-sample scenarios. In this study, we screened key characteristic genes of IHF through bioinformatics analysis and further investigated the binding potential between these key genes and active components of TFDM using molecular docking, thus providing new targets for the early diagnosis of IHF and new evidence for the intervention mechanism of TFDM in IHF. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pharmacological Activities and Mechanisms of Action of Natural Products, 2nd Edition)

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19 pages, 5504 KB

Open AccessArticle

Identification of Potential Pancreatic Lipase Inhibitors from Traditional Chinese Medicines via Molecular Docking, Molecular Dynamics Simulation and In Vitro Validation

by Zixuan Zhang, Jinhua Long, Tingting Li, Nan Xu, Zhili Xu, Yuedan Wang, Ming Chu and Mingbo Zhang

Curr. Issues Mol. Biol. 2026, 48(4), 404; https://doi.org/10.3390/cimb48040404 - 15 Apr 2026

Viewed by 425

Abstract

Obesity represents one of the most critical global public health challenges. Pancreatic lipase (PL) serves as a key therapeutic target for obesity control, whereas clinical synthetic PL inhibitors are greatly restricted by adverse reactions. Traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) have a long-standing history in regulating lipid metabolism and ameliorating obesity-related disorders, and are characterized by remarkable structural diversity, low toxicity, and mild side effects, thus representing a promising source for developing safe and efficient PL inhibitors. In this work, an integrated strategy combining in silico screening and in vitro validation was employed to identify potential PL inhibitors from TCM components, including molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulation, MM/PBSA binding free energy computation, and in vitro enzymatic assay. Six compounds with docking scores ranging from −9.9 to −9.0 kcal/mol were selected for further investigation. Molecular dynamics simulations verified the favorable structural stability of the corresponding ligand–PL complexes, and MM/PBSA calculations demonstrated negative binding free energies from −21.24 ± 0.39 to −12.03 ± 0.40 kcal/mol. In vitro experiments indicated that three compounds (Hydroxygenkwanin, Atractylenolide I, and Peiminine) showed effective PL inhibitory activity, with IC₅₀ values of 0.128 ± 0.009, 0.584 ± 0.031, and 0.748 ± 0.042 mM, respectively. These values are comparable to quercetin (0.231 ± 0.034 mM) but significantly higher than orlistat (0.481 ± 0.023 μM), which is attributed to their non-covalent binding pattern. Collectively, this study validated the reliability of the integrated in silico and in vitro screening strategy, identified three effective pancreatic lipase inhibitors derived from TCMs, established a robust paradigm for the discovery of natural PL inhibitors, and laid a solid foundation for subsequent research on natural anti-obesity agents. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pharmacological Activities and Mechanisms of Action of Natural Products, 2nd Edition)

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23 pages, 7672 KB

Open AccessArticle

An Acetyl-CoA-Gated Metabolic Checkpoint Links Precursor Supply to Cordycepin Biosynthesis in Cordyceps militaris

by Hucheng Zhang, Dongqing Yang, Guowei Yang, Shuai Luo, Peng Lu, Guoli Xie, Yapeng Song, Jun Yang, Linying Liu, Haitao Fan, Wenyan Lao and Frank Vriesekoop

Curr. Issues Mol. Biol. 2026, 48(4), 370; https://doi.org/10.3390/cimb48040370 - 2 Apr 2026

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Abstract

The growth–specialized metabolism trade-off limits fungal natural product production. Here, we investigated cordycepin overproduction in Cordyceps militaris high-yield GYS60 and low-yield GYS80 via comparative proteomics, Post-Translational Modification (PTM) mapping, and metabolomics. We identified an acetyl-CoA-gated checkpoint centered on O-methyltransferase CCM_06472, whose activity is modulated by Lys123 acetylation and Ser34 phosphorylation in a manner consistent with activation and inhibition. GYS60 hyperactivates the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle and β-oxidation to generate a 4.1-fold acetyl-CoA surplus, 62% of which is channeled into cordycepin synthesis. A single K123Q acetylation-mimetic mutation boosted cordycepin titers by >4-fold in wild-type strains. This acetyl-CoA checkpoint reveals PTM-gated flux allocation as a key regulatory mechanism, providing a minimal-intervention strategy for engineering fungal cell factories. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pharmacological Activities and Mechanisms of Action of Natural Products, 2nd Edition)

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31 pages, 10668 KB

Open AccessArticle

Elucidating the Multi-Target Anti-Pruritic Mechanism of Polygonatum odoratum via Integrated Network Pharmacology, Molecular Simulations, and GEO Dataset Validation

by Jiabei Chen, Chenglu Liu, Xinbo Chen, Guoliang Yu, Zhen Li and Hua Yang

Curr. Issues Mol. Biol. 2026, 48(4), 369; https://doi.org/10.3390/cimb48040369 - 1 Apr 2026

Viewed by 676

Abstract

Polygonatum odoratum, a medicinal and edible plant widely used in traditional Chinese medicine and daily diets, has potential in managing various disorders, but its anti-pruritic mechanisms remain unclear. This study aimed to explore its multi-target anti-pruritic effects by integrating network pharmacology, molecular docking, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, GeneMANIA functional association analysis (GMFA), and GEO dataset validation. Bioactive components and pruritus-related targets were identified from public databases, and interaction networks between Polygonatum odoratum and pruritus targets, as well as the antihistamine levocetirizine, were constructed. Core targets were screened, and functional enrichment analyses were performed using DAVID and KEGG. Molecular docking (AutoDock Vina) and MD simulations (AMBER20) assessed the binding energy and stability of core components with key targets. The analysis identified 5 active components, 208 related targets, and 113 pruritus-associated targets, including 10 core targets. Enrichment analysis highlighted the PI3K/Akt and IL-17 signaling pathways, while MCODE clustering suggested involvement in arachidonic acid metabolism and serotonergic synapse. GMFA supported these findings. Molecular docking showed strong binding energy (<−5 kcal/mol), and MD simulations confirmed stable ligand–target complexes. GEO dataset validation reinforced key results. This study suggests that Polygonatum odoratum may exert anti-pruritic effects through the combined actions of inflammation suppression, skin barrier repair, and neural modulation, revealing a novel multi-target mechanism for pruritus therapy and potential synergy with levocetirizine. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pharmacological Activities and Mechanisms of Action of Natural Products, 2nd Edition)

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24 pages, 425 KB

Open AccessArticle

Phytochemical Profile and Bioactive Potential of Hampea rovirosae Standl.: Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, and Carbohydrate-Hydrolyzing Enzyme Inhibitory Activities

by Maria Candelaria Tejero-Rivas, José Rodolfo Velázquez-Martínez, Minerva Aurora Hernández-Gallegos, Angelica Alejandra Ochoa-Flores, Rodolfo Osorio-Osorio, Juan Guzmán-Ceferino, Emmanuel Cabañas-García and Josafat Alberto Hernandez-Becerra

Curr. Issues Mol. Biol. 2026, 48(3), 327; https://doi.org/10.3390/cimb48030327 - 19 Mar 2026

Viewed by 579

Abstract

Hampea rovirosae Standl. is traditionally used by local communities to treat infections, pain-related conditions, and to reduce blood sugar levels. In this investigation, we produced aqueous, ethanolic, and hydroethanolic extracts of H. rovirosae and assessed their antioxidant, antibacterial, and antihyperglycemic properties in addition to their phytochemical profiles and contents. The phytochemical characterization was performed through a targeted chromatographic and mass spectrometric analysis of phenolic compounds and the quantitation of total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and total tannin content (TTC) by spectrometric assays. The antioxidant capacity was assessed using the DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays, and the antibacterial activity was determined by disk diffusion (DD) and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) methods. In addition, antihyperglycemic activity was evaluated by inhibiting α-amylase and α-glucosidase. Phytochemical analysis was performed using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS), employing a targeted analysis approach based on comparing retention times and fragmentation patterns with standards and databases. This analysis revealed a phytochemical profile dominated by phenolic compounds, with quercetin-3-glucoside (155,930.2), caffeic acid (134,399.1), catechin (98,408.8), procyanidin B2 (85,661.7), protocatechuic acid (83,824.3), and epicatechin (53,704.1) being the major metabolites. The hydroethanolic extract exhibited the highest phenolic (426.70 mg GAE/g), flavonoids (119.17 mg CE/g), and tannin (324.46 mg GAE/g) contents, as well as the strongest antioxidant capacity in the DPPH and FRAP assays. Regarding the antibacterial effects, the aqueous extract inhibited Salmonella typhimurium and Escherichia coli, while the hydroethanolic extract was active against S. aureus, B. cereus, and B. subtilis. In enzyme inhibition assays, the hydroethanolic extract showed strong α-glucosidase inhibition and moderate α-amylase inhibition. The findings provide preliminary scientific evidence of the antioxidant and biological activities of Hampea rovirosae in vitro, supporting its traditional use, which should be validated through vivo trials. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pharmacological Activities and Mechanisms of Action of Natural Products, 2nd Edition)

22 pages, 8786 KB

Open AccessArticle

PSMB8 as a Core Target Mediating the Anti-Hepatocellular Carci-Noma Activity of Lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea L.) Extract in HepG2 Cells

by Liangyu Zhu, Zhi Zhang, Yandong Zhang, Dianwen Wei, Zhenyu Wang and Liping Zhou

Curr. Issues Mol. Biol. 2026, 48(3), 323; https://doi.org/10.3390/cimb48030323 - 18 Mar 2026

Viewed by 437

Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a highly malignant tumour with a poor prognosis and few effective treatment options. Development of resistance to conventional therapies and occurrence of severe side effects highlight the urgent need for novel, low-toxicity interventions. Natural products are promising candidates for HCC drug development thanks to their multi-target activity and favourable safety profiles. Previous studies reported that Lingonberry extract, a bioactive natural product, inhibits proliferation of HepG₂ cells. However, the key molecular targets and underlying anticancer mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we analysed gene chip data from Lingonberry extract-treated HepG₂ tumour-bearing mice using bioinformatics tools, employing a cross-species, multi-level screening strategy to identify PSMB8 as the core regulatory gene. In vitro functional validations (Western blotting, RT-PCR, CCK-8 assay, colony formation assay, flow cytometry and TUNEL staining) confirmed these findings. Downregulating PSMB8 was found to effectively induce late apoptosis in HepG₂ cells, and Lingonberry extract was found to significantly reduce PSMB8 protein expression. This study identifies PSMB8 as a key mediator of the anticancer effect of Lingonberry extract in HepG₂ cells. It provides a reliable methodological reference for screening anticancer targets of natural products and supports further exploration of Lingonberry extract as a potential adjuvant/lead compound for HCC. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pharmacological Activities and Mechanisms of Action of Natural Products, 2nd Edition)

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22 pages, 880 KB

Open AccessArticle

Chemical Composition and Bioactivity of Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn. Flower Extract Fractions: In Vitro Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Properties

by Jung Ha Choo, So Young Lee, Kyoungin Min and Nae Gyu Kang

Curr. Issues Mol. Biol. 2025, 47(12), 1065; https://doi.org/10.3390/cimb47121065 - 18 Dec 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 894

Abstract

With the aging global population, interest in skin aging and skin health products is increasing. Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn. (lotus) has been widely used for its pharmacological benefits, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, skin-whitening, and anti-aging properties. In this study, we aimed to develop a safe and biologically active extract by extracting lotus flowers with hot water, followed by sequential fractionation using porous resin chromatography with stepwise ethanol elution (100% water and 30%, 70%, and 100% ethanol). The 30% and 70% ethanol fractions showed the highest total polyphenol and flavonoid contents. Liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization–mass spectrometry analysis identified major flavonoids, including myricetin and quercetin derivatives, in these fractions. These fractions were combined to formulate a novel Nelumbo nucifera flower extract (NFE), which exhibited potent antioxidant activity confirmed by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, 2,2′-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) and ferric reducing antioxidant power assays. NFE significantly inhibited nitric oxide and prostaglandin E₂ secretion in lipopolysaccharide-activated murine RAW264.7 macrophages. In human keratinocytes HaCaT cells, NFE reduced tumor necrosis factor-α-induced expression and secretion of the pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8 without cytotoxicity. These findings demonstrate that NFE has strong in vitro antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, supporting its potential as a bioactive ingredient for application in improving skin health preparations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pharmacological Activities and Mechanisms of Action of Natural Products, 2nd Edition)

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22 pages, 2372 KB

Open AccessReview

Natural Products in Endometrial Cancer: Molecular Mechanisms, Preclinical Evidence, and Clinical Perspectives

by Hsien-Chang Wu, Chung-Che Tsai and Chan-Yen Kuo

Curr. Issues Mol. Biol. 2026, 48(4), 408; https://doi.org/10.3390/cimb48040408 - 16 Apr 2026

Viewed by 624

Abstract

Endometrial cancer (EC) is the most common gynecologic malignancy in developed countries, with increasing incidence linked to obesity and metabolic dysfunction. While early-stage EC is often curable, advanced and recurrent disease remains difficult to treat due to resistance and limited therapeutic options. Natural products derived from traditional Chinese medicine have attracted attention as complementary strategies in EC management. These compounds exhibit multi-target effects, including modulation of estrogen signaling, inhibition of proliferation, induction of apoptosis, and regulation of immune and inflammatory pathways. This review summarizes current evidence on natural products in EC, integrating preclinical findings, emerging clinical data, and mechanistic insights from molecular and systems biology approaches. Key challenges, including variability, bioavailability, and insufficient clinical validation, are discussed. Future directions emphasize the integration of natural products into precision oncology frameworks. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pharmacological Activities and Mechanisms of Action of Natural Products, 2nd Edition)

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36 pages, 2452 KB

Open AccessReview

Plant-Derived Bioactive Compounds: Antioxidation, Autophagy, and Translational Applications in Skin Protection

by Liangyu Zhu, Mengsha Li, Dianwen Wei and Liping Zhou

Curr. Issues Mol. Biol. 2026, 48(4), 377; https://doi.org/10.3390/cimb48040377 - 5 Apr 2026

Viewed by 717

Abstract

Oxidative stress from exogenous insults is a major driver of skin aging and hyperpigmentation. Plant-derived bioactive compounds represent promising multifunctional agents with protective effects on skin. They meet the demand for natural, safe skin-protective agents with well-defined action mechanisms. However, current studies lack an integrated understanding of their dual cellular protective mechanisms: antioxidation and autophagy. A unified “component–pathway–efficacy” regulatory network remains lacking, which limits mechanistic insights into skin protection. To address this gap, this comprehensive narrative review retrieved literature from four authoritative databases: PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Wiley Online Library. With targeted keyword retrieval, 129 core studies published between 2021 and 2025 were selected for synthesis. The selection was based on relevance, methodological rigor, and scientific impact. This review constructs a novel “antioxidation–autophagy” synergistic regulatory model. It also establishes a consolidated dual-mechanism framework outlining the “component–pathway–efficacy” axis. This framework reduces knowledge fragmentation across natural product research, skin biology and translational molecular biology. This work integrates the dual protective mechanisms of plant-derived bioactive compounds for skin protection and translational applications. It provides a theoretical basis for understanding their molecular regulatory logic and facilitates further mechanistic studies and translational research on skin protection. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pharmacological Activities and Mechanisms of Action of Natural Products, 2nd Edition)

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17 pages, 2074 KB

Open AccessReview

Cili (Rosa roxburghii Tratt.) as a Functional Food and Medicinal Resource: Current Advances and Future Directions

by Jiaqiang Zhang, Xiang Li, Qi Wang, Fei Wang, Bin Deng, Yongbin Han, Weifeng Li and Rongchang Yang

Curr. Issues Mol. Biol. 2026, 48(3), 249; https://doi.org/10.3390/cimb48030249 - 26 Feb 2026

Viewed by 890

Abstract

Rosa roxburghii Tratt., commonly known as Cili, is an emerging functional fruit native to southwestern China, characterized by extraordinarily high vitamin C content, robust superoxide dismutase activity, and a rich diversity of bioactive compounds. This review summarizes recent advances in its phytochemistry, molecular bioactivity, and omics-driven applications, with a focus on integrating evidence from genomic, transcriptomic, and metabolomic analyses. Multi-omics analyses reveal the coordinated regulation of ascorbate and secondary metabolite accumulation via key pathways and transcription factors. Mechanistically, bioactive compounds from Cili comprising ascorbate derivatives, polyphenols, flavonoids, polysaccharides, triterpenoids, and sterols, act synergistically. They also exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, gastrointestinal, hepatoprotective, cardiovascular protective, anti-obesity, anti-diabetic, metabolic regulatory, anti-cancer, and neuroprotective effects by modulating core metabolic and stress-response signaling pathways. Recent advances in functional food processing have further elevated its nutritional and industrial value, highlighting its potential as a sustainable nutraceutical resource. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pharmacological Activities and Mechanisms of Action of Natural Products, 2nd Edition)

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