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Natural Compounds: Impact on Health and Disease
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Natural Compounds: Impact on Health and Disease

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Bioactives and Nutraceuticals".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 April 2026) | Viewed by 1652

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Jaehoon Bae

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Functional Food Research Institute, Industry-University Cooperation Foundation, Daegu Haany University, Gyeongsan-si 38610, Republic of Korea
2. Department of Korea Medical Science, Daegu Haany University, Gyeongsan-si 38610, Republic of Korea
Interests: natural compounds; phytochemicals; bioactive molecules; disease prevention; functional food; molecular mechanisms

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Natural compounds have long been recognized as valuable sources for the development of therapeutic agents, dietary supplements, and preventive strategies against various diseases. Derived from plants, marine organisms, fungi, and microorganisms, these bioactive molecules play essential roles in modulating physiological functions, reducing oxidative stress, balancing immune responses, and influencing cellular pathways. Recent advances in molecular biology, omics technologies, and pharmacological research are providing deeper insights into the mechanisms underlying their beneficial effects.

This Special Issue, “Natural Compounds: Impact on Health and Disease”, aims to highlight the latest discoveries and ongoing challenges in the field, bringing together original research and review articles that address the role of natural compounds in promoting human health and preventing or treating diseases. Contributions focusing on molecular mechanisms, clinical applications, bioavailability issues, and novel delivery systems are especially welcome. This collection will provide a platform to inspire future research and translational innovations.

Dr. Jaehoon Bae
Guest Editor

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 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

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. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. There is an Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal. For details about the APC please see here. 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.

Keywords

  • natural compounds
  • bioactive molecules
  • disease prevention
  • phytochemicals
  • functional food
  • molecular mechanisms
  • therapeutic potential
  • oxidative stress
  • immune modulation

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Review

35 pages, 3679 KB  
Review
Dietary Polyphenols in Aging: A Systems-Level Perspective on Mitochondrial Quality Control and Microbiome Interactions
by Adnan Yılmaz, Hae-Jin Park, Eun-Mi Ahn and Jaehoon Bae
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(9), 3930; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27093930 - 28 Apr 2026
Viewed by 337
Abstract
Aging is a multifactorial biological process characterized by progressive functional decline and increased susceptibility to chronic diseases. Targeting the molecular mechanisms underlying aging has therefore emerged as an important strategy for promoting healthy aging. Natural polyphenols, widely present in fruits, vegetables, tea, and [...] Read more.
Aging is a multifactorial biological process characterized by progressive functional decline and increased susceptibility to chronic diseases. Targeting the molecular mechanisms underlying aging has therefore emerged as an important strategy for promoting healthy aging. Natural polyphenols, widely present in fruits, vegetables, tea, and medical and aromatic plants, have attracted considerable attention due to their geroprotective properties. This review examines current evidence on the ability of major dietary polyphenols, including resveratrol, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), curcumin, and quercetin, to modulate the hallmarks of aging, with particular emphasis on mitochondrial quality control as a central regulatory mechanism. Evidence indicates that polyphenols regulate key signaling pathways involved in aging biology, including AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), sirtuins (SIRT), mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR), nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB). Through coordinated modulation of these pathways, polyphenols influence mitochondrial biogenesis, mitophagy, redox homeostasis, cellular senescence, and chronic inflammation. In addition, interactions between dietary polyphenols and the gut microbiome generate bioactive metabolites, such as urolithin A, which further contribute to mitochondrial regulation. Overall, polyphenols represent promising modulators of aging-associated pathways and may support strategies aimed at improving healthspan and reducing age-related disease risk. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Compounds: Impact on Health and Disease)
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29 pages, 1891 KB  
Review
Molecular Insights into Leech-Derived Bioactive Compounds: Biochemical Mechanisms and Therapeutic Potential
by Suresh Raghavi, Balakrishnan Deva darshini, Konda Mani Saravanan and Krishnan Anbarasu
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(5), 2112; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27052112 - 24 Feb 2026
Viewed by 973
Abstract
The bioactive compounds that are produced by leeches combine traditional and modern treatment since the saliva of the animal contains proteins and peptides with anticoagulant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and regenerative properties. In this review, their biochemical profile, mechanisms and clinical uses are considered [...] Read more.
The bioactive compounds that are produced by leeches combine traditional and modern treatment since the saliva of the animal contains proteins and peptides with anticoagulant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and regenerative properties. In this review, their biochemical profile, mechanisms and clinical uses are considered with a special focus on the fact that they are utilized to combine traditional practices with the modern developments in biomedical approaches. Proteomic and transcriptomic research has recently found more than 100 bioactive molecules, such as hirudin, calin, eglins, bdellins and destabilase, which are related to the blood-feeding process and therapeutic processes. These compounds control blood clotting, control inflammatory mediators, block microbes and enhance wound healing and the development of new blood vessels. In clinical practice, leech therapy is common in the reconstruction and microsurgical practice to reduce venous congestion and enhance graft success. They are also shown to be useful in wound healing, cardiovascular health, musculoskeletal conditions and regenerative medicine, as well as emerging drug delivery systems of recombinant proteins and nanocarriers. Some of the challenges involve biological variation, infection or bleeding risks and stringent regulations on purity and standardization. Biotechnology has improved through other developments such as recombinant protein production, high-throughput omics, and nanotechnology, which will help resolve these problems, making them safe and scalable for clinical use. Altogether, leech bioactives are the prime examples of the sophisticated pharmacology of nature, which have the potential of being used as therapeutic agents in the future. The recent approach and incorporation in personalized medicine and bioengineering models reflect the leech’s capacity to address complicated illness and unmet healthcare requirements to reassert its significance in preventive medicine and recent biomedicine. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Compounds: Impact on Health and Disease)
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