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Anticancer, Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Properties of Active Substance and Natural Products

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 May 2026 | Viewed by 244

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, University “G. d’Annunzio” Chieti-Pescara, Via Dei Vestini 31, 66100 Chieti, Italy
Interests: oral inflammation; cancer; pharmacology; anti-inflammation

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

It has long been known that plant extracts and natural products are rich sources of bioactive substances with potential for therapeutic use. In particular, phytochemicals such as polyphenols, flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, and essential oils demonstrate promising anticancer and anti-inflammatory properties by modulating of molecular pathways, inhibiting oxidative stress, and regulating immune responses. Recent developments in the extraction, characterisation, and mechanistic understanding of natural products and plant-derived extracts, as well as their uses in integrative medicine, chemoprevention, and drug discovery, are the focus of this Special Issue.  Contributions may include in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies, as well as innovative formulations, synergistic effects, and biotechnological approaches to enhance bioavailability and therapeutic efficacy.

Overall, plant extracts and natural compounds have an abundance of promising bioactive substances that can benefit human health and well-being. We welcome submissions of original articles, reviews, and communications. Please note that papers describing the effects of mixed extraction from a natural origin and substances without clear ingredients, such as complex prescriptions, crude extracts, and herbal mixtures, do not fall within the scope of IJMS. Therefore, identification of the components is necessary.

Dr. Emira D’Amico
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • anticancer activity
  • anti-inflammatory activity
  • oxidative stress
  • immunomodulation
  • drug discovery
  • natural products
  • active substance
  • plant extracts
  • phytochemicals

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

14 pages, 2625 KB  
Article
Traditional Korean Doenjang Restores Splenic and NK Cell Function in Cyclophosphamide-Induced Immunosuppressed Rats
by Hak Yong Lee, Young Mi Park, Dong Yeop Shin, Hai Min Hwang, Sung Hak Chun, Sang Jin Lim, Hee-Jong Yang, Gwang Su Ha, Myeong Seon Ryu, Ji Won Seo, Do-Youn Jeong, Jun Sang Bae and Jae Gon Kim
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(5), 2492; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27052492 - 8 Mar 2026
Abstract
Fermented soybean-based foods contain diverse bioactive compounds with recognized health benefits. Among them, doenjang is widely consumed in East Asia and has been associated with protective effects against several disorders, including immunosuppression. This study evaluated the immunoenhancing effects of doenjang sourced from four [...] Read more.
Fermented soybean-based foods contain diverse bioactive compounds with recognized health benefits. Among them, doenjang is widely consumed in East Asia and has been associated with protective effects against several disorders, including immunosuppression. This study evaluated the immunoenhancing effects of doenjang sourced from four regions of Korea in cyclophosphamide (CP)-induced immunosuppressed rats. Four-week doenjang administration restored spleen weight and improved hematological parameters, including white blood cell, lymphocyte, neutrophil, and monocyte counts. Additionally, doenjang intake enhanced immune function, as evidenced by increased splenic natural killer cell activity, increased splenocyte proliferation under lipopolysaccharide- and concanavalin A-stimulated conditions, and higher levels of interleukin (IL)-2, IL-12, interferon-γ, and immunoglobulin G. Furthermore, the suppressed phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases/nuclear factor kappa B signaling was recovered, accompanied by improved splenic structure. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that the regional varieties of doenjang effectively mitigate CP-induced immune dysfunction, indicating their potential as functional dietary interventions. Full article
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