Dear Colleagues,

It is well known that the major source of inspiration in the design of small active compounds is still nature, with its biodiversity, which still creates successful solutions elaborated during millions of years of evolution. On the other side, antioxidants are the principal secondary metabolism products in plants, and it is only in view of their presence that some marine organisms escape by water, because they are protected against the toxic and mutagenic effects of environmental UV radiations. One of the principal effects of UV radiation is the generation of ROS and the consequently related tumor-promoting effects. Thus, antioxidant and antitumor effects are deeply connected not only through prevention but also through counteraction toward oxidative status generated by neoplastic tissues.

Both due to popular tradition and also due to the renewed interest toward the discovery of structurally novel bioactive compounds from natural sources, synthetic modification is often necessary to improve the biological profile and understand structure–activity relationships, to enlarge basic investigations to support novel candidates for the development of the pharmaceutical industry. This Special Issue is focused on both original research and review articles that cover the synthesis and evaluation of bioactive compounds from plants. Their structure–activity relationship and molecular mechanisms of action are also an important topic of this Special Issue.

Prof. Stefano Manfredini
Dr. Rino Ragno
Guest Editors

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• synthesis
• evaluation
• antiproliferative
• natural compound
• antioxidants