Bioactive Phytochemicals and Their Role in Health Maintenance and Disease Prevention

Dear Colleagues,

Plant materials and derivatives have been widely studied worldwide for the countless benefits that they bring to human health. Currently, numerous research groups have focused on the study and characterization of herbal extracts and have identified numerous plant metabolites found to exert remarkable effects on biological systems.

Many diseases primarily arise from the interruption or blockage of natural metabolic biological processes, resulting in an inability to maintain cellular homeostasis. In vitro and in vivo studies have shown how bioactive plant compounds have the ability to activate cell signaling pathways that are altered in pathological situations or certain medical conditions. The elucidation of the mechanisms behind the actions of bioactive compounds in plants is generally approached as a directional axis in research projects. In this sense, much is still unexplored regarding the use of phytochemicals in human health, in diseases, or in special conditions such as physical exercise and its effect on athletic performance. In addition, phytochemicals currently seem to offer great promise in the treatment of various diseases and are proving to represent a viable alternative to currently available medicines.

We invite members of the scientific community interested in studying the role of phytochemicals in human health to submit their work to this Special Issue in the form of reviews or original research articles that contribute solid evidence supporting the optimal use of phytochemicals, whether in cases of disease or in conditions such as during physical exercise.

Dr. José Antonio Morales-González
Dr. Eduardo Osiris Madrigal-Santillán
Dr. Gabriela Ibáñez-Cervantes
Guest Editors

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