From Food to Medicine: Applications of Natural Bioactive Compounds

Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

Bioactive compounds derived from foods and natural resources are gaining increasing attention for their potential to bridge nutrition and medicine. These compounds—including polyphenols, carotenoids, peptides, and polysaccharides—exhibit diverse biological activities such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and neuroprotective effects. Advances in food science and biomedicine have expanded their applications beyond functional foods to nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals, highlighting their role in promoting human health and supporting sustainable food systems.

Recent progress in eco-friendly extraction technologies, advanced analytical methods, and omics tools has improved our ability to discover, characterize, and evaluate bioactives derived from plants, algae, fungi, and food by-products. At the same time, growing interest in structure–function relationships, bioavailability, and synergistic effects is paving the way for innovative formulations and therapeutic applications.

In this Topic, we aim to highlight recent advances and emerging trends in the discovery and application of natural bioactive compounds across food, nutraceutical, and pharmaceutical domains. We welcome the submission of original research and review papers on, but not limited to, the following themes:

1. Discovery of novel natural bioactive compounds;
2. Structure–activity relationship studies;
3. Innovative formulations to enhance stability and bioavailability;
4. Translational applications of bioactive compounds from food to medicine.

Dr. Long Yu
Dr. Fan He
Topic Editors

Keywords

Participating Journals

Journal Name	Impact Factor	CiteScore	Launched Year	First Decision (median)	APC
Antioxidants antioxidants	8.2	14.7	2012	18.7 Days	CHF 2900	Submit
AppliedChem appliedchem	2.3	3.7	2021	23.7 Days	CHF 1200	Submit
Foods foods	6.0	10.3	2012	14.8 Days	CHF 2900	Submit
International Journal of Molecular Sciences ijms	5.6	10.0	2000	17.5 Days	CHF 2900	Submit
Pharmaceuticals pharmaceuticals	5.7	9.0	2004	14.3 Days	CHF 2900	Submit

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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All IJMS Pharmaceuticals Foods Antioxidants AppliedChem

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17 pages, 5909 KB  

Open AccessArticle

Preliminary Anti-Melanoma Activity of a Chlorogenic Acid-Based PROTAC Targeting MDM4, a Candidate Protein Identified by Proteomics

by Zhiting Mei, Jiali Sun, Pengfei Zhao, Yiming Luo, Jine Niu and Danfei Huang

Foods 2026, 15(6), 1082; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods15061082 - 19 Mar 2026

Viewed by 907

Abstract

Chlorogenic acid (CGA), which is ubiquitous in diverse botanical sources, demonstrates considerable anticancer potential through modulation of multiple targets or signaling pathways, thereby posing substantial challenges for mechanistic elucidation and target identification. Based on the proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC) technology’s ability to induce [...] Read more.

Chlorogenic acid (CGA), which is ubiquitous in diverse botanical sources, demonstrates considerable anticancer potential through modulation of multiple targets or signaling pathways, thereby posing substantial challenges for mechanistic elucidation and target identification. Based on the proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC) technology’s ability to induce targeted protein degradation via ubiquitin-proteasome pathway recruitment, we synthesized a panel of CGA-PROTACs. These compounds incorporated the natural product CGA as the target-binding ligand, conjugated to pomalidomide (an E3 ligase-recruiting moiety) via various synthetic linkers. The findings indicated that compound A7, linked with an alkane linker, exhibited a notable anti-proliferative effect on 4T1 and A375 cells in vitro. The IC₅₀ value of A7 on A375 cells reached 69.70 μM, which is 2.2 times better than the effect of the precursor compound CGA (IC₅₀ = 148.80 μM). Mouse double minute 4 (MDM4) was confirmed as a potential target of compound A7 through a combination of proteomics, Western blot analysis and molecular dynamics simulation. CGA-PROTAC A7 treatment led to a dose-dependent reduction in MDM4 protein levels while significantly upregulating p53 and p21 protein expression, and thus inhibited proliferation, induced G2/M phase cell cycle arrest, and markedly enhanced apoptosis in melanoma A375 cells. This study successfully applied an effective strategy for target identification and medication discovery of natural compounds. In addition, CGA-PROTAC A7 was synthesized in one step with an overall yield of 45.96%, providing a feasible route for synthesis and establishing a basis for the combination of natural product polyphenols with PROTAC technology. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic From Food to Medicine: Applications of Natural Bioactive Compounds)

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16 pages, 5876 KB  

Open AccessArticle

Paederoside Promotes Longevity and Fitness in C. elegans Through Ubiquitination and Degradation of DAF-2/IGF1R, Activating DAF-16/FOXO and SKN-1/NRF2 Transcription Factors

by Tong Chen, Jing Zhang, Shaoqin Jian, Bocen Chen, Yingjie Ma, Wenguang Wang, Tianpeng Ma, Jiran Shi, Jin Yang, Jun Liu, Yiqiang Xie and Man Xiao

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(5), 2248; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27052248 - 27 Feb 2026

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 925

Abstract

Paederia scandens (Lour.) Merr is a substance exhibiting medicine–food homology (MFH), commonly used in China. However, the antioxidant and anti-aging effects of paederoside (PSG) have not been thoroughly investigated; therefore, in this study, Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) was treated [...] Read more.

Paederia scandens (Lour.) Merr is a substance exhibiting medicine–food homology (MFH), commonly used in China. However, the antioxidant and anti-aging effects of paederoside (PSG) have not been thoroughly investigated; therefore, in this study, Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) was treated with PSG to investigate these effects. We found that 50, 80, and 100 μg/mL of PSG could prolong the lifespan of C. elegans, and administration of 100 μg/mL PSG significantly reduced the accumulation of lipofuscin. Under conditions of oxidative stress, RT-qPCR analysis revealed that PSG treatment significantly up-regulated the expression of key antioxidant gene skn-1 and longevity-associated gene daf-16. In addition, PSG increased the activity of the antioxidant enzymes SOD and CAT and reduced the level of MDA. When DAF-2 activity is reduced or inhibited in C. elegans, DAF-16 and SKN-1 are activated and translocate to the nucleus to promote stress resistance and prolong lifespan. Finally, by utilizing HeLa cell models, we demonstrated that the core component of Paederia scandens, PSG, promotes targeted degradation of IGF1R through the ubiquitin–proteasome system. Our results suggest that feeding C. elegans PSG is effective in extending this organism’s lifespan by improving oxidative stress resistance; thus, PSG has significant potential for development as an anti-aging food product and drug. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic From Food to Medicine: Applications of Natural Bioactive Compounds)

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32 pages, 3482 KB  

Open AccessReview

From Microbes to Medicine: Targeting Metalloprotein Pathways for Innovative Antibacterial Strategies

by Sumaya Sameer Alshatari and Malgorzata Ziarno

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(2), 737; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27020737 - 11 Jan 2026

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1178

Abstract

Antibiotic resistance is an escalating global health problem that calls for new types of treatments beyond standard antibiotics. This review examines how targeting bacterial metalloproteins, especially those involved in siderophore-driven iron uptake and manganese-based oxidative defense, could lead to more selective antibacterial drugs [...] Read more.

Antibiotic resistance is an escalating global health problem that calls for new types of treatments beyond standard antibiotics. This review examines how targeting bacterial metalloproteins, especially those involved in siderophore-driven iron uptake and manganese-based oxidative defense, could lead to more selective antibacterial drugs that are less toxic to humans. Recent research shows that metals and metal-containing compounds can act as antimicrobials, but many of their biological roles are still not well understood. By synthesizing current evidence, this article critically evaluates translational strategies targeting bacterial metalloproteins. These include siderophore–antibiotic conjugates, metal trafficking inhibitors, and catalytic metallodrugs. The review suggests that therapies using receptor-mediated uptake and guided by genomic data deserve priority in clinical development. The review also highlights unresolved challenges in selectivity, toxicity, and resistance mechanisms, offering a roadmap for future research. This review integrates evidence from multiple databases to provide a comprehensive framework for targeting bacterial metalloproteins, combining narrative synthesis with systematic methodology. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic From Food to Medicine: Applications of Natural Bioactive Compounds)

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43 pages, 2312 KB  

Open AccessReview

A Review of Traditional Chinese Medicine Formulations and Natural Active Ingredients with Therapeutic Potential for Male Infertility Targeting Oxidative Stress

by Zhen Peng, Ning Zhang, Fengting Yin, Ling Kong, Hui Sun, Chang Liu, Yaning Wu, Chenyue Wang and Xijun Wang

Pharmaceuticals 2026, 19(1), 12; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph19010012 - 20 Dec 2025

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 5659

Abstract

Male infertility has emerged as a significant global concern, with male factors accounting for approximately 30% to 50% of infertility cases. Oxidative stress is recognized as the primary pathological mechanism affecting sperm structure and function. The development and application of chemically synthesized drug [...] Read more.

Male infertility has emerged as a significant global concern, with male factors accounting for approximately 30% to 50% of infertility cases. Oxidative stress is recognized as the primary pathological mechanism affecting sperm structure and function. The development and application of chemically synthesized drug therapies are limited by lengthy research and development processes and significant adverse effects. Conversely, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) compounds offer promising clinical applications for enhancing male reproductive function, attributed to their distinctive advantages of multi-target coordination and holistic regulation. This paper systematically reviews classical TCM compounds, such as those that tonify the kidney and benefit essence, warm and invigorate kidney Yang, and replenish Qi and nourish blood. It also examines the molecular mechanisms of active natural ingredients, including flavonoids, polyphenols, terpenes, alkaloids, and polysaccharides. These compounds improve male fertility by modulating oxidative stress-related signaling pathways. Furthermore, this review anticipates future research trajectories and potential applications within this domain, with the objective of establishing a theoretical basis for the clinical treatment of idiopathic male infertility and the development of novel pharmacological interventions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic From Food to Medicine: Applications of Natural Bioactive Compounds)

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