Application of Natural Products in Non-Communicable Diseases

Dear Colleagues,

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including cancer, metabolic, cardiovascular, and neurodegenerative disorders, continue to impose a substantial global health burden. The structural diversity and biological complexity of natural products provide an important foundation for identifying new molecules, therapeutic targets, and preventive strategies for these diseases. Recent advances in analytical technologies, omics, computational science, and biotechnology are creating new opportunities to move natural-product research beyond conventional bioactivity screening toward mechanism-driven and translational applications. This Topic, “Application of Natural Products in Non-Communicable Diseases,” aims to bring together interdisciplinary research exploring the potential of natural products and their derivatives in the prevention, management, and treatment of NCDs. We welcome studies ranging from the discovery and chemical characterization of natural products to mechanistic investigations, computational prediction, preclinical evaluation, and clinical translation.

Particular interest is given to research on the following:

• Metabolic diseases: obesity, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, dyslipidemia, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), and related disorders.
• Cancer: natural products and bioactive metabolites for cancer prevention and treatment, including effects on tumor growth, metastasis, cancer stemness, drug resistance, tumor metabolism, and the tumor microenvironment.
• Cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases: natural-product-based approaches targeting cardiovascular dysfunction, neuroinflammation, neurodegeneration, cognitive decline, and related age-associated disorders.
• Plant and microbial metabolites: phytochemicals, secondary metabolites, microbial metabolites, fungal and bacterial natural products, marine-derived compounds, and other biologically sourced molecules.
• Mechanisms of action: signaling pathways, oxidative stress, inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, metabolic reprogramming, apoptosis, autophagy, ferroptosis, cellular senescence,
• AI and computational natural-product research: artificial intelligence, machine learning, virtual screening, molecular docking, molecular dynamics, target prediction, structure–activity
• Multi-omics and systems approaches: genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, epigenomics, single-cell and spatial analyses, and their integration for target discovery and
• Natural products and the microbiome: interactions between natural products and gut microorganisms, microbial biotransformation, host–microbiome communication, and microbiome-mediated therapeutic responses.
• Drug discovery and development: target identification and validation, lead discovery, bioavailability, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, toxicity, formulation, and natural-product- derived drug development.
• Combination and precision therapeutics: synergistic interactions between natural products and conventional drugs, targeted therapies, immunotherapies, and other treatment modalities, including patient-specific responses.
• Advanced experimental models: organoids, 3D cultures, patient-derived models, single-cell technologies, and other platforms for evaluating natural-product efficacy and mechanisms.
• Biotechnology and sustainable production: microbial fermentation, metabolic engineering, synthetic biology, biotransformation, plant biotechnology, and sustainable production of bioactive natural products.
• Translational and clinical research: preclinical validation, clinical studies, nutraceuticals, functional foods, evidence-based traditional medicines, quality control, standardization, safety, and regulatory considerations.

The Topic particularly encourages integrated experimental and computational studies that connect natural-product discovery with molecular mechanisms and therapeutic development. Research combining natural products with emerging technologies such as AI/ML, multi-omics, microbiome analysis, organoids, single-cell biology, spatial biology, synthetic biology, and advanced drug-delivery systems is especially welcomed.

By connecting natural-product chemistry, pharmacology, molecular biology, computational science, biotechnology, and clinical research, this Topic seeks to advance the development of evidence-based natural-product strategies for NCD prevention and therapy, while identifying new opportunities for translational research and future therapeutic innovation.

Dr. Rungroch Sungthong
Dr. Rosa Alduina
Topic Editors