Medicinal plants have been used for the maintenance of human health since ancient times, in the form of food, spices, and traditional medicines. Medicinal plant-based traditional medicines serve as the primary healthcare systems in various countries even in recent times. Alongside this, medicinal plants have also served as the one of the main sources for the discovery of new therapeutic agents. At present, various plant extracts and their isolated phytochemicals are screened and evaluated for their diverse pharmacological activities related to both communicable and non-communicable diseases. However, comparatively little focus is given to the detailed mechanism of action of these agents on the molecular level. Molecular mechanism-based studies are essential for the development of evidence-based traditional medicines as well as for the development of isolated natural products as the lead candidates for novel drug discovery. This main focus of this Special Issue "Plant-based Bioactive Natural Products: Insights into Molecular Mechanisms of Action" is to cover the recent advances in science related to the molecular mechanisms of action of natural products. A total of nine articles were published in this Special Issue, including two original research articles and two review articles. This Special Issue has provided some new experimental data on bioactive natural products and their detailed mechanisms of action for biological activities. Similarly, review articles have provided state-of-the-art information on the related topics. I would like to thank all the authors for submitting their manuscripts and the reviewers and editors for their contribution to this Special Issue. Furthermore, I am also grateful to the handling editors and staffs of Applied Sciences for their support during the preparation and finalization of this Special Issue.

Medicinal plants have been used for the maintenance of human health since ancient times, in the form of food, spices, and traditional medicines. Medicinal plant-based traditional medicines serve as the primary healthcare systems in various countries even in recent times. Alongside this, medicinal plants have also served as the one of the main sources for the discovery of new therapeutic agents. At present, various plant extracts and their isolated phytochemicals are screened and evaluated for their diverse pharmacological activities related to both communicable and non-communicable diseases. However, comparatively little focus is given to the detailed mechanism of action of these agents on the molecular level. Molecular mechanism-based studies are essential for the development of evidence-based traditional medicines as well as for the development of isolated natural products as the lead candidates for novel drug discovery. This main focus of this Special Issue “Plant-based Bioactive Natural Products: Insights into Molecular Mechanisms of Action” is to cover the recent advances in science related to the molecular mechanisms of action of natural products. A total of nine articles were published in this Special Issue, including two original research articles and two review articles. This Special Issue has provided some new experimental data on bioactive natural products and their detailed mechanisms of action for biological activities. Similarly, review articles have provided state-of-the-art information on the related topics. I would like to thank all the authors for submitting their manuscripts and the reviewers and editors for their contribution to this Special Issue. Furthermore, I am also grateful to the handling editors and staffs of Applied Sciences for their support during the preparation and finalization of this Special Issue.

Medicinal plants and their derived products remain as an indispensable source of bioactive molecules that serve as either drug candidates or lead compounds for drug design and discovery. There are several advantages for plant-derived therapeutics including wide availability, diverse pharmacological actions and a generally good profile of safety and tolerability. Over the recent years, there have been numerous reports from clinical studies testifying to the efficacy and safety of medicinal plants and phytochemicals in ameliorating several human diseases. A plethora of basic studies has also unravelled molecular mechanisms underlying the health benefits of herbal medicines. Nevertheless, issues such as identification of bioactive ingredients, standardization of the products and drug interactions remain to be further studied. In this book, we aim to put together several chapters on the medicinal properties and pharmacological action of medicinal plants, plant species and phytochemicals. The goal is to present a comprehensive collection on most of the therapeutic aspects of plant-derived natural products and molecular mechanisms thereof.

This book highlights different natural products that are derived from the plants and microbes that have shown potential as the lead compounds against infectious diseases and cancer. Natural products represent an untapped source of strikingly diverse chemotypes with novel mechanisms of action and the potential to serve as anticancer and anti-infective agents. The book discusses a range of biotechnologically valuable bioactive compounds and secondary metabolites that have been derived from plant and microorganisms from various ecological niches. It also reviews the latest developments in the field of genomics, bioinformatics and industrial fermentation for harnessing the microbial products for commercial applications. In turn, the book’s closing section reviews important biotechnological applications of various natural products. Combining the expertise of specialists in this field, the book’s goal is to promote the further investigation of natural sources for the development of standardized, safe and effective therapies.

Plants produce a vast number of bioactive compounds with different chemical scaffolds, which modulate a diverse range of molecular targets and are used as drugs for treating numerous diseases. Most present-day medicines are derived either from plant compounds or their derivatives, and plant compounds continue to offer limitless reserves for the discovery of new medicines. While different classes of plant compounds, like phenolics, flavonoids, saponins and alkaloids, and their potential pharmacological applications are currently being explored, their curative mechanisms are yet to be understood in detail. This book is divided into 2 volumes and offers detailed information on plant-derived bioactive compounds, including recent research findings. Volume 1, “Plant-derived Bioactives: Chemistry and Mode of Action” discusses the chemistry of highly valued plant bioactive compounds and their mode of actions at the molecular level. Volume 2, “Plant-derived Bioactives: Production, Properties and Therapeutic Applications” explores the sources, biosynthesis, production, biological properties and therapeutic applications of plant bioactives. Given their scope, these books are valuable resources for members of the scientific community wishing to further explore various medicinal plants and the therapeutic applications of their bioactive compounds. They appeal to scholars, teachers and scientists involved in plant product research, and facilitate the development of new drugs.

Plants produce a vast number of bioactive compounds with different chemical scaffolds, which modulate a diverse range of molecular targets and are used as drugs for treating numerous diseases. Most present-day medicines are derived either from plant compounds or their derivatives, and plant compounds continue to offer limitless reserves for the discovery of new medicines. While different classes of plant compounds, like phenolics, flavonoids, saponins and alkaloids, and their potential pharmacological applications are currently being explored, their curative mechanisms are yet to be understood in detail. This book is divided into 2 volumes and offers detailed information on plant-derived bioactive compounds, including recent research findings. Volume 1, Plant-derived Bioactives: Chemistry and Mode of Action, discusses the chemistry of highly valued plant bioactive compounds and their mode of actions at the molecular level. Volume 2, Plant-derived Bioactives: Production, Properties and Therapeutic Applications, explores the sources, biosynthesis, production, biological properties and therapeutic applications of plant bioactives. Given their scope, these books are valuable resources for members of the scientific community wishing to further explore various medicinal plants and the therapeutic applications of their bioactive compounds. They appeal to scholars, teachers and scientists involved in plant product research, and facilitate the development of innovative new drugs.

An in-depth exploration of the applications of plant bioactive metabolites in drug research and development Highlighting the complexity and applications of plant bioactive metabolites in organic and medicinal chemistry, Plant Bioactives and Drug Discovery: Principles, Practice, and Perspectives provides an in-depth overview of the ways in which plants can inform drug research and development. An edited volume featuring multidisciplinary international contributions from acclaimed scientists researching bioactive natural products, the book provides an incisive overview of one of the most important topics in pharmaceutical studies today. With coverage of strategic methods of natural compound isolation, structural manipulation, natural products in clinical trials, quality control, and more, and featuring case studies on medicinal plants, the book serves as a definitive guide to the field of plant biodiversity as it relates to medicine. In addition, chapters on using natural products as drugs that target specific disease areas, including neurological disorders, inflammation, infectious diseases, and cancer, illustrate the myriad possibilities for therapeutic applications. Wide ranging and comprehensive, Plant Bioactives and Drug Discovery also includes important information on marketing, regulations, intellectual property rights, and academic-industry collaboration as they relate to plant-based drug research, making it an essential resource for advanced students and academic and industry professionals working in biochemical, pharmaceutical, and related fields.