Plants and microbes are rich sources of nutritional and bioactive substances such as proteins, phenolic compounds, antioxidants, etc. Substances from these sources have been shown to possess numerous bio-functionalities including anticancer and anti-inflammatory potential. Natural products and their nanoparticles could constitute one of the best sources for drug development. Nano-formulations influence the pharmaco-dynamics and pharmaco-kinetics of the drug and direct the drug release at the target site. Green synthesized bio-functional nanomaterials replace toxic chemicals with natural substances like metabolites from plants and microbes as reducing agents, thus offering an effective alternative to chemical and physical means of nanoparticle synthesis.

Cell signaling is involved in basic pathophysiological actions at molecular levels in cells. A variety of signaling molecules like proteins, enzymes, etc. are associated with the regulation of the homeostatic functioning of cells. Any aberrations in signaling pathways might cause cellular dysfunction, ultimately leading towards the development of the disease. Controlling the aberrant signaling cascades is one of the foremost choices for the development of drugs to treat various diseases including cancer and inflammation-related diseases. Currently, several investigations are being conducted using natural substances on cell signaling pathways with the objective to develop target-specific drugs for treating diseases including cancer and inflammation-associated ailments.

This Special Issue will focus on understanding the various biomedical applications and related molecular mechanisms of bio-functional substances. Original research and review articles in the field of biomedical applications of microbial, algal, and plant-originated bioactive substances or nanomaterials are welcome.

Potential topics include but are not limited to the following:

• Natural products and associated molecular mechanisms
• Green synthesis
• Phytochemicals
• Microbial, algal, and plant-originated bio-functional substances
• Biomedical applications of edible fungi
• Cellular signaling in cancer and anti-cancer effects of natural substances and green synthesized nanomaterials
• Anti-cancer effects of natural substances and green synthesized nanomaterials
• Anti-inflammatory effects natural substances and green synthesized nanomaterials
• Targeting cellular signaling pathways in inflammation-associated diseases using natural substances and green synthesized nanomaterials