Natural products, compounds derived from animals, microorganisms, and, especially, plants, have been used in prevention and treatment of various human diseases for thousands of years. Some of these bioactive compounds with beneficial effects on human health are contained also in common foods and beverages. In recent years, the interest in the use of natural compounds and their derivatives has been renewed, even for the discovery and development of new drugs or for repurposing of the old ones.

Natural products, in particular, phytochemicals, have been extensively studied for their anticancer activities, through the potential modulation of cancer initiation and growth, cellular differentiation, apoptosis and autophagy, angiogenesis, and metastatic dissemination. Moreover, a considerable number of studies reported the use of natural compounds for their anti-inflammatory activity, since inflammation is considered the basis of various disease conditions, including cancer. The use of herbal preparation in combination with suitable diet represents also one of the most promising strategies to treat metabolic disorders (diabetes, obesity, metabolic syndrome, and so on). Furthermore, due to their several biological activities, natural compounds represent good candidates for preventing and even curing the effects of neurodegenerative diseases.

We invite researchers to contribute to this special issue with original research articles as well as review articles that will aim to highlight recent advances on the role of natural compounds and natural-derived drugs in counteracting many human diseases. Articles regarding the anticancer activity of phytochemicals are particularly encouraged.

Potential topics include but are not limited to the following:

• The use of natural compounds as anticancer and anti-inflammatory agents
• Impact of natural compounds, especially phytochemicals or nutraceuticals, against human inflammation-related and oxidative stress-related diseases
• Characterization of herbal extracts with anticancer and immunomodulatory activities
• Role of natural products in oxidative stress associated with acute and chronic diseases
• Epigenetic changes induced by natural molecules
• Clinical studies on protective role of natural bioactive agents under oxidative stress and inflammation conditions
• Effects of nutrition and diet on human diseases
• Phytochemicals and age-related diseases, including ocular inflammatory ones
• Effects of natural compounds on metabolic and neurological disorders
• Antioxidants and angiogenesis