Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), is one of the major cellular signalling pathways involved in various human conditions, including the regulation of development, differentiation, and homeostasis. Both TGF-β and reactive oxygen species (ROS) have pivotal roles in human health and diseases, particularly carcinogenesis and its progression.

Both TGF-β and ROS have been reported as functionally contradictory in cancer progression, since both impose antitumor effects by promoting the induction of apoptosis, senescence, and cell cycle arrest, while also potentially promoting tumour effects through cancer cell spreading, proliferation, survival, and metastasis. TGF-β potentially modulates or regulates ROS by interfering cellular antioxidant systems – however, the latter could enhance the expression of TGF-β signalling. In recent decades, a number of studies have reported that various phytochemicals have direct modulation on the expression of TGF-β, and the proposed mechanism behind this is the control of ROS generation within cells using these phytochemicals.

This Special Issue will focus on the pharmacological activities of various natural phytochemicals from ethnopharmacological botanicals, traditional medicines, fruits, vegetables, and endophytic fungi of plants to find the mutual collaboration of TGF-β and ROS in various conditions, especially tumorigenesis and differential roles in tumour progression. Furthermore, the Issue will focus on how natural products play their roles in activating or inactivating built-in cellular antioxidant defensive systems, activation of TGF-β, ROS production, and cellular homeostasis. In addition to these themes, this Special Issue will also highlight the chemotherapeutics of natural phytochemicals. Original research and review articles are welcome.

Potential topics include but are not limited to the following:

• Pharmacological activities of phytochemicals through TGF-β signalling pathway
• Pharmacological activities of ethnopharmacological botanicals through TGF-β signalling pathway
• Pharmacological activities of fruits and vegetables through TGF-β signalling pathway
• Pharmacological activities of endophytic fungi through TGF-β signalling pathway
• Pharmacological activities of other traditional medicines through TGF-β signalling pathway