Tissue repair is a process that involves a complex interaction between cells, extracellular matrix, blood vessels and tissue growth factors. This process is organized into four phases: hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation and tissue remodeling. Initially, the formation of a platelet plug and activation of the coagulation cascade controls bleeding at the site of injury. In the inflammatory phase, massive leucocytes influx into the wound area, which reinforces antimicrobial defenses and triggers the synthesis of pro- and anti-inflammatory effectors (i.e. cytokines and grown factors) that are responsible for the subsequent steps of tissue repair. Guided by molecules, such as: PDGF, FGF and TGF-β, the next phase (proliferative stage), characterized by intense cell proliferation and secretion of a provisory extra cellular matrix (ECM), covers the injured area with highly vascularized and hydrated tissue. Following this, apoptosis of leukocytes, down-regulation of pro-inflammatory mediators and increase of anti-inflammatory mediators that conduces to a remodeling process, results in tissue regeneration or healing. In regenerative processes, the newly formed tissue gradually acquires similar morphofunctional characteristics typically observed in uninjured tissues. Conversely, a different tissue develops from the healing process which exhibits divergent morphofunctional characteristics compared to the original tissue.

Due to the complexity and interdependence of all phases of tissue repair, morphofunctional disturbances are not uncommon, especially when associated to metabolic (i.e. diabetes mellitus and vasculopathies) and microbial diseases (i.e. bacterial, fungal and parasitic infections). Currently, there is an increasing interest in biotechnological and pharmacological development of more effective approaches to treat different types of injuries in target organs. In regenerative medicine, natural products derived from plants, animals, minerals and microorganisms have been considered as a rich source of bioactive molecules with potential relevance and applicability in direct or complementary strategies focused on tissue repair. Thus, several natural products with immunomodulatory, pro-angiogenic and antimicrobial properties, as well as cell proliferation inducers, have been successfully identified, providing a rational basis that supports their research and development platforms directed to the construction of new products with direct application in regenerative medicine.

This Special Issue aims to create an interdisciplinary platform involving morphological, physiological, biochemical, molecular, pathological and biotechnological issues to discuss the identification, relevance and applicability of natural products in the repair of tissue and organ injuries. In addition, we aim to identify the importance of the ethnopharmacological approach in the search for natural products for tissue repair, and to analyze the toxicology and contraindications of natural products for tissue repair. We welcome original research articles (in silico, in vitro and in vivo) and review articles that will illustrate and stimulate the continuing effort to understand the effect of naturals compounds in the tissue repair.

Potential topics include but are not limited to the following:

• Identification of natural products applicable to regenerative medicine
• Development of healing products based on natural products
• Combination of natural and synthetic healing products
• Regenerative mechanisms of natural products
• Analytical methods and instrumentation applied to the evaluation of the healing effects of natural products.
• Ethnopharmacology approach in the search for natural products for tissue repair
• Comparison between synthetic drugs and natural products for tissue repair
• Toxicology and contraindications of natural products for tissue repair