Organoid and organ-on-chip (OoC) technologies have gained significant traction in recent years, particularly in the fields of drug screening, toxicity testing, and disease modeling. Organoids are three-dimensional cell structures cultured in vitro that can replicate certain organ functions, while OoC involves culturing cells on a microchip to simulate organ characteristics. These technologies play a crucial role in improving drug safety and efficacy evaluation by replicating both simple cellular structures and complex organ functions.

The exploration and mechanistic study of bioactive compounds from medicinal and edible homologous substances is a crucial research area. This involves isolating bioactive compounds with medicinal and edible properties from natural species and delving into their mechanisms. The investigation and elucidation of bioactive compounds from Chinese medicinal herbs is currently a trending area of research, as these substances not only possess medicinal value but also offer high safety and nutritional benefits as food ingredients. These compounds serve dual purposes: providing both medicinal benefits and serving as safe and nutritious food components.

The application of organoids and organ chips in drug safety evaluation encompasses three main aspects. Firstly, these techniques are utilized for toxicity evaluation, enabling the early detection of harmful compounds and reducing reliance on animal testing. Secondly, pharmacokinetic studies involve monitoring drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion in organoids and organ chips to enhance the understanding of drug behavior in the human body. Lastly, personalized medicine benefits from these technologies by simulating a patient's genetic background and providing tailored information on drug response, facilitating the development of more effective treatment plans.

• The exploration of bioactive compounds in medicinal and edible homologous substances involves five key aspects:

• Research and Application of New Technologies

• Study of Plant Compounds and Their Pharmacological Effects

• Analysis of Structure-Activity Relationships of Active Compounds

• Investigation of the Pharmacokinetics of Bioactive Compounds

• Research on the Health Benefits and Mechanisms of Action of Bioactive Compounds in Functional Foods

Organoid and organ-on-a-chip technologies provide a more realistic drug testing environment by simulating the circulatory system and physiological and pathological processes in the human body. This approach helps to more accurately assess the efficacy and safety of drugs. Compared with traditional animal models, organoid and organ-on-a-chip technologies can provide more accurate test results in a shorter period, thus accelerating the drug development process. Additionally, these technologies, due to their human origin, low cost, and short cultivation period, can reduce the cost of drug development, enabling more potential drugs to enter the clinical research or marketing stage.

Research on biologically active compounds in medicinal and edible homologous substances can aid in discovering new drugs and therapeutic methods, promoting the progress of medicine.

The types of manuscripts of interest to our guest editorial team include original research and review papers.

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Using Organoids and Organ Chips as tools to test the safety in developing Natural Medicinal Substances and Novel Food