Natural Compounds in the Regulation of Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, and Cellular Immunomodulation

Oxidative stress and inflammation constitute core pathological mechanisms in numerous chronic and degenerative disorders. Natural compounds from plants, fungi, and marine organisms have emerged as promising sources of bioactive molecules capable of modulating redox balance and immune responses. Understanding how these compounds influence signaling pathways involved in oxidative and inflammatory processes is essential for developing novel therapeutic strategies. Recent advances in analytical chemistry, metabolomics, and molecular modeling have enhanced our ability to identify, characterize, and optimize these natural agents.

This Research Topic aims to highlight current progress in elucidating the chemical diversity and biological potential of natural compounds that regulate oxidative stress, inflammation, and cellular immunomodulation. The main goal is to explore how natural compounds can be leveraged to better understand and control oxidative stress, inflammation, and immune modulation at the molecular level. Despite significant progress, the mechanisms by which natural bioactive molecules regulate redox homeostasis and inflammatory signaling remain only partially understood. This gap limits the rational development of new therapeutic or preventive strategies based on natural products. To address this, we aim to integrate multidisciplinary approaches, including advanced analytical and spectroscopic methods, metabolomics, computational chemistry, and in vitro/in vivo biological assays, to identify molecular targets and structure–activity relationships. By combining chemical and biological insights, this collection seeks to provide a platform for discussing recent discoveries, novel mechanisms of action, and innovative formulations or delivery systems that enhance the pharmacological potential of natural compounds in oxidative and inflammatory disorders.

This Research Topic welcomes contributions that investigate the chemical diversity, biological mechanisms, and therapeutic applications of natural compounds involved in the regulation of oxidative stress, inflammation, and immune responses. We invite manuscripts that integrate experimental, computational, and analytical approaches to elucidate molecular pathways, structure–activity relationships, and pharmacological effects. Studies addressing innovative extraction methods, bioassays, formulation strategies, or synergistic effects of natural products are also encouraged.

We welcome Original Research, Review, Mini Review, and Perspective articles on themes including, but not limited to:
• Natural compounds as modulators of oxidative and inflammatory signaling pathways.
• Immunomodulatory effects of plant-, fungal-, and marine-derived metabolites.
• Integration of metabolomics and molecular modeling in natural product research.
• Structure–activity relationships and molecular targets of bioactive natural molecules.
• Novel delivery systems or formulations improving bioavailability and efficacy.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review

Keywords: Natural products, Oxidative stress, Inflammation, Immunomodulation, Bioactive compounds

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.