Pharmacological Properties of Natural Products and Dietary Molecules in Gastrointestinal Homeostasis

The gastrointestinal tract serves not only as the site of nutrient absorption but also as a central regulator of immune and metabolic function. Specific dietary components and natural products have been shown to act through distinct pharmacological mechanisms, including modulation of receptor-mediated signaling, epigenetic regulation, and direct interactions with the gut microbiota. This growing body of evidence supports the repositioning of these bioactive compounds (from standardized plant extracts to nutraceuticals) as pharmacologically active agents rather than nutritional adjuncts.This Research Topic focuses on the pharmacological mechanisms responsible for these effects. The aim is to move beyond purely descriptive approaches and target the specific pathways through which natural products interact with the liver and alimentary tract. This includes their potential to promote mucosal healing (for example, in mucositis or gastric ulcers) and their capacity to modulate gut microbiota–host interactions.We invite original research and reviews on the following themes:• Mechanisms of Action: How specific natural products modulate carcinogenesis, fibrogenesis, or inflammatory signaling pathways at the molecular or cellular level.• Mucosal Healing: The pharmacological role of bioactive compounds in tissue repair during gastric ulcers, mucositis, and inflammatory bowel disease.• Gut-Microbiota Pharmacology: The interaction between natural products, the microbiome, and gastrointestinal motility and visceral sensation.Important for Authors: To fall within the scope of the Gastrointestinal and Hepatic Pharmacology section, all studies involving plant extracts must characterize the active ingredients responsible for the observed effect. Submissions must demonstrate reproducibility and identify clear pharmacological targets. Purely descriptive nutritional studies will not be accepted. Topic editors: Daniele Maria-Ferreira, Cláudia Sirlene Oliveira, Paola De Cicco, Cleber Machado-Souza Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/82071/pharmacological-properties-of-natural-products-and-dietary-molecules-in-gastrointestinal-homeostasis