Book Description

Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers, including esophageal, gastric, and colorectal cancers, are one of the major malignant diseases detrimental to health and account for almost 20% of all cancers worldwide. Besides their high incidence, GI cancers are related to high mortality rates, placing these malignancies among the most prominent public health issues of our time. Gastrointestinal diseases are prevalent, especially functional gastrointestinal disorders. Natural product has been used for thousands of years in the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases including cancer. To discover and develop the natural product with therapeutic selectivity and without toxicity are very important steps in the treatment of GI diseases. Because of their wide range of pharmacologic activities and low toxicity in animal models, many natural products have been used as alternative treatments for gastrointestinal diseases and cancers. Growing evidence has shown that natural products are beneficial for patients with gastrointestinal diseases or cancer, but it is still unconvincing and the mechanism behind the effect has not been fully revealed. In this Research Topic, we emphasize: (1) evaluation of clinical effectiveness of natural products in the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases including cancer; (2) mechanism of action of natural products; (3) translation of natural products into routine practice.