Medicinal Properties and Molecular Mechanisms of Thai Traditional Herbs

James M. Brimson is a researcher and lecturer in the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences at Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand. James started his research career while an undergraduate at the University of the West of England (U.W.E.), where he visited the lab of Prof. Gregorio Gil in 2004 for a one-year research internship at Virginia Commonwealth University (V.C.U.) in the United States of America, before returning to finish his B.Sc. in Applied Gentics at U.W.E. He earned his Ph.D. in 2010 from the University of Bath, where he specialised in the pharmacology of the sigma-1 receptor in the Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, under the guidance of Prof. Stephen Safrany. His thesis, titled ‘The Pharmacology of the Sigma-1 Receptor,’ laid the foundation for his extensive research in this field. Following his doctoral studies, Dr. Brimson pursued postdoctoral research in the laboratory of Professor Tewin Tencomnao, where he deepened his investigation into sigma receptors. During this time, he also expanded his research focus to include natural products, exploring their potential therapeutic applications in neurological disorders. His work has contributed to a greater understanding of the sigma-1 receptor's role in neuroprotection, cognitive enhancement, and its interaction with various natural compounds. Dr. Brimson’s research is interdisciplinary, bridging the gap between pharmacology, neuroscience, and natural product chemistry. He is particularly interested in the therapeutic potential of natural compounds in treating neurodegenerative diseases, with a focus on the mechanisms of action involving sigma receptors. At Chulalongkorn University, he continues to mentor students and collaborate with international researchers, advancing the field of sigma receptor research and its applications in modern medicine. Dr. Brimson was one of only five people to be awarded the Mid-Career Scholarship Fund from the National Research Council of Thailand in 2024. Dr. Brimson has published over 50 manuscripts, has a H-Index of 20, with over 800 citations, and continues to be very active with his research activities. In addition to his academic pursuits, Dr. Brimson is an active member of the scientific community, frequently presenting his research at international conferences and contributing to peer-reviewed journals. Dr. Brimson is an editor for Geriatric Pharmacology and has served as associate editor for Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease. His work has been recognized for its impact on understanding the complex roles of sigma receptors in health and disease, and he remains dedicated to uncovering new therapeutic strategies for neurological conditions. Ciro Isidoro is a distinguished expert in the field of pathology, serving as a Professor of General Pathology and the head of the Laboratory of Molecular Pathology and Nanobioimaging at the Department of Health Sciences, Università del Piemonte Orientale in Novara, Italy. He holds a Doctor of Science (D.Sc.) degree in Biological Sciences with Summa Cum Laude from the Università di Torino and a Doctor of Medicine and Surgery (M.D.) degree with Summa Cum Laude from the Università del Piemonte Orientale. His academic journey includes a Ph.D. fellowship as an Assistant Researcher at the Institut für Pathobiochemie, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster in Germany, where he developed a strong foundation in molecular pathology. Professor Isidoro’s contributions to the scientific community have been recognized internationally, including his appointment as Professor Honoris Causa by the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy at the Université de la Franche-Comté in Besançon, France. He also holds prestigious visiting professorships at the Siriraj Faculty of Medicine, Mahidol University in Bangkok, Thailand, and at the Department of Cell Biology, Oklahoma University Health Science Center in Oklahoma City, USA. An active participant in the global scientific community, Professor Isidoro serves on the editorial boards of numerous high-impact journals, including Autophagy, Molecular Carcinogenesis, Cancers, Frontiers in Oncology, Cells, Biomedicines, International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Discover Oncology, among others. He is also the Editor-in-Chief of Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine and Journal of Cancer and Metastasis Treatment. His editorial work reflects his commitment to advancing the field and ensuring the dissemination of cutting-edge research. Professor Ciro Isidoro is a globally recognised expert in autophagy and lysosome biogenesis. Professor Isidoro’s research focuses on the role of the autophagy-lysosomal degradation pathway in cancer and neurodegenerative diseases, as well as the involvement of the endocytic and exocytic pathways in the tumour microenvironment and neuronal plasticity. His laboratory also studies the epigenetic mechanisms of natural substances with anti-tumour nutraceutical properties. His work has provided critical insights into the cellular mechanisms of autophagy underlying cancer cell dormancy and metastasisation, with implications for developing novel therapeutic strategies. His interdisciplinary approach combines molecular pathology with advanced imaging techniques, contributing to a deeper understanding of the cellular processes that govern health and disease. With over 200 peer-reviewed publications, an H-Index of 50 and more than 24.000 citations (Google Scholar), Professor Isidoro was ranked among the world’s top 2% scientists in 2023 and recognised as a leading Italian scientist in biomedical sciences. Through his leadership, teaching, and research, Professor Isidoro has made significant contributions to the field of molecular pathology, mentoring the next generation of scientists and fostering international collaborations that drive scientific innovation. Tewin Tencomnao is a prominent researcher and assistant professor in the Department of Clinical Chemistry, and Dean of the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand. He earned his Ph.D in Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics from Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Medical College of Virginia, in the United States of America. His research career is marked by a focus on the molecular mechanisms by which natural products combat neurodegeneration and aging, employing various study models, including cell cultures and the in vivo model organism C. elegans. Dr. Tencomnao’s work has garnered significant recognition, including the prestigious DMSc Award in 2015 from Thailand for his research on the ‘Effect and Underlying Mechanisms of Rhinacanthus nasutus against Neurodegeneration.’ Additionally, he was honored with the Gold Award in 2015 at the International Engineering Invention & Innovation Exhibition (i-ENVEX) in Malaysia for his development of an anti-aging cream utilizing natural resveratrol extracted from the Perlis grapevine. In 2001 Dr. Tencomnao won the prestigious Association of Universities of Asia and Pacific (AUAP) Research Fund Award for the evaluation of the neuroprotective effects of Mitragynaspeciosa extract using a C. elegans model. In his laboratory, Dr. Tencomnao leads groundbreaking research that bridges the gap between traditional medicine and modern molecular biology, focusing on identifying and understanding the therapeutic potential of natural compounds in treating neurodegenerative diseases and ageing-related conditions. His innovative approach and commitment to research excellence have established him as a leader in his field, with his work contributing to the development of novel therapeutic strategies and enhancing the scientific understanding of natural product pharmacology.