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Plant-Derived Natural Compounds as Bioactive Molecules with Beneficial Effects on Human Health

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A special issue of Pharmaceuticals (ISSN 1424-8247). This special issue belongs to the section "Natural Products".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 May 2024 | Viewed by 1858

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Special Issue Editor

Dr. Diego Morales

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Guest Editor

Department of Galenic Pharmacy and Food Technology, Universitad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
Interests: bioactive compound extraction; metabolic syndrome; bioactive polysaccharides; phenolic compounds; biological rhythms; mushrooms
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

A strong correlation between natural compounds and health status has been assumed by modern populations. Moreover, the use of non-synthetic drugs can, in some cases, avoid certain disadvantages linked to conventional pharmaceuticals, such as adverse reactions or side effects and lack of specificity. Accordingly, research on vegetal compounds (e.g., peptides, phenolic compounds, lipids, polysaccharides/fibers, etc.) has exponentially increased over the last few decades. These investigations must cover raw materials selection (including by-product revalorization), extraction, analytical and biochemical techniques (following, to the greatest extent possible, the principles of sustainability and green chemistry), and biological activity tests that include in vitro and animal models but also require validation through clinical trials. Numerous plant-based nutraceuticals and drugs have been designed and evaluated, encouraging further investigation to finally integrate these products with conventional medicaments and thus obtain healthy alternatives. Therefore, the aim of this Special Issue is to investigate the latest findings and insights related to the study of vegetal bioactives, plant nutraceuticals, and drugs (including extraction and biochemical and biological activity analyses); identify current limitations; and elucidate future perspectives.

Dr. Diego Morales
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Pharmaceuticals is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

plant bioactives
bioactive compounds
gut microbiome
immune-modulatory
antioxidant
hypocholesterolemic
antihypertensive
clinical trials

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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28 pages, 203516 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Cistus, Acacia, and Lemon verbena Valorization through Response Surface Methodology: Optimization Studies and Potential Application in the Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Industries

by Filipa A. Fernandes, Márcio Carocho, Tiane C. Finimundy, Miguel A. Prieto, Isabel C. F. R. Ferreira, Lillian Barros and Sandrina A. Heleno

Pharmaceuticals 2024, 17(5), 593; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph17050593 - 7 May 2024

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Abstract

Cistus ladanifer L., Acacia dealbata L., and Aloysia citrodora Paláu were subject to an optimization procedure for two extraction techniques (heat-assisted extraction (HAE) and ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE)). The extracts were then analyzed by HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS for their phenolic profile (cistus—15 compounds, acacia—21 compounds, and lemon verbena—9 compounds). The response surface methodology was applied, considering four varying factors: ethanol percentage; extraction time; temperature/power; and S/L ratio, generating two responses (the major phenolic compound, or family of compounds, and the extraction yield). For cistus, both techniques optimized the extraction yield of punicalagins, with UAE proving to be the most efficient extraction method (3.22% ethanol, 22 min, 171 W, and 35 g/L). For acacia, HAE maximized the extraction of procyanidin (74% ethanol, 86 min, 24 °C, and 50 g/L), and UAE maximized the content of myricetin (65% ethanol, 8 min, 50 W, and 50 g/L). For lemon verbena, HAE favored the extraction of martynoside (13% ethanol, 96 min, 49 °C and 17 g/L) and forsythiaside UAE (94% ethanol, 25 min, 399 W, and 29 g/L). The optimal conditions for the extraction of compounds with high added value and potential for use in pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals were defined. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant-Derived Natural Compounds as Bioactive Molecules with Beneficial Effects on Human Health)

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15 pages, 4519 KiB

Open AccessArticle

In Vivo Anti-Inflammatory and Antinociceptive Activities of Black Elder (Sambucus nigra L.) Fruit and Flower Extracts

by Daniela Seymenska, Desislava Teneva, Irina Nikolova, Niko Benbassat and Petko Denev

Pharmaceuticals 2024, 17(4), 409; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph17040409 - 23 Mar 2024

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Abstract

Sambucus nigra L. (S. nigra, SN) or black elder is a traditional medicinal plant widely used worldwide for therapeutic and dietary purposes. The aim of the current study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities of black elder fruit and flower extracts (SNFrE and SNFlE, respectively). The primary polyphenol constituents in the flower extract were flavonoids and phenolic acids, while anthocyanins were the main components in the fruit extract. SNFrE revealed pronounced and dose-dependent in vivo anti-inflammatory activity assessed by the cotton pellet-induced granuloma test. Doses of 10, 20, and 50 mg/kg BW of SNFrE reduced the weight of induced granuloma in rats by 20.3%, 20.5%, and 28.4%, respectively. At the highest dose (50 mg/kg BW), SNFrE had significant (p < 0.01) anti-inflammatory activity comparable to that of diclofenac, the reference compound used (10 mg/kg BW). In addition, the in vivo antinociceptive activity of the extracts in mice was estimated using the acetic-acid-induced writhing test. Both extracts at doses of 50 mg/kg BW inhibited the abdominal contractions induced by the acetic acid significantly comparing to the control group (p < 0.01). Our findings indicate that black elder extracts and particularly SNFrE possess anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities, providing experimental evidence for the use of S. nigra in traditional medicine. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant-Derived Natural Compounds as Bioactive Molecules with Beneficial Effects on Human Health)

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Review

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29 pages, 1637 KiB

Open AccessReview

Potential Anti-Tumorigenic Properties of Diverse Medicinal Plants against the Majority of Common Types of Cancer

by Ghosoon Albahri, Adnan Badran, Zaher Abdel Baki, Mohamad Alame, Akram Hijazi, Anis Daou and Elias Baydoun

Pharmaceuticals 2024, 17(5), 574; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph17050574 - 30 Apr 2024

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Abstract

Globally, cancer is one of the primary causes of both morbidity and mortality. To prevent cancer from getting worse, more targeted and efficient treatment plans must be developed immediately. Recent research has demonstrated the benefits of natural products for several illnesses, and these products have played a significant role in the development of novel treatments whose bioactive components serve as both chemotherapeutic and chemo-preventive agents. Phytochemicals are naturally occurring molecules obtained from plants that have potential applications in both cancer therapy and the development of new medications. These phytochemicals function by regulating the molecular pathways connected to the onset and progression of cancer. Among the specific methods are immune system control, inducing cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, preventing proliferation, raising antioxidant status, and inactivating carcinogens. A thorough literature review was conducted using Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, Google Patent, Patent Scope, and US Patent to obtain the data. To provide an overview of the anticancer effects of several medicinal plants, including Annona muricata, Arctium lappa, Arum palaestinum, Cannabis sativa, Catharanthus roseus, Curcuma longa, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Hibiscus, Kalanchoe blossfeldiana, Moringa oleifera, Nerium oleander, Silybum marianum, Taraxacum officinale, Urtica dioica, Withania somnifera L., their availability, classification, active components, pharmacological activities, signaling mechanisms, and potential side effects against the most common cancer types were explored. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant-Derived Natural Compounds as Bioactive Molecules with Beneficial Effects on Human Health)

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