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Applied Sciences
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Biomedical Applications of Bioactive Ingredients from Natural Products
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Biomedical Applications of Bioactive Ingredients from Natural Products

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Biomedical Engineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 July 2025 | Viewed by 4292

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Georgia Eirini Deligiannidou

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Pharmacoepidemiology Laboratory, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, Greece
2. Department of Clinical, Pharmaceutical & Biological Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, UK
3. Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
Interests: pharmacoepidemiology; neuropsychopharmacology; addiction medicine; psychoactive substances; ethnopharmacology; natural substances; herbal medicine
Dr. Christos Kontogiorgis

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Laboratory of Hygiene and Environmental Protection, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, 68100 Alexandroupoli, Greece
Interests: public health; hygiene; medicinal chemistry; natural products; antioxidants; pharmacoepidemiology; nutritional epidemiology; structure-activity relationships; drug utilisation; risk minimization and communication
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Natural products have historically made a large contribution to the advancement of drug discovery. Bioactive ingredients and their structural analogues play key roles in preventing and treating non-communicable and chronic diseases, a function that has accelerated scientific interest. Modern methods of evaluation and manipulation of bioactive ingredients from natural products have enabled a better understanding of their mechanisms of action and a clearer view of their potential in medicinal applications.

In this Special Issue, we closely consider the recently developed perspectives on the biomedical applications of bioactive ingredients and their structural analogues from natural products.

A particular focus of this Special Issue will be to summarize the recent technological developments that have enabled natural product-based drug discovery, highlight potential applications in the prevention and treatment of pathological conditions, discuss key challenges in identifying and establishing biological actions, and communicate the opportunities that stem from current research.

Dr. Georgia Eirini Deligiannidou
Dr. Christos Kontogiorgis
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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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. Applied Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly 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 2400 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

  • natural products
  • pure compounds
  • encapsulation
  • antioxidant
  • anti-inflammatory
  • nanoparticles
  • bioactive compounds
  • in vitro
  • in vivo

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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10 pages, 4579 KiB  
Article
Antibacterial and Cytotoxic Evaluation of Lespedeza cuneata Extract Against Periodontal Pathogens and Human Gingival Cells: A Novel Option for Periodontal Therapy
by Hyo-Ju Yoon, Gyoo-Cheon Kim and Seoul-Hee Nam
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(1), 190; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15010190 - 29 Dec 2024
Viewed by 975
Abstract
Background: This study aims to evaluate the antibacterial effect of Lespedeza cuneata extract on Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis), a principal bacterium in periodontal disease, and its impact on human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs). Methods: Dried Lespedeza cuneata was extracted using 70% ethanol, [...] Read more.
Background: This study aims to evaluate the antibacterial effect of Lespedeza cuneata extract on Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis), a principal bacterium in periodontal disease, and its impact on human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs). Methods: Dried Lespedeza cuneata was extracted using 70% ethanol, concentrated, and freeze-dried to obtain the Lespedeza cuneata extract in powder form. The antibacterial effect, indicated by the inhibition of P. gingivalis growth, was assessed by administering concentrations of 1, 3, 5, 10, 20, 30, and 40 mg/mL. After 24 h of anaerobic incubation, colony-forming units per milliliter (CFU/mL) were measured. Cytotoxicity on HGF cells was evaluated after treatment with WST-1 solution followed by incubation at 37 °C, 5% CO2 for 2 h. Cell morphology and proliferation were assessed using the Sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay. Results: The antibacterial effect of Lespedeza cuneata extract was concentration-dependent, with 99.98% inhibition observed at 5 mg/mL, 99.99% at 10 mg/mL, and no detectable CFUs were observed at 40 mg/mL under the tested conditions. Evaluating the change in growth rate of HGF cells showed a decrease in cell viability as the concentration increased, and the application of Lespedeza cuneata extract at 10 mg/mL was found to be a safe and effective concentration with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50). Conclusion: Based on the antibacterial effect, cytotoxicity, and safety profile of Lespedeza cuneata extract, it holds potential as a natural extract material for the prevention, improvement, or treatment of periodontal disease. Additionally, validation of the practical approach will be necessary via a clinical applicability evaluation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomedical Applications of Bioactive Ingredients from Natural Products)
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17 pages, 2623 KiB  
Article
The Effect of the Cultivar and Process Parameters on Quality and Biologically Active Compounds Content in Impregnated Carrot Tissue
by Elżbieta Radziejewska-Kubzdela, Róża Biegańska-Marecik, Justyna Szadzińska, Tomasz Spiżewski, Bartosz Gapiński, Angelika Kowiel and Dominik Mierzwa
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(24), 11984; https://doi.org/10.3390/app142411984 - 21 Dec 2024
Viewed by 646
Abstract
Vacuum impregnation (VI) allows soluble solids to be introduced into the porous matrix of a food material, modifying the composition of the tissue to facilitate further processing. The purpose of this research was to analyze the influence of pressure on the effectiveness of [...] Read more.
Vacuum impregnation (VI) allows soluble solids to be introduced into the porous matrix of a food material, modifying the composition of the tissue to facilitate further processing. The purpose of this research was to analyze the influence of pressure on the effectiveness of VI on a low porous material that is difficult to impregnate. Two cultivars of carrot (Baltimore F1 and Komarno) were subjected to VI at 5 and 30 kPa in a ternary solution of ascorbic acid (0.5%), citric acid (0.5%), and sucrose (8%) under isotonic conditions. The products were analyzed in terms of ascorbic acid content, degree of impregnation, and changes in structure, texture, color, antioxidant activity, phenolic content, carotenoids, and structure-forming compounds. Increases in vitamin C content (after VI) depended on the process conditions and ranged from 900% to 1300% in relation to the raw material. It was also observed that the extended impregnation time at a pressure of 5 kPa produced slices that were also impregnated in parenchyma area. The increased levels of polyphenolic compounds found in the saturated product may suggest that de novo synthesis under the influence of physiological stress had occurred. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomedical Applications of Bioactive Ingredients from Natural Products)
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7 pages, 636 KiB  
Communication
Determination of Sesquiterpenic Acids with Sedative Properties in Extracts of Medicinal Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia Mill.)
by Michalina Adaszyńska-Skwirzyńska, Małgorzata Dzięcioł, Mateusz Bucław, Danuta Majewska and Danuta Szczerbińska
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(2), 554; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14020554 - 8 Jan 2024
Viewed by 1617
Abstract
Plant raw materials with a calming effect on the nervous system are increasingly used in modern phytotherapy. Lavender belongs to this group of plants, due to the content of essential oil with known therapeutic properties and other phytoconstituents that can be responsible for [...] Read more.
Plant raw materials with a calming effect on the nervous system are increasingly used in modern phytotherapy. Lavender belongs to this group of plants, due to the content of essential oil with known therapeutic properties and other phytoconstituents that can be responsible for the sedative effect. Our studies confirmed the presence of sesquiterpenic acids characterized by sedative activity in lavender extracts. The contents of valerenic acid and acetoxyvalerenic acids in flowers and leafy stalks of two various Lavandula angustifolia cultivars—‘Blue River’ and ‘Ellagance Purple’—were determined. Analyses of methanolic extracts performed using the HPLC method showed that content of these sesquiterpenic acids varied with the cultivars and the morphological parts of the plant. The amount of acetoxyvalerenic acid was significantly higher than the amount of valerenic acid. In the ‘Blue River’ cultivar, higher levels of both compounds characterized by sedative properties were found. The content of valerenic acid in flowers ranged from 0.50 mg/100 g d.m. in the ‘Ellagance Purple’ cultivar to 1.75 mg/100 g d.m. in the ‘Blue River’ cultivar. In turn, leafy stalks contained 0.81 mg/100 g d.m. of valerenic acid in the ‘Ellagance Purple’ cultivar and 1.16 mg/100 g d.m. in the ‘Blue River’ cultivar. Interestingly, the ‘Blue River’ cultivar contained about 10 times more acetoxyvalerenic acid (65.80 mg/100 g d.m.) in flowers and four times more acetoxyvalerenic acid in leafy stalks (50.1 mg/100 g d.m.), in comparison with the ‘Ellagance Purple’ cultivar. The higher content of valerenic and acetoxyvalerenic acids in the flowers and leafy stalks of the ‘Blue River’ lavender cultivar can be important for its possible medical applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomedical Applications of Bioactive Ingredients from Natural Products)
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Review

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17 pages, 6652 KiB  
Review
Exploring the Multifunctionality of Passiflora caerulea L.: From Traditional Remedies to Modern Applications
by Alexandra Garmidolova, Pervin Halkoglu-Hristova and Vasil Georgiev
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(6), 3251; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15063251 - 17 Mar 2025
Viewed by 332
Abstract
Medicinal plants are well-known for synthesizing a wide range of bioactive compounds used mainly in the pharmaceutical, food and cosmetic industries. The therapeutic use of Passiflora species in Europe began in the 17th century, but few studies have been carried out on Passiflora [...] Read more.
Medicinal plants are well-known for synthesizing a wide range of bioactive compounds used mainly in the pharmaceutical, food and cosmetic industries. The therapeutic use of Passiflora species in Europe began in the 17th century, but few studies have been carried out on Passiflora caerulea L. This is a versatile plant, an herbaceous climber, belonging to the Passifloraceae family. In the past, P. caerulea L. has been mainly used as a sedative agent, but in recent years, scientific studies have focused on exploring its functionality and pharmacological use. Phytochemical analysis has revealed several classes of phytochemical components, some of which have promising biological potential. Recent studies have confirmed the therapeutic potential of P. caerulea by demonstrating its in vivo anxiolytic and antistress effects as well as antimicrobial, antioxidant, anticonvulsant, analgesic and gastroprotective activities. While these findings have been encouraging, there has been limited research conducted on the on the phytochemical profiling, biosafety and molecular mechanisms of the biological activity of extracts from Passiflora caerulea L. This review aims to summarize and analyze the recent scientific data on biological activities of Passiflora caerulea, including phytochemical profiling, mechanisms of action of individual compounds and potential therapeutic applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomedical Applications of Bioactive Ingredients from Natural Products)
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