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The Role of Bioactive Natural Products in Health and Disease, 2nd Edition

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Applied Biosciences and Bioengineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 June 2026 | Viewed by 3340

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Anna Muzykiewicz-Szymańska

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Guest Editor
Department of Cosmetic and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Powstańców Wielkopolskich Ave. 72, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland
Interests: plant extract; antioxidants; extraction technique; natural products; skin penetration study; HPLC; pharmaceutical sciences; medical biology; cosmetics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Karolina Jakubczyk

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Human Nutrition and Metabolomics, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, 24 Broniewskiego Street, 71-460 Szczecin, Poland
Interests: antioxidants; plant extracts; food products; polyphenolic compounds; edible flowers; matcha green tea; food contamination; mycotoxins
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Anna Nowak

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Cosmetic and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland
Interests: skin penetration study; HPLC; pharmaceutical sciences; plant extraction techniques; antioxidants
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Natural products are an important part of various industries, such as the pharmaceutical, food, and cosmetic industries. In recent years, we have observed a growing interest in natural products from researchers from various fields, including those closely related to human health. Natural products are the subject of research by scientists from various fields, including medical sciences, pharmacology, biology, chemistry, engineering, microbiology, cosmetology, dietetics, and various other fields relating to human health. A vast amount of published research focuses on the use of bioactive natural products in the treatment of diseases. New drugs are being developed whose pharmacological action is based on natural products or their derivatives. However, in order for natural substances to be used in the prevention and treatment of various diseases, multidisciplinary research is necessary.

Therefore, we are pleased to invite you to publish original scientific articles and reviews regarding, among others:

  • Isolation of active ingredients from natural resources;
  • Standardization methods for bioactive natural products;
  • Identification and characterization of bioactive ingredients of natural origin;
  • Bioavailability, pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, and clinical studies of natural products;
  • Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anti-aging activity of natural products;
  • The effect of bioactive natural products on skin;
  • Bioactive natural products as health-promoting food;
  • In vitro and in vivo analyses confirming the health-promoting and therapeutic properties of the bioactive natural products.

Therefore, this Special Issue will be devoted to a multidisciplinary discussion on the health-promoting and therapeutic effects of bioactive natural products.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Anna Muzykiewicz-Szymańska
Dr. Karolina Jakubczyk
Dr. Anna Nowak
Guest Editors

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 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

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
  • medicinal plants
  • chemistry
  • pharmacology
  • plant extract
  • isolation method
  • natural drugs
  • chromatography
  • antioxidants
  • natural food

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

17 pages, 3545 KB  
Article
Role of Lactoferrin in Shaping Inflammatory Crosstalk Between Glioblastoma Cells and Tumor-Associated Astrocytes
by Melania Ruggiero, Rosa Calvello, Antonia Cianciulli, Antonella Compierchio, Francesca Martina Filannino, Tarek Benameur, Domenico Dario Lofrumento, Chiara Porro and Maria Antonietta Panaro
Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(7), 3442; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16073442 - 1 Apr 2026
Viewed by 536
Abstract
Glioblastoma cells sustain tumor growth by releasing inflammatory cytokines that modulate the tumor microenvironment (TME). Targeting the cytokine expression profile of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) and tumor-supportive cells represents a promising therapeutic strategy. Lactoferrin, a natural compound with recognized anticancer properties, has been poorly [...] Read more.
Glioblastoma cells sustain tumor growth by releasing inflammatory cytokines that modulate the tumor microenvironment (TME). Targeting the cytokine expression profile of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) and tumor-supportive cells represents a promising therapeutic strategy. Lactoferrin, a natural compound with recognized anticancer properties, has been poorly investigated regarding its role in modulating GBM cytokine profiles and TME cellular activity. This study evaluated lactoferrin’s ability to modulate GBM inflammatory signaling and pro-tumorigenic functions of tumor-associated astrocytes. U87MG glioblastoma cells were treated with human lactoferrin (10 μg/mL) for 72 h, and DI-TNC1 astrocytes were exposed to conditioned medium from treated and untreated U87MG cells for 24 h. Results demonstrate that lactoferrin inhibits GBM cell proliferation, migration, and stemness-related pathways while modulating inflammatory profiles through NF-κB pathway interference, downregulating pro-tumorigenic cytokines IL-6, IL-1β, IL-4, and IL-10. Increased TGF-β expression in lactoferrin-treated cells likely reflects a compensatory mechanism rather than enhanced malignancy. Furthermore, lactoferrin attenuates pro-tumorigenic effects of tumor-associated astrocytes by reducing NF-κB activation and expression of TGF-β, TNF-α, IL-4, and IL-10. This innovative study provides evidence supporting non-cytotoxic approaches targeting GBM-TME interactions, highlighting lactoferrin’s potential to attenuate glioblastoma malignancy and astrocyte inflammatory signaling, suggesting its therapeutic potential for GBM treatment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Bioactive Natural Products in Health and Disease, 2nd Edition)
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13 pages, 748 KB  
Article
What Do You Want? Conditions for Selective Recovery of Metabolites with Antioxidant Activity of Sambucus nigra L.
by Ammy Joana Gallegos-García, Eric Jaziel Medrano-Sánchez, Abraham Gómez-Rivera, Carlos Ernesto Lobato-García, Ever A. Blé-González, Areli Carrera-Lanestosa, Pedro García-Alamilla, Manasés González-Cortazar, Alejandro Zamilpa, Alejandro Bugarin and Ricardo López-Rodríguez
Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(7), 3216; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16073216 - 26 Mar 2026
Viewed by 365
Abstract
Extracts from the flowers and fruits of Sambucus nigra L. have various applications as colorants and adjuvants in the food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industries. It is therefore necessary to establish optimal conditions for the production of these extracts. The objective of this study [...] Read more.
Extracts from the flowers and fruits of Sambucus nigra L. have various applications as colorants and adjuvants in the food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industries. It is therefore necessary to establish optimal conditions for the production of these extracts. The objective of this study was to compare different extraction conditions that allow the recovery of polyphenols and flavonoids with antioxidant activity from the aerial parts of S. nigra. For this purpose, the following extraction conditions were analyzed: maceration (M) and ultrasound-assisted (U), as well as extractant mixtures with five different proportions of ethanol and water; TPC and TFC were determined using spectroscopic methods, a preliminary analysis was performed by HPLC-DAD, and the content of chlorogenic acid and rutin was quantified. Similarly, the extracts were evaluated for their antioxidant capacity in ABTS, DPPH, and FRAP assays. Finally, PCA was performed to comprehensively analyze the relationship between the results obtained. The results showed that the extraction conditions determine the recovery of bioactive compounds such as polyphenols and antioxidant activity, with the highest yields obtained with 4M and 5M, and the extracts with the highest TPC and TFC being 5U and 1M, respectively. Likewise, the highest concentrations of chlorogenic acid and rutin were found in condition 2M, and the best antioxidant capacity was observed under extraction conditions 3U. This was confirmed by PCA, which indicated that extraction conditions influence yield, recovery of phenolic compounds, and antioxidant capacity. Therefore, these results indicate that there is no single condition that achieves the best parameters for this species, but rather that specific conditions must be applied depending on the metabolite groups and antioxidant activity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Bioactive Natural Products in Health and Disease, 2nd Edition)
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18 pages, 2276 KB  
Article
Urtica dioica L. and Parietaria judaica L. subsp. judaica (Urticaceae): A Comparative Screening of the Phytochemical Profile and In Vitro Biological Potential
by Mariangela Marrelli, Feliciana Allegretti, Maria Rosaria Perri, Mary Fucile, Pietra Candela, Filomena Conforti and Giancarlo Statti
Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(7), 3155; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16073155 - 25 Mar 2026
Viewed by 386
Abstract
Urtica dioica L. and Parietaria judaica L. subsp. judaica are two members of the Urticaceae family well-known for their sensitization and allergenic potential. Nevertheless, both species were used in traditional medicine, and various pharmacological properties have been described so far. Here, the dried [...] Read more.
Urtica dioica L. and Parietaria judaica L. subsp. judaica are two members of the Urticaceae family well-known for their sensitization and allergenic potential. Nevertheless, both species were used in traditional medicine, and various pharmacological properties have been described so far. Here, the dried aerial parts from Southern Italy were extracted through maceration, and a preliminary comparative study focused on the in vitro antioxidant and anti-denaturation properties, as well as on the pancreatic lipase inhibitory effects, was carried out. The most apolar constituents were extracted by means of liquid–liquid extraction, and the phytochemical profile of the two species was verified with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analyses and compared using principal component analysis (PCA). The correlation between detected phytochemicals and observed biological properties was also verified. A positive correlation was observed between lipase inhibition and the compounds mainly abundant in the U. dioica dichloromethane fraction, which showed the best activity (IC50 = 1.67 ± 0.01 mg/mL). The two P. judaica fractions instead showed the best anti-denaturation effects (IC50 = 321.6 ± 3.3 and 424.4 ± 1.8 μg/mL). Further studies are needed to optimize the solvent partitioning method and to deeply study the interesting biological properties of investigated species. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Bioactive Natural Products in Health and Disease, 2nd Edition)
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22 pages, 1466 KB  
Article
Brazilian Microalgae-Derived Bioactives: Antioxidant and Antibacterial Properties for Skin Care Application
by Édina A. R. Blasi, Jamili S. Hofstetter, Patrícia Susano, Susete Pinteus, Alice Martins, Helena Gaspar, Margarida Matias, Katie Shiels, Patrick Murray, Thainá I. Lamb, Emílio Berghahn, Giseli Buffon, Anja Reppner, Joana Silva, Celso Alves and João A. P. Henriques
Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(4), 2146; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16042146 - 23 Feb 2026
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 555
Abstract
Brazilian microalgae represent an underexplored reservoir of bioactive compounds with promising biotechnological and dermocosmetic applications. In this study, eight native Brazilian microalgae strains were cultivated under control (C) and stress conditions, nitrogen depletion (N) and salt stress (S), to modulate their bioactive profiles. [...] Read more.
Brazilian microalgae represent an underexplored reservoir of bioactive compounds with promising biotechnological and dermocosmetic applications. In this study, eight native Brazilian microalgae strains were cultivated under control (C) and stress conditions, nitrogen depletion (N) and salt stress (S), to modulate their bioactive profiles. Derived acetone extracts (24 samples) were evaluated for their antioxidant and antibacterial activities relevant to skin health. The antioxidant capacity of extracts was assessed by three complementary methods: ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) and superoxide anion radicals scavenging. Additionally, the antibacterial effects against four skin microorganisms (Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus hominis, Staphylococcus aureus, and Cutibacterium acnes) were also assessed. Among the tested samples, extracts from Scenedesmus armatus (Extract 40C) and from Chlorella sorokiniana (Extract 198C) displayed the highest antioxidant potential, with DPPH radical reduction of 22.6 ± 1.6% and 20.7 ± 1.9% and FRAP values of 178.3 and 156.8 μmol FeSO4/g extract, respectively. Superoxide scavenging assays showed IC50 values of 150.9 μg/mL for sample 40C and 139.6 μg/mL for sample 198C. Regarding the antibacterial assay, the IC50 values for S. epidermidis were notable, with sample 198C exhibiting the highest potency (10.3 µg/mL), closely matching the standard drug (12.4 µg/mL). The inhibitory capacity against C. acnes showed that samples 40C (58.4 µg/mL) and 198C (83.5 µg/mL) demonstrated antimicrobial relevance. Mechanistic assays suggested that the antibacterial effects of both samples may involve alterations in bacterial membrane integrity and DNA damage. Overall, these findings highlight the dermocosmetic potential of native Brazilian microalgae, still largely untapped in biotechnology, as natural sources of multifunctional ingredients for the development of sustainable skin care formulations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Bioactive Natural Products in Health and Disease, 2nd Edition)
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11 pages, 738 KB  
Article
Milk Thistle’s Secret Weapon: Thromboelastometry Reveals How Silybin Modulates Coagulation in Human Plasma In Vitro
by Justyna Małkowska, Joanna Boinska, Giulia Sperduti, Katarzyna Siemiątkowska-Grzybowska, Ewa Żekanowska, Daniel Załuski and Artur Słomka
Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(3), 1310; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16031310 - 28 Jan 2026
Viewed by 471
Abstract
Background: Silybin, the primary active constituent of the milk thistle extract silymarin, has been historically recognized for its hepatoprotective properties. More recently, its potential effects on blood coagulation have garnered attention, suggesting a broader pharmacological profile. Methods: This study aimed to investigate silybin’s [...] Read more.
Background: Silybin, the primary active constituent of the milk thistle extract silymarin, has been historically recognized for its hepatoprotective properties. More recently, its potential effects on blood coagulation have garnered attention, suggesting a broader pharmacological profile. Methods: This study aimed to investigate silybin’s impact on hemostasis using rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM) in normal human plasma. ROTEM enables the dynamic assessment of clot formation, providing a detailed analysis of coagulation processes in real-time. We specifically focused on the effects of silybin concentrations of 10 µM, 50 µM, and 100 µM on the ROTEM parameters compared to controls using normal human plasma with 0.1% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). The parameters derived from the tests included clotting time (CT), α-angle (α), and amplitude at 10 and 20 min (A10 and A20) for each of the three channels: intrinsic pathway thromboelastometry (INTEM), extrinsic pathway thromboelastometry (EXTEM), and fibrinogen thromboelastometry (FIBTEM). Each measurement was performed four times. Results: Analysis of the INTEM assay results demonstrated that silybin at concentrations of 10 µM and 50 µM significantly reduced clotting time (CT) compared to the control. Additionally, all tested silybin concentrations significantly decreased the α-angle in the INTEM test. In the EXTEM assay, no significant effect on CT was observed at any silybin concentration. However, consistent with the INTEM findings, all silybin concentrations resulted in a significant reduction in the α-angle. In the FIBTEM assay, silybin at 10 µM and 50 µM significantly shortened CT. Furthermore, all tested concentrations led to a significant decrease in the α-angle and A20, while a reduction in A10 was observed only at the 50 µM concentration compared to the control. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that silybin modulates ROTEM parameters in a manner that tends to vary with concentration, with the strongest effects observed at lower concentrations (10–50 µM), notably reducing CT, α-angle, and clot firmness (A10, A20). These findings suggest a potential role of silybin in influencing coagulation dynamics. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Bioactive Natural Products in Health and Disease, 2nd Edition)
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22 pages, 2648 KB  
Article
Bioactive Potential of Ptelea trifoliata Flower Extracts: Antioxidant, Enzyme-Modulating, and Wound Healing Activities with Possible Biomedical and Dermal Applications
by Patryk Kuhn, Joanna Sobiak, Tomasz Plech, Natalia Rosiak, Judyta Cielecka-Piontek, Marta Karaźniewicz-Łada and Elżbieta Studzińska-Sroka
Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(1), 88; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16010088 - 21 Dec 2025
Viewed by 669
Abstract
Ptelea trifoliata L. is a perennial plant of the Rutaceae family and contains secondary metabolites with potential biological relevance. Due to limited information on its activity, the objective of this study was to evaluate the biological properties of its flower extracts and to [...] Read more.
Ptelea trifoliata L. is a perennial plant of the Rutaceae family and contains secondary metabolites with potential biological relevance. Due to limited information on its activity, the objective of this study was to evaluate the biological properties of its flower extracts and to determine their phytochemical composition. Flowers were dried and subjected to ultrasound-assisted extraction using methanol, 60% methanol and water. LC–MS/MS was used for qualitative profiling, HPLC for quantitative determination, and spectrophotometry for measuring total phenolic and flavonoid content. The antioxidative capacity of the extracts was determined using DPPH, CUPRAC, FRAP, and iron chelation assays. Enzymatic inhibition analyses were performed for hyaluronidase, indicative of anti-inflammatory properties, and tyrosinase, associated with pigmentation mechanisms. The wound-healing capacity was evaluated in vitro using a scratch assay. Our research revealed the highest levels of polyphenols in the 60% methanol extract and of flavonoids in the methanol extract. The occurrence of chlorogenic acid, rutin, hyperoside, and astragalin was also demonstrated. Both methanol and 60% methanol extracts demonstrated antioxidant effects. The methanol extract showed the greatest hyaluronidase inhibition, while the 60% methanol extract was the most effective in suppressing tyrosinase activity and promoting wound closure. Principal component analysis showed that the contents of polyphenols or flavonoids were associated with enzyme-inhibitory or antioxidant activities. Moreover, the 60% methanol and water extracts exhibited notable wound healing properties. These results highlight the antioxidant, enzyme-modulating and regenerative potential of P. trifoliata flower extracts, suggesting their possible use in biomedical and dermatological applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Bioactive Natural Products in Health and Disease, 2nd Edition)
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