Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
5.7
3.6
Journals
Biology
Special Issues
Plant Natural Products: Mechanisms of Action for Promoting Health
share announcement

Plant Natural Products: Mechanisms of Action for Promoting Health

A special issue of Biology (ISSN 2079-7737). This special issue belongs to the section "Biochemistry and Molecular Biology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 July 2025 | Viewed by 8255

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Francisco Les

E-Mail Website1 Website2
Guest Editor
1. Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad San Jorge, 50830 Zaragoza, Spain
2. Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón-IA2, CITA-Universidad de Zaragoza, 50059 Zaragoza, Spain
Interests: pharmacology and pharmacy; pharmacognosy; ethnopharmacology; plant science; medicinal plants; food science; natural products; nutrition and dietetics; bioactive foods
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Guillermo Cásedas

E-Mail Website1 Website2
Guest Editor
1. Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad San Jorge, 50830 Zaragoza, Spain
2. Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón-IA2, CITA-Universidad de Zaragoza, 50059 Zaragoza, Spain
Interests: natural products; western blot; neuroprotection; polyphenols; antioxidants; cell culture; oxidative stress; phytochemicals
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Interest in plant-derived natural products has surged in recent decades, driven by the search for natural and sustainable health-promoting alternatives. Although these products have been used for millennia across various cultures, modern science is only beginning to unravel the molecular and biochemical mechanisms underlying their beneficial effects.

This Special Issue of Biology, titled "Plant Natural Products: Mechanisms of Action for Promoting Health," aims to compile cutting-edge research exploring how bioactive compounds from plants exert their biological effects. It covers a wide range of topics, from the identification and characterization of new therapeutic molecules to the study of their cellular and molecular mechanisms of action.

Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for discovering new drugs, developing effective dietary supplements, and providing a solid scientific basis for the use of natural products in traditional and complementary medicine. The studies in this Special Issue address how plant natural products interact with specific metabolic pathways, modulate the immune system, and influence critical cellular processes like apoptosis, inflammation, and oxidative stress.

By bridging basic research and clinical application, this Special Issue aims to enhance scientific knowledge and influence public health policies, treatment development, and sustainable agricultural practices. We invite readers to explore these innovative studies, which highlight the intrinsic value of plant natural products and their contemporary relevance to global health and medicine.

Prof. Dr. Francisco Les
Dr. Guillermo Cásedas
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 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. Biology 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 2700 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

  • phytochemicals
  • bioactivity
  • therapeutics
  • mechanisms
  • health promotion
  • metabolism
  • enzyme activity
  • bioactive compounds
  • pharmacognosy
  • plant extracts
  • polyphenols
  • ethnopharmacology
  • essential oils
  • aromatic plants
  • antioxidants
  • natural products

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (5 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

12 pages, 3220 KiB  
Article
Characterizing the Role of Moringa oleifera Lam (MO) Leaves and Root Extracts on Dictyostelium discoideum Cell Behavior
by Sarah Abdulaziz Alamer and Fadia El Sherif
Biology 2025, 14(3), 284; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology14030284 - 11 Mar 2025
Viewed by 521
Abstract
Moringa oleifera Lam (MO) is a member of the Moringaceae family and has been widely used as a traditional form of treatment for various diseases due to its high nutrient content. The plant is rich in vitamins, minerals, organic acids, phenolic compounds, polyphenols, [...] Read more.
Moringa oleifera Lam (MO) is a member of the Moringaceae family and has been widely used as a traditional form of treatment for various diseases due to its high nutrient content. The plant is rich in vitamins, minerals, organic acids, phenolic compounds, polyphenols, alkaloids, and flavonoids. However, the concentrations of these components in each part of the plant differ, leading to specific beneficial uses. In this study, we aimed to analyze the contents of Moringa oleifera leaf (ML) and Moringa oleifera root (MR) extracts and characterize the effects of these extracts on cell behavior. HPLC analysis data showed a higher level of flavonoids and apigenin in the ML extract compared to the MR extract. Furthermore, CG/MS analysis revealed 54 components in the ML extract, with only 3 (ethyl palmitate, ethyl linolenate, and palmitic acid, 2-(octadecyloxy)ethyl ester) of them being at high levels. In this study, Dictyostelium discoideum was used as a cellular model and D. discoideum’s cell growth, chemotaxis, and development life cycle were investigated. The data presented herein demonstrate a significant decrease in cell growth and that the completion of the development life cycle was delayed in the ML extract-treated sample. This effect was not found in the untreated cells and MR extract-treated samples. In addition, the ability of cells to stream during chemotaxis was not inhibited following treatments. These findings suggested that ML extract has an impact on cell proliferation and cell directed migration processes, where the high level of flavonoids and apigenin in this extract can be a strong factor that led to these results. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Natural Products: Mechanisms of Action for Promoting Health)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 3247 KiB  
Article
Quercus glauca Acorn Seed Coat Extract Promotes Wound Re-Epithelialization by Facilitating Fibroblast Migration and Inhibiting Dermal Inflammation
by Shin-Hye Kim, Hye-Lim Shin, Tae Hyun Son, So-An Lim, Dongsoo Kim, Jun-Hyuck Yoon, Hyunmo Choi, Hwan-Gyu Kim and Sik-Won Choi
Biology 2024, 13(10), 775; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology13100775 - 28 Sep 2024
Viewed by 1243
Abstract
The skin, recognized as the largest organ in the human body, serves a vital function in safeguarding against external threats. Severe damage to the skin can pose significant risks to human health. There is an urgent requirement for safe and effective therapies for [...] Read more.
The skin, recognized as the largest organ in the human body, serves a vital function in safeguarding against external threats. Severe damage to the skin can pose significant risks to human health. There is an urgent requirement for safe and effective therapies for wound healing. While phytotherapy has been widely utilized for various health conditions, the potential of Quercus glauca in promoting wound healing has not been thoroughly explored. Q. glauca is a cultivated crop known for its abundance of bioactive compounds. This study examined the wound-healing properties of Quercus glauca acorn seed coat water extract (QGASE). The findings from the study suggest that QGASE promotes wound closure in HF cells by upregulating essential markers related to the wound-healing process. Additionally, QGASE demonstrates antioxidant effects, mitigating oxidative stress and aiding in recovery from injuries induced by H2O2. In vivo experiments provide additional substantiation supporting the efficacy of QGASE in enhancing wound healing. The collective results indicate that QGASE may be a promising candidate for the development of innovative therapeutic strategies aimed at enhancing skin wound repair. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Natural Products: Mechanisms of Action for Promoting Health)
►▼ Show Figures

Graphical abstract

16 pages, 724 KiB  
Article
Study of Liposomes Containing Extract from the Leaves of Protium heptaphyllum (Aubl.) March in Animals Submitted to a Mutagenic Model Induced by Cyclophosphamide
by Naiéle Sartori Patias, Valéria Dornelles Gindri Sinhorin, Ana Júlia Lopes Braga Ferneda, João Maurício Andrade Ferneda, Marina Mariko Sugui, Stela Regina Ferrarini, Gisele Facholi Bomfim, Joaz Wellington Lopes, Nadia Aline Bobbi Antoniassi, Larissa Cavalheiro, Nelson Luís de Campos Domingues and Adilson Paulo Sinhorin
Biology 2024, 13(9), 706; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology13090706 - 8 Sep 2024
Viewed by 1325
Abstract
Cyclophosphamide (CPA) is an alkylating agent used as a chemotherapy agent in the treatment of cancer, but it has immunosuppressive effects. Protium heptaphyllum (P. heptaphyllum) is a plant rich in triterpenes and flavonoids, with some bioactive and therapeutic properties presented in [...] Read more.
Cyclophosphamide (CPA) is an alkylating agent used as a chemotherapy agent in the treatment of cancer, but it has immunosuppressive effects. Protium heptaphyllum (P. heptaphyllum) is a plant rich in triterpenes and flavonoids, with some bioactive and therapeutic properties presented in the literature. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate the chemoprotective potential of P. heptaphyllum extract inserted into liposomes against oxidative damage chemically induced by CPA. Male Swiss mice received 1.5 mg/kg of P. heptaphyllum liposomes as a pre-treatment for 14 consecutive days (via gavage) and 100 mg/kg of CPA in a single dose (via intraperitoneal) on the 15th day. After the experimental period, blood and organ samples were collected for histopathological and biochemical analyses, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT), glutathione S-transferase (GST), reduced glutathione (GSH), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), ascorbic acid (ASA), carbonyl protein, cytokine measurement, and micronucleus testing. The results showed that liposomes containing P. heptaphyllum extract have an antimutagenic effect against damage induced to DNA by CPA, and that they also protect against oxidative stress, as verified by the increase in the antioxidant enzymes SOD and GPx. The improvement in alkaline phosphatase and creatinine markers suggests a beneficial effect on the liver and kidneys, respectively. However, the depletion of GSH in the liver and brain suggests the use of antioxidants for the metabolism of molecules generated in these tissues. In general, these data show good prospects for the use of P. heptaphyllum liposomes as a cancer chemoprotective agent, as well as possible antioxidant action, conceivably attributed to the flavonoids present in the plant extract. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Natural Products: Mechanisms of Action for Promoting Health)
►▼ Show Figures

Graphical abstract

13 pages, 4878 KiB  
Article
Evaluation of the Therapeutic Potential of Traditionally-Used Natural Plant Extracts to Inhibit Proliferation of a HeLa Cell Cancer Line and Replication of Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus (hRSV)
by Ellie N. Brill, Natalie G. Link, Morgan R. Jackson, Alea F. Alvi, Jacob N. Moehlenkamp, Morgan B. Beard, Adam R. Simons, Linden C. Carson, Ray Li, Breckin T. Judd, Max N. Brasseale, Emily P. Berkman, Riley K. Park, Sedna Cordova-Hernandez, Rebecca Y. Hoff, Caroline E. Yager, Meredith C. Modelski, Milica Nenadovich, Dhruvi Sisodia, Clayton J. Reames, Andreas G. Geranios, Sean T. Berthrong, Anne M. Wilson, Ashlee H. Tietje and Christopher C. Stobartadd Show full author list remove Hide full author list
Biology 2024, 13(9), 696; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology13090696 - 5 Sep 2024
Viewed by 1925
Abstract
Traditional approaches employing natural plant products to treat a wide array of ailments have been documented and described for thousands of years. However, there remains limited scientific study of the therapeutic potential or effectiveness of ethnobotanical applications. Increases in the incidence of cancer [...] Read more.
Traditional approaches employing natural plant products to treat a wide array of ailments have been documented and described for thousands of years. However, there remains limited scientific study of the therapeutic potential or effectiveness of ethnobotanical applications. Increases in the incidence of cancer and emerging infectious diseases demonstrate a growing need for advances in the development of therapeutic options. In this study, we evaluate the therapeutic potential of aqueous extracts prepared from four plants, purple aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae (L.) Nemsom), common sage (Salvia lyrata (L.)), northern spicebush (Lindera benzoin (L.) Blume), and lamb’s ear (Stachys byzantina (K.) Koch)) traditionally used in Native American medicine in Indiana, USA. Using a combination of cytotoxicity assays, immunofluorescence microscopy, and antiviral assays, we found that sage and spicebush extracts exhibit cytotoxic and antiproliferative effects on HeLa cell proliferation and that sage, spicebush, and aster extracts were capable of significantly inhibiting human respiratory syncytial virus (hRSV), a major respiratory pathogen of infants and the elderly. Chemical analysis of the four extracts identified four major compounds which were subsequently evaluated to identify the responsible constituents in the extracts. While none of the identified compounds were shown to induce significant impacts on HeLa cell proliferation, two of the compounds, (1S)-(-)-Borneol and 5-(hydroxymethyl)-furfural, identified in sage and spicebush, respectively, were shown to have antiviral activities. Our data suggest that several of the extracts tested exhibited either anti-proliferative or antiviral activity supporting future further analysis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Natural Products: Mechanisms of Action for Promoting Health)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research

30 pages, 7400 KiB  
Review
Melatonin from Plants: Going Beyond Traditional Central Nervous System Targeting—A Comprehensive Review of Its Unusual Health Benefits
by Lucas Fornari Laurindo, Otávio Augusto Garcia Simili, Adriano Cressoni Araújo, Elen Landgraf Guiguer, Rosa Direito, Vitor Engrácia Valenti, Vitor de Oliveira, Juliana Santos de Oliveira, José Luiz Yanaguizawa Junior, Jefferson Aparecido Dias, Durvanei Augusto Maria, Rose Eli Grassi Rici, Manuela dos Santos Bueno, Kátia Portero Sloan, Lance Alan Sloan and Sandra Maria Barbalho
Biology 2025, 14(2), 143; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology14020143 - 30 Jan 2025
Viewed by 2596
Abstract
Melatonin is indispensable for the homeostasis of plants and animals. In humans, it can help prevent or be an adjuvant treatment for several diseases mainly related to the immune system, inflammation, and oxidative stress. Moreover, a melatonin-rich diet is linked to several health [...] Read more.
Melatonin is indispensable for the homeostasis of plants and animals. In humans, it can help prevent or be an adjuvant treatment for several diseases mainly related to the immune system, inflammation, and oxidative stress. Moreover, a melatonin-rich diet is linked to several health benefits, such as regulation of circadian rhythm, regulation of the immunological system, epilepsy control, delaying the aging process, and diminishing hormones related to cancer. This review aimed to show the effects of melatonin in diseases beyond its traditional use. The results showed it can present scavenging of free radicals, reducing inflammatory cytokines, and modulating the immune system. Moreover, it can improve insulin resistance, blood pressure, LDL-c, adipose tissue mass, adhesion molecules, endothelial impairment, and plaque formation. These effects result in neuro- and cardioprotection, improvement of liver diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, dermatitis, COVID-19, polycystic ovaries, and sepsis. We conclude that plant melatonin can benefit patients with many diseases besides sleep problems and neurodegeneration. Plant melatonin may be more cost-effective and present fewer adverse events than synthetic. However, more clinical trials should be performed to show adequate doses, formulation, and treatment time. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Natural Products: Mechanisms of Action for Promoting Health)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-5
Back to TopTop