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Biomolecules
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Key Molecules in Traditional Medicine: From Molecular Mechanisms to Therapies...
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Key Molecules in Traditional Medicine: From Molecular Mechanisms to Therapies Strategies

A special issue of Biomolecules (ISSN 2218-273X). This special issue belongs to the section "Natural and Bio-derived Molecules".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 January 2025) | Viewed by 6456

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Seungtae Kim

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Korean Medical Science, School of Korean Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan-si, Gyeongsangnam-do, Republic of Korea
Interests: Parkinson's disease; pain; acupuncture; medicinal herbs; neuroprotection; inflammation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Sunoh Kwon

E-Mail Website1 Website2
Guest Editor
KM Convergence Research Division, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
Interests: neuropsychiatric disorders; neuropsychopharmacology; acupuncture; medicinal herbs; neuroprotection; inflammation

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Traditional medicine has a long history and has been used to maintain health as well as prevent, diagnose, ameliorate, or treat physical and mental illnesses. It is still widely practiced throughout the world, and the efficacy as well as mechanisms of various traditional treatments, such as acupuncture, moxibustion, and Ayurveda, have been supported by many scientific studies. As a result, a chapter on traditional medicine has been included in the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-11).

This Special Issue aims to identify the molecular mechanisms of traditional medicine and covers topics ranging from demonstrating the efficacy of natural compounds to exploring biomolecules associated with the efficacy of traditional medicine treatments. This Special Issue will include all studies on biomolecules related to the effects of the mechanisms of traditional medicine using a variety of methodologies, including in silico, in vitro, and in vivo studies. We invite original research articles and reviews that highlight significant advances in these areas.

Prof. Dr. Seungtae Kim
Dr. Sunoh Kwon
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. Biomolecules 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

  • natural compounds
  • traditional medicine
  • biomolecules in medicinal herbs
  • molecular changes caused by traditional medicine treatments

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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23 pages, 2903 KiB  
Article
A Mechanistic Insight into the Anti-Staphylococcal Mode of Action of (+)-Usnic Acid and Its Synergy with Norfloxacin Against Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus
by Bhavana Gangwar, Santosh Kumar, Parmanand Kumar, Anirban Pal and Mahendra P. Darokar
Biomolecules 2025, 15(6), 750; https://doi.org/10.3390/biom15060750 - 22 May 2025
Viewed by 159
Abstract
In this study, a global response analysis was performed to explore the mechanism of action of Usnic acid and its synergy with Norfloxacin, a well-known quinolone antibiotic to which MRSA clinical isolates showed resistance (MIC, 500 µg/mL). A microdilution assay, a growth kinetics [...] Read more.
In this study, a global response analysis was performed to explore the mechanism of action of Usnic acid and its synergy with Norfloxacin, a well-known quinolone antibiotic to which MRSA clinical isolates showed resistance (MIC, 500 µg/mL). A microdilution assay, a growth kinetics analysis, a microscopic analysis, and cell-based assays consistently showed that Usnic acid possesses strong anti-staphylococcal activity (MIC, 7.8 µg/mL), causes cell leakage, modulates efflux pump activity, and synergizes with Norfloxacin against the multi-drug-resistant clinical isolate MRSA 2071. Whole-cell proteome profiling using gel-free proteomics-based nano-LC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS revealed several proteins whose expression was significantly modulated by Usnic acid and Norfloxacin alone or in combination. Usnic acid downregulated the abundance of RNA polymerase subunits (RpoB and RpoC), carbamoyl phosphate synthase large subunit (PyrAB), chaperone (GroEL), and adenylosuccinate synthetase (PurA). Interestingly, proteins found to be upregulated in the presence of Usnic acid and Norfloxacin included oxidative-stress-related proteins such as peroxidase (Tpx), alkyl hydroperoxide reductase (AphC), and general stress protein (UspA). This study clearly shows that Usnic acid affects numerous cellular targets and can potentiate the action of Norfloxacin. Furthermore, an in vivo study showed that UA at low concentrations prevents body weight gain, but changes in other tested toxicological parameters were found to be within normal limits. Thus, UA at low doses appears to be a promising candidate for repurposing old antibiotics through combination therapy against MRSA infections. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Key Molecules in Traditional Medicine: From Molecular Mechanisms to Therapies Strategies)
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21 pages, 6105 KiB  
Article
Oxyresveratrol Enhances the Anti-Cancer Effect of Cisplatin against Epithelial Ovarian Cancer Cells through Suppressing the Activation of Protein Kinase B (AKT)
by Phatarawat Thaklaewphan, Nitwara Wikan, Saranyapin Potikanond and Wutigri Nimlamool
Biomolecules 2024, 14(9), 1140; https://doi.org/10.3390/biom14091140 - 9 Sep 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1513
Abstract
Epithelial ovarian carcinoma poses a significant challenge due to its resistance to chemotherapy and propensity for metastasis, thereby reducing the effectiveness of conventional treatments. Hence, the identification of novel compounds capable of augmenting the anti-cancer efficacy of platinum-based chemotherapy is imperative. Oxyresveratrol (OXY), [...] Read more.
Epithelial ovarian carcinoma poses a significant challenge due to its resistance to chemotherapy and propensity for metastasis, thereby reducing the effectiveness of conventional treatments. Hence, the identification of novel compounds capable of augmenting the anti-cancer efficacy of platinum-based chemotherapy is imperative. Oxyresveratrol (OXY), a derivative of resveratrol, has been demonstrated to possess antiproliferative and apoptosis-inducing effects across various cancer cell lines. Notably, OXY appears to exert its effects by inhibiting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. However, the synergistic potential of OXY in combination with cisplatin against epithelial ovarian cancer has not yet been elucidated. The current study investigated the synergistic effects of OXY and cisplatin on the ovarian cancer cell lines SKOV3 and TOV21G. We found that OXY significantly enhanced cisplatin’s ability to reduce cell viability, induce apoptosis, induce cell cycle arrest, and increase the proportion of cells in the sub-G1 phase. Furthermore, OXY treatment alone dose-dependently inhibited the production of anti-apoptotic proteins including Mcl-1, Bcl-xL, and XIAP under EGF activation. Mechanistically, OXY suppressed the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway by reducing phosphorylated AKT, while having no discernible effect on the MAPK pathway. These findings highlight OXY’s potential to enhance ovarian cancer cell sensitivity to chemotherapy, suggesting its development as a pharmaceutical adjunct for clinical use in combination therapies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Key Molecules in Traditional Medicine: From Molecular Mechanisms to Therapies Strategies)
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Review

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33 pages, 1933 KiB  
Review
Interplay Between Traditional and Scientific Knowledge: Phytoconstituents and Their Roles in Lung and Colorectal Cancer Signaling Pathways
by Ilma Imtiaz, Janet Schloss and Andrea Bugarcic
Biomolecules 2025, 15(3), 380; https://doi.org/10.3390/biom15030380 - 5 Mar 2025
Viewed by 1514
Abstract
Natural plant products have been used for cancer treatment since ancient times and continue to play a vital role in modern anticancer drug development. However, only a small fraction of identified medicinal plants has been thoroughly investigated, particularly for their effects on cellular [...] Read more.
Natural plant products have been used for cancer treatment since ancient times and continue to play a vital role in modern anticancer drug development. However, only a small fraction of identified medicinal plants has been thoroughly investigated, particularly for their effects on cellular pathways in lung and colorectal cancers, two under-researched cancers with poor prognostic outcomes (lung cancers). This review focuses on the lung and colorectal cancer signaling pathways modulated by bioactive compounds from eleven traditional medicinal plants: Curcuma longa, Astragalus membranaceus, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Althaea officinalis, Echinacea purpurea, Sanguinaria canadensis, Codonopsis pilosula, Hydrastis canadensis, Lobelia inflata, Scutellaria baicalensis, and Zingiber officinale. These plants were selected based on their documented use in traditional medicine and modern clinical practice. Selection criteria involved cross-referencing herbs identified in a scoping review of traditional cancer treatments and findings from an international survey on herbal medicine currently used for lung and colorectal cancer management by our research group and the availability of existing literature on their anticancer properties. The review identifies several isolated phytoconstituents from these plants that exhibit anticancer properties by modulating key signaling pathways such as PI3K/Akt/mTOR, RAS/RAF/MAPK, Wnt/β-catenin, and TGF-β in vitro. Notable constituents include sanguinarine, berberine, hydrastine, lobeline, curcumin, gingerol, shogaol, caffeic acid, echinacoside, cichoric acid, glycyrrhizin, 18-β-glycyrrhetinic acid, astragaloside IV, lobetyolin, licochalcone A, baicalein, baicalin, wogonin, and glycyrol. Curcumin and baicalin show preclinical effectiveness but face bioavailability challenges, which may be overcome by combining them with piperine or using oral extracts to enhance gut microbiome conversion, integrating traditional knowledge with modern strategies for improved outcomes. Furthermore, herbal extracts from Echinacea, Glycyrrhiza, and Codonopsis, identified in traditional knowledge, are currently in clinical trials. Notably, curcumin and baicalin also modulate miRNA pathways, highlighting a promising intersection of modern science and traditional medicine. Thus, the development of anticancer therapeutics continues to benefit from the synergy of traditional knowledge, scientific innovation, and technological advancements. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Key Molecules in Traditional Medicine: From Molecular Mechanisms to Therapies Strategies)
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52 pages, 3726 KiB  
Review
Research Progress on Sesquiterpenoids of Curcumae Rhizoma and Their Pharmacological Effects
by Ting Cui, Bo-Yu Li, Fei Liu and Liang Xiong
Biomolecules 2024, 14(4), 387; https://doi.org/10.3390/biom14040387 - 23 Mar 2024
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2158
Abstract
Curcumae Rhizoma, a traditional Chinese medicine with a wide range of pharmacological activities, is obtained from the dried rhizomes of Curcuma phaeocaulis VaL., Curcuma kwangsiensis S. G. Lee et C. F. Liang, and Curcuma wenyujin Y. H. Chen et C. Ling. Sesquiterpenoids [...] Read more.
Curcumae Rhizoma, a traditional Chinese medicine with a wide range of pharmacological activities, is obtained from the dried rhizomes of Curcuma phaeocaulis VaL., Curcuma kwangsiensis S. G. Lee et C. F. Liang, and Curcuma wenyujin Y. H. Chen et C. Ling. Sesquiterpenoids and curcuminoids are found to be the main constituents of Curcumae Rhizoma. Sesquiterpenoids are composed of three isoprene units and are susceptible to complex transformations, such as cyclization, rearrangement, and oxidation. They are the most structurally diverse class of plant-based natural products with a wide range of biological activities and are widely found in nature. In recent years, scholars have conducted abundant studies on the structures and pharmacological properties of components of Curcumae Rhizoma. This article elucidates the chemical structures, medicinal properties, and biological properties of the sesquiterpenoids (a total of 274 compounds) isolated from Curcumae Rhizoma. We summarized extraction and isolation methods for sesquiterpenoids, established a chemical component library of sesquiterpenoids in Curcumae Rhizoma, and analyzed structural variances among sesquiterpenoids sourced from Curcumae Rhizoma of diverse botanical origins. Furthermore, our investigation reveals a diverse array of sesquiterpenoid types, encompassing guaiane-type, germacrane-type, eudesmane-type, elemane-type, cadinane-type, carane-type, bisabolane-type, humulane-type, and other types, emphasizing the relationship between structural diversity and activity. We hope to provide a valuable reference for further research and exploitation and pave the way for the development of new drugs derived from medicinal plants. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Key Molecules in Traditional Medicine: From Molecular Mechanisms to Therapies Strategies)
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