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Cells
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Natural Products and Their Derivatives Against Human Disease
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Natural Products and Their Derivatives Against Human Disease

A special issue of Cells (ISSN 2073-4409). This special issue belongs to the section "Plant, Algae and Fungi Cell Biology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 June 2025 | Viewed by 5254

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Mamunur Rashid

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Pharmacy Practice & Science, School of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 42nd and Emile, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
Interests: natural product; flavonoids; phytochemistry; pharmacology; pharmacokinetics of phytoestrogens

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Natural products are endogenous chemical components, which include compounds derived from plants, animals, marine organisms, and microorganisms, that have been vital sources for drug discovery and therapeutic development. Since ancient times, natural products and their derivatives have been used in traditional medicine systems. These compounds exhibit a wide range of biological activities that can target various human diseases, such as chronic, infectious, and degenerative diseases. They are increasingly recognized for their therapeutic potential.

Natural products play a critical role in combating diseases like cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and neurodegenerative disorders. Several research groups have reported the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of compounds, such as curcumin from turmeric and resveratrol from grapes, showing therapeutic potential for managing metabolic and inflammatory disease. Similarly, a very well-known compound, paclitaxel, derived from plants, has been widely used in cancer treatment by interfering with cell division in tumor cells.

Scientists are exploring natural product and derivatives, such as isolated compounds and synthetic analogs, to develop targeted therapies. By modifying natural structures, researchers can improve the bioavailability, stability, solubility, or specificity of these compounds, creating drugs that are more effective with fewer side effects. An example is artemether, a modified form of the antimalarial compound artemisinin, which provides faster action and increased potency.

With the increase in antibiotic resistance and the prevalence of complex diseases, there is an urgent need for novel therapies. Natural products and their derivatives offer a promising path for discovering and developing innovative treatments. Due to their ability to act in multiple diseases and various pathways, natural products will continue to play a significant role in addressing global health challenges. Thus, the study of natural products and their derivatives has gained substantial attention in recent years due to the growing interest in holistic and alternative approaches to health and well-being.

The aim of this Special Issue is to highlight promising natural products and derivates used for preventing and treating human disease, as well as understanding the mechanisms involved. Therefore, we are pleased to invite you to submit an article or review focused on the cellular and molecular roles of natural products and their derivatives in human disease. Potential topics may include, but are not limited to, the following:

  1. The exploration of cellular and molecular mechanisms of natural products and their derivatives in human disease.
  2. In vivo or cell-based experiments that can reveal the molecular mechanisms of natural products and their derivates for various diseases, such as cancer, infection, cardiovascular diseases, multiple sclerosis, COVID-19, etc.
  3. The synergistic and antagonistic effects of various natural products and their derivates on various diseases.

Dr. Mamunur Rashid
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. Cells 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 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 products
  • immunomodulatory
  • diseases
  • molecular mechanism of immunity

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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18 pages, 9065 KiB  
Article
Dauricine Impedes the Tumorigenesis of Lung Adenocarcinoma by Regulating Nrf2 and Reactive Oxygen Species
by Waleed Yousuf, Nimra Zafar Siddiqui, Perbhat Ali, Shaoxuan Cheng, Immad Ansari, Jialiang Song, Minghe Dai, Zhiyuan Qiu, Yue Zhu, Yaowen Zhang, Shuyan Liu, Yingqiu Zhang, Zhenhua Liu and Han Liu
Cells 2025, 14(10), 698; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells14100698 - 12 May 2025
Viewed by 239
Abstract
Dauricine has been shown to possess intriguing anti-cancerous activities against various malignancies. The current study examined the inhibitory effects of dauricine against lung adenocarcinoma with cell lines and animal models. MTT assay was performed in three different lung adenocarcinoma cell lines using a [...] Read more.
Dauricine has been shown to possess intriguing anti-cancerous activities against various malignancies. The current study examined the inhibitory effects of dauricine against lung adenocarcinoma with cell lines and animal models. MTT assay was performed in three different lung adenocarcinoma cell lines using a concentration range of dauricine. Colony formation, wound healing, Edu incorporation, and cell cycle analysis were conducted to investigate the impact of dauricine on lung adenocarcinoma cells in vitro. Moreover, flow cytometry was performed to observe the effect of dauricine on cellular ROS levels. The expression of redox regulator Nrf2 and apoptosis-related markers was assessed by Western blot. Importantly, the anti-tumor efficacy of dauricine was studied in vivo with two lung adenocarcinoma animal models, including a subcutaneous cell line-derived syngeneic model and an inducible orthotopic KRASG12D-driven lung adenocarcinoma model. The proliferation and migration of lung adenocarcinoma cells were significantly reduced by dauricine treatment. Flow cytometry analysis revealed that dauricine treatment resulted in cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 phases in A549, H1299, and A427 cells. Intracellular ROS levels were markedly augmented by dauricine treatment. Notably, dauricine led to the downregulation of the master redox regulator Nrf2. Meanwhile, dauricine treatment resulted in decreased Bcl-2 levels but elevated expression of BAX and cleaved Caspase 3. Finally, dauricine demonstrated significant efficacy in restricting tumor progression in both subcutaneous syngeneic and orthotopic lung adenocarcinoma models. Our results corroborate the anti-cancer effects of dauricine against lung adenocarcinoma with in vivo and in vitro analyses. Our findings also provide mechanistic evidence that links the impact of dauricine to cell cycle blockage and ROS-mediated apoptosis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Products and Their Derivatives Against Human Disease)
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26 pages, 7398 KiB  
Article
Extract of Curculigo capitulata Ameliorates Postmenopausal Osteoporosis by Promoting Osteoblast Proliferation and Differentiation
by Ying Wang, Xueru Wang, Kaijin Wang, Weiwei Qin and Ning Li
Cells 2024, 13(23), 2028; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells13232028 - 8 Dec 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1597
Abstract
Postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMOP) is a bone disease characterized by bone thinning and an increased risk of fractures due to estrogen deficiency. Current PMOP therapies often result in adverse side effects. The traditional medicinal plant Curculigo capitulata is commonly used to strengthen bones and [...] Read more.
Postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMOP) is a bone disease characterized by bone thinning and an increased risk of fractures due to estrogen deficiency. Current PMOP therapies often result in adverse side effects. The traditional medicinal plant Curculigo capitulata is commonly used to strengthen bones and support kidney function, but its role in treating PMOP is not well understood. This study aims to investigate the therapeutic effects of the total extract of Curculigo capitulata (Eocc) on PMOP and to explore the underlying mechanisms. The major components of the extract were identified using HPLC. Transcriptomics was employed to predict potential targets. An osteogenic differentiation model of MC3T3-E1 cells was used in vitro. The osteogenic potential of the Eocc was assessed through CCK-8 cell viability assays, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining, Alizarin Red staining, Western blotting, and qPCR. MCF-7 and HEK-293 cells were utilized to evaluate the estrogen-like activity of Eocc. Apoptosis rates were detected by flow cytometry. In vivo, a bilateral ovariectomized mouse model of PMOP was used to further validate the in vitro findings through histopathological analysis and WB results. The results demonstrated that the Eocc promoted the proliferation of MC3T3-E1 cells, increased ALP activity, and stimulated the formation of osteogenic mineralized nodules. It also upregulated the expression of osteogenic markers (Runx2, OCN, OPN, and BSP) at both the protein and mRNA levels. The Eocc induced the activation of ERα both in vitro and in vivo, initiating the Src/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, leading to the phosphorylation of GSK3β and subsequent osteogenesis. The activation of this pathway also stimulated the phosphorylation of mTOR and p70S6K while downregulating cleaved caspase-3 and caspase-9. Additionally, the Eocc reduced apoptosis during osteogenic differentiation and promoted cell proliferation. These findings suggest that the Eocc facilitates osteoblast proliferation and differentiation, improving bone integrity in PMOP mice, and may represent a promising therapeutic candidate for managing PMOP. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Products and Their Derivatives Against Human Disease)
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19 pages, 6160 KiB  
Article
Stable Dietary Ora-Curcumin Formulation Protects from Experimental Colitis and Colorectal Cancer
by Chaitanya K. Valiveti, Balawant Kumar, Anuj D. Singh, Sham K. Biradar, Rizwan Ahmad, Amar B. Singh and Hemachand Tummala
Cells 2024, 13(11), 957; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells13110957 - 1 Jun 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1935
Abstract
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic gut disorder that also elevates the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC). The global incidence and severity of IBD are rising, yet existing therapies often lead to severe side effects. Curcumin offers potent anti-inflammatory and chemotherapeutic properties. [...] Read more.
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic gut disorder that also elevates the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC). The global incidence and severity of IBD are rising, yet existing therapies often lead to severe side effects. Curcumin offers potent anti-inflammatory and chemotherapeutic properties. However, its clinical translation is hindered by rapid metabolism, as well as poor water solubility and stability, which limits its bioavailability. To address these challenges, we developed OC-S, a water-soluble and colon-targeted curcumin formulation that protects against colitis in mice. The current study advances OC-S as a dietary supplement by establishing its stability and compatibility with various commercial dietary products. Further, OC-S exhibited specific binding to inflamed colon tissue, potentially aiding in targeted drug retention at the inflammation site in colitis with diarrhea symptoms. We further investigated its efficacy in vivo and in vitro using a murine model of colitis and tumoroids from APCmin mice. OC-S significantly reduced colitis severity and pro-inflammatory cytokine expression compared with curcumin, even at very low doses (5 mg/kg/day). It also demonstrated higher anti-proliferative activity in CRC cells and colon cancer tumoroids vs. curcumin. Overall, this study demonstrated that OC-S effectively targets and retains water-soluble curcumin at the inflamed colon sites, while showing promise in addressing both colitis and colorectal cancer, which potentially paves the way for OC-S to advance into clinical development as a dietary product for both IBD and CRC. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Products and Their Derivatives Against Human Disease)
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Review

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33 pages, 1784 KiB  
Review
Thinking Outside the Therapeutic Box: The Potential of Polyphenols in Preventing Chemotherapy-Induced Endothelial Dysfunction
by Luke Tillman, Jaume Margalef Rieres, Elena Ahjem, Fynn Bishop-Guest, Meghan McGrath, Helena Hatrick and Md Zahidul Islam Pranjol
Cells 2025, 14(8), 566; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells14080566 - 9 Apr 2025
Viewed by 593
Abstract
The numerous side effects and adverse health implications associated with chemotherapies have long plagued the field of cancer care. Whilst in some cases a curative measure, this highly toxic intervention consistently scores poorly on quantitative measures of tolerability and safety. Of these side [...] Read more.
The numerous side effects and adverse health implications associated with chemotherapies have long plagued the field of cancer care. Whilst in some cases a curative measure, this highly toxic intervention consistently scores poorly on quantitative measures of tolerability and safety. Of these side effects, cardiac and microvascular defects pose the greatest health risk and are the leading cause of death amongst cancer survivors who do not succumb to relapse. In fact, in many low-grade cancers, the risk of recurrence is far outweighed by the cardiovascular risk of morbidity. As such, there is a pressing need to improve outcomes within these populations. Polyphenols are a group of naturally occurring metabolites that have shown potential vasoprotective effects. Studies suggest they possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, in addition to directly modulating vascular signalling pathways and gene expression. Leveraging these properties may help counteract the vascular toxicity induced by chemotherapy. In this review, we outline the main mechanisms by which the endothelium is damaged by chemotherapeutic agents and discuss the ability of polyphenols to counteract such side effects. We suggest future considerations that may help overcome some of the published limitations of these compounds that have stalled their clinical success. Finally, we briefly explore their pharmacological properties and how novel approaches could enhance their efficacy while minimising treatment-related side effects. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Products and Their Derivatives Against Human Disease)
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