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Biochemical Composition and Activity of Medicinal Plants and Food

A special issue of Current Issues in Molecular Biology (ISSN 1467-3045). This special issue belongs to the section "Bioorganic Chemistry and Medicinal Chemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2024) | Viewed by 7506

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Guest Editor

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Guest Editor
Centro de Investigación en Alimentación y Desarrollo, A.C. Carretera Eldorado km 5.5, Campo El Diez, Culiacán 80110, Mexico
Interests: phytochemistry; food chemistry; antioxidants; functional foods; food processing
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

For thousands of years, nature has been a source of medicinal agents and a striking number of modern drugs have been isolated from these natural sources, many of them based on their use in traditional systems of medicine. The most important use of these medicinal plants is their utilization as a source of food in the world. Plants are the main ingredients of medicines in most traditional systems of healing and have been the source of inspiration for several major pharmaceutical drugs. These plants have been used extensively in folk medicine to treat ailments and diseases and are still used in the rural areas of developing countries. It is necessary to understand the chemical activities, biochemical activities, and molecular aspects of potential bioactive compounds present in these medicinal plants, as well as how to detect them, for exploration of their futuristic uses. Today, it is estimated that more than two-thirds of the world's population relies on plant-derived drugs; some 7000 medicinal compounds used in the Western pharmacopoeia are derived from plant sources. Recently, much attention has been paid to extracts and biologically active compounds isolated from plant species with the aim of analyzing their pharmacological activities. The structural diversity of bioactive compounds and their almost ubiquitous presence in plants present a challenge in optimizing new extraction strategies that are environmentally friendly. Moreover, for their use in human health, encapsulation strategies to enhance the overall bioavailability of bioactive compounds are also a rising trend. Ground-breaking developments in research methodology and interdisciplinary scientific approaches in medicinal plant research are giving rise to innovative standpoints. Therefore, it becomes imperative to keep pace with the development of research and progress in the field of medicinal herbs. The current Special Issue will provide a platform for generating data and disseminating the recent research available in this sphere, especially focusing on the molecular aspects, throughout the world in the form of valuable studies, reviews, and mini-reviews related to future prospects in medicinal plants and their applications. Importantly, the exact active ingredient of these natural-origin extracts must be reported in the submitted manuscripts.

Dr. Jayanta Kumar Patra
Dr. Gitishree Das
Dr. José Basilio Heredia
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • medicinal plants
  • bioactive compounds
  • functional foods
  • drug discovery
  • tissue culture and plant propagation
  • medicinal foods
  • biochemical and phytochemical analysis
  • molecular techniques
  • hydroponics and elicitation
  • emerging science

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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22 pages, 3362 KiB  
Article
Areca catechu L. Extract Inhibits Colorectal Cancer Tumor Growth by Modulating Cell Apoptosis and Autophagy
by Meng-Hsiu Tsai, Chang-Han Chen, Chien-Lin Chen, Mei-Hsien Lee, Li-Ching Wu, Yi-Chiung Hsu, Chao-Yang Hsiao, Chang-Ti Lee, Kuo-Li Pi and Li-Jen Su
Curr. Issues Mol. Biol. 2025, 47(2), 128; https://doi.org/10.3390/cimb47020128 - 17 Feb 2025
Viewed by 690
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common cancer globally, and chemotherapy often causes severe complications, necessitating effective drugs with minimal side effects. As Areca catechu L. extract (ACE) is a Traditional Chinese Medicine that contains numerous active compounds with anticancer effects, in this study, [...] Read more.
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common cancer globally, and chemotherapy often causes severe complications, necessitating effective drugs with minimal side effects. As Areca catechu L. extract (ACE) is a Traditional Chinese Medicine that contains numerous active compounds with anticancer effects, in this study, the Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was used to determine ACE’s effect on CRC cell lines, revealing that it significantly inhibits CoLo320DM and HCT116 cells. In vivo experiments with NU-Foxn1nu mice indicated that ACE inhibits tumor growth, while a flow cytometry assay revealed that higher ACE concentrations increased cell apoptosis and ROS levels. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) showed that ACE increases the fold changes in apoptosis, DNA damage, and autophagy-related genes while inhibiting the fold changes in cell proliferation and Wnt signaling pathway genes. We conducted Western blotting to confirm these findings. Overall, ACE demonstrates potential as a drug candidate by promoting apoptosis and autophagy, and significantly reducing cell viability and tumor growth, thus offering a new approach for effective colorectal cancer treatment with minimal side effects. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biochemical Composition and Activity of Medicinal Plants and Food)
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13 pages, 8562 KiB  
Article
Tribulus terrestris Fruit Extract: Bioactive Compounds, ADMET Analysis, and Molecular Docking with Penicillin-Binding Protein 2a Transpeptidase of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis
by Khalid J. Alzahrani
Curr. Issues Mol. Biol. 2025, 47(1), 52; https://doi.org/10.3390/cimb47010052 - 15 Jan 2025
Viewed by 1141
Abstract
Tribulus terrestris is a rich source of bioactive molecules and thrives in Mediterranean and desert climate regions worldwide. In this study, Tribulus terrestris methanolic HPLC fractions were evaluated for bioactive compounds and PBP2a transpeptidase inhibitors against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis (MRSE). Among the collected [...] Read more.
Tribulus terrestris is a rich source of bioactive molecules and thrives in Mediterranean and desert climate regions worldwide. In this study, Tribulus terrestris methanolic HPLC fractions were evaluated for bioactive compounds and PBP2a transpeptidase inhibitors against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis (MRSE). Among the collected HPLC fractions, F02 of the methanol extract demonstrated potential activity against MRSE01 (15 ± 0.13 mm), MRSE02 (13 ± 0.21 mm), and MRSE03 (16 ± 0.14 mm) isolates. GC-MS analysis of the F02 fraction identified seventeen compounds. Among seventeen compounds, eight have favorable pharmacokinetics and medicinal chemistry; however, on the basis of in silico high water solubility, high GI absorption, blood–brain barrier non-permeability, lack of toxicity, and potential drug-likeness, 1-ethylsulfanylmethyl-2,8,9-trioxa-5-aza-1-sila-bicyclo[3.3.3]undecane and phthalimide, N-(1-hydroxy-2-propyl), were processed for molecular docking. 1-ethylsulfanylmethyl-2,8,9-trioxa-5-aza-1-sila-bicyclo[3.3.3]undecane formed three hydrogen bonds with Ser-452, Thr-584, and Asn-454 residues of the PBP2a transpeptidase. Similarly, phthalimide, N-(1-hydroxy-2-propyl)-formed four hydrogen bonds with Ser-396, Asn-454, Lys-399, and Ser-452 residues of PBP2a transpeptidase. These two compounds are proposed as novel putative PBP2a transpeptidase inhibitors. Further characterization of compounds extracted from Tribulus terrestris may aid in identifying novel PBP2a inhibitory agents for managing MRSE infections. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biochemical Composition and Activity of Medicinal Plants and Food)
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25 pages, 8550 KiB  
Article
Potential Mechanisms and Effects of Dai Bai Jie Ethanol Extract in Preventing Acute Alcoholic Liver Injury
by Niantong Xia, Hongwei Xue, Yihang Li, Jia Liu, Yang Lou, Shuyang Li, Yutian Wang, Juan Lu and Xi Chen
Curr. Issues Mol. Biol. 2025, 47(1), 3; https://doi.org/10.3390/cimb47010003 - 24 Dec 2024
Viewed by 1059
Abstract
This study investigated the protective effect of Dai Bai Jie (DBJ) extract against acute alcoholic liver injury (AALI) and elucidated its potential mechanism. The total saponin level in the DBJ extracts was measured using vanillin–chloroform acid colorimetry. To observe the preventive and protective [...] Read more.
This study investigated the protective effect of Dai Bai Jie (DBJ) extract against acute alcoholic liver injury (AALI) and elucidated its potential mechanism. The total saponin level in the DBJ extracts was measured using vanillin–chloroform acid colorimetry. To observe the preventive and protective effects of DBJ on AML-12 cells in an ethanol environment, the effective components of DBJ were identified. An alcohol-induced AALI mouse model was used to evaluate the efficacy of DBJ against AALI. For this purpose, alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and acetaldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) levels were assessed, liver function indices and oxidative and inflammatory markers were determined, and histopathological examinations were performed. Mechanistic investigations were conducted using RT-qPCR assays and immunohistochemical analysis to determine the protective effects of DBJ. The samples (DBJ-1, DBJ-2, and DBJ-3) were obtained by extracting DBJ with water, 50% ethanol, and 95% ethanol, yielding total saponin contents of 5.35%, 6.64%, and 11.83%, respectively. DBJ-3 was isolated and purified, and its components were identified by Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (UPLC-MS). DBJ-3 had the greatest effect on cell viability in an ethanol environment. Moreover, DBJ-3 reduced inflammatory infiltration, liver cell degeneration, and hemorrhage, while increasing ADH and ALDH levels in liver tissues. Additionally, DBJ-3 considerably decreased the serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total cholesterol (TC), and triglyceride (TG) levels. DBJ-3 reduced malondialdehyde (MDA), reactive oxygen species (ROS), and inflammatory factors, such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and interleukin 6 (IL-6), while increasing superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) activities. Furthermore, DBJ-3 significantly increased alcohol dehydrogenase 1b (ADH1B) and aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) expression at the gene and protein levels within alcohol metabolism pathways and reduced the nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) gene and protein levels. These findings suggest that DBJ-3 can prevent AALI by enhancing alcohol metabolism via the regulation of ADH1B and ALDH2 and the modulation of the NF-κB pathway to improve antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biochemical Composition and Activity of Medicinal Plants and Food)
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22 pages, 3389 KiB  
Article
A Study of the Bioactive Compounds, Antioxidant Capabilities, Antibacterial Effectiveness, and Cytotoxic Effects on Breast Cancer Cell Lines Using an Ethanolic Extract from the Aerial Parts of the Indigenous Plant Anabasis aretioïdes Coss. & Moq.
by Salah Laaraj, Aziz Tikent, Mohamed Chebaibi, Khawla Bouaouda, Mohamed Bouhrim, Sherouk Hussein Sweilam, Rashed N. Herqash, Abdelaaty A. Shahat, Mohamed Addi and Kaoutar Elfazazi
Curr. Issues Mol. Biol. 2024, 46(11), 12375-12396; https://doi.org/10.3390/cimb46110735 - 1 Nov 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1519
Abstract
Anabasis aretioïdes contain numerous bioactive compounds that provide several advantages, including antioxidant, antibacterial, anticancer, neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, and antidiabetic characteristics. This study aimed to make a hydroethanolic extract from the aerial part of the plant, analyze its biochemical compounds, and test its biological activities. [...] Read more.
Anabasis aretioïdes contain numerous bioactive compounds that provide several advantages, including antioxidant, antibacterial, anticancer, neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, and antidiabetic characteristics. This study aimed to make a hydroethanolic extract from the aerial part of the plant, analyze its biochemical compounds, and test its biological activities. From HPLC-DAD analysis, cinnamic acid, sinapic acid, and vanillin bioactives were found to be the main compounds in the extract. The spectrometric tests revealed that the extract was rich in flavonoids (8.52 ± 0.32 mg RE/100 g DW), polyphenols (159.32 ± 0.63 mg GAE/100 g DW), and condensed tannins (8.73 ± 0.23 mg CE/100 g DW). The extract showed significant antioxidant activity. There were strong correlations between the amount of flavonoid or polyphenol and the antioxidant assays, including ABTS, DPPH, β-carotene, and TAC. The extract also showed highly effective results against Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis as well as against Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and showed promising cytotoxicity against breast cancer cell lines MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231. The in silico modeling of the bioactive compounds contained in the extract illustrated their interaction mode with the active sites of particular target proteins, and it showed that rutin had the strongest effect on stopping NADPH oxidase enzyme, with a glide score of −6.889 Kcal/mol. Sinapic acid inhibited E. coli beta-ketoacyl-[acyl carrier protein] synthase (−7.517 kcal/mol), and apigenin showed high binding affinity to S. aureus nucleoside di-phosphate kinase, with −8.656 kcal/mol. Succinic acid has the strongest anticancer effect for caspase-3, with a glide score of −8.102 kcal/mol. These bioactive components may be beneficial as antioxidant and antibacterial applications in medicine, foods, natural cosmetics, and breast cancer prevention in the future. As a result, the use of this indigenous plant must be considered to maximize its value and preservation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biochemical Composition and Activity of Medicinal Plants and Food)
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Review

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20 pages, 3045 KiB  
Review
The Antiviral and Antimalarial Prodrug Artemisinin from the Artemisia Species: A Review
by Gitishree Das, Han-Seung Shin and Jayanta Kumar Patra
Curr. Issues Mol. Biol. 2024, 46(11), 12099-12118; https://doi.org/10.3390/cimb46110718 - 28 Oct 2024
Viewed by 2278
Abstract
Artemisinin is a truly fascinating drug in many ways. Since the unrestrained procedure of its detection, as an antimalarial drug, artemisinin has received a great deal of consideration. Recently, application of artemisinin-based combination therapy has been broadly applied for treating numerous ailments. Moreover, [...] Read more.
Artemisinin is a truly fascinating drug in many ways. Since the unrestrained procedure of its detection, as an antimalarial drug, artemisinin has received a great deal of consideration. Recently, application of artemisinin-based combination therapy has been broadly applied for treating numerous ailments. Moreover, as an antimalarial compound, artemisinin and its associated compounds have abundant healing efficacy and can be repurposed for additional symptoms, like autoimmune infections, cancer, and viral contaminations. Recently a number of studies have highlighted the significance of the artemisinin-related compounds in SARS-CoV-2 treatment. The current review purposes to present a concise account of the history of the antiviral and antimalarial prodrugs—Artemisinin, from the Artemisia species. It is followed by its antiviral, antimalarial prospective, chemical nature and extraction procedure, photochemistry, mechanism of action, and its clinical trials and patents, and accentuates the significance of the mechanistic studies concerned for therapeutic results, both in viral and malarial circumstances. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biochemical Composition and Activity of Medicinal Plants and Food)
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