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Role of Natural Products in Inflammatory Diseases
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Role of Natural Products in Inflammatory Diseases

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: 31 May 2025 | Viewed by 10700

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Chingyuan Wu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Chinese Medicine, Chiayi Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chiayi, Taiwan
Interests: rhinitis; sinusitis; inflammation; infection; virus; COVID-19: tumor; natural compounds
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Inflammation lies at the root of various diseases, posing significant challenges to healthcare globally. Natural products, ranging from phytochemicals to herbal extracts, have been spotlighted due to their diverse molecular targets and mechanisms of action. Over the past few decades, researchers have uncovered the intricate signaling cascades through which these compounds exert anti-inflammatory effects, offering insights into drug discovery and development.

However, we still lack a deeper understanding of how natural products can be harnessed therapeutically to improve patient outcomes in the realm of inflammatory diseases. Further, there are many more potential natural products with roles in inflammatory disease management and treatment that are yet to be developed.

This Special Issue welcomes cutting-edge research papers and comprehensive reviews that elucidate the intricate interplay between inflammatory pathways, cellular signaling, and disease progression. We also welcome papers exploring the potential of natural products as therapeutic agents and delving into their diverse molecular targets and mechanisms of action.

Dr. Chingyuan Wu
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.

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Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 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
  • phytochemicals
  • bioactivity
  • IL-1
  • caspases
  • inflammasome
  • proinflammatory cytokines
  • psoriasis

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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19 pages, 4536 KiB  
Article
Identifying Herbal Candidates and Active Compounds for Psoriasis Through Multiscale Network Analysis
by Gi-Beom Kim, Su-Yeon Lee, Soon-Woo Shin, Il-Joo Jo, Ji-Hwan Kim, Seungho Lee and Won-Yung Lee
Curr. Issues Mol. Biol. 2024, 46(11), 11993-12011; https://doi.org/10.3390/cimb46110712 - 25 Oct 2024
Viewed by 1492
Abstract
Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder characterized by the hyperproliferation of keratinocytes and immune system dysregulation, with significant needs due to the limitations and adverse effects of current treatments. In this study, we sought to discover novel herbal candidates and their active [...] Read more.
Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder characterized by the hyperproliferation of keratinocytes and immune system dysregulation, with significant needs due to the limitations and adverse effects of current treatments. In this study, we sought to discover novel herbal candidates and their active compounds for psoriasis by leveraging a multiscale network analysis. We conducted a comprehensive analysis of data from 348 medicinal herbs and their active compounds, identifying Piperis longi fructus, Pini koraiensis semen, Schisandrae fructus, and Cnidi fructus as top candidates without reported evidence. Key active compounds, such as piperine, piperlongumine, α-humulene, schizandrin A, schizandrin II, and torilin, were prioritized for their ability to target psoriasis-associated proteins, including STAT3, TNF, IL-6, and NF-κB. These compounds are involved in the modulation of critical inflammatory pathways, notably the MAPK signaling cascade, which plays a central role in psoriasis pathogenesis. Our findings suggest that these herbal compounds may not only mitigate inflammation but also regulate keratinocyte hyperproliferation, addressing fundamental mechanisms underlying the disease. This approach highlights the utility of multiscale network analysis in identifying promising natural therapies, offering new insights and potential avenues for safer and more effective psoriasis management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Role of Natural Products in Inflammatory Diseases)
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26 pages, 5530 KiB  
Article
Production of GcMAF with Anti-Inflammatory Properties and Its Effect on Models of Induced Arthritis in Mice and Cystitis in Rats
by Svetlana S. Kirikovich, Evgeniy V. Levites, Anastasia S. Proskurina, Genrikh S. Ritter, Evgeniya V. Dolgova, Vera S. Ruzanova, Sofya G. Oshihmina, Julia S. Snegireva, Svetlana G. Gamaley, Galina M. Sysoeva, Elena D. Danilenko, Oleg S. Taranov, Alexandr A. Ostanin, Elena R. Chernykh, Nikolay A. Kolchanov and Sergey S. Bogachev
Curr. Issues Mol. Biol. 2024, 46(10), 10934-10959; https://doi.org/10.3390/cimb46100650 - 28 Sep 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1680
Abstract
Vitamin D3 transporter (DBP) is a multifunctional protein. Site-specific deglycosylation results in its conversion to group-specific component protein-derived macrophage activating factor (GcMAF), which is capable of activating macrophages. It has been shown that depending on precursor conversion conditions, the resulting GcMAF activates [...] Read more.
Vitamin D3 transporter (DBP) is a multifunctional protein. Site-specific deglycosylation results in its conversion to group-specific component protein-derived macrophage activating factor (GcMAF), which is capable of activating macrophages. It has been shown that depending on precursor conversion conditions, the resulting GcMAF activates mouse peritoneal macrophages towards synthesis of either pro- (IL-1β, TNF-α—M1 phenotype) or anti-inflammatory (TGF-β, IL-10—M2 phenotype) cytokines. The condition for the transition of the direction of the inflammatory response of macrophages when exposed to GcMAF is the initial glycosylated state of the population of DBP molecules and the associated effective deglycosylation of DBP by β-galactosidase. In vivo experiments with GcMAF exhibiting anti-inflammatory properties on models of induced arthritis in mice and cystitis in rats indicate a significant anti-inflammatory effect of the macrophage activator. The feasibility of unidirectional induction of anti-inflammatory properties of macrophages allows creation of combined therapeutic platforms where M2 macrophages are among the key therapeutic components. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Role of Natural Products in Inflammatory Diseases)
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20 pages, 1721 KiB  
Article
Investigating the Phytochemical Composition, Antioxidant, and Anti-Inflammatory Potentials of Cassinopsis ilicifolia (Hochst.) Kuntze Extract against Some Oxidative Stress and Inflammation Molecular Markers
by Emmanuel Mfotie Njoya, Lyndy J. McGaw and Tshepiso J. Makhafola
Curr. Issues Mol. Biol. 2024, 46(9), 9639-9658; https://doi.org/10.3390/cimb46090573 - 1 Sep 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 4457
Abstract
Oxidative stress is a key factor that activates several transcription factors and mediators involved in the inflammatory pathways responsible for the pathogenesis of many chronic diseases. Targeting the expression of these mediators represents a promising approach to preventing these diseases. Cassinopsis ilicifolia leaf [...] Read more.
Oxidative stress is a key factor that activates several transcription factors and mediators involved in the inflammatory pathways responsible for the pathogenesis of many chronic diseases. Targeting the expression of these mediators represents a promising approach to preventing these diseases. Cassinopsis ilicifolia leaf infusion is traditionally used for treating conditions such as inflammation and pain relief. Thus, the present study assessed the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of the hydroethanolic leaf extract of C. ilicifolia using in vitro and cell-based assays. As a result, C. ilicifolia extract exhibited the highest DPPH• and ABTS•+ radical scavenging potential. At the same time, it weakly scavenged the Fe3+-TPTZ radical up to 200 µg/mL, thus suggesting a different antioxidant mechanism triggered during each assay. Additionally, C. ilicifolia extract inhibited NO production and 15-LOX activity with IC50 values of 21.10 µg/mL and 40.28 µg/mL, respectively. Further, C. ilicifolia extract was found to strongly inhibit ROS production in LPS-activated RAW 264.7 cells, and the study of its mechanism of action showed that it exerts its anti-inflammatory effect by downregulating the expression of inflammatory mediators such as IL-1β, TNF-α, and COX-2. Overall, C. ilicifolia extract showed consistent potency in all assays, and the analysis of its phytochemical profile led to the identification of 30 compounds, among which the most abundant were secologanic acid (1), chlorogenic acid (3CQA) (2), monotropein (3), chlorogenic acid (5CQA) (4), geniposidic acid (5), rutin (6), quercetin 3-galactoside (7), astragalin-7-rhamnoside (8), and minecoside (9) that are possibly responsible for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. Therefore, our findings suggested the potential use of C. ilicifolia as an alternative source for developing plant-based products against oxidative stress and inflammation-related conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Role of Natural Products in Inflammatory Diseases)
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Review

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17 pages, 763 KiB  
Review
Astragalus membranaceus, Nigella sativa, and Perilla frutescens as Immunomodulators—Molecular Mechanisms and Clinical Effectiveness in Allergic Diseases
by Maja Bival Štefan
Curr. Issues Mol. Biol. 2024, 46(8), 9016-9032; https://doi.org/10.3390/cimb46080533 - 17 Aug 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2605
Abstract
Plants are the source of numerous remedies in modern medicine, and some of them have been studied due to their potential immunomodulatory activity. Astragalus membranaceus Fisch. ex Bunge (A. membranaceus), Nigella sativa L. (N. sativa), and Perilla frutescens (L.) [...] Read more.
Plants are the source of numerous remedies in modern medicine, and some of them have been studied due to their potential immunomodulatory activity. Astragalus membranaceus Fisch. ex Bunge (A. membranaceus), Nigella sativa L. (N. sativa), and Perilla frutescens (L.) Britton (P. frutescens) are plant species used in traditional medicine for the treatment of various diseases. Their potential to act as immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, and anti-allergic agents makes them interesting for investigating their clinical potential in alleviating the symptoms of allergic diseases. Allergy affects a large number of people; according to some sources more than 30% of the world population suffer from some type of allergic reaction, with pollen allergy as the most common type. Treatment is usually pharmacological and may not be completely effective or have side effects. Thus, we are seeking traditional medicine, mostly medicinal plants, with promising potential for alleviating allergy symptoms. A literature overview was conducted employing databases such as Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, Springer, and Google Scholar. This manuscript summarizes recent in vivo preclinical and clinical studies on three species with immunomodulatory activity, provides a comparison of their anti-allergic effects, and underlines the potential of their application in clinical practice. The obtained results confirmed their efficacy in the in vivo and clinical studies, but also emphasize the problem of phytochemical characterization of the species and difference between tested doses. More clinical trials with standardized protocols (defined active molecules, dosage, side effects) are required to obtain safe and effective herbal drugs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Role of Natural Products in Inflammatory Diseases)
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