Submit to CIMB Review for CIMB Propose a Special Issue

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

The Green Revolution in Cancer Research: Bioactive Substances from Plants as Promising Therapeutics

Print Special Issue Flyer
Editor
Special Issue Information
Keywords
Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue
Published Papers

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 (20 June 2026) | Viewed by 11345

Share This Special Issue

Editor

Dr. Johura Ansary

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Dipartimento di Scienze Cliniche Specialistiche ed Odontostomatologiche, Facoltà di Medicina, Università Politecnica delle Marche, 60131 Ancona, Italy
Interests: bioactive compound; antioxidant; cancer; cell signalling pathway; microsphere

Special Issue Information

Dear colleagues,

This Special Issue, titled "The Green Revolution in Cancer Research: Bioactive Substances from Plants as Promising Therapeutics", relates to the molecular mechanisms that contribute to the anticancer effects of bioactive compounds sourced from plants.

In cancer research, exploring plant-derived bioactive substances is gaining more attention as it attempts to alter conventional therapeutic approaches. Traditional treatments often carry significant side effects and limitations, prompting scientists to investigate plant-based compounds with medicinal properties, such as those found in tea, which may mitigate the adverse effects of standard interventions. Evidence suggests that various bioactive compounds, such as flavonoids, alkaloids, curcumin, and terpenoids, exhibit promising anti-cancer properties.

Current research focuses on elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying these effects, highlighting the potential for these compounds to target multiple cancer pathways. The integration of plant-based therapies presents a compelling complementary approach, potentially enhancing the efficacy of conventional treatments while reducing adverse effects.

Although the findings are encouraging, there are still obstacles to overcome, such as challenges with bioavailability, the necessity for standardization, and regulatory issues that must be addressed for clinical use. This Special Issue seeks to highlight progress in this exciting field, focusing on the potential of plant-derived treatments to transform cancer treatment and improve patient outcomes. Through cutting-edge research, the future of oncology may be closely connected to the resources provided by nature.

Dr. Johura Ansary
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 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

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-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Current Issues in Molecular 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 2400 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

bioactive compound
cancer research
plant-derived
anti-cancer properties
therapeutic strategies

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.
Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

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 Show export options

Select all

Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

16 pages, 35839 KB

Open AccessArticle

Apple Seed Extract in Cancer Treatment: Assessing Its Effects on Liver Damage and Recovery

by Min-Jee Oh, Yong-Su Park, Ji-Yeon Mo and Sang-Hwan Kim

Curr. Issues Mol. Biol. 2026, 48(1), 55; https://doi.org/10.3390/cimb48010055 - 1 Jan 2026

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2258

Abstract

Cancer therapies frequently induce hepatotoxicity, complicating treatment courses and outcomes. Natural products, including polyphenol-rich extracts, have shown hepatoprotective activity via anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory mechanisms, often linked to NF-κB and PI3K–Akt pathways. Apple-derived polyphenols (e.g., phlorizin/phloretin) also demonstrate liver-protective effects in experimental settings. In this study, we examined whether ASE mitigates cancer-related liver damage by rebalancing the apoptosis–survival axis and maintaining PI3K-Akt signaling in an endometrial cancer mouse model. Female Institute of Cancer Research mice with induced endometrial cancer received ASE (0–200 mg) over 13 days; liver tissues were analyzed for Caspase-3, p53, LC3, and SQSTM1 using histology stains, Western blot (e.g., Caspase-3/9, Bcl-xL, PI3K, Akt, PCNA, IGF-IR), ELISA, and qRT-PCR (GAPDH). ImageJ (version 1.54f; RRID: SCR_003070) quantification statistical analysis followed (mean ± SD; post-hoc tests). ASE exhibited dose-dependent modulation of apoptosis and survival readouts in liver tissue of cancer-bearing mice: (i) Caspase-9/3 and Bcl-xL showed differential regulation across doses; (ii) PI3K–Akt and IL-2 signals were preserved or restored toward baseline at specific doses; and (iii) histology indicated partial structural recovery. Thus, ASE may mitigate liver injury by re-balancing apoptosis–survival signaling and promoting structural recovery. Our interpretation emphasizes that dose, route, and formulation are critical for translational potential. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Green Revolution in Cancer Research: Bioactive Substances from Plants as Promising Therapeutics)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 3279 KB

Open AccessArticle

Resveratrol Targets Glycolytic Enzymes HK II and PKM2 to Promote Concurrent Apoptotic and Necrotic Cell Death in Malignant Melanoma

by Yeji Lee, Sang-Han Lee, Dongsic Choi, Hae-Seon Nam, Ki Dam Kim, Min Hyuk Choi, Moon-Kyun Cho and Yoon-Jin Lee

Curr. Issues Mol. Biol. 2025, 47(12), 1006; https://doi.org/10.3390/cimb47121006 - 29 Nov 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2731

Abstract

Malignant melanoma exhibits high metastatic potential and resistance to chemotherapy, highlighting the need for novel therapeutic strategies. Resveratrol, a natural polyphenol, exerts anticancer effects by modulating cellular metabolism and apoptosis. In this study, we investigated its effects on hexokinase II (HK II) and pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) in G361 and SK-MEL-24 melanoma cells. Resveratrol reduced HK II and PKM2 expression and enzymatic activity, resulting in decreased ATP production and inhibition of glycolysis-dependent energy metabolism. Apoptosis was induced, as indicated by increased cleaved caspase-3, elevated Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, and enhanced caspase-3/7 activity. Necroptosis was also activated, evidenced by increased phosphorylation of RIP and MLKL. Cell cycle analysis revealed G0/G1 phase arrest, and Annexin V staining confirmed apoptosis. These effects were stronger in G361 cells than in SK-MEL-24 cells, suggesting that HK II- and PKM2-dependent metabolic traits influence resveratrol sensitivity. In summary, resveratrol activates both apoptotic and necroptotic cell-death pathways by inhibiting HK II and PKM2, highlighting its potential as a metabolism-targeted therapeutic agent for malignant melanoma. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Green Revolution in Cancer Research: Bioactive Substances from Plants as Promising Therapeutics)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

21 pages, 3063 KB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation of the Safety and Antiproliferative Activity of Bulgarian Rose Essential Oil: An In Vitro and In Silico Model of Colorectal Adenocarcinoma

by Rayna Nenova, Kalin Kalinov, Deyana Nedeva, Ana Dobreva, Neli Vilhelmova-Ilieva, Ani Georgieva and Ivan Iliev

Curr. Issues Mol. Biol. 2025, 47(8), 649; https://doi.org/10.3390/cimb47080649 - 13 Aug 2025

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1941

Abstract

The side effects of conventional cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, etc., worsen the quality of life of patients. Therefore, it is necessary to explore the possibilities of creating new drugs containing natural products with low toxicity. The experimental scientific pharmacological research of rose preparations in Bulgaria began in the first half of the 20th century. Bulgarian rose essential oil (BREO) is qualified by GC FID analysis. To study the effect of the BREO, we used HCT-8 and HT-29 tumor cell lines. As a model of healthy tissue, we used the non-tumorigenic cells MCF-12F. Cells were treated with twofold increasing concentrations of BREO from 7.5 µg/mL to 1000 µg/mL. The NRU test and MTT assay were used for evaluation of the safety, antiproliferative activity and colony formation assay. Our results showed low cytotoxicity (CC₅₀ = 629.72 ± 22.38 μg/mL) and high level of photosafety (PIF = 0.92) of BREO. The antiproliferative activity test shows that the BREO has an IC₅₀ = 290.45 ± 10.79 μg/mL for the HT-29 cells. In the normal cell line MCF-12F, this effect is lower (IC₅₀ = 383.90 ± 34.75 μg/mL). Furthermore, colony forming assay showed a significant reduction in IC₅₀ value (IC₅₀ = 163.79 ± 10.25 μg/mL) in HT-29 cells. The in silico experiments confirmed the potential of the BREO for antiproliferative effect and further activation of different pathways leading to apoptosis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Green Revolution in Cancer Research: Bioactive Substances from Plants as Promising Therapeutics)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research

28 pages, 1009 KB

Open AccessReview

Agro-Industrial Plant Biomass as a Sustainable Source of Anticancer Polyphenols: Molecular Mechanisms and Future Perspectives

by Sorur Yazdanpanah, Fabrizia Sepe, Silvia Romano, Anna Valentino, Orsolina Petillo, Gianfranco Peluso, Raffaele Conte and Anna Calarco

Curr. Issues Mol. Biol. 2026, 48(5), 459; https://doi.org/10.3390/cimb48050459 - 29 Apr 2026

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 965

Abstract

The increasing global burden of cancer, together with the need for more sustainable resource management, has stimulated growing interest in the valorization of agro-industrial plant residues as sources of bioactive compounds with therapeutic potential. This review highlights the potential of plant by-products—including citrus peels, olive leaves, date palm residues, and tea and coffee processing wastes—as sustainable reservoirs of polyphenols and other phytochemicals with significant anticancer activity. Key compounds such as hesperidin and naringenin from citrus peels, oleuropein and hydroxytyrosol from olive leaves, quercetin and syringic acid from date palm residues, and chlorogenic acid and epigallocatechin gallate from tea and coffee by-products have demonstrated promising antitumor effects in both in vitro and in vivo studies. These molecules exert their activity through multiple mechanisms, including the inhibition of cancer cell proliferation, induction of apoptosis, regulation of the cell cycle, and modulation of major oncogenic signaling pathways such as PI3K/AKT, MAPK, NF-κB, and EGFR. For instance, hydroxytyrosol induces apoptosis and cell cycle arrest while inhibiting the PI3K/AKT and MAPK pathways. Quercetin limits metastasis and glycolysis and suppresses VEGF, PKM2, and AKT signaling. Ferulic acid suppresses tumor growth by inhibiting the PI3K/AKT and JAK2/STAT6 pathways, thereby promoting apoptosis (in vitro and in vivo). In addition to their pharmacological potential, the recovery of these compounds from plant waste supports circular economy strategies by reducing environmental impact and promoting the development of value-added products. Future research should focus on optimizing extraction methods, improving bioavailability and stability, and validating safety and efficacy through well-designed preclinical and clinical studies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Green Revolution in Cancer Research: Bioactive Substances from Plants as Promising Therapeutics)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

23 pages, 3101 KB

Open AccessReview

Hydroxytyrosol and Brain Tumors: Mechanisms of Action and Therapeutic Potential

by Cristina Cueto-Ureña, María Jesús Ramírez-Expósito, María Pilar Carrera-González and José Manuel Martínez-Martos

Curr. Issues Mol. Biol. 2025, 47(8), 667; https://doi.org/10.3390/cimb47080667 - 18 Aug 2025

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2684

Abstract

Central nervous system (CNS) tumors, especially gliomas and IDH-wildtype glioblastoma, present high aggressiveness, low response to current treatments and limited survival. Several biological processes such as oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, and autophagy are involved in their development. Hydroxytyrosol (HTX), a phenolic compound present in olives, has shown relevant effects on these processes in experimental models. This review analyzes its chemical characteristics, bioavailability, and ability to cross the blood–brain barrier, as well as its mechanisms of action. Despite its rapid metabolism, HTX can reach the brain in small but functional amounts, and various formulation methods can enhance its delivery to nervous tissue. HTX acts on cellular pathways such as Nrf2, NF-κB, JAK/STAT, PI3K/Akt and SIRT1, regulating redox balance, inflammation, programmed cell death, and autophagy. It can also influence gene expression through epigenetic mechanisms. In cell models, it has shown inhibitory effects on tumor growth and activation of apoptosis, without affecting non-tumor cells. These results support its possible usefulness as an adjunct in the treatment of brain tumors, although further studies in animal and human models are required. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Green Revolution in Cancer Research: Bioactive Substances from Plants as Promising Therapeutics)

► Show Figures

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

The Green Revolution in Cancer Research: Bioactive Substances from Plants as Promising Therapeutics

Share This Special Issue

Editor

Special Issue Information

Keywords

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

Published Papers (5 papers)

Research

Review

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI