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Forests That Heal: Importance of Medicinal Trees and Forest Understory...
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Forests That Heal: Importance of Medicinal Trees and Forest Understory Plants Conservation and Use

A special issue of Forests (ISSN 1999-4907). This special issue belongs to the section "Forest Ecology and Management".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 28 February 2026 | Viewed by 1698

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Adnan Amin

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Life Sciences, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 38541, Republic of Korea
Interests: medicinal plants; phytochemistry; phylogenetics; computational analysis; ethnopharmacology; plant extracts
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Forests harbor a huge diversity of medicinal plants and trees that have played a vital role in traditional and modern healthcare systems. These biological resources contribute not only to human health through the provision of pharmacologically active compounds, but also to ecological balance and cultural heritage. However, increasing deforestation, habitat fragmentation, and unsustainable harvesting practices pose significant threats to their survival. This Special Issue invites original research articles, reviews, and case studies that explore the ethnobotanical importance, phytochemical profiling, pharmacological potential, and conservation strategies of medicinal forest species. We particularly welcome studies addressing sustainable harvesting practices, the domestication and cultivation of understory medicinal plants, and the role of forests in supporting global health through natural product-based therapeutics. Furthermore, contributions highlighting policy frameworks, community-based conservation efforts, and the integration of traditional knowledge with modern scientific approaches are highly encouraged. This Special Issue aims to foster interdisciplinary dialogue on preserving medicinal biodiversity, ensuring sustainable utilization, and unlocking new drug discovery avenues from forest ecosystems for the benefit of future generations.

Dr. Adnan Amin
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-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Forests 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 2600 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

  • medicinal plants
  • ethnobotany
  • phytochemical diversity
  • conservation strategies
  • sustainable utilization

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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17 pages, 3379 KB  
Article
Molecular Responses of the NAC Gene Family in Acanthus ebracteatus: Involvement in Abiotic Stress Responses and Biosynthesis of Verproside and Verbascoside
by Jun Yao, Huiting Fan, Canming Xing and Ying Zhang
Forests 2025, 16(8), 1354; https://doi.org/10.3390/f16081354 - 20 Aug 2025
Viewed by 662
Abstract
The NAC gene family, as a group of plant-specific transcription factors, plays crucial roles in plant growth, development, abiotic stress regulation, and biosynthesis of medicinal components. However, research on this family in the medicinal true mangrove Acanthus ebracteatus remains unreported. In this study, [...] Read more.
The NAC gene family, as a group of plant-specific transcription factors, plays crucial roles in plant growth, development, abiotic stress regulation, and biosynthesis of medicinal components. However, research on this family in the medicinal true mangrove Acanthus ebracteatus remains unreported. In this study, 56 NAC genes (AeNAC01-AeNAC56) were identified from A. ebracteatus transcriptome data, all encoding proteins with the NAM domain. Phylogenetic analysis classified them into two groups, with 51 in Group I and 5 in Group II. Comparative transcriptome analysis of roots, leaves, and flowers, validated by qRT-PCR, revealed lower AeNAC genes expression in leaves, with AeNAC10, AeNAC31, and AeNAC48 showing the lowest levels. Under salt, cold, and waterlogging, AeNAC03/44, /48/56 exhibited differential expression, suggesting their key roles in stress responses. Metabolome analysis further demonstrated that AeNAC14 and AeNAC48 significantly correlated with the biosynthesis of verproside and verbascoside, major bioactive phenythanoid glycodides in A. ebracteatus leaves with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. This study provides insights into the A. ebracteatus NAC gene family, identifying candidate targets for understanding the synergistic regulation of abiotic stress responses and medicinal component biosynthesis, which is significant for optimizing the plant’s growth and medicinal value via genetic engineering. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Forests That Heal: Importance of Medicinal Trees and Forest Understory Plants Conservation and Use)
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Review

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31 pages, 3751 KB  
Review
Global Perspectives on the Medicinal Potential of Pines (Pinus spp.)
by Dan Munteanu, Gabriel Murariu, Mariana Lupoae, Lucian Dinca, Danut Chira and Andy-Stefan Popa
Forests 2025, 16(12), 1772; https://doi.org/10.3390/f16121772 - 25 Nov 2025
Viewed by 551
Abstract
Pines are edifying woody species for forest habitats, having crucial importance for ecosystems in both cold (boreal or mountainous) and warm (Mediterranean and tropical) areas. Pine trees include about 120 species, many of which have had an important ornamental role. Despite their ecological [...] Read more.
Pines are edifying woody species for forest habitats, having crucial importance for ecosystems in both cold (boreal or mountainous) and warm (Mediterranean and tropical) areas. Pine trees include about 120 species, many of which have had an important ornamental role. Despite their ecological importance, many pine forests are threatened by increasing deforestation and habitat degradation, leading to progressive declines in species distribution and genetic diversity worldwide. Humans have used pine wood since the Stone Age, gradually discovering their outstanding medical properties. This review synthesizes global knowledge on the medicinal potential of pines. Using a comprehensive literature survey of major international scientific databases, we evaluated documented traditional and modern medical applications across all regions where pines naturally occur. The vast majority (86) of pine species were described as having medicinal properties, and the uses of the main pine species in representative regions of all continents supporting forest vegetation were examined. Various organs or secretions (needles, branches, bark, buds, cones, seeds, pollen, roots, wood, sap, resin, pitch, etc.) have been used to prevent or treat numerous diseases or to strengthen the organism. Their reported therapeutic activities include antioxidant, antimutagenic, antitumor, antimicrobial, skin-protective, antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, antiallergenic, laxative, circulatory-enhancing, antihypertensive, anti-atherosclerotic, anti-aging, and antithrombotic effects. Given the remarkable phytochemical diversity and broad pharmacological value of these species, the conservation of pine genetic resources and natural habitats is urgent. Protecting these species is essential not only for maintaining ecosystem resilience but also for preserving their substantial pharmaceutical and industrial potential. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Forests That Heal: Importance of Medicinal Trees and Forest Understory Plants Conservation and Use)
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