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Plant Extracts and Bioactive Molecules with Potential Benefits for Human Health

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Bioactives and Nutraceuticals".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2025 | Viewed by 8619

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Violeta Popovici

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Guest Editor
Department of Integrated Mountain Territorial Development, “Costin C. Kiriţescu” National Institute of Economic Research—Center for Mountain Economics (INCE-CEMONT) of Romanian Academy, 725700 Vatra Dornei, Romania
Interests: plant/lichen secondary metabolites-identification and pharmacological potential; phenolic compounds; antibiotics; antimicrobial activity; in vitro anticancer activity; oral cancer; ROS; oxidative stress; antioxidants/pro-oxidants; healthcare; health environment; foods; diet analysis; nutrition; nutritional supplements; case studies
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Cerasela Elena Gîrd

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Pharmacognosy, Phytochemistry and Phytotherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Traian Vuia Str. No. 6, District 2, 020956 Bucharest, Romania
Interests: rutoside; β-cyclodextrin; hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin; inclusion complexes; antioxidant activity
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Emma Adriana Ozon

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020956 Bucharest, Romania
Interests: pharmaceutical technology; cyclodextrin inclusion complexes; drug delivery systems; biopharmaceuticals; pharmaceutical processes; drug release profiles; drug design; development, optimization and manufacturing of pharmaceutical products; pre- and post-compression parameters for solid dosage forms; preformulation studies on pharmaceuticals; physico-chemical characterization of materials; quality of pharmaceutical forms
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Plants contain valuable bioactive constituents that have health benefits, preventing and treating various diseases and improving consumer wellbeing. Medicines, healthcare products, dietary supplements, food preservatives, and cosmetics are among the many applications of these phytochemicals, which have substantial economic value. Thus, through advanced extraction and purification techniques, scientists can investigate a wide range of bioactive phytocompounds, aiming to decipher their influence on various cellular and molecular processes.

This Special Issue will focus on the following topics:

  • current trends in plant product biotechnology;
  • identification and quantification of bioactive compounds in plant extracts;
  • plant-derived natural products as a source for drug development;
  • phytobioactive compounds as therapeutic agents for human diseases;
  • dual redox behavior of plant secondary metabolites and benefits in health and disease;
  • cellular and molecular mechanisms of bioactive phytocompounds in prevention and treatment of various diseases;
  • essential oils and other plant-derived products for applications as food preservatives;
  • advances in food products enriched with plant extracts;
  • role of a plant-based diet in preventing and treating various diseases.

Dr. Violeta Popovici
Prof. Dr. Cerasela Elena Gîrd
Dr. Emma Adriana Ozon
Guest Editors

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. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. There is an Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal. For details about the APC please see here. 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
  • plant extracts
  • bioactive phytocompound identification and quantification
  • pharmacological activity
  • health benefits
  • phytotherapy
  • plant-based diet
  • functional foods

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

17 pages, 3500 KiB  
Article
Protective Effect of Field Horsetail Polyphenolic Extract on Erythrocytes and Their Membranes
by Katarzyna Męczarska, Sylwia Cyboran-Mikołajczyk, Katarzyna Solarska-Ściuk, Jan Oszmiański, Katarzyna Siejak and Dorota Bonarska-Kujawa
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(7), 3213; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26073213 - 30 Mar 2025
Viewed by 430
Abstract
Field horsetail (Equisetum arvense L.) is widely utilized in traditional medicine and is a rich source of bioactive compounds such as flavonoids, phenolic acids, and silica. This study investigates the protective effect of the polyphenolic extract from field horsetail (HLE) on erythrocytes [...] Read more.
Field horsetail (Equisetum arvense L.) is widely utilized in traditional medicine and is a rich source of bioactive compounds such as flavonoids, phenolic acids, and silica. This study investigates the protective effect of the polyphenolic extract from field horsetail (HLE) on erythrocytes and their cell membranes. The content of polyphenolic compounds in the extract was determined using the HPLC-DAD and Folin–Ciocalteu methods. The extract’s hemolytic activity, toxicity, antioxidant activity, and its impact on the physical properties of erythrocytes and lipid membrane were investigated. The antioxidant properties were evaluated using erythrocytes and isolated erythrocyte membranes oxidized by UVC radiation and AAPH. The impact of the extract on the ordering and fluidity of erythrocyte and model lipid membranes was studied. Furthermore, the transmembrane potential, shape of erythrocytes and the dipole potential of the lipid membranes under the influence of HLE were evaluated. The results indicated that HLE extract exhibited no toxicity to erythrocytes and HMEC-1 cells. HLE components effectively protect erythrocytes and their membranes against oxidation. They interact with the outer, polar surface of the erythrocyte membrane and reduce both erythrocyte membrane potential and lipid membrane dipole potential. The HLE polyphenols decrease the concentration of free radicals at the surface of the membrane, where they are located, and serve as a protective barrier, preventing penetration into the membrane. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Extracts and Bioactive Molecules with Potential Benefits for Human Health)
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14 pages, 1398 KiB  
Article
Evaluation of Larrea tridentata Extracts and Their Antimicrobial Effects on Strains of Clinical Interest
by Renata Morales-Márquez, Lucía Delgadillo-Ruiz, Alfredo Esparza-Orozco, Eladio Delgadillo-Ruiz, Rómulo Bañuelos-Valenzuela, Benjamín Valladares-Carranza, María Isabel Chávez-Ruvalcaba, Francisca Chávez-Ruvalcaba, Héctor Emmanuel Valtierra-Marín, Norma Angélica Gaytán-Saldaña, Marisa Mercado-Reyes and Luz Adriana Arias-Hernández
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(3), 1032; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26031032 - 25 Jan 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1212
Abstract
The use of medicinal plants represents an alternative method for bacterial control due to their chemical compositions. This study’s objective was to determine the inhibitory capacity of Larrea tridentata extracts against microbial strains of clinical interest. Four extracts were prepared, their phytochemical profiles [...] Read more.
The use of medicinal plants represents an alternative method for bacterial control due to their chemical compositions. This study’s objective was to determine the inhibitory capacity of Larrea tridentata extracts against microbial strains of clinical interest. Four extracts were prepared, their phytochemical profiles were determined, and their antioxidant capacities were quantified. Additionally, the minimum concentrations of hemolysis were determined using human blood erythrocytes. For the extracts’ growth inhibitory capacity, six bacterial and two fungal strains were evaluated using the disk diffusion test. Commercial medications specific for each strain were used as controls. The ethanolic extracts registered the greatest diversity of metabolites related to antibacterial activity. The inhibitory activities of the ethanolic extract and the Cedax® control were similar for Enterococcus faecalis. A principal component analysis was performed with X2 and ANOVA tests to identify the relationships and the effects of the extracts on bacterial inhibition, obtaining p > 0.05 with a confidence level of 95%. This research highlights the potential of L. tridentata extracts as an alternative treatment and to mitigate the growing problem of resistance to traditional antibiotics. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Extracts and Bioactive Molecules with Potential Benefits for Human Health)
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14 pages, 1348 KiB  
Article
Oleocanthal and Oleacein from Privet Leaves: An Alternative Source for High-Value Extra Virgin Olive Oil Bioactives
by Catherine Peyrot des Gachons, Claudia Willis, Michael P. Napolitano, Abigail J. O’Keefe, Bruce A. Kimball, Louise Slade and Gary K. Beauchamp
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(22), 12020; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms252212020 - 8 Nov 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1600
Abstract
Current research strongly suggests that phenolic compounds in extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) are potent preventive and therapeutic agents against metabolic diseases associated with inflammation and oxidative stress. Oleocanthal (OC) and oleacein (OA) are two of the most abundant and promising EVOO phenolics. [...] Read more.
Current research strongly suggests that phenolic compounds in extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) are potent preventive and therapeutic agents against metabolic diseases associated with inflammation and oxidative stress. Oleocanthal (OC) and oleacein (OA) are two of the most abundant and promising EVOO phenolics. To fully establish their health-promoting efficacy, additional animal studies and human clinical trials must be conducted, but the sourcing of both compounds at gram scale, reasonable cost, and ease of access remains a challenge. Here, we describe an extraction procedure to obtain OC and OA from the common privet (Ligustrum vulgare), a fast-growing, semi-evergreen shrub. We show that, compared to the olive tree, in addition to its broader geographical distribution, L. vulgare offers the benefit of yielding both OA and OC from its leaves. We also demonstrate the necessity of providing adapted enzymatic conditions during leaf treatment to optimize OC and OA concentrations in the final extracts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Extracts and Bioactive Molecules with Potential Benefits for Human Health)
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16 pages, 7218 KiB  
Article
Analysis of Punicalin and Punicalagin Interaction with PDIA3 and PDIA1
by Giorgia Meschiari, Marco Minacori, Sara Fiorini, Mariassunta Tedesco, Margherita Eufemi and Fabio Altieri
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(19), 10531; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms251910531 - 30 Sep 2024
Viewed by 1445
Abstract
PDIA3 is a pleiotropic protein primarily located in the endoplasmic reticulum where it is involved in protein folding, catalyzing the formation, breakage, and rearrangement of disulfide bonds. PDIA3 is implicated in numerous pathologies such as cancer, inflammation, and neurodegeneration. Although punicalagin has been [...] Read more.
PDIA3 is a pleiotropic protein primarily located in the endoplasmic reticulum where it is involved in protein folding, catalyzing the formation, breakage, and rearrangement of disulfide bonds. PDIA3 is implicated in numerous pathologies such as cancer, inflammation, and neurodegeneration. Although punicalagin has been proven to be a highly promising PDIA3 inhibitor and can be used as target protein in glioblastoma, it does not have sufficient selectivity for PDIA3 and is a quite-large molecule. With the aim of finding punicalagin derivatives with a simplified structure, we selected punicalin, which lacks the hexahydroxy-diphenic acid moiety. Previous docking studies suggest that this part of the molecule is not involved in the binding with PDIA3. In this study we compared the ability of punicalin to bind and inhibit PDIA3 and PDIA1. Tryptophan fluorescence quenching and disulfide reductase activity (using both glutathione and insulin as substrates) were evaluated, demonstrating the ability of punicalin to bind and inhibit PDIA3 even to a lesser extent compared to punicalagin. On the other hand, punicalin showed a very low inhibition activity towards PDIA1, demonstrating a higher selectivity for PDIA3. Protein thermal shift assay evidenced that both proteins can be destabilized by punicalin as well as punicalagin, with PDIA3 much more sensitive. Additionally, punicalin showed a higher change in the thermal stability of PDIA3, with a shift up to 8 °C. This result could explain the presence of PDIA3 aggregates, evidenced by immunofluorescence analysis, that accumulate within treated cells and that are more evident in the presence of punicalin. The results here obtained show punicalin is able to bind both proteins but with a higher selectivity for PDIA3, suggesting the possibility of developing new molecules with a simplified structure that are still able to selectively bind and inhibit PDIA3. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Extracts and Bioactive Molecules with Potential Benefits for Human Health)
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17 pages, 3465 KiB  
Article
Hair Growth-Promoting Effect of Hydrangea serrata (Thunb.) Ser. Extract and Its Active Component Hydrangenol: In Vitro and In Vivo Study
by Soyoon Park, Hyunjae Kim, Hye Shin Ahn, Changseon Na and Yu-Kyong Shin
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(19), 10370; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms251910370 - 26 Sep 2024
Viewed by 2773
Abstract
With the escalating prevalence of hair loss, the demand for effective hair loss treatment has surged. This study evaluated the effects of hot water extract of Hydrangea serrata (Thunb.) Ser. leaf (WHS) on hair growth, employing cell cultures, mice, and human skin organoid [...] Read more.
With the escalating prevalence of hair loss, the demand for effective hair loss treatment has surged. This study evaluated the effects of hot water extract of Hydrangea serrata (Thunb.) Ser. leaf (WHS) on hair growth, employing cell cultures, mice, and human skin organoid models. Both WHS and hydrangenol were found to enhance 5α-reductase inhibitory activity. WHS and hydrangenol have been shown to stimulate dermal papilla cell (DPC) growth, potentially through factors like keratinocyte growth factor (KGF), fibroblast growth factor 10 (FGF10), and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1). They also elevated the expression levels of keratin genes (K31 and K85) and the ceramide synthase (CerS3) gene, crucial clinical indicators of hair health. Furthermore, they exhibited notable anti-inflammatory and anti-androgenic properties by reducing the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and androgen signaling molecules, including androgen receptor (AR) and dickkopf-1 (DKK-1) gene expression. Oral administration of WHS to C57BL/6 mice for 3 weeks confirmed its hair growth-promoting effects, improving hair growth parameters and gene expression without significant changes in hair weight. Additionally, in a human skin organoid model, WHS was found to stimulate hair formation and augment the expression of follicle markers. These findings position WHS as a promising nutraceutical for promoting hair health, as evidenced by its efficacy in both in vitro and in vivo models. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Extracts and Bioactive Molecules with Potential Benefits for Human Health)
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