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Characterization and Biological Function of Plant Extracts
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Characterization and Biological Function of Plant Extracts

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: 20 September 2025 | Viewed by 1004

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Simonetta Cristina Di Simone

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Pharmacy, “G. d’Annunzio” University, Via dei Vestini 31, 66100 Chieti, Italy
Interests: plant extracts; pharmacological properties of plant extracts; chemical characterization of plant extracts

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to announce a Special Issue titled "Characterization and Biological Function of Plant Extracts" in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences (IJMS). This Special Issue aims to bring together recent advances in the characterization and biological function of plant extracts, with a particular focus on their phytochemical profiling and potential applications in pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals. Plant extracts are complex mixtures of bioactive compounds, and understanding their phytochemical composition and molecular mechanisms of action is essential for their effective utilization in therapeutic and preventive strategies.

We invite researchers, scientists, and experts to contribute their original research and reviews to this Special Issue. Submissions may include, but are not limited to, studies investigating:

  • The phytochemical characterization of plant extracts,
  • The isolation and identification of active compounds,
  • The biological effects of plant extracts at the cellular and molecular levels,
  • Interactions of bioactive compounds with molecular targets,
  • Their effects on gene expression and signaling pathways,
  • Their potential to modulate physiological and pathological processes.

We look forward to your contributions to this exciting Special Issue, which will enhance our understanding of the phytochemical properties and molecular underpinnings of plant extracts, as well as their promising applications in health and disease.

Dr. Simonetta Cristina Di Simone
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.

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

  • plant extracts
  • phytochemical characterization
  • bioactive compounds
  • biological activity
  • molecular mechanisms
  • gene expression
  • pharmacognosy

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

23 pages, 5327 KiB  
Article
Protect Effects of Perilla Seed Extract and Its Active Ingredient Luteolin Against Inflammatory Bowel Disease Model via the PI3K/AKT Signal Pathway In Vivo and In Vitro
by Jin Zhang, Linlu Zhao, Jieyi He, Huining Wu, Mengru Guo, Zhichao Yu, Xingbin Ma, Yanhong Yong, Youquan Li, Xianghong Ju and Xiaoxi Liu
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(8), 3564; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26083564 - 10 Apr 2025
Viewed by 267
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of Perilla Seed Extract (PSE) and its active ingredient on Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) in vitro and in vivo. Thirty-two C57/BL mice were randomly divided into four groups (n = 8): [...] Read more.
The purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of Perilla Seed Extract (PSE) and its active ingredient on Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) in vitro and in vivo. Thirty-two C57/BL mice were randomly divided into four groups (n = 8): control group (CON), PBS group, LPS group (LPS 3.5 mg/kg given intraperitoneally [ip] on day 7 of the study only), and PSE group (100 mg/kg orally daily + LPS ip at 3.5 mg/kg on day 7). Mice were euthanized 24 h after LPS administration. MODE-K cells were divided into five groups: control group (CON), LPS group (50 μg/mL LPS for 2 h), and PSE group (low dose, 25 μg/mL PSE + LPS; middle dose, 50 μg/mL PSE + LPS; high dose, 100 μg/mL PSE + LPS). In vivo, compared with the CON group, LPS revealed a significant decrease in the villus length-to-crypt depth ratio (p < 0.01) and goblet cell density per unit area (p < 0.01). Conversely, PSE administration resulted in a significant increase in the villus length-to-crypt depth ratio (p < 0.01) and goblet cell density (p < 0.01). LPS significantly increased the ROS content (p < 0.01), the secretion of inflammatory cytokines of IL-6 (p < 0.01), TNF-α (p < 0.01), and the mRNA expressions of HO-1 (p < 0.01). LPS significantly decreased the mRNA expressions of Occludin (p < 0.01) and Claudin1 (p < 0.01). In contrast, PSE treatment led to a marked decrease in ROS levels (p < 0.01), along with a reduction in the secretion of inflammatory factors IL-6 (p < 0.01) and TNF-α(p < 0.05), as well as the mRNA expressions of HO-1 (p < 0.01). Concurrently, PSE significantly increased the mRNA expressions of Occludin (p < 0.05) and Claudin1 (p < 0.01). In vitro, PSE treatment also significantly reversed LPS-induced inflammation, oxidation and tight junction–related factors. Network pharmacology identified 97 potential targets for PSE in treating IBD, while transcriptomics analysis revealed 342 differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Network pharmacology and transcriptomics analysis indicated that significant pathways included the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, MAPK signaling pathway, and TNF signaling pathway, of which the PI3K-AKT pathway may represent the primary mechanism. In an in vivo setting, compared with the CON group, LPS led to a significant increase in the protein expression of p-PI3K/PI3K (p < 0.01) and p-AKT1/AKT1 (p < 0.01). Conversely, PSE resulted in a significant decrease in the protein expression of p-PI3K/PI3K (p < 0.01) and p-AKT1/AKT1 (p < 0.01). In vitro, compared with the LPS group, PSE also significantly blocked the protein expression of p-PI3K/PI3K (p < 0.01) and p-AKT1/AKT1 (p < 0.01). The chemical composition of PSE was analyzed using UPLC-MS/MS, which identified six components including luteolin (content 0.41%), rosmarinic acid (content 0.27%), α-linolenic acid (content 1.2%), and oleic acid (content 0.2%). Molecular docking found that luteolin could establish stable binding with eight targets, and luteolin significantly decreased the p-AKT1/AKT1 ratio (p < 0.01) compared to the LPS group in MODE-K cells. In summary, PSE demonstrates efficacy against IBD progression by enhancing intestinal barrier function and inhibiting inflammatory responses and oxidative stress via the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, and luteolin’s inhibition of AKT1 protein phosphorylation appears to play a particularly crucial role in this therapeutic mechanism. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Characterization and Biological Function of Plant Extracts)
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14 pages, 4179 KiB  
Article
Valorization of Pomegranate Peel: Mechanisms and Clinical Applications in Irritable Bowel Syndrome Management
by Yu Guo, Lu Wang, Jun-Qing Huang, Mu-Wen Lu and Song-Hong Yang
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(8), 3530; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26083530 - 9 Apr 2025
Viewed by 347
Abstract
Current disposal methods for pomegranate peel (PP) waste are inadequate, resulting in environmental pollution. Given PP’s therapeutic potential in alleviating irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), elucidating its bioactive mechanisms is critical to guide its development into dietary supplements and promote sustainable recycling. In this [...] Read more.
Current disposal methods for pomegranate peel (PP) waste are inadequate, resulting in environmental pollution. Given PP’s therapeutic potential in alleviating irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), elucidating its bioactive mechanisms is critical to guide its development into dietary supplements and promote sustainable recycling. In this study, bioinformatics and network analysis were employed to identify active compounds, key targets, and signaling pathways associated with PP’s therapeutic effects. We identified 39 bioactive compounds (primarily polyphenols) and 106 key targets linked to IBS. Network analyses revealed that PP polyphenols mitigate oxidative stress and inflammation, modulate estrogen receptors to enhance gastrointestinal motility, and regulate ferroptosis. These findings underscore PP’s potential as a therapeutic agent for IBS and provide a framework for repurposing food-processing byproducts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Characterization and Biological Function of Plant Extracts)
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