The Role of Plant Extracts in the Treatment and Prevention of Human Diseases
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 October 2025 | Viewed by 242
Special Issue Editor
Interests: nutrition science; chemical carcinogens; toxicology; chemoprevention; environmental pollution; epigenetics; molecular pathomechanisms
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
In the face of rising global health challenges and limitations of conventional therapeutics, there is growing scientific and clinical interest in plant-derived compounds as safe, accessible, and multifaceted alternatives. Plants produce a vast array of bioactive secondary metabolites with therapeutic potential, many of which form the basis of modern pharmaceuticals. This Special Issue explores the evolving role of plant extracts in treating and preventing human diseases, highlighting recent advances in mechanistic understanding, pharmacological profiling, and clinical applications. By combining ethnopharmacology with molecular medicine, this Special Issue aims to highlight novel research results that connect traditional knowledge with modern scientific approaches to advance evidence-based therapy development.
Throughout human history, plants have served as a foundation for traditional medicine systems, with countless cultures relying on botanical remedies to manage various health conditions. In recent decades, there has been a resurgence of scientific interest in plant extracts due to their rich content of bioactive phytochemicals, including alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenes, polyphenols, saponins, and glycosides. These compounds exhibit diverse pharmacological activities, such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, antiviral, anticancer, and neuroprotective effects.
Modern advances in analytical chemistry, molecular biology, and pharmacology have enabled researchers to elucidate the mechanisms of action of many plant-derived compounds. Plant extracts are being studied for their potential to modulate key cellular pathways, including those involved in inflammation (e.g., NF-κB, COX-2), oxidative stress (e.g., Nrf2, ROS scavenging), apoptosis, and immune regulation. These pathways are critically implicated in chronic and degenerative diseases such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, neurodegenerative disorders, autoimmune conditions, etc. Moreover, plant-based therapies offer a promising complementary or alternative strategy considering the growing concerns about antibiotic resistance, side effects of synthetic drugs, and the need for sustainable healthcare solutions. However, challenges remain, including the standardization of extracts, dose optimization, bioavailability enhancement, and clinical validation.
This Special Issue aims to bridge traditional knowledge with modern biomedical research by elucidating the pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, therapeutic applications, and molecular mechanisms of plant extracts, plant-derived molecules, or synthetic analogues. Emphasis is placed on both experimental research and clinical trials, as well as on novel delivery systems and computational modeling approaches that enhance the development of plant-based therapeutics.
Dr. Ferenc Budán
Guest Editor
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Keywords
- phytotherapy
- herbal medicine
- nutrition science
- disease prevention
- epigenetics
- molecular mechanisms
- biomarkers
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