International Journal of Molecular Sciences

Journal Browser

► Journal Browser

The Role of Medicinal Plants in Health and Diseases

Share This Special Issue

Editor

Prof. Dr. Hamza El Moudden

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Laboratory of Applied Sciences for Sustainable Development, Higher School of Technology of El Kelaa Des Sraghna, Cadi Ayyad University, Marrakech BP 104, Morocco
Interests: analytical chemistry; medicinal chemistry; organic chemistry; spectroscopy; foods; health; chromatography; medicinal plants; applied chemistry; characterization; agro-food engineering

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Medicinal plants have long served as a cornerstone of traditional healing systems and continue to play a vital role in modern healthcare. Their rich diversity of bioactive compounds offers invaluable opportunities for discovering novel therapeutic agents and improving existing treatments. As global interest in natural products grows, scientific research has intensified to better understand the pharmacological mechanisms, clinical relevance, and safety profiles of medicinal plants. This Special Issue, “The Role of Medicinal Plants in Health and Diseases,” aims to highlight recent advances in phytochemistry, pharmacology, and evidence-based applications of medicinal plants across a wide range of diseases. We welcome high-quality original research papers, systematic reviews, and critical perspectives that deepen our understanding of plant-derived compounds and their therapeutic potential. By bringing together interdisciplinary studies, this Issue seeks to promote innovation and support the integration of medicinal plant research into mainstream healthcare.

Prof. Dr. Hamza El Moudden
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. 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.

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 (2 papers)

Download All Papers

Order results

Result details

Show export options Show export options

Select all

Export citation of selected articles as:

Review

32 pages, 3845 KB

Open AccessReview

Ethnobotany, Phytochemistry, and Pharmacological Activities of Ocimum Species in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Review

by Chikondi Maluwa, Blecious Zinan’dala, Hataichanok Chuljerm, Wason Parklak and Kanokwan Kulprachakarn

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(12), 5540; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27125540 - 18 Jun 2026

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2291

Abstract

Ocimum species (family Lamiaceae) are among the most extensively utilized medicinal plants across low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), yet their pharmacological evidence base has not been comprehensively synthesized within an LMIC healthcare framework. A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA 2020 guidelines and a prospectively registered protocol (PROSPERO). Five electronic databases, PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, were searched from January 2010 to December 2025. Studies reporting ethnobotanical, phytochemical, or pharmacological data on any Ocimum species were eligible. The study selection, quality assessment and data extraction were done by two independent reviewers utilizing Rayyan software. Findings were synthesized using a narrative approach. Ninety-seven studies were included. O. basilicum, O. tenuiflorum, and O. gratissimum were most studied. Key bioactive constituents rosmarinic acid, eugenol, linalool, β-caryophyllene, and ursolic acid, demonstrated consistent antimicrobial [minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC): 0.31–1.25 mg/mL], antioxidant [2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) IC₅₀: 12.5–89.3 µg/mL], anti-inflammatory (35–55% edema reduction), and antidiabetic (α-glucosidase IC₅₀: 0.3–1.5 mg/mL) activities. Larvicidal efficacy exceeding 90% against Anopheles spp. was demonstrated in field trials. The safety profile was broadly favorable (LD₅₀ > 5000 mg/kg). Ocimum species represent a pharmacologically credible and preclinically well-supported botanical resource with practical relevance for LMIC health systems, particularly in antimicrobial, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, and vector-control applications. To realize their therapeutic potential, future research must prioritize LMIC-contextualized randomized controlled trials, standardized phytochemical reporting, and chemotype-aware product development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Medicinal Plants in Health and Diseases)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 2019 KB

Open AccessReview

Elymus repens (L.) Gould Phytochemistry Pharmacological Activities and Therapeutic Potential with Future Perspectives

by Zhakipbekov Kairat Saparkhanovich, Serikbayeva Elmira Asilbekovna, Tleubayeva Meruyert Ilyasovna, Anarbayeva Rabiga Mutalievna, Shimirova Zhanar Kasymbekovna, Umurzakhova Galiya Zhanburbaevna, Seitova Zhanerke Dauletkyzy, Mukanova Arailym Beybitkyzy, Konash Nyshanbay Yermekuly, Ashirov Murat Zulpidinovich and Zulpidin Gulsezim Mukhankyzy

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(11), 4928; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27114928 - 29 May 2026

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 572

Abstract

Elymus repens (L.) Gould, commonly known as couch grass, is mainly distributed as a medicinal herb of great ethnopharmacological importance. This review presented for the first time the significance of nomenclature clarity, current insights on distribution, traditional use, phytochemistry and their biological activities. The bioactive compound composition of E. repens displayed a variety of compounds including carbohydrates, phenolic acids, flavonoids, benzoxazinoids and volatile compounds, all of which contributed to its medicinal properties. The biological potential of this plant underlines diuretic, antiurolithiatic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and also antidiabetic qualities with molecular insights showing synergistic interactions across many compound classes. The current reported data notably confirmed its potential in lowering renal calculi and alleviating associated symptoms; however, the findings remain limited. E. repens’ medicinal potential is further confirmed by its historical application as an herbal tea and aqueous preparation, which clearly indicates its favorable safety profile. Along with this, from many encouraging results, there exist considerable deficiencies in standardization, clinical validation and also mechanistic clarification. This review highlights the necessity for careful studies to determine the therapeutic efficiency, enhance formulation and promote E. repens as a scientifically therapeutic agent. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Medicinal Plants in Health and Diseases)

► Show Figures

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

The Role of Medicinal Plants in Health and Diseases

Share This Special Issue

Editor

Special Issue Information

Keywords

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

Published Papers (2 papers)

Review

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI