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New Perspective on Inflammatory Diseases: Role of Natural Compounds
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New Perspective on Inflammatory Diseases: Role of Natural Compounds

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 May 2025 | Viewed by 3098

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Floriana D'Angeli

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Medicine and Surgery, "Kore" University of Enna, Contrada Santa Panasia, 94100 Enna, Italy
Interests: natural compounds; biological activity; anticancer activity; anti-inflammatory activity; immunomodulatory activity; drug discovery
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Carlo Genovese

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Medicine and Surgery, “Kore” University of Enna, 94100 Enna, Italy
Interests: antimicrobial resistance; bacterial adhesion; biofilm; natural extracts; drug delivery systems; clinical infectious diseases
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Cristina Russo

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 97, 95124 Catania, Italy
Interests: physiopathology; immunology; micronutrients
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues, 

Inflammation is a defence mechanism triggered by the immune system in response to injury and infection. However, chronic and uncontrolled inflammation can contribute to a variety of diseases including diabetes, cancer, neurodegenerative, cardiovascular diseases, and autoimmune disorders.

Anti-inflammatory drugs allow managing pain and inflammation. However, they show therapeutic limitations, including limited effectiveness for underlying conditions, dosage dependence, individual variations, and side effects. The inflammatory drugs can cause a wide spectrum of side effects, sometimes severe enough to make the risk–benefit ratio unfavourable. In this context, natural compounds, derived from the vegetable matrix or produced by prokaryotic or eukaryotic cells, possess a wide range of biological properties, including anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activities.

The present Special Issue, entitled "New Perspective on Inflammatory Diseases: Role of Natural Compounds", of the International Journal of Molecular Sciences focuses on natural compounds' anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects, highlighting the strategies for improving their selectivity and efficacy. Therefore, original research articles and reviews proving the protective effect of natural compounds against inflammatory-based diseases are welcome. Specifically:

  • Nanotechnology-based delivery systems for natural compounds (polymer nanoparticles, crystal nanoparticles, solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs), liposomes, dendrimers, and micelles) improving their bioavailability or efficacy;
  • Natural anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory agents able to counteract the inflammatory state;
  • Anti-inflammatory combinatorial treatments: synergistic interaction between natural compounds and conventional drugs;
  • Bioinformatic analysis to identify natural compounds mediating the anti-inflammatory activity and reveal the molecular mechanism underlying the natural compounds' effects.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Floriana D'Angeli
Prof. Dr. Carlo Genovese
Dr. Cristina Russo
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

  • natural compounds
  • immunomodulatory activity
  • anti-inflammatory activity
  • synergistic effect
  • nanotechnologies
  • delivery systems
  • bioinformatic analysis

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

22 pages, 4106 KiB  
Article
Solarplast® Demonstrates Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Oxidant Activity In Vivo and Positively Modulates Perceived Anti-Ageing Quality of Life Questionnaire and Skin Analogue Scale
by Kieran Rea, Antonio M. Inarejos-Garcia, Sonia Guilera Bermell, Reme Garcia Bou, Yinka Olusoga and John Deaton
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(23), 12689; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms252312689 - 26 Nov 2024
Viewed by 854
Abstract
Solarplast® is an organic, non-GMO (genetically modified organism) dietary supplement from an enzymatically treated spinach preparation containing numerous active components that exhibit antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a 45-day supplementation period in [...] Read more.
Solarplast® is an organic, non-GMO (genetically modified organism) dietary supplement from an enzymatically treated spinach preparation containing numerous active components that exhibit antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a 45-day supplementation period in adult men and women (Total n = 84), some of whom were classified as “everyday smokers”. The main outcomes include metabolic readouts, oxidative stress, inflammation, and secondary subjective assessments, including skin, physical, and mental health questionnaires. Solarplast® attenuated some markers associated with smoking-induced increases in inflammatory tone and oxidative stress markers. Furthermore, Solarplast® administration improved anti-ageing quality of life mental scores associated with depression-related symptoms, loss of self-confidence, and some anxiety-related symptoms and exhibited positive effects in some readouts of anti-ageing quality of life physical scores and skin visual analogue scores. In summary, Solarplast® is safe, well-tolerated, may reduce circulating inflammatory and oxidative stress markers, and may positively impact some mental and physical quality-of-life parameters as well as skin quality. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Perspective on Inflammatory Diseases: Role of Natural Compounds)
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31 pages, 3629 KiB  
Article
Biocompatible Poly(ε-Caprolactone) Nanocapsules Enhance the Bioavailability, Antibacterial, and Immunomodulatory Activities of Curcumin
by Floriana D’Angeli, Giuseppe Granata, Ivana Roberta Romano, Alfio Distefano, Debora Lo Furno, Antonella Spila, Mariantonietta Leo, Chiara Miele, Dania Ramadan, Patrizia Ferroni, Giovanni Li Volti, Paolo Accardo, Corrada Geraci, Fiorella Guadagni and Carlo Genovese
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(19), 10692; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms251910692 - 4 Oct 2024
Viewed by 1664
Abstract
Curcumin (Cur), the primary curcuminoid found in Curcuma longa L., has garnered significant attention for its potential anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. However, its hydrophobic nature significantly limits its bioavailability. Additionally, adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) possess immunomodulatory properties, making them useful for treating inflammatory [...] Read more.
Curcumin (Cur), the primary curcuminoid found in Curcuma longa L., has garnered significant attention for its potential anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. However, its hydrophobic nature significantly limits its bioavailability. Additionally, adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) possess immunomodulatory properties, making them useful for treating inflammatory and autoimmune conditions. This study aims to verify the efficacy of poly(ε-caprolactone) nanocapsules (NCs) in improving Cur’s bioavailability, antibacterial, and immunomodulatory activities. The Cur-loaded nanocapsules (Cur-NCs) were characterized for their physicochemical properties (particle size, polydispersity index, Zeta potential, and encapsulation efficiency) and stability over time. A digestion test simulated the behavior of Cur-NCs in the gastrointestinal tract. Micellar phase analyses evaluated the Cur-NCs’ bioaccessibility. The antibacterial activity of free Cur, NCs, and Cur-NCs against various Gram-positive and Gram-negative strains was determined using the microdilution method. ADSC viability, treated with Cur-NCs and Cur-NCs in the presence or absence of lipopolysaccharide, was analyzed using the 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay. Additionally, ADSC survival was assessed through the Muse apoptotic assay. The expression of both pro-inflammatory (interleukin-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α) and anti-inflammatory (IL-10 and transforming growth factor-β) cytokines on ADSCs was evaluated by real-time polymerase chain reaction. The results demonstrated high stability post-gastric digestion of Cur-NCs and elevated bioaccessibility of Cur post-intestinal digestion. Moreover, Cur-NCs exhibited antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli without affecting Lactobacillus growth. No significant changes in the viability and survival of ADSCs were observed under the experimental conditions. Finally, Cur-NCs modulated the expression of both pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in ADSCs exposed to inflammatory stimuli. Collectively, these findings highlight the potential of Cur-NCs to enhance Cur’s bioavailability and therapeutic efficacy, particularly in cell-based treatments for inflammatory diseases and intestinal dysbiosis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Perspective on Inflammatory Diseases: Role of Natural Compounds)
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