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Natural Bioactives on Cellular Mechanisms 2.0: Cell-Survival and Apoptosis
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Natural Bioactives on Cellular Mechanisms 2.0: Cell-Survival and Apoptosis

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: closed (31 July 2023) | Viewed by 5724

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Amélia M. Silva

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Department of Biology and Environment, School of Life Sciences and Environment ; Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD), 5001-801 Vila Real, Portugal
2. Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences (CITAB-UTAD), 5001-801 Vila Real, Portugal
Interests: cell biology and biochemistry; cell-based assays; evaluation of bioactivities of natural compounds; phytochemicals; nutraceuticals; nanoencapsulation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Natural bioactives, such as polyphenols, terpenes, and alkaloids, have been described as modulators of several biochemical pathways involved in cell survival and apoptosis. These molecules may have a relevant role modulating cell proliferation, by regulating specific targets, acting as anticancer natural drugs, or favoring cell repair. The boundary between what are the bioactive molecules with an anticancer potential and toxicity is very weak; hence, there is a need to identify the molecular targets of natural bioactives, aiming to validate their potential effect. This Special Issue aims to cover a selection of research papers and reviews that expands and deepens the knowledge regarding the cellular molecular targets of natural bioactives described as having an anticancer activity. Therefore, we sincerely welcome studies reporting the action of natural compounds as novel anticancer agents, emphasizing the mechanisms of action, the molecular targets, active substance verification in vivo and in vitro, and new experimental approaches to enhance their efficacy.

Dr. Amélia M. Silva
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

  • natural bioactives
  • apoptosis
  • cell-survival
  • cell-cycle arrest
  • oxidative stress
  • anti-proliferative

Published Papers (2 papers)

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Review

28 pages, 1239 KiB  
Review
Microbiota-Derived Natural Products Targeting Cancer Stem Cells: Inside the Gut Pharma Factory
by Valentina Artusa, Luana Calabrone, Lorenzo Mortara, Francesco Peri and Antonino Bruno
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(5), 4997; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24054997 - 05 Mar 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2143
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) have drawn much attention as important tumour-initiating cells that may also be crucial for recurrence after chemotherapy. Although the activity of CSCs in various forms of cancer is complex and yet to be fully elucidated, opportunities for therapies targeting [...] Read more.
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) have drawn much attention as important tumour-initiating cells that may also be crucial for recurrence after chemotherapy. Although the activity of CSCs in various forms of cancer is complex and yet to be fully elucidated, opportunities for therapies targeting CSCs exist. CSCs are molecularly distinct from bulk tumour cells, so they can be targeted by exploiting their signature molecular pathways. Inhibiting stemness has the potential to reduce the risk posed by CSCs by limiting or eliminating their capacity for tumorigenesis, proliferation, metastasis, and recurrence. Here, we briefly described the role of CSCs in tumour biology, the mechanisms involved in CSC therapy resistance, and the role of the gut microbiota in cancer development and treatment, to then review and discuss the current advances in the discovery of microbiota-derived natural compounds targeting CSCs. Collectively, our overview suggests that dietary intervention, toward the production of those identified microbial metabolites capable of suppressing CSC properties, is a promising approach to support standard chemotherapy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Bioactives on Cellular Mechanisms 2.0: Cell-Survival and Apoptosis)
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34 pages, 3457 KiB  
Review
Modulation of Cell Death Pathways for Cellular Protection and Anti-Tumoral Activity: The Role of Thymus spp. Extracts and Their Bioactive Molecules
by Carlos Martins-Gomes, Fernando M. Nunes and Amélia M. Silva
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(2), 1691; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24021691 - 14 Jan 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3135
Abstract
Natural products used for their health-promoting properties have accompanied the evolution of humanity. Nowadays, as an effort to scientifically validate the health-promoting effects described by traditional medicine, an ever-growing number of bioactivities are being described for natural products and the phytochemicals that constitute [...] Read more.
Natural products used for their health-promoting properties have accompanied the evolution of humanity. Nowadays, as an effort to scientifically validate the health-promoting effects described by traditional medicine, an ever-growing number of bioactivities are being described for natural products and the phytochemicals that constitute them. Among them, medicinal plants and more specifically the Thymus genus spp., arise as products already present in the diet and with high acceptance, that are a source of phytochemicals with high pharmacological value. Phenolic acids, flavonoid glycoside derivatives, and terpenoids from Thymus spp. have been described for their ability to modulate cell death and survival pathways, much-valued bioactivities in the pharmaceutical industry, that continually sought-after new formulations to prevent undesired cell death or to control cell proliferation. Among these, wound treatment, protection from endogenous/exogenous toxic molecules, or the induction of selective cell death, such as the search for new anti-tumoral agents, arise as main objectives. This review summarizes and discusses studies on Thymus spp., as well as on compounds present in their extracts, with regard to their health-promoting effects involving the modulation of cell death or survival signaling pathways. In addition, studies regarding the main bioactive molecules and their cellular molecular targets were also reviewed. Concerning cell survival and proliferation, Thymus spp. present themselves as an option for new formulations designed for wound healing and protection against chemicals-induced toxicity. However, Thymus spp. extracts and some of their compounds regulate cell death, presenting anti-tumoral activity. Therefore Thymus spp. is a rich source of compounds with nutraceutical and pharmaceutical value. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Bioactives on Cellular Mechanisms 2.0: Cell-Survival and Apoptosis)
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