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Nutrients and Natural Agents as Drug Leads for Product Development

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Pharmacology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 July 2024 | Viewed by 6329

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Physiology, Johann-Friedrich-Blumenbach-Institute for Zoology and Anthropology, Faculty of Biology Georg August University Göttingen, Göttingen and Goettingen Research Campus, Göttingen, Am Türmchen 3, D-33332 Gütersloh, Germany
Interests: aging; amino acids; antioxidants; inflammaging; melatonin; product development; tryptophan
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Co-Guest Editor
Indian Scientific Education and Technology (ISET) Foundation, Lucknow 226002, India
Interests: neuroscience; Alzheimer's disease; natural products; therapeutic; drug discovery; oxidative stress; nutraceuticals
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Demographic transition and stress pose great challenges to society and the scientific community; however, they can be addressed by research on nutrients and natural agents as leading drugs in product development to enable sufficient healthcare. Aging and stress are currently reported to be the dominant risk factors for many degenerative disorders and diseases. Drugs that are well tolerated and safe for use are urgently needed. Nature is an inspiration to the development of potent nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals that can be consumed for prolonged periods of time without serious side effects. This Special Issue focuses on new developments in the field that target the decisive molecular mechanisms and mediators of human life and health span. Drug discovery and drug development can be based on nutrients and natural agents that have been demonstrated to exert beneficial effects on human health and fitness. Original research articles and reviews are welcome; they should cover the current research areas, including but not limited to the development of food, foods for specific purposes, novel foods, nutraceuticals, and drugs.

Dr. Burkhard Poeggeler
Dr. Sandeep Singh
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

  • antioxidants
  • aging
  • bioaccessibility and bioavailability
  • chronic degenerative diseases
  • drug discovery and drug development
  • food
  • food for specific medical purposes
  • healthcare
  • nutrients
  • nutraceuticals
  • natural agents and natural products
  • pharmaceuticals

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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14 pages, 2223 KiB  
Article
The Effect of Orally Administered Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and Cannabidiol (CBD) on Obesity Parameters in Mice
by Adi Eitan, Ofer Gover, Liron Sulimani, David Meiri and Betty Schwartz
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(18), 13797; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms241813797 - 07 Sep 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1568
Abstract
Prolonged cannabis users show a lower prevalence of obesity and associated comorbidities. In rodent models, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) from the plant Cannabis sativa L. have shown anti-obesity properties, suggesting a link between the endocannabinoid system (ECS) and obesity. However, the oral [...] Read more.
Prolonged cannabis users show a lower prevalence of obesity and associated comorbidities. In rodent models, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) from the plant Cannabis sativa L. have shown anti-obesity properties, suggesting a link between the endocannabinoid system (ECS) and obesity. However, the oral administration route has rarely been studied in this context. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of prolonged oral administration of pure THC and CBD on obesity-related parameters and peripheral endocannabinoids. C57BL/6 male mice were fed with either a high-fat or standard diet and then received oral treatment in ramping doses, namely 10 mg/kg of THC or CBD for 5 weeks followed by 30 mg/kg for an additional 5 weeks. Mice treated with THC had attenuated weight gain and improved glucose tolerance, followed by improvement in steatosis markers and decreased hypertrophic cells in adipose epididymal tissue. Mice treated with CBD had improved glucose tolerance and increased markers of lipid metabolism in adipose and liver tissues, but in contrast to THC, CBD had no effect on weight gain and steatosis markers. CBD exclusively decreased the level of the endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol in the liver. These data suggest that the prolonged oral consumption of THC, but not of CBD, ameliorates diet-induced obesity and metabolic parameters, possibly through a mechanism of adipose tissue adaptation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrients and Natural Agents as Drug Leads for Product Development)
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Review

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15 pages, 1317 KiB  
Review
Anti-Cancer and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Black Garlic
by Agnieszka Ewa Stępień, Julia Trojniak and Jacek Tabarkiewicz
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(3), 1801; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25031801 - 01 Feb 2024
Viewed by 1874
Abstract
Black garlic (BG) is a fermented form of garlic (Allium sativum L.), produced at precisely defined temperatures, humidities, and time periods. Although garlic has been used for thousands of years, black garlic is a relatively new discovery. There are many bioactive [...] Read more.
Black garlic (BG) is a fermented form of garlic (Allium sativum L.), produced at precisely defined temperatures, humidities, and time periods. Although garlic has been used for thousands of years, black garlic is a relatively new discovery. There are many bioactive compounds in black garlic that give it medicinal properties, including anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. In our review article, we present scientific studies examining the anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer effects of black garlic. According to research, this effect is mainly due to the reduction in the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, as well as the ability to scavenge free oxygen radicals and induce apoptosis. In addition, the phytochemicals contained in it have antiproliferative and antiangiogenic properties and inhibit the growth of cancer cells. Black garlic is a valuable source of biologically active substances that can support anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer therapy. Compared to Allium sativum, black garlic has fewer side effects and is easier to consume. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrients and Natural Agents as Drug Leads for Product Development)
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29 pages, 2013 KiB  
Review
From Ocean to Medicine: Harnessing Seaweed’s Potential for Drug Development
by João Cotas, Silvia Lomartire, Ana M. M. Gonçalves and Leonel Pereira
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(2), 797; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25020797 - 08 Jan 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2460
Abstract
Seaweed, a miscellaneous group of marine algae, has long been recognized for its rich nutritional composition and bioactive compounds, being considered nutraceutical ingredient. This revision delves into the promising role of seaweed-derived nutrients as a beneficial resource for drug discovery and innovative product [...] Read more.
Seaweed, a miscellaneous group of marine algae, has long been recognized for its rich nutritional composition and bioactive compounds, being considered nutraceutical ingredient. This revision delves into the promising role of seaweed-derived nutrients as a beneficial resource for drug discovery and innovative product development. Seaweeds are abundant sources of essential vitamins, minerals, polysaccharides, polyphenols, and unique secondary metabolites, which reveal a wide range of biological activities. These bioactive compounds possess potential therapeutic properties, making them intriguing candidates for drug leads in various medical applications and pharmaceutical drug development. It explores their pharmacological properties, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anticancer activities, shedding light on their potential as therapeutic agents. Moreover, the manuscript provides insights into the development of formulation strategies and delivery systems to enhance the bioavailability and stability of seaweed-derived compounds. The manuscript also discusses the challenges and opportunities associated with the integration of seaweed-based nutrients into the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries. Regulatory considerations, sustainability, and scalability of sustainable seaweed sourcing and cultivation methods are addressed, emphasizing the need for a holistic approach in harnessing seaweed’s potential. This revision underscores the immense potential of seaweed-derived compounds as a valuable reservoir for drug leads and product development. By bridging the gap between marine biology, pharmacology, and product formulation, this research contributes to the critical advancement of sustainable and innovative solutions in the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical sectors. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrients and Natural Agents as Drug Leads for Product Development)
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