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Role of Natural Products in Health and Diseases
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Role of Natural Products in Health and Diseases

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: 20 September 2025 | Viewed by 5419

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Katarína Bauerová

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Centre of Experimental Medicine, Institute of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská Cesta 5826/9, SK-841 41 Bratislava, Slovakia
Interests: natural products; pharmacology; immunology; rheumatoid arthritis; medicinal plants; antioxidants; biological models; new generations of drug delivery; functional food
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Natural products encompass a wide range of molecules derived from plants, animals, and micro-organisms, each having unique chemical compositions and biological activities. Moreover, it has been shown that in both conventional and modern medicine, plants constitute the most abundant source of pharmacological intermediates, food supplements, and chemical components for synthetic drugs, appearing to be used in both developing and developed countries. It has been reported by the World Health Organization (WHO) that 80% of the world’s population relies mainly on traditional therapies which involve the use of plant extracts or their active substances. Significant research has been published in scientific literature regarding pharmacological effects of natural substances, including mainly their antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer characteristics. There's also an explanation of the mechanisms of action behind the health benefits of natural products, i.e., modulation of cellular signaling pathways, improvement in immune functions, and control of oxidative stress. Synergistic interaction between several components of natural products, which include glycosides, terpenoids, polyphenols, and flavonoids, is an important characteristic. Natural products provide a useful way to create safe and efficient therapy strategies for many of civilization’s diseases. The unmet healthcare needs of the world's population might be fulfilled with more research and the extensive utilization of natural resources. The biomolecular evaluation of natural products is a key part of modern research, with the aim to maintaining health and averting illness.

Dr. Katarína Bauerová
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • natural products
  • health
  • chronic diseases
  • biomolecular research
  • functional food
  • oncology
  • rheumatology
  • infections
  • inflammation
  • autoimmunity

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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20 pages, 13527 KiB  
Article
Caprylic Acid Inhibits High Mobility Group Box-1-Induced Mitochondrial Damage in Myocardial Tubes
by Shota Nukaga, Rina Fujiwara-Tani, Ryoichi Nishida, Yoshihiro Miyagawa, Kei Goto, Isao Kawahara, Chie Nakashima, Kiyomu Fujii, Ruiko Ogata, Hitoshi Ohmori and Hiroki Kuniyasu
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(15), 8081; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25158081 - 24 Jul 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1579
Abstract
Myocardial damage significantly impacts the prognosis of patients with cancer; however, the mechanisms of myocardial damage induced by cancer and its treatment remain unknown. We previously reported that medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs) improve cancer-induced myocardial damage but did not evaluate the differences in [...] Read more.
Myocardial damage significantly impacts the prognosis of patients with cancer; however, the mechanisms of myocardial damage induced by cancer and its treatment remain unknown. We previously reported that medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs) improve cancer-induced myocardial damage but did not evaluate the differences in effect according to MCFA type. Therefore, this study investigated the role of inflammatory cytokines in cancer-induced myocardial damage and the effects of three types of MCFAs (caprylic acid [C8], capric acid [C10], and lauric acid [C12]). In a mouse model, the C8 diet showed a greater effect on improving myocardial damage compared with C10 and C12 diets. Myocardial tubes differentiated from H9C2 cardiomyoblasts demonstrated increased mitochondrial oxidative stress, decreased membrane potential and mitochondrial volume, and inhibited myocardial tube differentiation following treatment with high-mobility group box-1 (HMGB1) but not interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α cytokines. However, HMGB1 treatment combined with C8 improved HMGB1-induced mitochondrial damage, enhanced autophagy, and increased mitochondrial biogenesis and maturation. However, these effects were only partial when combined with beta-hydroxybutyrate, a C8 metabolite. Thus, HMGB1 may play an important role in cancer-related myocardial damage. C8 counteracts HMGB1’s effects and improves cancer-related myocardial damage. Further clinical studies are required to investigate the effects of C8. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Role of Natural Products in Health and Diseases)
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32 pages, 3449 KiB  
Article
Astaxanthin, Compared to Other Carotenoids, Increases the Efficacy of Methotrexate in Rat Adjuvant Arthritis
by Katarína Pružinská, Martin Chrastina, Sasan Khademnematolahi, Veronika Vyletelová, Lívia Gajdošová, Lucia Pastvová, František Dráfi, Silvester Poništ, Ľudmila Pašková, Jarmila Kucharská, Zuzana Sumbalová, Jana Muchová, Silvia Martiniaková and Katarína Bauerová
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(16), 8710; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25168710 - 9 Aug 2024
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2600
Abstract
This in vivo study performed in rat adjuvant arthritis aims to advance the understanding of astaxanthin’s therapeutic properties for the possible treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in monotherapy and along with the standard RA treatment, methotrexate (MTX), in combination therapy. The main goal [...] Read more.
This in vivo study performed in rat adjuvant arthritis aims to advance the understanding of astaxanthin’s therapeutic properties for the possible treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in monotherapy and along with the standard RA treatment, methotrexate (MTX), in combination therapy. The main goal was to elucidate astaxanthin’s full therapeutic potential, evaluate its dose dependency, and compare its effects in monotherapy with other carotenoids such as β-carotene and β-cryptoxanthin (KXAN). Moreover, potential differences in therapeutic activity caused by using different sources of astaxanthin, synthetic (ASYN) versus isolated from Blakeslea trispora (ASTAP), were evaluated using one-way ANOVA (Tukey-Kramer post hoc test). KXAN was the most effective in reducing plasma MMP-9 levels in monotherapy, significantly better than MTX, and in reducing hind paw swelling. The differences in the action of ASTAP and ASYN have been observed across various biometric, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidative parameters. In combined therapy with MTX, the ASYN + MTX combination proved to be better. These findings, especially the significant anti-arthritic effect of KXAN and ASYN + MTX, could be the basis for further preclinical studies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Role of Natural Products in Health and Diseases)
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25 pages, 1725 KiB  
Review
Pain Management with Natural Products: Neurophysiological Insights
by Mamoru Takeda and Yukito Sashide
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(13), 6305; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26136305 - 30 Jun 2025
Viewed by 394
Abstract
Recently, complementary and alternative medicine have been actively employed for patients experiencing symptoms unresponsive to Western medical treatments like drug therapy. Natural compounds, including polyphenols, carotenoids, and omega fatty acids, have demonstrated various beneficial biological actions for human health in several studies. Given [...] Read more.
Recently, complementary and alternative medicine have been actively employed for patients experiencing symptoms unresponsive to Western medical treatments like drug therapy. Natural compounds, including polyphenols, carotenoids, and omega fatty acids, have demonstrated various beneficial biological actions for human health in several studies. Given their broad pharmacological activities and reduced toxicity, these compounds possess significant potential as resources for the development of natural analgesic drugs. Given recent studies showing that natural compounds can modulate neuronal excitability (including nociceptive sensory transmission through mechanoreceptors and voltage-gated ion channels) and inhibit the cyclooxygenase-2 cascade, these compounds hold promise as complementary and alternative medicine candidates, particularly as therapeutic agents for nociceptive and pathological pain. This review focuses on elucidating the mechanisms by which natural compounds modulate neuronal electrical signals—including generator potentials, action potentials, and postsynaptic potentials—in nociceptive pathway neurons, potentially leading to local and intravenous anesthetic effects, as well as inflammatory pain relief. Specifically, we discuss the contribution of natural compounds to the relief of nociceptive and/or pathological pain and their potential clinical application, drawing on our recent published in vivo studies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Role of Natural Products in Health and Diseases)
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31 pages, 2856 KiB  
Review
Therapeutic Potential of Propolis in Preclinical Models of Cancer and Infectious Diseases: A Review
by Michał K. Pierański, Damian Kaniowski and Piotr Szweda
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(16), 8041; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26168041 - 20 Aug 2025
Viewed by 193
Abstract
Propolis is a complex, resinous substance originating from plant exudates and processed by bees, e.g., Apis mellifera L. Propolis is rich in flavonoids, phenolic acids, and terpenoids. It exhibits broad biological activities, including antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and anticancer effects. This review summarizes recent [...] Read more.
Propolis is a complex, resinous substance originating from plant exudates and processed by bees, e.g., Apis mellifera L. Propolis is rich in flavonoids, phenolic acids, and terpenoids. It exhibits broad biological activities, including antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and anticancer effects. This review summarizes recent findings on the therapeutic potential of propolis in preclinical models of cancer and infectious diseases, with a focus on its molecular mechanisms of action. Experimental data indicate that propolis and its active constituents can induce apoptosis, inhibit proliferation, angiogenesis, and metastasis of cancer cells, and modulate immune responses and microbial virulence. Despite promising in vitro results, in vivo studies remain limited, and their results are often inconsistent. The variability in chemical composition due to geographical and botanical factors, as well as the lack of standardized extracts, further impedes translational research. We highlight key molecular pathways affected by propolis and propose directions for future studies, including improved standardization and more rigorous in vivo results description. These efforts are essential to validate propolis as a potential booster or alternative therapeutic strategy in oncology and infectious diseases treatment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Role of Natural Products in Health and Diseases)
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