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Life
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Bioactive Compounds for Medicine and Health
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Bioactive Compounds for Medicine and Health

A special issue of Life (ISSN 2075-1729). This special issue belongs to the section "Pharmaceutical Science".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2025 | Viewed by 1724

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Christiana Charalambous

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Basic and Clinical Sciences, University of Nicosia Medical School, 1683 Nicosia, Cyprus
Interests: breast cancer; natural compounds; phytochemicals; estrogen receptors; tamoxifen resistance; chemoprevention
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Alexandru Vasincu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Pharmacodynamics and Clinical Pharmacy, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 16 Universitatii Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania
Interests: pharmacology; polyphenols; traditional medicine; cancer biology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

It is a pleasure for us to invite you to contribute to this Special Issue of Life, which aims to collect the most recent information on the vast potential of plants and their bioactive compounds to human health.

Bioactive compounds, including flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, and carotenoids, are non-nutrient constituents of foods that have biological activity with positive direct effects on living organisms, influencing health and disease. These natural compounds, which are characterized by structural diversity and complex mechanisms of action, offer promising therapeutic properties and are increasingly being recognized for their role in preventing and treating a wide range of diseases, including inflammation, cancer, cardiovascular disorders, metabolic syndrome, and neurodegenerative disorders.

For this Special Issue, we invite the submission of original research and reviews that address the most recent results of research on bioactive compounds on the following topics:

  • Specific molecular pathways through which bioactive compounds exert their health benefits;
  • Anti-oxidant properties of bioactive compounds;
  • Anti-inflammatory effects and immune system modulation;
  • Interactions with gut microbiota;
  • Neuroprotection in degenerative disorders;
  • Cardiovascular and metabolic health benefits;
  • Bioactive compounds in oncology, including role in cancer prevention and treatment;
  • Personalized medicine with bioactive compounds.

Dr. Christiana Charalambous
Dr. Alexandru Vasincu
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. Life is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). 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

  • phytochemistry
  • bioactive compounds
  • cancer
  • immune modulation
  • heart disease
  • diabetes
  • obesity
  • neurodegenerative diseases
  • neuroprotection

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

15 pages, 499 KiB  
Article
Secondary Metabolite Profiling of Satureja aintabensis P.H. Davis and Satureja spicigera (K. Koch) Boiss. by LC-HRMS and Evaluation of Antioxidant and Anticholinergic Activities
by Ayşe Nur Yıldız, Sema Çarıkçı, Tuncay Dirmenci, Murat Kartal, İlhami Gülcin and Ahmet C. Gören
Life 2025, 15(8), 1272; https://doi.org/10.3390/life15081272 - 11 Aug 2025
Viewed by 305
Abstract
In this study, phenolic compounds of methanol extracts obtained from the leaves and branches of Satureja aintabensis P.H. Davis and Satureja spicigera (K. Koch) Boiss. species were determined as mg/kg extract using the liquid chromatography high resolution mass spectrometry technique. The in vitro [...] Read more.
In this study, phenolic compounds of methanol extracts obtained from the leaves and branches of Satureja aintabensis P.H. Davis and Satureja spicigera (K. Koch) Boiss. species were determined as mg/kg extract using the liquid chromatography high resolution mass spectrometry technique. The in vitro inhibitory effects of these extracts against enzymes associated with neurodegenerative Alzheimer’s disease (AD) were also evaluated. The relationship between secondary metabolite structures and biological activities was discussed. The major components of S. aintabensis were determined as hesperidin (6.465% of the extract; 64.65 g/kg), syringic acid (5.964% of the extract; 59.64 g/kg), rosmarinic acid (5.248% of the extract; 52.48 g/kg) and naringenin (0.395% of the extract; 3946.84 mg/kg), while syringic acid (3.081% of the extract; 30.81 g/kg), rosmarinic acid (2.757% of the extract; 27.57 g/kg), hesperidin (1.723% of the extract; 17.23 g/kg), and luteolin-7-O-rutinoside (1.682% of the extract; 16.82 g/kg) were determined in S. spicigera. AChE and BChE enzyme inhibition of the extracts were analyzed. The species showed moderate inhibition against AChE enzyme and low inhibition against BChE enzyme. The antioxidant properties of both plant extracts were evaluated by measuring three radical scavenging capacities and the ability to reduce Fe3+, and Cu2+ ions. S. aintabensis showed better antioxidant capacity in all methods except DPPH scavaging assay. These data clearly show that both species, especially S. aintabensis, have emerged as a new and important natural source of hesperidin, syringic acid and rosmarinic acid and an antioxidant agent for pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Compounds for Medicine and Health)
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18 pages, 2889 KiB  
Article
Neuroprotective Effect Against Ischemic Stroke of the Novel Functional Drink Containing Anthocyanin and Dietary Fiber Enriched-Functional Ingredient from the Mixture of Banana and Germinated Jasmine Rice
by Mubarak Muhammad, Jintanaporn Wattanathorn, Wipawee Thukham-mee, Sophida Phuthong and Supaporn Muchimapura
Life 2025, 15(8), 1222; https://doi.org/10.3390/life15081222 - 2 Aug 2025
Viewed by 315
Abstract
Due to the stroke-protective effects of dietary fiber and anthocyanin together with the synergistic interaction, we hypothesized that the functional drink containing the anthocyanins and dietary fiber-enriched functional ingredient from banana and germinated black Jasmine rice (BR) should protect against ischemic stroke. BR [...] Read more.
Due to the stroke-protective effects of dietary fiber and anthocyanin together with the synergistic interaction, we hypothesized that the functional drink containing the anthocyanins and dietary fiber-enriched functional ingredient from banana and germinated black Jasmine rice (BR) should protect against ischemic stroke. BR at doses of 300, 600, and 900 mg/kg body weight (BW) was orally given to male Wistar rats weighing 290–350 g once daily for 21 days, and they were subjected to ischemic reperfusion injury induced by temporary occlusion of the middle cerebral artery (MCAO/IR) for 90 min. The treatment was prolonged for 21 days after MCAO/IR. They were assessed for brain infarction volume, neuron density, Nrf2, MDA, and catalase in the cortex together with serum TNF-α and IL-6. Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium spp. in feces were also assessed. Our results showed that BR improved the increase in brain infarcted volume, MDA, TNF-α, and IL-6 and the decrease in neuron density, Nrf2, catalase, and both bacteria spp. induced by MCAO/IR. These data suggest the stroke-protective effect of the novel functional drink, and the action may involve the improvement of Nrf2, oxidative stress, inflammation, and the amount of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium spp. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Compounds for Medicine and Health)
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22 pages, 4534 KiB  
Article
Upcycled Cocoa Pod Husk: A Sustainable Source of Phenol and Polyphenol Ingredients for Skin Hydration, Whitening, and Anti-Aging
by Aknarin Anatachodwanit, Setinee Chanpirom, Thapakorn Tree-Udom, Sunsiri Kitthaweesinpoon, Sudarat Jiamphun, Ongon Aryuwat, Cholpisut Tantapakul, Maria Pilar Vinardell and Tawanun Sripisut
Life 2025, 15(7), 1126; https://doi.org/10.3390/life15071126 - 17 Jul 2025
Viewed by 853
Abstract
Theobroma cacao L. (cocoa) pod husk, a byproduct of the chocolate industry, has potential for commercial applications due to its bioactive compounds. This study aimed to determine the phytochemical composition, biological activity, and clinical efficacy of a standardized extract. This study compared 80% [...] Read more.
Theobroma cacao L. (cocoa) pod husk, a byproduct of the chocolate industry, has potential for commercial applications due to its bioactive compounds. This study aimed to determine the phytochemical composition, biological activity, and clinical efficacy of a standardized extract. This study compared 80% ethanol (CE) and 80% ethanol acidified (CEA) as extraction solvents. The result indicated that CEA yielded higher total phenolic content (170.98 ± 7.41 mg GAE/g extract) and total flavonoid content (3.91 ± 0.27 mg QE/g extract) than CE. Liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) identified various phenolic and flavonoid compounds. CEA demonstrated stronger anti-oxidant (IC50 = 5.83 ± 0.11 μg/mL in the DPPH assay and 234.17 ± 4.01 mg AAE/g extract in the FRAP assay) compared to CE. Additionally, CEA exhibited anti-tyrosinase (IC50 = 9.51 ± 0.01 mg/mL), anti-glycation (IC50 = 62.32 ± 0.18 µg/mL), and anti-collagenase (IC50 = 0.43 ± 0.01 mg/mL), nitric oxide (NO) production inhibitory (IC50 = 62.68 μg/mL) activities, without causing toxicity to cells. A formulated lotion containing CEA (0.01–1.0% w/w) demonstrated stability over six heating–cooling cycles. A clinical study with 30 volunteers showed no skin irritation. The 1.0% w/w formulation (F4) improved skin hydration (+52.48%), reduced transepidermal water loss (−7.73%), and decreased melanin index (−9.10%) after 4 weeks of application. These findings suggest cocoa pod husk extract as a promising active ingredient for skin hydrating and lightening formulation. Nevertheless, further long-term studies are necessary to evaluate its efficacy in anti-aging treatments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Compounds for Medicine and Health)
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