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15th Anniversary of Life—Emerging Plant-Based Materials and Bioactive Compounds...
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15th Anniversary of Life—Emerging Plant-Based Materials and Bioactive Compounds in Biomedical Applications

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 April 2026) | Viewed by 1616

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Stefania Lamponi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, DoE Department of Excellence 2018-2022, University of Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
Interests: drug discovery; natural products; bioactive molecules; functional foods; nutraceuticals; in vitro biological tests; carriers for bioactive molecules; bioactivity
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue aims to collect high-quality original research articles, reviews, and short communications focused on the development, characterization, and application of plant-derived materials and bioactive compounds in the biomedical field. We welcome contributions that explore the innovative use of phytochemicals, plant-based polymers, and naturally occurring compounds for applications such as drug delivery, tissue engineering, wound healing, antimicrobial therapies, and other medical or therapeutic uses.

The topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • The extraction and characterization of plant-based bioactive molecules with therapeutic potential;
  • The use of biocompatible and biodegradable plant-derived materials in medical devices and scaffolds;
  • The use of plant-based nanomaterials in targeted drug delivery and diagnostics;
  • The antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anticancer activities of phytocompounds;
  • The synergistic effects between plant compounds and conventional therapies;
  • Sustainable approaches to sourcing and processing plant-based biomedical materials.

This Special Issue seeks to highlight both fundamental research and applied innovations, promoting interdisciplinary approaches that bridge plant science, materials science, pharmacology, and biomedicine.

Prof. Dr. Stefania Lamponi
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 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

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

  • plant-derived materials
  • bioactive compounds
  • phytochemicals
  • biomedical applications
  • natural products
  • plant-based polymers
  • drug delivery
  • tissue engineering

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

Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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19 pages, 6735 KB  
Article
Quercetin Attenuates Iron Overload-Induced Renal Injury via Activating Nrf2/xCT/GPX4 Signaling to Inhibit Ferroptosis
by Xiaoyi Wang, Wenmi Li, Wenzheng Yuan, Ziyu Wei, Zixuan Yang, Zichun Zhang, Zhibin Sun, Guojie Ji and Huanhuan Hu
Life 2026, 16(3), 372; https://doi.org/10.3390/life16030372 - 25 Feb 2026
Viewed by 653
Abstract
Iron overload, a key driver of ferroptosis, results from excessive iron accumulation in tissues and contributes to organ injury, including renal dysfunction. Increasing evidence indicates that ferroptosis plays an important role in the pathogenesis of kidney diseases. Natural antioxidants capable of regulating ferroptosis [...] Read more.
Iron overload, a key driver of ferroptosis, results from excessive iron accumulation in tissues and contributes to organ injury, including renal dysfunction. Increasing evidence indicates that ferroptosis plays an important role in the pathogenesis of kidney diseases. Natural antioxidants capable of regulating ferroptosis have therefore attracted growing attention. Quercetin (Que), a naturally occurring flavonoid, possesses well-documented antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and may provide protection against iron overload-induced renal injury. Present study aimed to clarify the molecular mechanisms underlying iron overload-induced nephrotoxicity and to evaluate the protective effects of Que through modulation of ferroptosis-related signaling pathways. Using in vivo and in vitro experimental approaches, we found that Que markedly reduced oxidative stress by regulating reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, intracellular iron homeostasis, and the expression of ferroptosis-related proteins in renal tissues and HK-2 cells. The results demonstrate that iron overload induces renal injury primarily through activation of ferroptosis, characterized by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation and subsequent cellular damage. Importantly, Que significantly attenuated iron overload-induced renal injury by activating the NRF2/SLC7A11 (xCT)/GPX4 signaling pathway, thereby restoring antioxidant capacity and inhibiting ferroptotic cell death. In conclusion, Que protects against iron overload-induced renal injury by enhancing antioxidant defenses and maintaining iron homeostasis through inhibition of ferroptosis. These findings suggest that Que may represent a potential therapeutic strategy for kidney diseases associated with iron overload. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue 15th Anniversary of Life—Emerging Plant-Based Materials and Bioactive Compounds in Biomedical Applications)
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Review

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38 pages, 774 KB  
Review
Plant-Based Biomaterials as Bio-Instructive Immunomodulators: Design Principles, Mechanisms, and Translational Challenges
by Stefania Lamponi
Life 2026, 16(4), 538; https://doi.org/10.3390/life16040538 - 24 Mar 2026
Viewed by 556
Abstract
Plant-based biomaterials are increasingly recognized as bio-instructive platforms capable of actively modulating immune responses rather than functioning solely as passive structural supports. In this context, the term plant-based refers to photosynthetic biomass-derived platforms, including both terrestrial plants and marine macroalgae, reflecting their shared [...] Read more.
Plant-based biomaterials are increasingly recognized as bio-instructive platforms capable of actively modulating immune responses rather than functioning solely as passive structural supports. In this context, the term plant-based refers to photosynthetic biomass-derived platforms, including both terrestrial plants and marine macroalgae, reflecting their shared richness in polysaccharides and secondary metabolites relevant to immune engineering and regenerative medicine. This review critically synthesizes current evidence on plant-derived polysaccharides and phytochemicals, including algal sulfated polysaccharides (fucoidan, alginate, carrageenan, and ulvan), terrestrial plant polysaccharides (e.g., Lycium barbarum and Aloe vera derivatives), polyphenols, and other secondary metabolites such as terpenoids and alkaloids, highlighting their roles as immunomodulators in biomedical contexts. Key mechanisms include macrophage polarization along an M1–M2 continuum, pattern recognition receptor engagement, redox and metabolic regulation, and crosstalk between innate and adaptive immunity, with emphasis on context-dependent signaling and structural heterogeneity. Material design parameters, including molecular weight and chemical functionalization, are critical determinants of immune responses. Advanced delivery systems, such as hydrogels, nanocomposites, phytosomes, and plant-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs), enable improved stability and spatiotemporal control. Applications in wound and musculoskeletal regeneration are discussed alongside translational challenges, including variability, reproducibility, regulatory issues, and the need for standardized characterization and immune validation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue 15th Anniversary of Life—Emerging Plant-Based Materials and Bioactive Compounds in Biomedical Applications)
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