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Biological Potential and Medical Use of Natural Extracts
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Biological Potential and Medical Use of Natural Extracts

A special issue of Medicines (ISSN 2305-6320).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 November 2019) | Viewed by 21411

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Anna Baldisserotto

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnologies, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
Interests: bioactivity evaluation and characterization of natural extracts; design, synthesis and study of the activity profile of polyphenols with benzothiazolic, benzimidazole, indoline, benzofuran and imidazopyrimidine structures as multifunctional molecules against processes supported by oxidative stress and for potential skin applications; sistematic study using a multi-target approach for the discovery of new drugs with antifungine activity (dermatophytes and Candida albicans) between drugs already used for other dermatological application; study and enhancement of active ingredients of natural origin already known in the literature to possess healing abilities, in order to modify them chemically and evaluate their activity
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The use of natural extracts and molecules of natural origin has undergone a considerable increase in recent years. As a result, the interest of researchers and consumers in green and natural ingredients has been growing: plant extracts contribute to human health and well-being not only as pharmaceutical and biological agents but also as food, flavors and spices, perfumes, and cosmetics. Natural products have a pharmacological activity profile that makes them candidates for the treatment of various types of disease. They can therefore act as active compounds not only for traditional medicine but also for modern medicine.

This Special Issue aims to draw attention to the importance of researching natural extracts to discover valid alternatives to synthetic drugs and alternative ingredients of finished products for the prevention, treatment, and cure of diseases that, over time, can manifest problems of toxicity and resistance linked to synthetic drugs. As Guest Editor of this Special Issue of Medicines, I invite you to submit original contributions in the form of research articles or reviews that should cover the following and related topics: isolation, identification, characterization, and biological activity of natural extracts as anti-cancer, antioxidant, antifungal, sunscreen agents and cardiovascular disease therapeutics.

Dr. Anna Baldisserotto
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • Isolation
  • identification
  • characterization
  • biological activity
  • natural extracts
  • anti-cancer
  • antioxidant
  • antifungal
  • sunscreen
  • cardiovascular disease

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

13 pages, 1151 KiB  
Article
In Vitro Anti-Inflammatory and Immunomodulatory Activities of an Extract from the Roots of Bupleurum rotundifolium
by Juliette Cholet, Caroline Decombat, Marjolaine Vareille-Delarbre, Maël Gainche, Alexandre Berry, François Senejoux, Isabelle Ripoche, Laetitia Delort, Marion Vermerie, Didier Fraisse, Catherine Felgines, Edwige Ranouille, Jean-Yves Berthon, Julien Priam, Etienne Saunier, Albert Tourrette, Yves Troin, Gilles Thebaud, Pierre Chalard and Florence Caldefie-Chezet
Medicines 2019, 6(4), 101; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicines6040101 - 11 Oct 2019
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 4007
Abstract
Background: Some Bupleurum species, such as the Bupleurum chinense DC. or the Bupleurum scorzonerifolium Willd have been extensively studied (especially their roots) for the treatment of inflammation. In contrast, only compounds extracted from the aerial parts of Bupleurum rotundifolium have been studied and [...] Read more.
Background: Some Bupleurum species, such as the Bupleurum chinense DC. or the Bupleurum scorzonerifolium Willd have been extensively studied (especially their roots) for the treatment of inflammation. In contrast, only compounds extracted from the aerial parts of Bupleurum rotundifolium have been studied and showed anti-inflammatory or antiproliferative activities. This study was conducted to investigate the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory effects of Bupleurum rotundifolium roots. Methods: To tackle the various aspects of inflammation, we studied in vitro a methanolic extract from the roots of Bupleurum rotundifolium on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs), and the monocytic cells THP-1. Its antioxidant capacities and iron-chelating activity were assessed. The extract was tested on THP-1 differentiation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production by leukocytes, neutrophils chemotaxis, cytokines, PGE2 production, and NF-κB activation in PBMCs. Results: The extract showed a decreased ROS production in stimulated cells. It increased PBMC chemokine secretion and up-regulated the differentiation of THP-1 monocytes into macrophage-like cells, indicating a potential interest of the extract in the resolution of acute inflammation. In addition, the analysis of cytokine production suggests that Bupleurum rotundifolium has immunomodulatory properties. Conclusions: Cytokines secretion, especially IL-1β and IL-12p70, provided us with a set of indicators suggesting that the extract might be able to drive the polarization of macrophages and lymphocytes toward a Th2 anti-inflammatory profile in excessive inflammation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biological Potential and Medical Use of Natural Extracts)
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11 pages, 625 KiB  
Article
Antipyretic, Antinociceptive, and Anti-Inflammatory Activities from Pogostemon benghalensis Leaf Extract in Experimental Wister Rats
by Sushant Aryal, Balkrishna Adhikari, Kasmira Panthi, Pramod Aryal, Shyam Kumar Mallik, Ram Prasad Bhusal, Bahare Salehi, William N. Setzer, Javad Sharifi-Rad and Niranjan Koirala
Medicines 2019, 6(4), 96; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicines6040096 - 20 Sep 2019
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 6126
Abstract
Background: Pogostemon benghalensis leaves have traditionally been utilized for relieving body aches, headaches and fever. Based on its uses, the present study was designed to investigate the antinociceptive, antipyretic and anti-edematogenic activities from P. benghalensis leaves’ methanol extract (PBME) in Wister rats. Methods: [...] Read more.
Background: Pogostemon benghalensis leaves have traditionally been utilized for relieving body aches, headaches and fever. Based on its uses, the present study was designed to investigate the antinociceptive, antipyretic and anti-edematogenic activities from P. benghalensis leaves’ methanol extract (PBME) in Wister rats. Methods: The thermal (hot plate) and chemical (acetic acid-induced writhing and formalin test) models for antinociceptive effects, and the Brewer’s yeast induced hyperthermia test for antipyretic action and rat paw edema by carrageenan for anti-edematogenic activity, were applied for PBME at different dose levels. The acute toxicity of PBME through the oral route was performed to determine the lethal dose. Results: PBME significantly and dose-dependently reduced pyrexia and diminished edema volume, which depicted its antipyretic and anti-edematogenic effects respectively. The inhibition of writhing reflex, increased reaction latency and reduced frequency of licking indicated that PBME has significant dose-dependent antinociceptive activity. P. benghalensis methanol extract at 4000 mg/kg shows no sign of toxicity, which is a considerable, good margin of safety. Conclusions: The study illustrated the antipyretic, antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory potential of P. benghalensis leaf extract with a safety margin, and validated its traditional use to alleviate fever, pain, and inflammation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biological Potential and Medical Use of Natural Extracts)
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Graphical abstract

15 pages, 908 KiB  
Article
Comprehensive Fractionation of Antioxidants and GC-MS and ESI-MS Fingerprints of Celastrus hindsii Leaves
by Tran Duc Viet, Tran Dang Xuan, Truong Mai Van, Yusuf Andriana, Ramin Rayee and Hoang-Dung Tran
Medicines 2019, 6(2), 64; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicines6020064 - 4 Jun 2019
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 10798
Abstract
Background: In this study, column chromatography was applied to separate active fractions from the ethyl acetate extract of Celastrus hindsii, a medicinal plant widely used in Southern China, Northern Vietnam, Myanmar, and Malaysia. Methods: Fourteen fractions from different dilutions of chloroform and [...] Read more.
Background: In this study, column chromatography was applied to separate active fractions from the ethyl acetate extract of Celastrus hindsii, a medicinal plant widely used in Southern China, Northern Vietnam, Myanmar, and Malaysia. Methods: Fourteen fractions from different dilutions of chloroform and methanol were separated by column chromatography and examined for biological activities. Results: It was found that a dilution of 50–70% methanol in chloroform yielded the highest total phenolics, flavonoids, and antioxidant activities (1,1-dipheny1-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2-azinobis (3-ehtylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid), diammonium salt (ABTS) radical scavenging activity, and β-carotene bleaching method measured by lipid peroxidation inhibition). In addition, by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) analyses, fifteen principal compounds from bioactive fractions belonging to fatty acids, amides, flavonoids, sterols, terpenes, and phenols were identified. Of these compounds, α-amyrin, β-amyrin, hydrazine carboxamide, hexadecanoic acid, fucosterol, (3β)-D:C-friedours-7-en-3-ol, rutin, and 2-hydroxy-1-ethyl ester accounted for maximal quantities, whilst concentrations of other constituents were <5%. Conclusions: It is suggested that these identified compounds may greatly contribute to the antioxidant capacity of C. hindsii as well as its potential pharmaceutical properties. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biological Potential and Medical Use of Natural Extracts)
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