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Molecules
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Biologically Active Molecules: Extraction Strategies, Therapeutic Potential and Biomedical Perspective
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Biologically Active Molecules: Extraction Strategies, Therapeutic Potential and Biomedical Perspective

A special issue of Molecules (ISSN 1420-3049). This special issue belongs to the section "Medicinal Chemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 October 2025 | Viewed by 1797

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Grażyna Zgórka

E-Mail Website1 Website2
Guest Editor
Department of Pharmacognosy with the Medicinal Plant Garden, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Lublin, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
Interests: plant polyphenols; chemoprevention; advanced phytochemical analysis; herbal medicinal products
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

You are cordially invited to submit articles for inclusion in a new Special Issue covering a broad spectrum of research topics relating to biologically active molecules, including their isolation from plant materials, their therapeutic and biomedical profiling, and considerations of practical future applications to improve human health.

Advanced phytochemical techniques based on highly sophisticated scientific instrumentation have resulted in controlled and effective extraction strategies for isolating biologically active plant components and developing quality-controlled, validated analytical methods. This has paved the way for modern biological and pharmacological studies and the assessment of the therapeutic potential of both plant isolates and standardised herbal drug preparations.

The scope of this Special Issue will specifically focus on obtaining biologically active phytochemicals using traditional or assisted (including ultrasound or microwave-assisted and pressurised liquid) organic solvent extraction techniques, as well as those utilising green ecological extractants. Parallel to phytochemical studies, we welcome contributions underlining the biological or toxicological effects of herbal components and preparations, as well as research insights pointing to future directions for scientific research and suggestions for the biomedical/therapeutic application of natural products.

Dr. Grażyna Zgórka
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 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. Molecules is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly 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 2700 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

  • natural bioactive components
  • extraction techniques
  • therapeutic and biomedical profiling

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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17 pages, 2243 KiB  
Article
Phytochemical Analysis and Chymotrypsin Inhibitory Potential of Galium sp. and Solidago sp. via Effect-Directed HPTLC Bioassay
by Bartosz Rył and Izabela Jasicka-Misiak
Molecules 2025, 30(13), 2746; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30132746 - 26 Jun 2025
Viewed by 249
Abstract
Chymotrypsin inhibitors were initially considered mainly as anti-nutritional factors. However, the potential for their use as therapeutics has been recognized, particularly in the control of cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and inflammatory processes. The search for new, effective, and safe chymotrypsin inhibitors has become important [...] Read more.
Chymotrypsin inhibitors were initially considered mainly as anti-nutritional factors. However, the potential for their use as therapeutics has been recognized, particularly in the control of cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and inflammatory processes. The search for new, effective, and safe chymotrypsin inhibitors has become important not only for food and feed safety reasons, but also in the search for new compounds with potential for use in the pharmaceutical industry. Oxidative stress is also an integral etiological factor in the development of the aforementioned pathological conditions. Antioxidants supplied with food can have an impact on reducing the probability of developing these diseases. Herbaceous plants are a valuable reservoir of biologically active chemical compounds, which can show both inhibitory effects against a number of enzymatic reactions and have antioxidant activity. The compounds found within them are also often characterized by higher bioavailability and safety than their synthetic analogs. In the present study, phytochemical characterization of plant materials Galium aparine L., Galium verum L., Solidago virgaurea L. and Solidago canadensis L. was performed, in order to search for new, potential substances with chymotrypsin inhibitor and antioxidant properties. Antioxidant and inhibitory activities against chymotrypsin were determined using effect-directed HPTLC. The total content of phenolic compounds and flavonoids and antioxidant activity were also determined in UV-Vis spectrophotometric tests. Both plant species showed antioxidant and chymotrypsin inhibitory activity. Among the methanol and methanol:water extracts, the extracts from Solidago sp. showed stronger inhibitory and antioxidant activity. However, in the case of dichloromethane extracts, Galium aparine inhibited chymotrypsin activity in a stronger manner than Solidago sp. The results indicate the application potential of compounds obtained from these plants as chymotrypsin inhibitors and antioxidant agents. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biologically Active Molecules: Extraction Strategies, Therapeutic Potential and Biomedical Perspective)
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22 pages, 2687 KiB  
Article
Isomeric 3-Pyridinylmethylcoumarins Differ in Erk1/2-Inhibition and Modulation of BV2 Microglia-Mediated Neuroinflammation
by Rami Schulzki, Matthias Apweiler, Caroline Röttger, Christoph W. Grathwol, Nora Struchtrup, Sophia Abou El Mirate, Claus Normann, Stefan Bräse and Bernd L. Fiebich
Molecules 2025, 30(11), 2452; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30112452 - 3 Jun 2025
Viewed by 502
Abstract
Coumarins are known for their multiple biological effects and have been established as anti-coagulative drugs for years. Furthermore, some coumarins can promote anti-inflammatory effects via the GPR55 receptor, and dual target coumarins have been synthesized. Anti-inflammatory drugs might be beneficial in the treatment [...] Read more.
Coumarins are known for their multiple biological effects and have been established as anti-coagulative drugs for years. Furthermore, some coumarins can promote anti-inflammatory effects via the GPR55 receptor, and dual target coumarins have been synthesized. Anti-inflammatory drugs might be beneficial in the treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders, as the inflammatory hypothesis suggests. For the current study, we compared isomeric 3-pyridinylmethylcoumarins with altered N-atom position regarding their effects on cytokine and chemokine synthesis and expression in LPS-stimulated BV2 microglial cells. The 3-pyridin-4-yl-methylcoumarin showed the most potent anti-inflammatory effects, followed by the 3-pyridin-2-ylmethylcoumarin analog. The observed effects might be mediated by an inhibition of ERK phosphorylation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biologically Active Molecules: Extraction Strategies, Therapeutic Potential and Biomedical Perspective)
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Review

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16 pages, 585 KiB  
Review
The Role of Lactoferrin in Combating Candida spp. Infections Through Regulation of Oxidative Stress, Immune Response, and Nutritional Support in Women and Newborns
by Anna Długosz, Joanna Wróblewska, Paweł Kołaczyk and Weronika Wróblewska
Molecules 2025, 30(11), 2416; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30112416 - 31 May 2025
Viewed by 756
Abstract
Lactoferrin (LF) is a natural glycoprotein with strong antimicrobial, immunomodulatory, and nutritional potential and is widely present in milk and mucosal secretions. This paper aims to review the current knowledge on the application of lactoferrin and its bioactive peptides in the context of [...] Read more.
Lactoferrin (LF) is a natural glycoprotein with strong antimicrobial, immunomodulatory, and nutritional potential and is widely present in milk and mucosal secretions. This paper aims to review the current knowledge on the application of lactoferrin and its bioactive peptides in the context of fungal infections caused by Candida spp., focusing on newborns and pregnant women as high-risk groups. The multifaceted mechanisms of LF action are discussed, including iron chelation, destabilization of fungal cell membranes, and modulation of the immune response. Additionally, data demonstrating the effectiveness of LF in the prevention and supportive treatment of Candida spp. infections are presented. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biologically Active Molecules: Extraction Strategies, Therapeutic Potential and Biomedical Perspective)
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