Submit to Special Issue Submit Abstract to Special Issue Review for Molecules Propose a Special Issue

Journal Browser

Study on Extraction and Chemical Constituents of Natural Extracts

Special Issue Editors
Special Issue Information
Keywords
Published Papers

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 October 2024 | Viewed by 10155

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Zhi Na

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
Interests: phytochemistry; natural products; flavonoid; bioactive natural constituents

Prof. Dr. Francesco Epifano

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Department of Pharmacy, University of G. d\'Annunzio Chieti and Pescara, Chieti, Italy
Interests: phytochemistry; natural products; medicinal chemistry; HPLC; plant secondary metabolites; anti-inflammatory and anticancer activity; pharmacognosy
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Most natural extracts are products with complex components, and their pharmacological effects and clinical efficacy are generally considered to be the result of the actions of multiple components. A variety of and differences in raw material origins and production processes often generate different compositions of extract, resulting in instability in the quality and efficacy of extract products. Pure isolates, taken from extracts, can be used as one of their important quality detection standards. Once the compound has been isolated in a pure form, the structure elucidation becomes rather routine work. However, “isolation of natural product” is still the slowest developing field in natural product chemistry. This is because all isolation work differs from the previous efforts, whether in the source of material or quantity of hands, and particularly in the person who is performing this isolation. This is even the case if the researcher is repeating a familiar procedure. No isolation study is thus identical with its previous iterations.

In this Special Issue, we invite researchers to contribute original research and review articles which present their work on the pharmacological effects of extracts from plants, fungus, and other living organisms in nature. We also encourage submissions on the constituents of natural extracts, especially the isolation of new bioactive natural constituents from the natural extracts.

Dr. Zhi Na
Prof. Dr. Francesco Epifano
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. 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

pharmacological effects
extracts from plants, fungus, and other living organisms
chemical constituents
isolation

Published Papers (6 papers)

Download All Papers

Research

27 pages, 6634 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Agave angustifolia Haw. Leaves as a Potential Source of Bioactive Compounds: Extraction Optimization and Extract Characterization

by Misael Bermúdez-Bazán, Mirna Estarrón-Espinosa, Gustavo Adolfo Castillo-Herrera, Antonio Escobedo-Reyes, Judith Esmeralda Urias-Silvas, Eugenia Lugo-Cervantes and Anne Gschaedler-Mathis

Molecules 2024, 29(5), 1137; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29051137 - 03 Mar 2024

Viewed by 841

Abstract

The leaves of Agave angustifolia Haw. are the main agro-waste generated by the mezcal industry and are becoming an important source of bioactive compounds, such as phenolic compounds, that could be used in the food and pharmaceutical industries. Therefore, the extraction and identification of these phytochemicals would revalorize these leaf by-products. Herein, maceration and supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO₂) extractions were optimized to maximize the phenolic and flavonoid contents and the antioxidant capacity of vegetal extracts of A. angustifolia Haw. In the maceration process, the optimal extraction condition was a water–ethanol mixture (63:37% v/v), which yielded a total phenolic and flavonoid content of 27.92 ± 0.90 mg EAG/g DL and 12.85 ± 0.53 µg QE/g DL, respectively, and an antioxidant capacity of 32.67 ± 0.91 (ABTS assay), 17.30 ± 0.36 (DPPH assay), and 13.92 ± 0.78 (FRAP assay) µM TE/g DL. Using supercritical extraction, the optimal conditions for polyphenol recovery were 60 °C, 320 bar, and 10% v/v. It was also observed that lower proportions of cosolvent decreased the polyphenol extraction more than pressure and temperature. In both optimized extracts, a total of 29 glycosylated flavonoid derivatives were identified using LC-ESI-QTof/MS. In addition, another eight novel compounds were identified in the supercritical extracts, showing the efficiency of the cosolvent for recovering new flavonoid derivatives. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Study on Extraction and Chemical Constituents of Natural Extracts)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 7704 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Inter-Varietal Variation in Phenolic Profile, Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory and Analgesic Activities of Two Brassica rapa Varieties: Influence on Pro-Inflammatory Mediators

by Nida Nazar, Abdullah Ijaz Hussain and Hassaan Anwer Rathore

Molecules 2024, 29(1), 117; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29010117 - 24 Dec 2023

Viewed by 811

Abstract

The present research study aims to appraise the potential of polyphenol-rich extracts from two Brassica rapa varieties on antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities using carrageenan-induced paw edema model in rats. Methanol extracts of peels and pulps of Brassica rapa yellow root (BRYR) and Brassica rapa white root (BRWR) were prepared using the soxhlet extraction technique. All four extracts were analyzed by reversed-phase high-pressure liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) for the polyphenols, and results showed that 10 phenolic acids and 4 flavonoids were detected. Gallic acid was the major phenolic acid (174.6–642.3 mg/100 g of dry plant material) while catechin was the major (34.45–358.5 mg/100 g of dry plant material) flavonoid detected in the extracts. The total phenolic contents (TPC) of BRYR peel, BRWR peel, BRYR pulp and BRWR pulp extracts were in the range of 1.21–5.01 mg/g of dry plant material, measured as GAE, whereas the total flavonoid contents (TFC) were found in the range of 0.90–3.95 mg/g of dry plant material, measured as QE. BRYR peel extract exhibited the best DPPH radical scavenging activity (IC₅₀, 3.85 µg/mL) and reducing potential as compared with other extracts. The in vivo anti-inflammatory potential was assessed by carrageenan-induced rat paw edema, and the analgesic potential was investigated by a hot plate test. Suppression of biochemical inflammatory biomarkers including C-reactive protein (CRP), rheumatoid factor (RF) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) concentration were also determined. Results showed that BRYR peel extracts reduced paw edema and suppressed the production of TNF-α, IL-6, CRP and RF most significantly, followed by BRWR peel, BRYR pulp and BRWR pulp extracts. In addition, histopathology observation also supports the anti-inflammatory effect of peel extracts as being greater than that of root pulp extracts. Moreover, it was observed that the analgesic effect of the root-peel extracts was also more pronounced as compared with root-pulp extracts. It can be concluded that BRYR peel extract has higher phenolic contents and showed higher suppression of TNF-α, IL-6, CRP and RF, with strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Study on Extraction and Chemical Constituents of Natural Extracts)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

12 pages, 1411 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Different Phytochemical Profiles of Salvia officinalis Dietary Supplements Labelled for Menopause Symptoms

by Valentina Maggini, Gianpaolo Bertazza, Eugenia Gallo, Vittorio Mascherini, Lorenzo Calvi, Chiara Marra, Francesca Michelucci, Chiara Liberati, Anna Trassi, Rita Baraldi and Fabio Firenzuoli

Molecules 2024, 29(1), 94; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29010094 - 22 Dec 2023

Viewed by 1555

Abstract

Phytochemical screening of four commercial products containing Salvia officinalis was carried out. Total phenolic content was estimated spectrophotometrically through the use of the Folin–Ciocalteau method, flavonoid content was measured through the use of aluminum chloride and 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine colorimetric assays, and isoflavones and α/β-thujones were analyzed through the use of high-performance liquid chromatograph (HPLC) and the gas chromatographic method. The analyses revealed the absence of thujones and isoflavones (i.e., genistin, genistein, and daidzein) in all four different extracts. The content of polyphenolic compounds varied among the samples, with the extract T being richer in both polyphenols and flavonoids than the other products by 1.8–3.2 and 1.4–4.0 times, respectively (p-value < 0.05). These results highlight the importance of quality control in salvia-based products since a thujone-free extract rich in polyphenols and flavonoids could be a good candidate for further preclinical and clinical studies to identify an effective herbal approach suitable for the long-term therapy of menopausal symptoms. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Study on Extraction and Chemical Constituents of Natural Extracts)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

19 pages, 5533 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Chemometric Evaluation of RI-Induced Phytochemicals in Phaseolus vulgaris Seeds Indicate an Improvement on Liver Enzymes in Obese Rats

by Mayra Denise Herrera, Iza Fernanda Pérez-Ramírez, Rosalía Reynoso-Camacho, Luis Roberto Reveles-Torres, Miguel Servín-Palestina, Angelica Judith Granados-López, Claudia Araceli Reyes-Estrada and Jesús Adrián López

Molecules 2023, 28(24), 7983; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28247983 - 07 Dec 2023

Viewed by 738

Abstract

Liver enzymes alterations (activity or quantity increase) have been recognized as biomarkers of obesity-related abnormal liver function. The intake of healthy foods can improve the activity of enzymes like aspartate and alanine aminotransferases (AST, ALT), γ-glutaminyl transferase (GGT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Beans have a high concentration of several phytochemicals; however, Restriction Irrigation (RI) during plant development amends their synthesis. Using chemometric tools, we evaluated the capacity of RI-induced phytochemicals to ameliorate the high activity of liver enzymes in obese rats. The rats were induced with a high-fat diet for 4 months, subsequently fed with 20% cooked beans from well-watered plants (100/100), or from plants subjected to RI at the vegetative or reproduction stage (50/100, 100/50), or during the whole cycle (50/50) for 3 months. A partial least square discriminant analysis indicated that mostly flavonols have a significant association with serum AST and ALT activity, while isoflavones lowered GGT and ALP. For AST and ALT activity in the liver, saponins remained significant for hepatocellular protection and flavonoids remained significant as hepatobiliary protectants by lowering GGT and ALP. A principal component analysis demonstrated that several flavonoids differentiated 100/50 treatment from the rest, while some saponins were correlated to 50/100 and 50/50 treatments. The intake of beans cultivated under RI improves obesity-impaired liver alterations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Study on Extraction and Chemical Constituents of Natural Extracts)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 703 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Chemical Composition, Market Survey, and Safety Assessment of Blue Lotus (Nymphaea caerulea Savigny) Extracts

by Noura S. Dosoky, Sara A. Shah, Joseph T. Dawson, Sushant Sharma Banjara, Ambika Poudel, Cécile Bascoul and Prabodh Satyal

Molecules 2023, 28(20), 7014; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28207014 - 10 Oct 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 4071

Abstract

Blue lotus, also known as Nymphaea caerulea (Nymphaeaceae), is a water lily found globally in lakes and rivers. With its long history of use in Egyptian culture, blue lotus has been associated with spiritual rituals and health benefits. Nowadays, blue lotus is still consumed as a tea or tincture to induce relaxation and heightened spiritual awareness. In this study, six authentic N. caerulea extracts from trusted sources and eleven commercial products were analyzed using gas chromatography−mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Authentic blue lotus extracts were produced in industrial settings. Overall, the extracts were a mixture of aliphatic hydrocarbons, aromatic alcohols, fatty acids, phenyl derivatives, diterpenoids, phytosterols, and stigmastanes. Apomorphine and nuciferine, which are responsible for psychoactive effects of the blue lotus flower, were virtually absent from the authentic blue lotus extract. Although blue lotus has a long history of use, the safety data on the plant and its extracts is limited; however, together with the analytical data, the available information does not indicate major safety concerns for the topical application of authentic blue lotus flower concrete or absolute when diluted as a fragrance ingredient. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Study on Extraction and Chemical Constituents of Natural Extracts)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

14 pages, 3908 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Predictions of the Biological Effects of Several Acyclic Monoterpenes as Chemical Constituents of Essential Oils Extracted from Plants

by Daniela Dascalu, Adriana Isvoran and Nicoleta Ianovici

Molecules 2023, 28(12), 4640; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28124640 - 08 Jun 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1223

Abstract

Acyclic terpenes are biologically active natural products having applicability in medicine, pharmacy, cosmetics and other practices. Consequently, humans are exposed to these chemicals, and it is necessary to assess their pharmacokinetics profiles and possible toxicity. The present study considers a computational approach to predict both the biological and toxicological effects of nine acyclic monoterpenes: beta-myrcene, beta-ocimene, citronellal, citrolellol, citronellyl acetate, geranial, geraniol, linalool and linalyl acetate. The outcomes of the study emphasize that the investigated compounds are usually safe for humans, they do not lead to hepatotoxicity, cardiotoxicity, mutagenicity, carcinogenicity and endocrine disruption, and usually do not have an inhibitory potential against the cytochromes involved in the metabolism of xenobiotics, excepting CYP2B6. The inhibition of CYP2B6 should be further analyzed as this enzyme is involved in both the metabolism of several common drugs and in the activation of some procarcinogens. Skin and eye irritation, toxicity through respiration and skin-sensitization potential are the possible harmful effects revealed by the investigated compounds. These outcomes underline the necessity of in vivo studies regarding the pharmacokinetics and toxicological properties of acyclic monoterpenes so as to better establish the clinical relevance of their use. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Study on Extraction and Chemical Constituents of Natural Extracts)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Study on Extraction and Chemical Constituents of Natural Extracts

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editors

Special Issue Information

Keywords

Published Papers (6 papers)

Research

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI