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Pharmaceuticals
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Pharmacological Studies of Medicinal Potential Phytochemicals in Plant Roots
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Pharmacological Studies of Medicinal Potential Phytochemicals in Plant Roots

A special issue of Pharmaceuticals (ISSN 1424-8247). This special issue belongs to the section "Natural Products".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 July 2023) | Viewed by 12657

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Monika Stompor-Gorący

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Human Pathophysiology, Institute of Medical Sciences, Medical College of Rzeszów University, Kopisto 2a, 35-310 Rzeszow, Poland
Interests: natural compounds; pro drugs; polyphenols; medicinal chemistry; antioxidants; antimicrobials; anticancer phytochemicals; biomedical potential of natural products

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The therapeutic potential of various parts of plants and their natural bioactive ingredients are more and more frequently used for medicinal purposes. Both plant extracts and individual plant substances are being investigated, as well as their new delivery systems. There is a constant search for new plant medicines; moreover, new phytotherapeutic properties of already known plants are being discovered. Some research reports indicate that synergistic effects of multicomponent systems strengthen the immune system and inhibit the development of many diseases. Other important issues with respect to medicinal applications are interactions between drugs and products derived from plants.

However, the effects of plant preparations and a large number of new natural substances on the human body have not been fully investigated. In many cases, neither possible side and adverse effects of plant medicines nor potential contraindications for patients are determined. Elucidation of molecular mechanisms of action of natural compounds isolated from plant roots, supported by in vivo study, may be effective in the prevention and treatment of many diseases.

The objective of this Special Issue is to summarize and disseminate the most recent advances in the research concerning phytochemical analysis of plant roots, with special attention on bioactive compounds with health-promoting and therapeutic properties. Based on the current literature, we also try to summarize and determine future strategies for the development of novel, effective and safe therapies.

Dr. Monika Stompor-Gorący
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. Pharmaceuticals 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 2900 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

  • phytochemical analysis of plant roots
  • bioactive plant ingredients
  • biological activity of plant root's ingredients
  • new phytotherapeutics in human diseases
  • hairy roots
  • new natural compound deliery systems
  • biosynthesis
  • synergistic effects of phytocompounds with drugs
  • new application

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Editorial

Jump to: Research, Review

3 pages, 201 KiB  
Editorial
Pharmacological Studies of Medicinal Potential Phytochemicals in Plant Roots
by Monika Stompor-Gorący
Pharmaceuticals 2023, 16(11), 1520; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph16111520 - 26 Oct 2023
Viewed by 688
Abstract
Despite various limitations, there is a growing interest in the development of phytomedicine as an alternative therapeutic method, which uses herbal preparations exerting a positive effect on the human immune system and supporting conventional therapies [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pharmacological Studies of Medicinal Potential Phytochemicals in Plant Roots)

Research

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13 pages, 5215 KiB  
Article
Renoprotective Effect of Chrysanthemum coronarium L. Extract on Adenine-Induced Chronic Kidney Disease in Mice
by Yi-Seul Kim, Ae-Sin Lee, Haeng-Jeon Hur, Sang-Hee Lee, Hyun-Jin Na and Mi-Jeong Sung
Pharmaceuticals 2023, 16(7), 1048; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph16071048 - 24 Jul 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1476
Abstract
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) gradually leads to loss of renal function and is associated with inflammation and fibrosis. Chrysanthemum coronarium L., a leafy vegetable, possesses various beneficial properties, including anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, and antiproliferative effects. In this study, we investigated the renoprotective effect of [...] Read more.
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) gradually leads to loss of renal function and is associated with inflammation and fibrosis. Chrysanthemum coronarium L., a leafy vegetable, possesses various beneficial properties, including anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, and antiproliferative effects. In this study, we investigated the renoprotective effect of Chrysanthemum coronarium L. extract (CC) on adenine (AD)-induced CKD in mice. CKD was induced by feeding mice with an AD diet (0.25% w/w) for 4 weeks. Changes in renal function, histopathology, inflammation, and renal interstitial fibrosis were analyzed. The adenine-fed mice were characterized by increased blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, and histological changes, including inflammation and fibrosis; however, these changes were significantly restored by treatment with CC. Additionally, CC inhibited the expression of the inflammatory markers, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, interleukins-6 and -1β, intercellular adhesion molecule-1, and cyclooxygenase 2. Moreover, CC suppressed the expression of the fibrotic markers, type IV collagen, and fibronectin. Furthermore, CC attenuated the expression of profibrotic genes (tumor growth factor-β and α-smooth muscle actin) in AD-induced renal injury mice. Thus, our results suggest that CC has the potential to attenuate AD-induced renal injury and might offer a new option as a renoprotective agent or functional food supplement to manage CKD. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pharmacological Studies of Medicinal Potential Phytochemicals in Plant Roots)
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15 pages, 1487 KiB  
Article
Bioguided Identification of Active Antimicrobial Compounds from Asphodelus bento-rainhae and Asphodelus macrocarpus Root Tubers
by Maryam Malmir, Katelene Lima, Sérgio Póvoas Camões, Vera Manageiro, Maria Paula Duarte, Joana Paiva Miranda, Rita Serrano, Isabel Moreira da Silva, Beatriz Silva Lima, Manuela Caniça and Olga Silva
Pharmaceuticals 2023, 16(6), 830; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph16060830 - 1 Jun 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1353
Abstract
Root tubers of Asphodelus bento-rainhae subsp. bento-rainhae (AbR), a vulnerable endemic species, and Asphodelus macrocarpus subsp. macrocarpus (AmR) have traditionally been used in Portugal to treat inflammatory and infectious skin disorders. The present study aims to evaluate the in vitro antimicrobial activity of [...] Read more.
Root tubers of Asphodelus bento-rainhae subsp. bento-rainhae (AbR), a vulnerable endemic species, and Asphodelus macrocarpus subsp. macrocarpus (AmR) have traditionally been used in Portugal to treat inflammatory and infectious skin disorders. The present study aims to evaluate the in vitro antimicrobial activity of crude 70% and 96% hydroethanolic extracts of both medicinal plants, specifically against multidrug-resistant skin-related pathogens, to identify the involved marker secondary metabolites and also to assess the pre-clinical toxicity of these medicinal plant extracts. Bioguided fractionation of the 70% hydroethanolic extracts of both species using solvents of increasing polarity, namely diethyl ether (DEE: AbR-1, AmR-1), ethyl acetate (AbR-2, AmR-2) and aqueous (AbR-3, AmR-3) fractions, enabled the identification of the DEE fractions as the most active against all the tested Gram-positive microorganisms (MIC: 16 to 1000 µg/mL). Furthermore, phytochemical analyses using TLC and LC-UV/DAD-ESI/MS techniques revealed the presence of anthracene derivatives as the main constituents of DEE fractions, and five known compounds, namely 7′-(chrysophanol-4-yl)-chrysophanol-10’-C-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-anthrone (p), 10,7′-bichrysophanol (q), chrysophanol (r), 10-(chrysophanol-7′-yl)-10-hydroxychrysophanol-9-anthrone (s) and asphodelin (t), were identified as the main marker compounds. All these compounds showed high antimicrobial activity, particularly against Staphylococcus epidermidis (MIC: 3.2 to 100 µg/mL). Importantly, no cytotoxicity against HepG2 and HaCaT cells (up to 125 µg/mL) for crude extracts of both species and genotoxicity (up to 5000 µg/mL, with and without metabolic activation) for AbR 96% hydroethanolic extract was detected using the MTT and Ames tests, respectively. Overall, the obtained results contribute to the concrete validation of the use of these medicinal plants as potential sources of antimicrobial agents in the treatment of skin diseases. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pharmacological Studies of Medicinal Potential Phytochemicals in Plant Roots)
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26 pages, 3625 KiB  
Article
Pirimicarb Induction of Behavioral Disorders and of Neurological and Reproductive Toxicities in Male Rats: Euphoric and Preventive Effects of Ephedra alata Monjauzeana
by Latifa Khattabi, Aziez Chettoum, Houari Hemida, Walid Boussebaa, Maria Atanassova and Mohammed Messaoudi
Pharmaceuticals 2023, 16(3), 402; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph16030402 - 7 Mar 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1919
Abstract
Carbamate pesticides are a risk to human well-being, and pirimicarb is the most widely employed carbamate insecticide. This ongoing investigation aimed to reveal its toxicity on neurobehavioral and reproductive function. The study was carried out on male Wistar rats by assessment of behavioral [...] Read more.
Carbamate pesticides are a risk to human well-being, and pirimicarb is the most widely employed carbamate insecticide. This ongoing investigation aimed to reveal its toxicity on neurobehavioral and reproductive function. The study was carried out on male Wistar rats by assessment of behavioral changes via experiments, such as the forced swim test and the elevated plus maze; determination of oxidative stress (checking parameters such as catalase activity, etc.); measurement of cortisol and testosterone serum titers, and IL-1β levels in the plasma and brain; and evaluation of histopathological lesions that induced pirimicarb after 28 days of gavage, specifically in the brain and testis. Traces of pirimicarb were analyzed in tissue extracts using LCMS/MS. At the same time, the beneficial and protective effect of EamCE (Ephedra alata monjauzeana Crude Extract) were tested. The outcomes showed considerable anxiety and depressive status, with an evident increase in cortisol and IL-1β titers and an important decrease in oxidative enzymes and testosterone. Significant histological lesions were also recorded. In addition, the LCMS/MS analysis affirmed the accumulation of pirimicarb in organ tissue from rats force-fed with pirimicarb. Conversely, EamCE demonstrated outstanding potential as a preventive treatment, restoring cognitive and physical performance, boosting fertility, enhancing antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities and preserving tissue integrity. We concluded that pirimicarb has critical deleterious impacts on health, affecting the neuroimmune-endocrine axis, and EamCE has a general euphoric and preventive effect. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pharmacological Studies of Medicinal Potential Phytochemicals in Plant Roots)
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14 pages, 2372 KiB  
Article
Phytochemical Analysis and Anti-Inflammatory Potential of Acanthus mollis L. Rhizome Hexane Extract
by Nuria Acero, Dolores Muñoz-Mingarro, Inmaculada Navarro, Antonio J. León-González and Carmen Martín-Cordero
Pharmaceuticals 2023, 16(2), 159; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph16020159 - 22 Jan 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1730
Abstract
The rhizomes of Acanthus mollis have traditionally been used for the treatment of several ailments involving inflammation. However, to the best of our knowledge, their chemical composition and pharmacological properties have not been studied until now. As a first approach, this study analyses [...] Read more.
The rhizomes of Acanthus mollis have traditionally been used for the treatment of several ailments involving inflammation. However, to the best of our knowledge, their chemical composition and pharmacological properties have not been studied until now. As a first approach, this study analyses the A. mollis rhizome hexane extract phytochemistry and its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant capacities in HepG2 and RAW 264.7 cell culture assays. Chemical profiling was performed with gas chromatography mass spectrometry without the modification of native molecules. Free phytosterols (such as β-sitosterol) account for 70% of detected compounds. The anti-inflammatory capacity of the rhizome extract of A. mollis is mediated by the decrease in the NO production in RAW 264.7 that has previously been stimulated with lipopolysaccharide in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, HepG2 pre-treatment with the rhizome extract prevents any damage being caused by oxidative stress, both through ROS scavenge and through the antioxidant cellular enzyme system. In this respect, the extract reduced the activity of glutathione peroxidase and reductase, which were stimulated under oxidative stress conditions. Our results suggest that the extract from the rhizomes of A. mollis may constitute a potential source of natural products with anti-inflammatory activity and could validate the traditional use of A. mollis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pharmacological Studies of Medicinal Potential Phytochemicals in Plant Roots)
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23 pages, 5045 KiB  
Article
Immunomodulatory Effects of an Aqueous Extract of Black Radish on Mouse Macrophages via the TLR2/4-Mediated Signaling Pathway
by Hyungsik Jeon, Soyeon Oh, Eunjoo Kum, Sooyeong Seo, Youngjun Park and Giok Kim
Pharmaceuticals 2022, 15(11), 1376; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph15111376 - 9 Nov 2022
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2246
Abstract
Here, we determined the immunostimulatory effects of black radish (Raphanus sativus ver niger) hot water extract (BRHE) on a mouse macrophage cell line (RAW 264.7) and mouse peritoneal macrophages. We found that BRHE treatment increased cell proliferation, phagocytic activity, nitric oxide (NO) [...] Read more.
Here, we determined the immunostimulatory effects of black radish (Raphanus sativus ver niger) hot water extract (BRHE) on a mouse macrophage cell line (RAW 264.7) and mouse peritoneal macrophages. We found that BRHE treatment increased cell proliferation, phagocytic activity, nitric oxide (NO) levels, cytokine production, and reactive oxygen species synthesis. Moreover, BRHE increased the expression of the following immunomodulators in RAW 264.7 cells and peritoneal macrophages: pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α), iNOS, and COX-2. BRHE treatment significantly up-regulated the phosphorylation of components of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), Akt, and STAT3 signaling pathways. Further, the effects of BRHE on macrophages were significantly diminished after the cells were treated with the TLR2 antagonist C29 or the TLR4 antagonist TAK-242. Therefore, BRHE-induced immunostimulatory phenotypes in mouse macrophages were reversed by multiple inhibitors, such as TLR antagonist, MAPK inhibitor, and Akt inhibitor indicating that BRHE induced macrophage activation through the TLR2/4–MAPK–NFκB–Akt–STAT3 signaling pathway. These results indicate that BRHE may serve as a potential immunomodulatory factor or functional food and provide the scientific basis for the comprehensive utilization and evaluation of black radish in future applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pharmacological Studies of Medicinal Potential Phytochemicals in Plant Roots)
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Review

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20 pages, 1509 KiB  
Review
Baicalin—Current Trends in Detection Methods and Health-Promoting Properties
by Agata Bajek-Bil, Marcelina Chmiel, Aleksandra Włoch and Monika Stompor-Gorący
Pharmaceuticals 2023, 16(4), 570; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph16040570 - 10 Apr 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2186
Abstract
Baicalin (7-D-glucuronic acid-5,6-dihydroxyflavone) belongs to natural flavonoids extracted from the roots of Scutellaria baicalensis, the plant used in traditional Chinese medicine. It has been proven that baicalin has various pharmacological activities, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antibacterial, and anti-apoptotic ones. However, it [...] Read more.
Baicalin (7-D-glucuronic acid-5,6-dihydroxyflavone) belongs to natural flavonoids extracted from the roots of Scutellaria baicalensis, the plant used in traditional Chinese medicine. It has been proven that baicalin has various pharmacological activities, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antibacterial, and anti-apoptotic ones. However, it is essential not only to determine the medical usefulness of baicalin, but also to find and develop the most effective methods for its extraction and detection. Therefore, the aim of this review was to summarize the current methods of detection and identification of baicalin and to present the medical applications of baicalin and the underlying mechanisms of its action. Based on the review of the latest literature, it can be concluded that liquid chromatography alone or together with mass spectrometry is the most commonly used method for the determination of baicalin. Recently, also new electrochemical methods have been established, e.g., biosensors with fluorescence, which have better detection limits, sensitivity, and selectivity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pharmacological Studies of Medicinal Potential Phytochemicals in Plant Roots)
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