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Medicinal Plants: A Natural Approach to Inflammatory Diseases and Conditions...
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Medicinal Plants: A Natural Approach to Inflammatory Diseases and Conditions Related to Oxidative Stress

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (26 May 2025) | Viewed by 8714

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Sandra Barbalho

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Laboratory for Systematic Investigations of Diseases, Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Marília (UNIMAR), Marília 17525-902, SP, Brazil
Interests: inflammatory diseases; cardiovascular diseases; neurodegenerative diseases; inflammation; medicinal plants; oxidative stress
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Adriano Araujo

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Medical School of Marilia, University of Marília, Avenue Higino Muzzi Filho 1001, Marília 15525-902, SP, Brazil
Interests: medicinal plants; cardiovascular diseases; pharmacology; toxicology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are running a Special Issue titled “Medicinal Plants: A Natural Approach to Inflammatory Diseases and Conditions Related to Oxidative Stress” (ISSN: 1424-8247). Our Special Issue focuses on encouraging the submission of original studies, reviews, and systematic reviews, with the objective of unveiling the mechanisms of action of medicinal plants and the wide variety of bioactive compounds in inflammatory diseases related to oxidative stress. Furthermore, studies related to toxicity and side effects are welcome. Since the diseases mentioned above are growing exponentially worldwide and cause a significant reduction in quality of life, it is imperative and challenging to find or develop new therapeutic strategies that can be used as adjuvants in treatment or even replace treatments. Furthermore, existing medications are usually of high cost, and patients can often be irresponsive, in addition to inducing the manifestation of numerous adverse effects. Therefore, this Special Issue can significantly contribute to delineating new approaches to inflammatory diseases and diseases related to oxidative stress

Dr. Sandra Barbalho
Dr. Adriano Araujo
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. 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

  • medicinal plants
  • phytocompounds
  • natural products
  • inflammatory diseases
  • oxidative stress

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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18 pages, 3893 KiB  
Article
Modulatory Effect of Cucurbitacin D from Elaeocarpus hainanensis on ZNF217 Oncogene Expression in NPM-Mutated Acute Myeloid Leukemia
by Sabrina Adorisio, Alessandra Fierabracci, Ba Thi Cham, Vu Dinh Hoang, Nguyen Thi Thuy Linh, Le Thi Hong Nhung, Maria Paola Martelli, Emira Ayroldi, Simona Ronchetti, Lucrezia Rosati, Silvia Di Giacomo, Trinh Thi Thuy and Domenico Vittorio Delfino
Pharmaceuticals 2024, 17(12), 1561; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph17121561 - 21 Nov 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1007
Abstract
Background/Objectives: The expression of oncogene zinc-finger protein 217 (ZNF217) has been reported to play a central role in cancer development, resistance, and recurrence. Therefore, targeting ZNF217 has been proposed as a possible strategy to fight cancer, and there has been much research on [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: The expression of oncogene zinc-finger protein 217 (ZNF217) has been reported to play a central role in cancer development, resistance, and recurrence. Therefore, targeting ZNF217 has been proposed as a possible strategy to fight cancer, and there has been much research on compounds that can target ZNF217. The present work investigates the chemo-preventive properties of cucurbitacin D, a compound with a broad range of anticancer effects, in hematological cancer cells, specifically with regard to its ability to modulate ZNF217 expression. Methods: Different cucurbitacins were isolated from the Vietnamese plant Elaeocarpus hainanensis. The purified compounds were tested on nucleophosmin-mutated acute myeloid leukemia and other hematological cancer cell lines to assess their effects on the cell cycle, cell viability and apoptosis, and the expression of ZNF217. Results: Cucurbitacin D resulted in a reduction in the number of acute myeloid leukemia cells by inducing an increase in apoptosis and blocking cell cycle progression. It also led to a significant decrease in ZNF217 expression in the nucleophosmin-mutated acute myeloid leukemia cell line but not in the other hematologic cancer cell lines. The reduction in ZNF217 expression contributed significantly to the blocking of cell cycle progression but did not affect apoptosis. Conclusions: The obtained results suggest that cucurbitacin D is a promising molecule for targeting mutated nucleophosmin or its pathway in acute myeloid leukemia cells, although further studies are needed for in-depth investigations into its specific mechanisms. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Medicinal Plants: A Natural Approach to Inflammatory Diseases and Conditions Related to Oxidative Stress)
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28 pages, 6425 KiB  
Article
Pharmacological Activities of Zingiber officinale Roscoe: Inhibition of HSA Protein Glycation, Structure Stability and Function Restoration
by Mohd Wajid Ali Khan, Subuhi Sherwani, Muna H. E. Alshammari, Abdulmohsen K. D. Alsukaibi, Wahid Ali Khan, Ashanul Haque, Khalaf M. Alenezi and Uzma Shahab
Pharmaceuticals 2024, 17(11), 1469; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph17111469 - 1 Nov 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1481
Abstract
Background: Controlled non-enzymatic glycation reactions are common under normal physiological conditions. However, during elevated blood glucose conditions, the glycation reactions are accelerated, leading to the formation of toxic compounds such as advanced glycation end products (AGEs). Several natural products are now being investigated [...] Read more.
Background: Controlled non-enzymatic glycation reactions are common under normal physiological conditions. However, during elevated blood glucose conditions, the glycation reactions are accelerated, leading to the formation of toxic compounds such as advanced glycation end products (AGEs). Several natural products are now being investigated as protective agents against glycation to preserve blood protein structure and functions. Methods: Human serum albumin (HSA) was glycated with 0.05 M α-D-glucose alone or in the presence of Zingiber officinale Roscoe (ginger) extract (0.781–100 μg/mL) for 10 weeks, and biochemical, biophysical, and computational analyses were carried out. Results: HSA glycated for 10 weeks (G-HSA-10W) resulted in significant production of ketoamines, carbonyl compounds, and AGE pentosidine. Notable structural alterations were observed in G-HSA-10W, ascertained by ultraviolet (UV), fluorescence, and circular dichroism (CD) studies. Antioxidant, anti-glycating, AGEs inhibitory, and antibacterial effects of ginger extracts were observed and attributed to the presence of various phytochemicals. Molecular docking studies suggested that the compounds 8-shagaol and gingerol exhibited strong and multiple interactions with HSA. Molecular simulation analysis suggests HSA attains a high degree of conformational stability with the compounds gingerol and 8-shogaol. Conclusions: These findings showed that ginger extract has an antioxidant function and can prevent glycation-induced biochemical and biophysical alterations in HSA. Thus, aqueous ginger extract can be utilized to combat glycation and AGE-related health issues, especially diabetes, neurological disorders, inflammatory diseases, etc. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Medicinal Plants: A Natural Approach to Inflammatory Diseases and Conditions Related to Oxidative Stress)
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19 pages, 11079 KiB  
Article
Effects of the N-Butanol Extract of Pulsatilla Decoction on Neutrophils in a Mouse Model of Ulcerative Colitis
by Yadong Wang, Hui Wu, Juan Sun, Can Li, Ying Fang, Gaoxiang Shi, Kelong Ma, Daqiang Wu, Jing Shao, Hang Song, Tianming Wang and Changzhong Wang
Pharmaceuticals 2024, 17(8), 1077; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph17081077 - 16 Aug 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1373
Abstract
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory disease, the incidence of which is increasing worldwide. However, the etiology and pathogenesis of UC remains unclear. The n-butanol extract of Pulsatilla decoction (BEPD), a traditional Chinese medicine, has been shown to be effective in treating [...] Read more.
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory disease, the incidence of which is increasing worldwide. However, the etiology and pathogenesis of UC remains unclear. The n-butanol extract of Pulsatilla decoction (BEPD), a traditional Chinese medicine, has been shown to be effective in treating UC. This study aimed to explore the molecular mechanism underlying the effects of BEPD on UC, in particular its effects on neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation by neutrophils. High-performance liquid chromatography was used to determine the principal compounds of BEPD. UC was induced in mice using dextran sodium sulfate, and mice were treated with 20, 40, or 80 mg/kg BEPD daily for seven days. Colonic inflammation was determined by assessing the disease activity index, histopathology, colonic mucosal damage index, colonic mucosal permeability, and pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine levels. The infiltration and activation status of neutrophils in the colon were determined by analyzing the levels of chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand (CXCL) 1 and CXCL2, reactive oxygen species, Ly6G, and numerous NET proteins. The findings suggest that BEPD improved the disease activity index, histopathology, and colonic mucosal damage index scores of mice with UC, and restored colonic mucosal permeability compared with untreated mice. The expression levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α in colon tissues were significantly decreased, while the expression levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines in colon tissues were significantly increased, exceeding those of control mice. In addition, BEPD reduced the expression of the neutrophil chemokines CXCL1 and CXCL2 in the colon tissue of mice with UC, reduced neutrophil infiltration, reduced reactive oxygen species levels, and significantly reduced the expression of NET proteins. BEPD also significantly reduced NET formation. The results of this study suggest that BEPD exerts therapeutic effects in a murine model of UC by inhibiting neutrophil infiltration and activation in the colon, as well as by inhibiting the expression of key proteins involved in NET formation and reducing NET formation, thereby alleviating local tissue damage and disease manifestations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Medicinal Plants: A Natural Approach to Inflammatory Diseases and Conditions Related to Oxidative Stress)
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Review

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50 pages, 8706 KiB  
Review
Metabolic-Associated Fatty Liver Disease: The Influence of Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, Mitochondrial Dysfunctions, and the Role of Polyphenols
by Raissa Bulaty Tauil, Paula Takano Golono, Enzo Pereira de Lima, Ricardo de Alvares Goulart, Elen Landgraf Guiguer, Marcelo Dib Bechara, Claudia C. T. Nicolau, José Luiz Yanaguizawa Junior, Adriana M. R. Fiorini, Nahum Méndez-Sánchez, Ludovico Abenavoli, Rosa Direito, Vitor Engrácia Valente, Lucas Fornari Laurindo and Sandra Maria Barbalho
Pharmaceuticals 2024, 17(10), 1354; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph17101354 - 10 Oct 2024
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3890
Abstract
Metabolic-Associated Fatty Liver Disease (MAFLD) is a clinical–pathological scenario that occurs due to the accumulation of triglycerides in hepatocytes which is considered a significant cause of liver conditions and contributes to an increased risk of death worldwide. Even though the possible causes of [...] Read more.
Metabolic-Associated Fatty Liver Disease (MAFLD) is a clinical–pathological scenario that occurs due to the accumulation of triglycerides in hepatocytes which is considered a significant cause of liver conditions and contributes to an increased risk of death worldwide. Even though the possible causes of MAFLD can involve the interaction of genetics, hormones, and nutrition, lifestyle (diet and sedentary lifestyle) is the most influential factor in developing this condition. Polyphenols comprise many natural chemical compounds that can be helpful in managing metabolic diseases. Therefore, the aim of this review was to investigate the impact of oxidative stress, inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and the role of polyphenols in managing MAFLD. Some polyphenols can reverse part of the liver damage related to inflammation, oxidative stress, or mitochondrial dysfunction, and among them are anthocyanin, baicalin, catechin, curcumin, chlorogenic acid, didymin, epigallocatechin-3-gallate, luteolin, mangiferin, puerarin, punicalagin, resveratrol, and silymarin. These compounds have actions in reducing plasma liver enzymes, body mass index, waist circumference, adipose visceral indices, lipids, glycated hemoglobin, insulin resistance, and the HOMA index. They also reduce nuclear factor-KB (NF-KB), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), blood pressure, liver fat content, steatosis index, and fibrosis. On the other hand, they can improve HDL-c, adiponectin levels, and fibrogenesis markers. These results show that polyphenols are promising in the prevention and treatment of MAFLD. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Medicinal Plants: A Natural Approach to Inflammatory Diseases and Conditions Related to Oxidative Stress)
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