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Pharmaceuticals
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Neuroprotective Potential of Natural Products: A Shield against Brain Decay
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Neuroprotective Potential of Natural Products: A Shield against Brain Decay

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 February 2025 | Viewed by 7602

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Alessandro Maugeri

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Health Sciences, University "Magna Græcia" of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
Interests: natural products; molecular pharmacology; cancer; inflammation; neuroprotection
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Michele Navarra

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, viale Annunziata, I-98168 Messina, Italy
Interests: natural products; molecular pharmacology; cancer; inflammation; neuroprotection
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Santa Cirmi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, 98166 Messina, Italy
Interests: natural products; molecular pharmacology; cancer; inflammation; neuroprotection
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The mechanisms underlying the sophisticated regulation of the nervous system are complex and in perfect balance. Aging is the leading cause of its impairment, yet any other element (i.e., environmental toxicants, alcohol, high-fat diets, tobacco, recreational drugs, etc.) able to interfere with this process can cause severe adverse health outcomes. Neurodegeneration arises from the failure of the body to counteract these toxic stimuli, although we can count on a wide plethora of inner defensive mechanisms. The plant kingdom has always been a treasure trove of uncountable chemical entities endowed with interesting pharmacological activities, among which neuroprotective properties can be found. Therefore, a current strategy to boost our defenses against neurodegeneration is the intake of natural drugs, also in the form of extracts to exploit the potential synergism of their components.

The aim of this Special Issue is to gather the recent evidence on the neuroprotective properties of natural products, whether single compounds or extracts, upon the comprehensive chemical characterization of these products, assessed in preclinical (i.e., in vitro and in vivo) or clinical settings. Authors are encouraged to contribute with original research articles, reviews, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses.

Dr. Alessandro Maugeri
Prof. Dr. Michele Navarra
Dr. Santa Cirmi
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

  • neuroprotection
  • natural products
  • extract
  • oxidative stress
  • degenerative diseases
  • adjuvant therapies

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

31 pages, 5582 KiB  
Article
Potential Therapeutic Properties of Olea europaea Leaves from Selected Cultivars Based on Their Mineral and Organic Profiles
by Natália M. de Oliveira, Jorge Machado, Maria Helena Chéu, Lara Lopes, M. Fátima Barroso, Aurora Silva, Sara Sousa, Valentina F. Domingues and Clara Grosso
Pharmaceuticals 2024, 17(3), 274; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph17030274 - 22 Feb 2024
Viewed by 1628
Abstract
Olive leaves are consumed as an extract or as a whole herbal powder with several potential therapeutic benefits attributed to polyphenols, tocopherol’s isomers, and flavonoids, among others. This study assessed the potential variance in the functional features presented by olive leaves from three [...] Read more.
Olive leaves are consumed as an extract or as a whole herbal powder with several potential therapeutic benefits attributed to polyphenols, tocopherol’s isomers, and flavonoids, among others. This study assessed the potential variance in the functional features presented by olive leaves from three different Portuguese cultivars—Cobrançosa, Madural, and Verdeal—randomly mix-cultivated in the geographical area of Vale de Salgueiros. Inorganic analysis determined their mineral profiles while an organic analysis measured their total phenolic and flavonoid content, and scanned their phenolic and tocopherol and fatty acid composition. The extracts’ biological activity was tested by determining their antimicrobial and antioxidant power as well as their ability to inhibit acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase, MAO-A/B, and angiotensin-I-converting enzyme. The inorganic profiles showed them to be an inexpensive source able to address different mineral deficiencies. All cultivars appear to have potential for use as possible antioxidants and future alternative antibiotics against some multidrug-resistant microorganisms, with caution regarding the arsenic content in the Verdeal cultivar. Madural’s extract displayed properties to be considered a natural multitarget treatment for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, depression, and cardiometabolic and dual activity for blood pressure modulation. This work indicates that randomly cultivating different cultivars significantly modifies the leaves’ composition while keeping their multifaceted therapeutic value. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Neuroprotective Potential of Natural Products: A Shield against Brain Decay)
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23 pages, 12177 KiB  
Article
Modulation of Gut Microbiome Community Mitigates Multiple Sclerosis in a Mouse Model: The Promising Role of Palmaria palmata Alga as a Prebiotic
by Shimaa Mohammad Yousof, Badrah S. Alghamdi, Thamer Alqurashi, Mohammad Zubair Alam, Reham Tash, Imrana Tanvir and Lamis AbdelGadir Kaddam
Pharmaceuticals 2023, 16(10), 1355; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph16101355 - 25 Sep 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1588
Abstract
Background: Red marine algae have shown the potential to reduce inflammation, influence microbiota, and provide neuroprotection. Objective: To examine the prebiotic properties of Palmaria palmata aqueous extract (Palmaria p.) and its potential as a neuroprotective agent in multiple sclerosis (MS). Methods: [...] Read more.
Background: Red marine algae have shown the potential to reduce inflammation, influence microbiota, and provide neuroprotection. Objective: To examine the prebiotic properties of Palmaria palmata aqueous extract (Palmaria p.) and its potential as a neuroprotective agent in multiple sclerosis (MS). Methods: eighty-eight adult Swiss mice were divided into four male and four female groups, including a control group (distilled water), Palmaria p.-treated group (600 mg/kg b.w.), cuprizone (CPZ)-treated group (mixed chow 0.2%), and a group treated with both CPZ and Palmaria p. The experiment continued for seven weeks. CPZ treatment terminated at the end of the 5th week, with half of the mice sacrificed to assess the demyelination stage. To examine the spontaneous recovery, the rest of the mice continued until the end of week seven. Behavioral (grip strength (GS) and open field tests (OFT)), microbiome, and histological assessments for general morphology of corpus callous (CC) were all conducted at the end of week five and week 7. Results: Palmaria p. can potentially protect against CPZ-induced MS with variable degrees in male and female Swiss mice. This protection was demonstrated through three key findings: (1) increased F/B ratio and expansion of the beneficial Lactobacillus, Proteobacteria, and Bactriodia communities. (2) Protection against the decline in GS induced by CPZ and prevented CPZ-induced anxiety in OFT. (3) Preservation of structural integrity. Conclusions: Because of its propensity to promote microbiota alterations, its antioxidant activity, and its content of −3 fatty acids, Palmaria p. could be a promising option for MS patients and could be beneficial as a potential probiotic for the at-risk groups as a preventive measure against MS. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Neuroprotective Potential of Natural Products: A Shield against Brain Decay)
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15 pages, 4022 KiB  
Article
Gypenoside-14 Reduces Depression via Downregulation of the Nuclear Factor Kappa B (NF-kB) Signaling Pathway on the Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-Induced Depression Model
by Yaqun Jiang, Xiang Cheng, Ming Zhao, Tong Zhao, Mengya Zhang, Zibi Shi, Xiangpei Yue, Yanan Geng, Jiayue Gao, Chengbo Wang, Junli Yang and Lingling Zhu
Pharmaceuticals 2023, 16(8), 1152; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph16081152 - 14 Aug 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1590
Abstract
Neuroinflammation is a common pathogenetic sign of depression and is closely linked to the development of depression. Many clinical anti-inflammatory drugs act as antidepressants by reducing the neuroinflammatory response. Previous research found that gypenosides and their bioactive compound gypenoside-14 (GP-14) had neuroprotective effects [...] Read more.
Neuroinflammation is a common pathogenetic sign of depression and is closely linked to the development of depression. Many clinical anti-inflammatory drugs act as antidepressants by reducing the neuroinflammatory response. Previous research found that gypenosides and their bioactive compound gypenoside-14 (GP-14) had neuroprotective effects against hypoxia-induced injury and reduced neuroinflammation-related high-altitude cerebral edema. Here we investigated the effects of GP-14 on the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced depression-like behavior model. LPS (0.5 mg/kg) was injected into mice intraperitoneally for 7 consecutive days to induce depression-like behavior, which is considered a model for the exacerbation of depression. GP-14 in the amount of 100 mg/kg was simultaneously administered by gavage for 7 days. In the LPS-induced depression model, GP-14 not only attenuated depression-like behavior but also improved the anxiety-like behavior of the mice. Additionally, GP-14 treatment mitigated learning and cognitive decline in depressed mice. ELISA and immunofluorescence staining results revealed that GP-14 inhibited the upregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and interleukin-6 (IL-6), and suppressed the activation of astrocytes induced with LPS, indicating its potent anti-inflammatory effect. GP-14 pretreatment in C8 cells and primary astrocytes can inhibit the activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway and downregulate the levels of pro-inflammatory factors. In summary, our findings showed that GP-14 had significant anti-inflammation and anti-depression properties; thus, GP-14 could be a promising lead compound for treating depression. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Neuroprotective Potential of Natural Products: A Shield against Brain Decay)
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20 pages, 5361 KiB  
Article
Neuroprotective Effects of Albizia lebbeck (L.) Benth. Leaf Extract against Glutamate-Induced Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Apoptosis in Human Microglial Cells
by Onuma Phoraksa, Chanika Chimkerd, Parunya Thiyajai, Kunchit Judprasong, Siriporn Tuntipopipat, Tewin Tencomnao, Somsri Charoenkiatkul, Chawanphat Muangnoi and Monruedee Sukprasansap
Pharmaceuticals 2023, 16(7), 989; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph16070989 - 10 Jul 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1873
Abstract
Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress caused by excessive glutamate in the central nervous system leads to neurodegeneration. Albizia lebbeck (L.) Benth. has been reported to possess neuroprotective properties. We aimed to investigate the effect and mechanism of A. lebbeck leaf extracts on glutamate-induced neurotoxicity [...] Read more.
Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress caused by excessive glutamate in the central nervous system leads to neurodegeneration. Albizia lebbeck (L.) Benth. has been reported to possess neuroprotective properties. We aimed to investigate the effect and mechanism of A. lebbeck leaf extracts on glutamate-induced neurotoxicity and apoptosis linked to ER stress using human microglial HMC3 cells. A. lebbeck leaves were extracted using hexane (AHE), mixed solvents, and ethanol. Each different extract was evaluated for cytotoxic effects on HMC3 cells, and then non-cytotoxic concentrations of the extracts were pretreated with the cells, followed by glutamate. Our results showed that AHE treatment exhibited the highest protective effect and was thus selected for finding the mechanistic approach. AHE inhibited the specific ER stress proteins (calpain1 and caspase-12). AHE also suppressed the apoptotic proteins (Bax, cytochrome c, cleaved caspase-9, and cleaved caspase-3); however, it also increased the antiapoptotic Bcl-2 protein. Remarkably, AHE increased cellular antioxidant activities (SOD, CAT, and GPx). To support the activation of antioxidant defense and inhibition of apoptosis in our HMC3 cell model, the bioactive phytochemicals within AHE were identified by HPLC analysis. We found that AHE had high levels of carotenoids (α-carotene, β-carotene, and lutein) and flavonoids (quercetin, luteolin, and kaempferol). Our novel findings indicate that AHE can inhibit glutamate-induced neurotoxicity via ER stress and apoptosis signaling pathways by activating cellular antioxidant enzymes in HMC3 cells, suggesting a potential mechanism for neuroprotection. As such, A. lebbeck leaf might potentially represent a promising source and novel alternative approach for preventing neurodegenerative diseases. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Neuroprotective Potential of Natural Products: A Shield against Brain Decay)
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