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Medicinal Plants: Exploring Plant-Based Bioactive Compounds for Cancer and Metabolic...
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Medicinal Plants: Exploring Plant-Based Bioactive Compounds for Cancer and Metabolic Diseases Prevention and Intervention

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 March 2026 | Viewed by 3553

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Lucas Fornari Laurindo

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Guest Editor
Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Universidade de Marília (UNIMAR), Marília 17525-902, SP, Brazil
Interests: medicinal plants; bioactive compounds; phytochemicals; phytochemistry; cancer; metabolism; metabolic disorders; pharmacology; inflammation; oxidative stress; cardiovascular diseases; neurodegenerative diseases
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Sandra Barbalho

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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

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We warmly welcome you to contribute to our Special Issue. This issue delves into targeting cancer and metabolic diseases with bioactive compounds derived from medicinal plants, advocating for tumor and metabolic disorders, including diabetes, dyslipidemia, obesity, MAFLD, and others, as well as prevention and intervention using these naturally derived remedies. Cancer is a complex and pervasive disease, representing a global health challenge. The disease characterizes the abnormal and uncontrolled proliferation of cells. Often, cancer invades surrounding tissues and metastasizes distant organs. Since cancer is heterogenous and adaptable, there remains a threat due to the limitations of conventional therapies, including drug resistance, severe side effects, and variability in efficacy across different cancer types and individual patterns, resulting in the need for novel therapeutic agents to more precisely target cancer cells or enhance the effectiveness of existing treatments, ultimately minimizing adverse events. On the other hand, metabolic diseases are non-communicable disorders that predispose individuals to an increased mortality rate. Metabolic diseases are also heterogeneous and depend on several factors, such as dietary patterns. In these scenarios, bioactive compounds from medicinal plants emerge as a candidate strategy. They are more cost-effective, present minimal side effects, possess many anticancer activities, and are primarily anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, and antigenotoxic. In addition, they have been used since ancient times, and their effectiveness against the diseases of today’s world must be widely tested. Therefore, this Special Issue aims to publish high-quality research and review articles to elucidate bioactive compounds' anticancer and metabolic-enhancing potential from medicinal plants, advocating for translational research addressing cancer and metabolic disorders prevention and intervention. Synergistic studies between plant compounds and synthetic chemotherapeutic drugs are also welcome regarding cancer therapy. Studies on phytochemicals' antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects against cancerous cell lineages can also be submitted.

We appreciate your interest in our Special Issue and look forward to receiving your papers. Your contributions will make this project a success!

Dr. Lucas Fornari Laurindo
Dr. Sandra Barbalho
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

  • cancer
  • metastasis
  • tumor growth
  • tumor spread
  • bioactive compounds
  • phytochemicals
  • medicinal plants
  • phytochemistry
  • cancer prevention
  • cancer intervention
  • metabolic diseases
  • metabolism
  • diabetes
  • MAFLD
  • dyslipidemia

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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24 pages, 9438 KB  
Article
Large-Scale Transcriptome Profiling and Network Pharmacology Analysis Reveal the Multi-Target Inhibitory Mechanism of Modified Guizhi Fuling Decoction in Prostate Cancer Cells
by Guochen Zhang, Lei Xiang, Qingzhou Li, Mingming Wei, Xiankuo Yu, Yan Luo, Jianping Chen, Xilinqiqige Bao, Dong Wang and Shiyi Zhou
Pharmaceuticals 2025, 18(9), 1275; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph18091275 - 27 Aug 2025
Viewed by 139
Abstract
Background: Prostate cancer (PCa) is the primary contributor to male cancer-related mortality and currently lacks effective treatment options. The Modified Guizhi Fuling Decoction (MGFD) is used in clinical practice to treat multiple tumors. This research focused on the mechanisms of action (MOA) in [...] Read more.
Background: Prostate cancer (PCa) is the primary contributor to male cancer-related mortality and currently lacks effective treatment options. The Modified Guizhi Fuling Decoction (MGFD) is used in clinical practice to treat multiple tumors. This research focused on the mechanisms of action (MOA) in MGFD that inhibit PCa. Methods: The impact of MGFD on PCa cells (PC3 and DU145) was examined via Cell Counting Kit-8, wound healing assays, and transwell assays. To determine the MOA, high-throughput sequencing based high-throughput screening (HTS2) was utilized along with network pharmacology. Results: The findings indicated that MGFD suppressed the proliferation, migration, and invasion of PCa cells. We then utilized the HTS2 assay to generate 270 gene expression profiles from PCa cells perturbed by MGFD. Large-scale transcriptional analysis highlighted three pathways closely associated with PCa: the TNF signaling pathway, cellular senescence, and FoxO signaling pathway. Through the combination of network pharmacology and bioinformatics, we discovered four primary targets through which MGFD acts on PCa: AKT serine/threonine kinase 1 (AKT1), Caspase-8 (CASP8), Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 1 (CDK1), and Cyclin D1 (CCND1). Finally, molecular docking demonstrated that the potential bioactive compounds baicalein, quercetin, and 5-[[5-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2-furyl] methylene] barbituric acid strongly bind to CDK1, AKT1, and CASP8, respectively. Conclusions: This research shows that MGFD displays encouraging anticancer effects via various mechanisms. Its multi-target activity profile underscores its promise as a potential therapeutic option for PCa treatment and encourages additional in vivo validation studies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Medicinal Plants: Exploring Plant-Based Bioactive Compounds for Cancer and Metabolic Diseases Prevention and Intervention)
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32 pages, 4062 KB  
Article
Chemical Composition and Anti-Lung Cancer Activities of Melaleuca quinquenervia Leaf Essential Oil: Integrating Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS) Profiling, Network Pharmacology, and Molecular Docking
by Eman Fikry, Raha Orfali, Shagufta Perveen, Safina Ghaffar, Azza M. El-Shafae, Maher M. El-Domiaty and Nora Tawfeek
Pharmaceuticals 2025, 18(6), 771; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph18060771 - 22 May 2025
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Abstract
Background/Objectives: This study investigates the phytochemical composition and anticancer activity of Melaleuca quinquenervia leaf essential oil (MQLEO) from Egypt. Methods: Chemical profiling was performed using GC/MS. Anticancer activity was assessed through cytotoxicity screening against multiple cancer cell lines, with a subsequent evaluation of [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: This study investigates the phytochemical composition and anticancer activity of Melaleuca quinquenervia leaf essential oil (MQLEO) from Egypt. Methods: Chemical profiling was performed using GC/MS. Anticancer activity was assessed through cytotoxicity screening against multiple cancer cell lines, with a subsequent evaluation of cell migration, apoptosis, and cell cycle analysis on the most sensitive line (A549). Network pharmacology and molecular docking analyses were employed to identify potential molecular targets and pathways. Results: GC/MS analysis revealed a unique profile dominated by 1,8-cineole (31.57%), α-pinene isomers (both 1R and 1S forms, collectively 21.26%), and sesquiterpene alcohols (viridiflorol: 13.65%; ledol: 4.55%). These results diverge from prior studies, showing a 25.63% decrease in 1,8-cineole and no detectable α-terpineol, suggesting environmental, genetic, or methodological impacts on biosynthesis. In vitro tests revealed selective cytotoxicity against A549 lung cancer cells (IC50 = 18.09 μg/mL; selectivity index = 4.30), meeting NCI criteria. Staurosporine was used as a positive control to validate the assays, confirming the reliability of the methods. MQLEO also inhibited cell migration (62–68% wound closure reduction) and induced apoptosis (24.32% vs. 0.7% in controls). Cell cycle arrest at the G0-G1 phase implicated cyclin-dependent kinase regulation. Network pharmacology identified ESR1, CASP3, PPARG, and PTGS2 as key targets, with MQLEO components engaging apoptosis, inflammation (TNF, IL-17), and estrogen pathways. Conclusions: MQLEO demonstrates promising anticancer activity through multiple mechanisms including apoptosis induction, cell cycle arrest, and migration inhibition. The multi-target activity profile highlights its potential as a therapeutic candidate for lung cancer, warranting further in vivo validation and pharmacokinetic studies to advance clinical translation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Medicinal Plants: Exploring Plant-Based Bioactive Compounds for Cancer and Metabolic Diseases Prevention and Intervention)
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Other

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21 pages, 2576 KB  
Systematic Review
Assessing the Effects of Moderate to High Dosage of Astaxanthin Supplementation on Lipid Profile Parameters—A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Studies
by Lucas Fornari Laurindo, Victória Dogani Rodrigues, Dennis Penna Carneiro, Luiz Sérgio Marangão Filho, Eliana de Souza Bastos Mazuqueli Pereira, Ricardo José Tofano, Eduardo Federighi Baisi Chagas, Jesselina Francisco dos Santos Haber, Flávia Cristina Castilho Caracio, Letícia Zanoni Moreira, Vitor Engrácia Valenti and Sandra Maria Barbalho
Pharmaceuticals 2025, 18(8), 1097; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph18081097 - 24 Jul 2025
Viewed by 1679
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Astaxanthin, a xanthophyll carotenoid, has garnered significant interest due to its benefits with regard to dyslipidemia. This multifaceted functional food ingredient modulates several key enzymes associated with lipid regulation, including HMG-CoA reductase, CPT1, ACCβ, and acyl-CoA oxidase. It influences key antioxidant molecular [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Astaxanthin, a xanthophyll carotenoid, has garnered significant interest due to its benefits with regard to dyslipidemia. This multifaceted functional food ingredient modulates several key enzymes associated with lipid regulation, including HMG-CoA reductase, CPT1, ACCβ, and acyl-CoA oxidase. It influences key antioxidant molecular pathways like the Nrf2, limiting dyslipidemia occurrence and regulating liver cholesterol uptake through the modulation of liver lipid receptors. Due to the current lack of systematic reviews and meta-analyses assessing moderate to high dosages (6–24 mg/d) of astaxanthin supplementation on lipid dysregulation, the present manuscript aims to fill this gap in the literature. Methods: Following the PRISMA guidelines, we included eight studies comprising eleven results from the PubMed, Springer Link, Science Direct, Cochrane, and Google Scholar databases. The Jamovi (Version 2.6.26, Solid) software was utilized for statistics. Our primary objective was to assess in detail the effects of astaxanthin on LDL-C, HDL-C, triglyceride, and total cholesterol levels. Results: The meta-analysis concludes positive effects of astaxanthin (6–20 mg/d) on HDL-C (0.4200; 95% CI: 0.1081 to 0.7319) and triglyceride (−0.3058; 95% CI: −0.5138 to −0.0978) levels. Unfortunately, astaxanthin (6–20 mg/d) does not appear to significantly influence LDL-C (−0.0725; 95% CI: −0.3070 to 0.1620) and total cholesterol (−0.0448; 95% CI: −0.3369 to 0.2473) levels. Regarding HDL-C, improvements were observed from 55 ± 8 mg/dL (pre-intervention) to 63 ± 8 mg/dL (post-intervention) (p < 0.01) in the 12 mg/d of astaxanthin groups. In the assessment of triglyceride levels, results show a decrease from 151 ± 26 mg/dL (pre-intervention) to 112 ± 40 mg/dL (post-intervention) (p < 0.01) for 18 mg/d astaxanthin supplementation. Conclusions: Further research is necessary to fully harness the potential of astaxanthin, which includes assessing astaxanthin in different subsets of patients, using a GWAS, and in combination with other nutraceuticals to understand the compound’s effectiveness with regard to varying health conditions, genetic and epigenetic factors, and synergistic effects with other compounds. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Medicinal Plants: Exploring Plant-Based Bioactive Compounds for Cancer and Metabolic Diseases Prevention and Intervention)
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