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Pharmaceuticals
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Plant-Derived Products in the Treatment of Internal Diseases: 2nd Edition
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Plant-Derived Products in the Treatment of Internal Diseases: 2nd Edition

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 December 2025 | Viewed by 4205

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Dorin Dragoş

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
First Department, Medical Semiology, Faculty of Medicine, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
Interests: phytotherapy; herbal medicine; integrative medicine; pshychosomatics; internal medicine; nephrology; cardiovascular; neurovascular; diabetes
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Adelina Vlad

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Functional Sciences I/Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania
Interests: atherosclerosis; coronary artery disease; scavenger receptors; anesthetic preconditioning; endothelial progenitor cells; non coding RNA; nutraceuticals; phytocompounds
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In recent decades, tremendous progress has been made in the discovery of new drugs for the treatment of internal diseases, reflected in the considerable change in the prognostic and course of these diseases. However, importantly, severe or even life-threatening side effects mar the employment of these novel treatments. Despite the statements in the guidelines, patients are not actually encouraged to perform the much-needed lifestyle changes that would make at least some of these new drugs less necessary, if at all, especially for the management of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, obesity, dyslipidemia, and chronic obstructive lung disease. There are many instances of inappropriate employment of conventional drugs in the treatment of symptoms/disorders for which those drugs are not indicated: antibiotics for viral diseases, coronary heart disease medication for unspecific (including psychosomatic) chest pain, blood pressure-lowering medication for emotion-related fluctuations in blood pressure, etc. Many honest practitioners acknowledge that they should use something else but lack the trust in or knowledge about alternative therapies. A large segment of the population prefers alternative treatments, one of the most popular being herbal treatment. Individuals relying on alternative therapies are more amenable to health-promoting lifestyle changes.

Unfortunately, among the researchers and practitioners of mainstream medicine, there is a high degree of skepticism about the effectiveness of natural products, given the paucity and low quality of evidence supporting them. Let us, those that understand the considerable and insufficiently tapped potential of natural products, provide high-quality studies and reviews promoting the use of these products!

Dr. Dorin Dragoş
Dr. Adelina Vlad
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 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

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
  • phytotherapy
  • herbal treatment
  • natural products
  • herbalism
  • traditional medicine
  • cardiovascular disease
  • lung disease
  • liver disease
  • gastrointestinal disease
  • kidney disease
  • obesity
  • diabetes
  • rheumatological disease

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

24 pages, 9854 KB  
Article
DHDK, a Plant-Derived Natural Small Molecule, Protects Against Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiotoxicity via the PPARG-CPT1B-FAO Axis
by Jing Hong, Fangyu Zhang, Ruizhen Zhang, Hongyang Fu, Dongang Shen, Xinyue Wang, Yuting Yang, Jiamei Wu, Lin Meng, Hongyang Lü, Xiwei Jiang and Yunli Zhao
Pharmaceuticals 2025, 18(11), 1759; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph18111759 - 18 Nov 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 523
Abstract
Background: Doxorubicin (DOX) is a highly effective chemotherapy drug, but its use is limited by dose-dependent cardiotoxicity, driving the search for protective natural products. Although the herb Viscum coloratum (Kom.) Nakai is known for its cardiovascular benefits, the cardioprotective effects and mechanisms of [...] Read more.
Background: Doxorubicin (DOX) is a highly effective chemotherapy drug, but its use is limited by dose-dependent cardiotoxicity, driving the search for protective natural products. Although the herb Viscum coloratum (Kom.) Nakai is known for its cardiovascular benefits, the cardioprotective effects and mechanisms of its isolated compound, DHDK, remain unexplored. Methods: The protective effect of DHDK was first evaluated in DOX-injured H9c2 cardiomyocytes. Subsequently, an integrated network toxicology (incorporating DOX-induced toxicity targets and relevant chronic disease pathways such as aging and lipid metabolism) and pharmacology (DHDK) approach identified core targets, which were then refined through Protein–Protein Interaction (PPI) analysis and molecular docking. The underlying mechanism was investigated using lipidomics and validated through a series of in vitro assays, including CCK-8, q-PCR, biochemical tests, and flow cytometry, as well as in an in vivo rat model. Results: DHDK significantly alleviated DOX-induced cardiomyocyte toxicity. Integrated analysis identified 56 intersecting targets, with PPARG confirmed as the primary target via PPI and molecular docking. Lipidomics revealed that DHDK potently attenuated DOX-induced accumulation of pathogenic lipids (e.g., fatty acids, ceramides). Mechanistically, DHDK activated PPARG, which in turn upregulated CPT1B, a key regulator of fatty acid β-oxidation (FAO). This enhanced cell viability, ATP production, and mitochondrial membrane potential while reducing oxidative stress. These protective effects, which were abolished by the inhibition of PPARG or CPT1B, were further validated in vivo. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that DHDK exerts its cardioprotective effect by activating the PPARG-CPT1B-FAO axis, effectively correcting lipid metabolic disorders. Given that lipid dysregulation is a hallmark of various internal metabolic diseases, DHDK may also hold therapeutic potential for other heart conditions driven by metabolic disturbances, such as diabetic cardiomyopathy, highlighting its broad relevance to the field of internal diseases. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant-Derived Products in the Treatment of Internal Diseases: 2nd Edition)
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20 pages, 9688 KB  
Article
Hypolipidemic Effects of Alpinia japonica Extracts: Modulation of PPAR Signaling, Gut Microbiota, and Intestinal Barrier Function in Hyperlipidemic Rats
by Liqing Zhou, Cong Fang, Hongwei Li, Yifan Lin, Huiqing Que, Hongxu Liu, Lihong Ma and Wenjin Lin
Pharmaceuticals 2025, 18(9), 1320; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph18091320 - 3 Sep 2025
Viewed by 1022
Abstract
Objectives: Alpinia japonica (A. japonica) is traditionally used for digestive disorders, but its hypolipidemic mechanisms remain unclear. This study investigated the lipid-lowering effects of its fruit (SJGS), rhizome (SJGJ), and leaf (SJY) extracts, exploring their bioactive constituents and organ-specific mechanisms. [...] Read more.
Objectives: Alpinia japonica (A. japonica) is traditionally used for digestive disorders, but its hypolipidemic mechanisms remain unclear. This study investigated the lipid-lowering effects of its fruit (SJGS), rhizome (SJGJ), and leaf (SJY) extracts, exploring their bioactive constituents and organ-specific mechanisms. Methods: Sprague Dawley rats (n = 8/group) fed a high-fat diet received SJGS, SJGJ, or SJY (200 mg/kg/day) for 4 weeks. Serum lipids (TC, TG), liver enzymes (AST, ALT), and intestinal barrier markers (DAO) were measured. Gut microbiota (16S rDNA sequencing), hepatic histopathology, and ileal tight junction proteins were analyzed. Transcriptomics and qPCR assessed ileal gene expression. LC-MS identified chemical constituents, while network pharmacology predicted compound-target interactions. Results: All extracts significantly reduced serum TC (↓ 27–33%), TG (↓ 29–38%), AST/ALT (↓ 22–30%), and DAO (↓ 35–42%) versus controls (p < 0.05). They improved hepatic steatosis, enhanced intestinal barrier function, and modulated gut microbiota (↑ α-diversity, ↓ Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio). Transcriptomics revealed PPAR signaling as the core pathway: SJGS/SJGJ downregulated fatty acid oxidation genes (ACSL1, ACOX1, ACADM), while SJY upregulated APOA1 (2.3-fold). LC-MS identified 33–48 compounds/part, with seven shared constituents. Network analysis prioritized three flavonoids (pinocembrin, luteolin, galangin) targeting TNF, AKT1, and PPAR pathways. Conclusions: The findings suggest A. japonica extracts ameliorate hyperlipidemia through distinct mechanisms—SJGS/SJGJ may inhibit fatty acid oxidation, while SJY potentially enhances APOA1-mediated clearance. Shared flavonoids likely contribute to these effects via PPAR signaling, supporting its traditional use. This study provides a scientific basis for the sustainable utilization of A. japonica resources. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant-Derived Products in the Treatment of Internal Diseases: 2nd Edition)
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19 pages, 2360 KB  
Article
Lepisanthes alata Attenuates Carrageenan-Induced Inflammation and Pain in Rats: A Phytochemical-Based Approach
by Elvy Suhana Mohd Ramli, Nadia Mohamed Tarmizi, Nur Aqilah Kamaruddin and Mohd Amir Kamaruzzaman
Pharmaceuticals 2025, 18(8), 1142; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph18081142 - 31 Jul 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2136
Abstract
Background: Inflammation abrogates cellular organization and tissue homoeostasis, resulting in redness, swelling, heat, pain, and loss of function. A model of carrageenan-induced paw edema (CIE) is commonly utilized to test anti-inflammatory substances. Based on the ability of Lepisanthes alata (LA), a tropical [...] Read more.
Background: Inflammation abrogates cellular organization and tissue homoeostasis, resulting in redness, swelling, heat, pain, and loss of function. A model of carrageenan-induced paw edema (CIE) is commonly utilized to test anti-inflammatory substances. Based on the ability of Lepisanthes alata (LA), a tropical plant that is rich in phytochemicals like polyphenols, this study assessed the optimal dose and the health benefits of LA in rats that had been induced with carrageenan to develop paw swelling. Methods: Twenty-four male Wistar rats were divided into four groups to which carrageenan was administered, after which, distilled water at oral dose (C + DW), sodium diclofenac 25 mg/kg (C + DS), LA extract in 250 mg/kg (C + LA250), and 500 mg/kg (C + LA500) was given, respectively. Paw edema was assessed in 24 h. Pain was assessed using the Rat Grimace Scale (RGS), cytokines, antioxidant activity, and tissue changes. Results: LA at 250 and 500 mg/kg significantly decreased paw edema and inflammatory markers in the results of both studies. Remarkably, LA 250 mg/kg significantly decreased RGS scores as well as IL-1β, TNF-α, and histological inflammation but had a positive effect on T-SOD levels. Conclusions: LA extract, especially at 250 mg/kg, shows potent anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antioxidant properties in CIE rats. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant-Derived Products in the Treatment of Internal Diseases: 2nd Edition)
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