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Pharmaceuticals
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Extracts and Essential Oils from Medicinal Plants: Biological Activities, Applications,...
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Extracts and Essential Oils from Medicinal Plants: Biological Activities, Applications, and Perspectives

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2026 | Viewed by 2865

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Stefan Tyski

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Guest Editor
National Medicines Institute, Warsaw, Poland
Interests: antimicrobial agents; drug resistance; medicines testing; natural medicines; antibiotics; antiseptics
Dr. Agnieszka E. Laudy

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Guest Editor
Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
Interests: antimicrobial activity; drug resistance mechanisms; drug synergism; antibacterial compounds; antifungal compounds; disinfectants; non-antibiotics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Mariola Kozłowska

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Guest Editor
Department of Chemistry, Institute of Food Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland
Interests: biological activity of plant material; oxidative stability of fats; polyphenols; antioxidants; structured lipids
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Medicinal plants, including herbs and spices, have been used for centuries in traditional healing systems and daily diets due to their health-promoting properties. The extracts and essential oils derived from these plants are a rich source of biologically active compounds with a broad spectrum of activity, ranging from antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties to anticancer, antioxidant, and neuroprotective effects. They are the focus of intensive research across various fields, including pharmacology, biotechnology, food science, cosmetology, and agriculture, due to their natural origin and relative availability. The abundance of active compounds of natural origin and the multidirectional biological effects of medicinal plants make them promising candidates for further pharmacological and clinical research.

This Special Issue focuses on current scientific achievements in the field of chemical composition, including the biological activity and applications of extracts and essential oils obtained from medicinal and spice plants. Particular attention is paid to modern extraction methods enabling the efficient acquisition of bioactive compounds (such as extraction with green solvents, supercritical techniques, or ultrasound-assisted extraction) and the analysis of the chemical profiles of extracts and essential oils using advanced instrumental techniques (e.g., HPLC, CE, LC-MS, and GC-MS). Studies exploring the relationship between chemical composition and biological activity, especially antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, are also of particular interest.

We especially welcome interdisciplinary studies that combine phytochemistry and microbiology, highlighting the potential of plant-derived active substances in modern phytotherapy and health prevention, in line with the principles of sustainable development and evidence-based medicine.

Prof. Dr. Stefan Tyski
Dr. Agnieszka E. Laudy
Dr. Mariola Kozłowska
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
  • spices and herbs
  • bioactive compounds
  • antimicrobial agents
  • plant extracts
  • essential oils
  • phytochemical analysis
  • microbiological analysis
  • natural medicines

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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23 pages, 4387 KB  
Article
Behavioral, Biochemical, and In Silico Evidence for Extraction-Dependent Neuroprotective Effects of Citrus limon Leaf Essential Oils in Scopolamine-Challenged Zebrafish
by Salwa Bouabdallah, Ahmed Kouki, Mona H. Ibrahim, Ion Brinza, Razvan Stefan Boiangiu, Mossadok Ben-Attia, Lucian Hritcu and Amr Amin
Pharmaceuticals 2026, 19(3), 458; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph19030458 - 11 Mar 2026
Viewed by 535
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Citrus limon leaf essential oil (EO) is traditionally used for its calming and cognitive-enhancing properties. Although the chemical composition of C. limon leaf essential oils (EOs) obtained by means of hydrodistillation (HD) and solvent-free microwave extraction (SFME) has been previously characterized, [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Citrus limon leaf essential oil (EO) is traditionally used for its calming and cognitive-enhancing properties. Although the chemical composition of C. limon leaf essential oils (EOs) obtained by means of hydrodistillation (HD) and solvent-free microwave extraction (SFME) has been previously characterized, the influence of the extraction method on their neuroprotective efficacy and dose–response effects remains insufficiently explored. In the present study, EOs obtained by means of HD (CEH) and SFME (CEM) were compared for their behavioral, biochemical, and in silico neuroprotective effects against scopolamine (SCOP)-induced cognitive and anxiety-like impairments in adult zebrafish. Methods: Adult Tübingen zebrafish were exposed to CEH or CEM via immersion at 10, 100, and 150 µL/L for 19 days prior to SCOP challenge (100 µM). Cognitive performance was evaluated using the Y-maze and novel object recognition (NOR) tests, while anxiety-like behavior was assessed using the novel tank test (NTT) and novel approach test (NAT). Brain acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity and oxidative stress markers were quantified. Molecular docking analyses were conducted to investigate interactions between major EO constituents and AChE and monoamine oxidase A (MAO A). Results: Both CEH and CEM significantly attenuated SCOP-induced memory deficits, improved spontaneous alternation and NOR discrimination, and reduced anxiety-like behaviors. These effects were associated with AChE inhibition and restoration of redox balance. Notably, CEM generally exhibited stronger neurobehavioral and biochemical effects at comparable doses. In silico analyses supported these findings, revealing favorable binding affinities of key EO constituents toward cholinergic and monoaminergic targets. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that the extraction method influences the neuroprotective efficacy of C. limon leaf EOs. While both CEH and CEM exert antioxidant and cholinergic modulatory effects, CEM shows enhanced neuroprotective potential in a zebrafish model of SCOP-induced cognitive impairment, supporting the relevance of extraction-dependent biological profiling in EO-based neurotherapeutic research. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Extracts and Essential Oils from Medicinal Plants: Biological Activities, Applications, and Perspectives)
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21 pages, 2560 KB  
Article
Chemical Composition, Analgesic, and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Pelargonium odoratissimum Essential Oils (L.) L’Hérit
by Pamela Rungqu and Opeoluwa Oyedeji
Pharmaceuticals 2025, 18(10), 1428; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph18101428 - 23 Sep 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1145
Abstract
Background/Objectives: P. odoratissimum has been traditionally used for its antiseptic and astringent qualities, as well as for treating burns, shingles, ulcers, and wounds. This study sought to explore the chemical profile, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory properties of P. odoratissimum essential oils extracted from [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: P. odoratissimum has been traditionally used for its antiseptic and astringent qualities, as well as for treating burns, shingles, ulcers, and wounds. This study sought to explore the chemical profile, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory properties of P. odoratissimum essential oils extracted from different parts. Methods: The essential oils from fresh and dry P. odoratissimum leaves and twigs were extracted using a hydrodistillation method and their chemical profile was elucidated by a GC-MS. In addition, rats were used to test the essential oils’ analgesic effects by submerging the tail in hot water. Paw edema caused by egg albumin was utilized to evaluate the anti-inflammatory impact of the oils; oral dosages of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg were used in both biological assays. Results: The essential oils were found to contain forty-seven different compounds. Among these, the following compounds were some of the oil’s principal compounds: 1.8–4.9% α-selinene, 0.6–5.2% γ-cadinene, 0.6–9.2% γ-selinene, 3.6–10.0% piperitone, 45.7–46.3% isomenthone, and 41.8–63.9% menthone. Pharmacological investigation of the essential oils revealed that even the highest dosage of 5000 mg/kg showed no acute toxicity-related deaths. The oils significantly enhanced the time of reaction in analgesic evaluation at dosages of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg. Moreover, the essential oils also substantially suppressed (p < 0.01–0.001) the paw swelling caused by egg albumin at 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg dosages. Conclusions: These results confirmed the great potential of P. odoratissimum essential oils and their application in traditional medicine. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Extracts and Essential Oils from Medicinal Plants: Biological Activities, Applications, and Perspectives)
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Review

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31 pages, 5467 KB  
Review
Overview of Research on Essential Oils of Zanthoxylum bungeanum: Composition, Activity, Applications, and Challenges
by Qing Du, Yuwan Diao, Yu Meng, Zihan Wang, Jing Zhang, Tingting Wu, Qiaoyi Huang, Xiaoying Huang and Ming Yang
Pharmaceuticals 2026, 19(3), 473; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph19030473 - 13 Mar 2026
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 738
Abstract
As the main active component of Zanthoxylum bungeanum, its volatile oil (ZEO) exhibits diverse pharmacological activities, including insecticidal, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-tumor effects. These properties support its traditional functions, such as “expelling worms” and “warming the Middle Jiao to alleviate pain and [...] Read more.
As the main active component of Zanthoxylum bungeanum, its volatile oil (ZEO) exhibits diverse pharmacological activities, including insecticidal, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-tumor effects. These properties support its traditional functions, such as “expelling worms” and “warming the Middle Jiao to alleviate pain and relieve itching.” However, modern research mainly validates individual components or effects, leaving notable gaps in understanding this complex system. This review integrates research on ZEO, summarizing its composition, influencing factors, and mechanisms of action. By framing the “composition–activity–mechanism–application” continuum, this review analyzes the basis for the holistic, multi-component, multi-target therapeutic model of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). It clarifies the core TCM principles of pharmacological symbiosis and synergy through formula compatibility. These insights form a theoretical basis for further development and wider application of ZEO in fields such as medicine, food, and daily chemical products. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Extracts and Essential Oils from Medicinal Plants: Biological Activities, Applications, and Perspectives)
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