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Pharmaceutics
Special Issues
Pharmaceutical Applications and Therapeutic Mechanisms of Substances from Plant Origin
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Pharmaceutical Applications and Therapeutic Mechanisms of Substances from Plant Origin

A special issue of Pharmaceutics (ISSN 1999-4923). This special issue belongs to the section "Drug Targeting and Design".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 March 2027 | Viewed by 8060

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Iliya Zhelev Slavov

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Guest Editor
Department of Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Varna, 9000 Varna, Bulgaria
Interests: pharmacognosy; phytochemistry; phytotherapy
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Stanislava Ivanova

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Guest Editor
1. Department of Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Plovdiv, 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
2. Research Institute, Medical University of Plovdiv, 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
Interests: nutrition; phytochemistry; phytotherapy; pharmaceutical analysis
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Nadezhda Hvarchanova

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Guest Editor
Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Varna, 9000 Varna, Bulgaria
Interests: pharmacology; toxicology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Nadezhda Ivanova

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Guest Editor
Department of Pharmaceutical Technologies, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Varna, 9000 Varna, Bulgaria
Interests: drug stability; silver nanoparticles; polymeric nanoparticles; pharmaceutical analysis; transdermal and mucosal drug permeation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Plants have been a significant source of medicinal compounds for centuries, offering a wide range of bioactive substances with substantial pharmacological potential. Traditional medicine systems in various cultures have long relied on plant-derived medicines, many of which have been subsequently validated by scientific research. The diverse chemical composition of plants, including alkaloids, terpenes, terpenoids, and polyphenols, contributes to their wide range of therapeutic effects, such as anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anticancer, antioxidant, and neuroprotective properties, among many others.

As modern medicine faces challenges such as antibiotic resistance, chronic diseases, and adverse drug reactions, the scientific community is particularly interested in the search for new plant-based pharmaceuticals. Advances in phytochemistry, molecular biology, and pharmacology have further improved plant-derived compounds’ identification, isolation, and modification, paving the way for new therapeutic agents.

The Special Issue of Pharmaceutics welcomes the submission of manuscripts focused on drug delivery systems, absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion (ADME), pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and therapeutic mechanisms of substances from plant origin.

The Special Issue of Pharmaceuticals also welcomes manuscripts focusing on the analysis of cellular and molecular mechanisms of natural compounds or characterized extracts.

You may choose our Joint Special Issue in Pharmaceuticals.

Dr. Iliya Zhelev Slavov
Dr. Stanislava Ivanova
Dr. Nadezhda Hvarchanova
Dr. Nadezhda Ivanova
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. Pharmaceutics 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

  • natural substances
  • phytotherapy
  • phytochemistry
  • chromatography
  • pharmacokinetics
  • pharmacodynamics
  • drug delivery

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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42 pages, 7024 KB  
Article
Allium cepa L. Peels: Phytochemical Characterization and Bioactive Potential in Infectious and Metabolic Contexts (In Vitro, In Vivo, and In Silico)
by Aziz Drioiche, Bshra A. Alsfouk, Omkulthom Al kamaly, Laila Bouqbis, Abdelhakim Elomri and Touriya Zair
Pharmaceutics 2026, 18(4), 476; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics18040476 - 13 Apr 2026
Viewed by 660
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Onion (Allium cepa) peems are an underutilized by-product rich in polyphenols. This study evaluated the physicochemical profile, and bioactive potential (antidiabetic, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anticoagulant) of Moroccan red onion peels using integrated in vivo, in vitro, and in silico [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Onion (Allium cepa) peems are an underutilized by-product rich in polyphenols. This study evaluated the physicochemical profile, and bioactive potential (antidiabetic, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anticoagulant) of Moroccan red onion peels using integrated in vivo, in vitro, and in silico approaches. Methods: Moisture, pH, ash content, and mineral elements were determined, followed by phytochemical screening and three extractions: decoction E0, aqueous Soxhlet E1, and hydroethanolic Soxhlet E2 (70/30; ethanol/water, v/v). The measurement of polyphenols, flavonoids, and tannins was carried out using colorimetric methods, while the molecular profile was studied by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to ultraviolet detection and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HPLC/UV-ESI-MS). Biological activities were determined using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, ferric reducing antioxidant power, and total antioxidant capacity assays (in vitro antioxidant); microdilution (antimicrobial); prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time (anticoagulant); and α-amylase/α-glucosidase enzymatic inhibition and oral glucose tolerance tests on normoglycemic rats. Also, acute toxicity was evaluated, and molecular interactions between these proteins and ligands (docking, molecular dynamics, and MM-PBSA) were analyzed. Results: Physicochemical analyses showed an acidic pH (3.06) and high ash content (15.21%), with the concentration of regulated elements remaining within FAO/WHO limits. The extractive content was between 6.90% E0 and 19.18% E2. The E1 extract had the maximum amount of total polyphenols (178.95 mg GAE/g); on the other hand, E2 was the richest in flavonoids by 121.43 mg QE/g. The HPLC/ESI-MS analysis of E0 revealed 20 compounds, among which flavonoids (84.93%) were predominant, with isorhamnetin (30.26%), followed by quercetin and its glycosylated forms. E1 showed the most potent antioxidant effects (IC50 DPPH, 22.38 µg/mL, as that of ascorbic acid). The antibacterial activity of E0 was especially potent towards Enterobacter cloacae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MIC 75 µg/mL). A mild dose-dependent anticoagulant effect was seen. Antidiabetic activity was found to be outstanding: α-amylase (IC50 62.75 µg/mL) and α-glucosidase (IC50 8.49 µg/mL, stronger than acarbose) inhibitions were corroborated in vivo by a considerable decrease in the glycemic area under the curve. The molecular docking study in silico demonstrated strong molecular interactions, especially for quercetin 4′-O-glucoside with good binding energies. Conclusions: A. cepa peels from Morocco can be considered a safe plant matrix containing bioactive flavonoids with strong antioxidant and selective antimicrobial activities and promising antidiabetic effects, supported by molecular modeling. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pharmaceutical Applications and Therapeutic Mechanisms of Substances from Plant Origin)
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21 pages, 5217 KB  
Article
Neurocognitive and Memory-Enhancing Effect of Tanacetum vulgare Essential Oil: Involvement of Hippocampal Neurotrophic Signaling
by Borislava Lechkova, Michaela Shishmanova-Doseva, Niko Benbassat, Pepa Atanassova, Nadya Penkova, Petar Hrischev and Zhivko Peychev
Pharmaceutics 2026, 18(4), 449; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics18040449 - 6 Apr 2026
Viewed by 1318
Abstract
Background: Scientific interest has grown in naturally derived compounds capable of supporting or enhancing cognitive performance. Tanacetum vulgare L. is an abundant source of secondary metabolites and has been associated with a broad range of biological activities; however, its potential influence on [...] Read more.
Background: Scientific interest has grown in naturally derived compounds capable of supporting or enhancing cognitive performance. Tanacetum vulgare L. is an abundant source of secondary metabolites and has been associated with a broad range of biological activities; however, its potential influence on cognitive function remains largely unexplored. Methods: The present study explored the effects of T. vulgare essential oil (EO) on cognitive performance, hippocampal brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression, and histomorphological alterations in a rat model. Animals were administered T. vulgare EO at doses of 0.5 and 1.5 mL/kg for 28 days and were subjected to a series of behavioral tests after one week of pretreatment. Results: Both doses of EO facilitated the formation of short- and long-term memory traces in the inhibitory avoidance tasks, with a more pronounced effect observed at the lower dose, whereas improvement in passive learning was evident only at the higher dose. Spatial and recognition memory were enhanced at both doses. EO treatment significantly increased hippocampal BDNF expression without inducing pathological alterations. Conclusions: These findings suggest that T. vulgare EO may improve specific hippocampal-dependent cognitive functions, with upregulation of hippocampal BDNF representing a potential underlying mechanism. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pharmaceutical Applications and Therapeutic Mechanisms of Substances from Plant Origin)
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25 pages, 5443 KB  
Article
Nanoencapsulation of Tomentosin-Rich Pulicaria crispa Fraction in MIL-53(Fe) Improves the Release Profile and In Vitro Anti-Colorectal Cancer Activity
by Fatma Abo-Elghiet, George M. Hakeem, Rehab Mahmoud, Mona H. Ibrahim, Hamies B. Nabil, Zienab E. Eldin, Maha B. Abd Elhaleem, Sarah I. Othman, Nourhan Hassan and Emad M. Elzayat
Pharmaceutics 2026, 18(2), 227; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics18020227 - 11 Feb 2026
Viewed by 971
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Plant-derived bioactives offer pharmacological potential but are often limited by poor delivery and selectivity. The Pulicaria crispa dichloromethane fraction (DCMF) shows potent but non-selective antiproliferative activity. This study aimed to engineer a functional nanoformulation using a MIL-53(Fe) metal–organic framework (MOF) to achieve [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Plant-derived bioactives offer pharmacological potential but are often limited by poor delivery and selectivity. The Pulicaria crispa dichloromethane fraction (DCMF) shows potent but non-selective antiproliferative activity. This study aimed to engineer a functional nanoformulation using a MIL-53(Fe) metal–organic framework (MOF) to achieve sustained release and improve in vitro potency and selectivity against colorectal cancer cells. Methods: DCMF was phytochemically profiled by GC-MS. A DCMF@MIL-53(Fe) nanocomposite was synthesized and characterized for particle size, zeta potential, and entrapment efficiency. In vitro release kinetics were evaluated. Anticancer activity and selectivity were assessed in HCT-116 cells. Mechanistic studies included cell-cycle analysis, cell-death assays, and molecular docking. Results: Tomentosin was identified as the predominant constituent (28.82%). The nanocomposite displayed suitable physicochemical properties (mean size: 218 nm; entrapment efficiency: 83.6%) and a clear transition from burst to sustained drug release over 48 h. Nanoencapsulation resulted in a 53-fold increase in cytotoxic potency, calculated on a DCMF-equivalent basis (IC50 = 0.40 µg/mL), compared with free DCMF (IC50 = 21.51 µg/mL), along with a modest improvement in selectivity. Enhanced activity was associated with G0/G1 cell cycle arrest and a shift toward necrotic, non-apoptotic cell death. Docking of the predominant constituent, tomentosin, supported plausible interactions with CDK4/Cyclin D3 and the MDM2–p53 axis, providing structural context for G1/S checkpoint disruption. Conclusions: MIL-53(Fe) nanoencapsulation converted a non-selective plant extract into a sustained-release formulation with improved in vitro efficacy and selectivity. These findings provide proof-of-concept that rational nano-delivery strategies can mitigate key pharmaceutical limitations of plant-derived fractions and enhance the anticancer potential of traditional medicinal resources. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pharmaceutical Applications and Therapeutic Mechanisms of Substances from Plant Origin)
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17 pages, 2171 KB  
Article
Targeting Redox Homeostasis and Cell Survival Signaling with a Flavonoid-Rich Extract of Bergamot Juice in In Vitro and In Vivo Colorectal Cancer Models
by Alessandro Maugeri, Paola De Cicco, Rebecca Amico, Martina Farina, Michele Navarra and Francesca Borrelli
Pharmaceutics 2026, 18(1), 7; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics18010007 - 20 Dec 2025
Viewed by 839
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most common cause of cancer death worldwide. Evidence suggests that a polyphenol-rich diet may lower the risk of CRC. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the potential antitumor effects of a flavonoid-rich extract [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most common cause of cancer death worldwide. Evidence suggests that a polyphenol-rich diet may lower the risk of CRC. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the potential antitumor effects of a flavonoid-rich extract of bergamot juice (BJe) in both in vitro and in vivo CRC models, assessing the underlying mechanisms. Methods: CRC cells, among which HCT-116, have been employed to assess the fine mechanism of action of BJe, whereas a mouse model of azoxymethane (AOM)-induced CRC was exploited to appreciate the anti-cancer effects of BJe. Results: BJe inhibited the growth of several CRC cells, especially HCT-116. In this cell line, BJe induced apoptosis and blocked the cell cycle in the G1 phase, as well as modulated the gene expression of apoptosis- and cell cycle-related factors. Moreover, BJe prompted reactive oxygen species production and impaired mitochondrial membrane potential. In the nucleus of these cancerous cells, BJe induced DNA damage as confirmed by the raised levels of 8-oxo-2′-deoxyguanosine and phosphorylation of histone H2A.X. In mice with AOM-induced CRC, BJe was able to lower the number of aberrant crypt foci. Moreover, BJe reduced the percentage of mice bearing both polyps and tumors, as well as their number. Conclusions: Our study supports the role of BJe against CRC, providing knowledge on the underlying mechanism of action. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pharmaceutical Applications and Therapeutic Mechanisms of Substances from Plant Origin)
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Review

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69 pages, 3282 KB  
Review
Formulation Strategies for Immunomodulatory Natural Products in 3D Tumor Spheroids and Organoids: Current Challenges and Emerging Solutions
by Chang-Eui Hong and Su-Yun Lyu
Pharmaceutics 2025, 17(10), 1258; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics17101258 - 25 Sep 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3405
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Natural products exhibit significant immunomodulatory potential but face severe efficacy loss in three-dimensional (3D) tumor models. This review comprehensively examines the penetration–activity trade-off and proposes integrated strategies for developing effective natural product-based cancer immunotherapies. Methods: We analyzed formulation strategies across three natural [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Natural products exhibit significant immunomodulatory potential but face severe efficacy loss in three-dimensional (3D) tumor models. This review comprehensively examines the penetration–activity trade-off and proposes integrated strategies for developing effective natural product-based cancer immunotherapies. Methods: We analyzed formulation strategies across three natural product categories (hydrophobic, macromolecular, stability-sensitive), evaluating penetration enhancement versus activity preservation in spheroids, organoids, and advanced 3D platforms. Results: Tumor spheroids present formidable barriers: dense extracellular matrix (33-fold increased fibronectin), pH gradients (7.4 → 6.5), and extreme cell density (6 × 107 cells/cm3). While nanoparticles, liposomes, and cyclodextrins achieve 3–20-fold penetration improvements, biological activity frequently declines through conformational changes, incomplete release (10–75%), and surface modification interference. Critically, immune cells remain peripheral (30–50 μm), questioning deep penetration pursuit. Patient-derived organoids display 68% predictive accuracy, while emerging vascularized models unveil additional complexity. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Modernization Act 2.0 enables regulatory acceptance of these advanced models. Conclusions: Effective therapeutic outcomes depend on maintaining immunomodulatory activity in peripherally-located immune cell populations rather than achieving maximum tissue penetration depth. Our five-stage evaluation framework and standardization protocols guide development. Future priorities include artificial intelligence-driven optimization, personalized formulation strategies, and integration of multi-organ platforms to bridge the critical gap between enhanced delivery and therapeutic efficacy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pharmaceutical Applications and Therapeutic Mechanisms of Substances from Plant Origin)
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