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Biological Activities of Plant Extracts, 2nd Edition
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Biological Activities of Plant Extracts, 2nd Edition

A special issue of Plants (ISSN 2223-7747). This special issue belongs to the section "Phytochemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 August 2025 | Viewed by 2799

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Cheng-Yang Huang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Department of Biomedical Sciences, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung City 402, Taiwan
2. Department of Medical Research, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung City 402, Taiwan
Interests: plant extracts; natural products; enzyme inhibitors; molecular mechanisms
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Plants serve as a rich reservoir of phytochemicals and secondary metabolites with numerous beneficial medicinal properties. The significance of phytochemicals has grown substantially in recent decades due to their intriguing bioactive properties, could potentially enhance human health. Plant extracts have a longstanding history of applications for treating various ailments, forming the foundation of pharmacotherapy. Exploring functional plant extracts for therapeutic purposes has proven an invaluable and productive approach in the quest for potential pharmacological interventions. Numerous studies have highlighted the capacity of plant extracts to inhibit physiologically relevant enzymes. This Special Issue is dedicated to the examination of plant extracts as potential inhibitors, focusing on their inhibitory effects on key enzyme activities. These enzyme functions hold considerable significance in the context of several health conditions, encompassing inflammation, skin aging, diabetes, obesity, heart diseases, allergy, cancer, aging, and others. The aim of this Special Issue in Plants is to present the latest research findings concerning plant extracts and their diverse biological activities, with particular emphasis on their potential to inhibit enzymatic reactions. Contributions addressing the cytotoxic and antimicrobial properties of plant extracts are also strongly encouraged.

Prof. Dr. Cheng-Yang Huang
Guest Editor

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. Plants is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly 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 2700 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

  • plant extracts
  • pharmacology
  • cytotoxic activity
  • natural products
  • enzyme inhibition
  • pharmacognosy
  • functional foods
  • antioxidants
  • antimicrobial activity
  • chemoprevention

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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24 pages, 8214 KiB  
Article
Inhibition of RPA32 and Cytotoxic Effects of the Carnivorous Plant Sarracenia purpurea Root Extract in Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Cells
by Kuo-Ting Chang, Yu-Cheng Chen, Yi Lien, Yen-Hua Huang and Cheng-Yang Huang
Plants 2025, 14(10), 1426; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14101426 - 9 May 2025
Viewed by 219
Abstract
The carnivorous plant Sarracenia purpurea has been traditionally used in various ethnobotanical applications, including treatments for type 2 diabetes and tuberculosis-like symptoms. This study investigates the cytotoxic effects of S. purpurea root extract (Sp-R) on human non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines, including [...] Read more.
The carnivorous plant Sarracenia purpurea has been traditionally used in various ethnobotanical applications, including treatments for type 2 diabetes and tuberculosis-like symptoms. This study investigates the cytotoxic effects of S. purpurea root extract (Sp-R) on human non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines, including H1975, H838, and A549, focusing on its impact on cell survival, apoptosis, proliferation, and migration. Additionally, its ability to inhibit the single-stranded DNA-binding activity of human RPA32 (huRPA32), a key protein in DNA replication, was evaluated. Extracts from different plant parts (leaf, stem, and root) were prepared using various solvents (water, methanol, ethanol, and acetone) and screened for apoptosis-inducing potential using the chromatin condensation assay. Among these, the acetone-extracted root fraction (Sp-R-A) exhibited the most potent pro-apoptotic effects. The MTT assay demonstrated a dose-dependent cytotoxic effect on NSCLC cells, with IC50 values of 33.74 μg/mL for H1975, 60.79 μg/mL for H838, and 66.52 μg/mL for A549. Migration and clonogenic assays further revealed that Sp-R-A significantly inhibited cancer cell migration and colony formation in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, Sp-R-A enhanced apoptosis when combined with the EGFR inhibitor afatinib, suggesting a potential synergistic effect. The electrophoretic mobility shift assay confirmed that Sp-R-A significantly inhibited the DNA-binding activity of huRPA32, with an IC50 of 13.6 μg/mL. AlphaFold structural prediction and molecular docking studies indicated that major bioactive compounds in S. purpurea, including α-amyrin, ursolic acid, and betulinaldehyde, strongly interact with the DNA-binding domain of huRPA32, potentially contributing to its inhibitory effect. Overall, these findings suggest that huRPA32 is a potential molecular target of Sp-R-A and the anticancer potential of S. purpurea root extract against NSCLC is highlighted, supporting further investigation into its therapeutic applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biological Activities of Plant Extracts, 2nd Edition)
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Review

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39 pages, 1666 KiB  
Review
Medicinal Plants Against Dental Caries: Research and Application of Their Antibacterial Properties
by Marcela Alejandra Gloria-Garza, Gustavo Raúl Reyna-Martínez, Zacarías Jiménez-Salas, Eduardo Campos-Góngora, Miroslava Kačániová, Diana Elena Aguirre-Cavazos, Minerva Bautista-Villarreal, Catalina Leos-Rivas and Joel Horacio Elizondo-Luevano
Plants 2025, 14(9), 1390; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14091390 - 5 May 2025
Viewed by 272
Abstract
Dental caries remains one of the most widespread global health concerns, significantly affecting both oral and overall health. Conventional treatments typically rely on chemical-based products which, although effective, are often associated with undesirable side effects such as tooth staining, altered taste, and the [...] Read more.
Dental caries remains one of the most widespread global health concerns, significantly affecting both oral and overall health. Conventional treatments typically rely on chemical-based products which, although effective, are often associated with undesirable side effects such as tooth staining, altered taste, and the development of antimicrobial resistance. As a response, plant-based natural alternatives have gained attention as promising strategies for the prevention and management of dental caries. This review highlights the antibacterial properties of medicinal plants and their potential applications in dentistry, with a particular focus on their activity against a broad range of bacteria and microorganisms involved in oral diseases. Numerous plant extracts and bioactive compounds—including polyphenols, flavonoids, and essential oils—have demonstrated antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties that contribute to maintaining oral health. Although in vitro and in vivo studies support their therapeutic potential, clinical trials assessing long-term efficacy and safety remain scarce. Future research should prioritize the standardization of extraction methods, dosage, and formulations to facilitate the integration of these natural alternatives into conventional dental care practices. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biological Activities of Plant Extracts, 2nd Edition)
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13 pages, 974 KiB  
Review
The Applications of Plant Polyphenols: Implications for the Development and Biotechnological Utilization of Ilex Species
by Gong Cheng, Yuxiao Yan, Bingsong Zheng and Daoliang Yan
Plants 2024, 13(23), 3271; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13233271 - 21 Nov 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1798
Abstract
Plants belonging to the Ilex species are distinguished by their rich composition of diverse phenolic compounds and various bioactive substances, which demonstrate dual functionalities in therapeutic applications and health promotion. In recent years, these plants have garnered significant interest among researchers. While the [...] Read more.
Plants belonging to the Ilex species are distinguished by their rich composition of diverse phenolic compounds and various bioactive substances, which demonstrate dual functionalities in therapeutic applications and health promotion. In recent years, these plants have garnered significant interest among researchers. While the application scope of plant polyphenols (PPs) is extensive, the exploration and utilization of holly polyphenols (HPs) remain comparatively underexplored. This article reviews the research advancements regarding the predominant phenolic compounds present in commonly studied Ilex species over the past five years and summarizes the application studies of PPs across various domains, including pharmacological applications, food technology, health supplements, and cosmetic formulations. The objective of this review is to provide insights into the systematic research and development of HPs, offering references and recommendations to enhance their value. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biological Activities of Plant Extracts, 2nd Edition)
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