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Valuable Sources of Bioactive Natural Products from Plants, Third Edition

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A Special Issue of Plants (ISSN 2223-7747) belonging to the section "Phytochemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2026 | Viewed by 12189

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Editors

Dr. Reneta Gevrenova

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Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University-Sofia, 2 Dunav Str., Sofia, Bulgaria
Interests: pharmacognosy; phytochemistry; pharmaceutical botany; natural products; saponins; phenolic compounds; flavonoids; HPLC and LC-MS strategies in specialized natural product elucidation; metabolite profiling; antioxidants; synergism between natural products and drugs
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Dimitrina Zheleva-Dimitrova

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Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University-Sofia, 2 Dunav Str., Sofia, Bulgaria
Interests: phytochemistry; pharmacognosy; pharmaceutical botany; natural products; phenolic compounds; sesquiterpene lactones; HPLC and LC-MS strategies in specialized natural product elucidation; acetylholinesterase inhibitors; enzyme inhibitory activity; antioxidants; obesity
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Vessela Balabanova

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Guest Editor

Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University-Sofia, 2 Dunav Str., 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria
Interests: medicinal plants; phytochemistry; bioactive natural products; cultivation; pharmaceutical botany
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Medicinal plants are a valuable source of new bioactive compounds and promising molecular entities for use in drug development. The phytochemistry community has thus turned its focus to the medicinal value of traditional knowledge. In the last decade, a variety of hyphenated analytical techniques have been used to emphasize the potential of plants as a source of compounds with functional and medicinal relevance. On the other hand, there is an increasingly high demand for safe medicinal products with increased functionality and improved characteristics, necessitating intensive research in the field of specialized (secondary) plant metabolites. With the development of modern metabolite profiling methods and metabolomics, a holistic survey of natural extracts with valuable information on their chemical composition has become feasible. Linking in-depth compositional information to pharmacological data on annotated bioactive compounds acquired using screening strategies allows for the interpretation of results from a novel and holistic perspective. It also enables the prioritization of such natural products and the targeted isolation of new bioactive molecules of interest.

This Plants Special Issue will highlight the characterization of herbal extracts in terms of identification/annotation of plant metabolites and their potential to exert protective effects on biological systems.

Dr. Reneta Gevrenova
Dr. Dimitrina Zheleva-Dimitrova
Dr. Vessela Balabanova
Guest Editors

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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-anonymized 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.

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Keywords

medicinal plants
specialized metabolites
phytochemistry
metabolite profiling
ethnobotany
phytopharmacology

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Published Papers (11 papers)

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Research

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30 pages, 4199 KB

Open AccessArticle

Storage Stability and Functional Properties of Pomegranate Peel Extract-Enriched Vinegar Powders

by María de los Ángeles Martínez-Sánchez, Ginés Benito Martínez-Hernández and Antonio López-Gómez

Plants 2026, 15(17), 2630; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants15172630 - 28 Aug 2026

Viewed by 346

Abstract

Pomegranate peel is an agro-industrial byproduct rich in phenolic compounds with recognized functional properties. Its incorporation into stable food ingredients represents an attractive strategy for byproduct valorization. This study evaluated spray-dried vinegar powders enriched with pomegranate peel extract obtained by ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) using vinegar and α-cyclodextrin (αCD). Non-buffered and buffered formulations were compared with two commercial buffered powders during 6 months of storage at 22 °C. Morphological (particle size distribution and scanning electron microscopy images), physicochemical (pH, titratable acidity, moisture content, water activity and color), antioxidant (total phenolic content and DPPH radical scavenging activity), antimicrobial and sensory properties were evaluated. The powders maintained stable physicochemical properties, with moisture content remaining ≤1.2%, whereas commercial powders reached 3.0–3.9% after storage. Pomegranate-enriched powders showed total phenolic contents of 5.3–27.9 mg GAE/g_powder and antioxidant activity of 37.1–279.3 µmol TE/g_powder, compared with 0.1–0.3 mg GAE/g_powder and 2.3–4.1 µmol TE/g_powder in the non-enriched formulations, while remaining stable throughout storage. Buffered enriched powders maintained in vitro antimicrobial activity against Listeria monocytogenes, whereas only non-buffered formulations inhibited Salmonella enterica. The powders were incorporated into a béchamel croquette formulation and showed preliminary sensory acceptability. These results support spray drying with αCD as an effective strategy for obtaining stable powdered ingredients from pomegranate peel byproducts under the evaluated conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Valuable Sources of Bioactive Natural Products from Plants, Third Edition)

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25 pages, 11795 KB

Open AccessArticle

Comparative Phytochemical Profiling and In Vitro Antibiofilm Activity of the Aerial and Underground Parts of Primula veris subsp. columnae (Ten.) Lȕdi

by Antoaneta Trendafilova, Viktoria Ivanova, Miroslav Novakovic, Milka Jadranin, Plamena Staleva, Petya Dimitrova, Ralitsa Veleva, Tanya Topouzova-Hristova and Tsvetelina Paunova-Krasteva

Plants 2026, 15(15), 2259; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants15152259 - 23 Jul 2026

Viewed by 387

Abstract

The comparative UHPLC-MS/MS analysis of the underground and aerial parts of Primula veris subsp. columnae (Ten.) Lȕdi revealed a diverse range of secondary metabolites, including flavonoids and phenolic compounds and their glycosides, bisbibenzyl compounds and triterpene saponins. Phytochemical study of the aerial parts led to the isolation of 13 surface flavonoids and 6 flavonoid glycosides, of which 8,2′-dimethoxy-5-hydroxyflavone and 8,3′-dimethoxy-5-hydroxyflavone are new natural compounds. From the underground parts, a new triterpene saponin, primulasaponin VI, was isolated together with the known primulasaponins I, III and V; priverosaponin B 22-acetate; primulaverin; primverin; gaultherin; and 3-methoxy-4-primeverosylacetophenone. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by NMR and HR-ESI-MS. The acetone extract obtained from the aerial parts and methanol extracts obtained from both aerial and underground parts were evaluated for their antibiofilm activity against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus. The methanol extract obtained from underground parts possessed the strongest overall antibiofilm activity, particularly against E. coli and S. aureus. While the acetone extract inhibited the biofilm formation by E. coli and S. aureus, it promoted biofilm formation by P. aeruginosa. All tested extracts exhibited low cytotoxicity toward human keratinocytes and melanoma cells. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Valuable Sources of Bioactive Natural Products from Plants, Third Edition)

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28 pages, 2747 KB

Open AccessArticle

Investigation of the Phenolic Profile and Chemotaxonomical Screening of Twelve Salix Species During Growing Season

by Leonie Kayser, Thomas Olaf Gruber, Gregor Aas and Guido Jürgenliemk

Plants 2026, 15(11), 1712; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants15111712 - 1 Jun 2026

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 598

Abstract

The present study describes the phenolic profile of the leaves of 12 different willow species by UPLC^®-RP18-PDA in terms of variability between species, years, harvest month, and among sexes. The analyzed compound classes include salicylic alcohol derivatives (SADs), caffeic acid derivatives (CADs), coumaryl alcohol glucosides (CAGs), flavan-3-ols, flavanones, flavanonols, flavones, and flavonols. Furthermore, the Salix species were chemotaxonomically classified on this basis, and correlations between the constituent classes were analyzed. The investigations indicate that the phenolic spectrum is highly species-specific but reveals no sex-specific variation. The flavan-3-ol content varied substantially among species, ranging from 2.1–36 mg/g DW and S. bicolor was determined to be a species of particular phytochemical interest, as it contained high concentrations of flavanonols (13 mg/g DM) and flavones (24 mg/g DW). Furthermore, at the end of the growth period, the secondary metabolite content was significantly higher and the compound classes CADs and flavan-3-ols were found to be significantly influenced by the harvest year. Chemotaxonomical classification revealed the separation of S. bicolor, S. purpurea, and S. caprea from the other species when compared with the generally accepted classification of the genus. This study contributes to a more comprehensive phytochemical characterization of willow species, which may support the development of willow extracts. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Valuable Sources of Bioactive Natural Products from Plants, Third Edition)

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16 pages, 660 KB

Open AccessCommunication

Squalene in Camellia oleifera: Biosynthetic Pathways, Regulatory Networks, and Functional Perspectives

by Aoxue Wang, Jingya Wang, Senwen Deng, Bolin Chen, Jihong Zhang and Li Ma

Plants 2026, 15(11), 1652; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants15111652 - 28 May 2026

Viewed by 710

Abstract

Squalene is a triterpene with potent biological activities. Squalene (C₃₀H₅₀) is a linear polyunsaturated hydrocarbon composed of six isoprene units and six carbon–carbon double bonds. It serves as an essential precursor for sterols, steroid hormones, and vitamin D in humans and exhibits antioxidant, anti-tumor, and lipid-regulating properties. In plants, squalene is produced via the mevalonate (MVA) and 2-C-methyl-D-erythritol-4-phosphate (MEP) pathways. The key rate-limiting enzymes in these pathways include 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMGR), farnesyl diphosphate synthase (FPS), and squalene synthase (SQS). Camellia oleifera, a unique woody oil crop native to China, is valued for its high-quality edible oil and as a rich natural source of squalene. This review provides a systematic overview of recent progress in squalene biosynthesis in C. oleifera. It summarizes the structural characteristics and biosynthetic routes. It further elaborates on the multi-level regulatory network modulated by transcription factors (WRKY, bHLH, MYB, and ERF), phytohormones (jasmonic acid, abscisic acid, and gibberellin), and abiotic factors (light and drought). Notably, this review distinguishes earlier foundational studies from recent breakthroughs and integrates emerging progress on squalene’s non-canonical functions and pathway crosstalk. It further highlights novel regulatory mechanisms unique to C. oleifera (e.g., CoWRKY15, CoMYB1, and CoMYC2). By bridging molecular regulation with practical breeding and metabolic engineering, this review lays a solid theoretical foundation for cultivating high-squalene C. oleifera varieties. It represents a prominent innovation relative to previously published studies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Valuable Sources of Bioactive Natural Products from Plants, Third Edition)

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27 pages, 8125 KB

Open AccessArticle

Solvent-Guided Fractionation of Green Coffea arabica Seeds Uncovers Divergent Antioxidant and Mitochondria-Targeted Activities

by Grațiana Ruse, Ștefana Avram, Andreea-Maria Munteanu, Oana-Andrada Iftode, Laurian Vlase, Ana-Maria Vlase, Delia Muntean, Alexandra Mioc, Raluca Pop, Alina-Arabela Jojic, Codruța-Marinela Șoica and Diana-Simona Tchiakpe-Antal

Plants 2026, 15(10), 1494; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants15101494 - 13 May 2026

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1029

Abstract

Green seeds of Coffea arabica represent a rich source of bioactive compounds. This study aimed to compare the butanol-soluble (CA-BU) and the ethyl acetate-soluble (CA-EtAc) fractions in terms of their phytochemical composition and biological activity. As a first step, the fractions were analyzed by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (HPLC–MS) in order to investigate the major constituents. Subsequently, CA-BU and CA-EtAc were evaluated for antioxidant effect, antimicrobial activity, antiproliferative properties, effects on the mitochondrial function, and on the chorioallantoic membrane. The CA-EtAc fraction was enriched in chlorogenic acids and catechins and showed superior antioxidant activity, whereas CA-BU displayed a broader profile of semi-polar polyphenols, conferring moderate antimicrobial effects and stronger antiproliferative activity in MCF-7 human breast adenocarcinoma cells, although with limited selectivity compared with HaCaT non-tumorigenic cells. Respirometric analysis demonstrated that CA-BU selectively inhibited mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation Complex I (OXPHOS CI), without affecting Complex II (CII) or basal respiration, indicating a specific mitochondria-targeted mechanism. Both fractions were non-irritant and well tolerated in the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay; CA-BU reduced vascular density. These findings demonstrate a clear mechanistic differentiation between the fractions, highlighting the decisive role of solvent polarity in obtaining extracts with distinct and targeted biological effects. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Valuable Sources of Bioactive Natural Products from Plants, Third Edition)

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17 pages, 1821 KB

Open AccessArticle

LC-MS Profiling and Biological Activity of Unexplored Leucas nubica Benth. (Lamiaceae)

by Dimitrina Zheleva-Dimitrova, Gokhan Zengin, Sakina Yagi, Solafa Suliman and Reneta Gevrenova

Plants 2026, 15(4), 522; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants15040522 - 7 Feb 2026

Viewed by 1273

Abstract

Leucas nubica Benth. (Lamiaceae) is an annual herbaceous plant, native to east and northeast tropical Africa. The whole plant is renowned for the treatment of jaundice. The present study aimed at an in-depth phytochemical profiling and evaluation of in vitro antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory potential of methanol–aqueous extract from L. nubica aerial parts. The liquid chromatography–high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS) experiment revealed more than 70 secondary metabolites, including carboxylic and phenolic acids, phenylethanoid, iridoid, and lignan glycosides, and flavonoids. The L. nubica extract profile was dominated by the phenylethanoid glycoside verbascoside. All annotated compounds are reported for the first time in the species. The extract actively scavenged DPPH and ABTS radicals (38.8 ± 0.1 and 36.8 ± 0.4 mg TE/g) and showed high CUPRAC (71.1 ± 1.1 mg TE/g) and moderate FRAP (44.9 ± 2.6 mg TE/g) reducing power. The L. nubica extract exhibited high inhibition towards acetylcholinesterase (2.23 ± 0.02 mg GALAE/g), butyrylcholinesterase (2.38 ± 0.04 mg GALAE/g), and tyrosinase (60.7 ± 0.6 mg KAE/g). The obtained results highlight L. nubica extract as a rich source of phenylethanoid glycosides and flavonoids with significant bioactivity and shed light into the phytochemical composition and pharmacological potential of the plant. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Valuable Sources of Bioactive Natural Products from Plants, Third Edition)

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19 pages, 2750 KB

Open AccessArticle

The Metabolic Diversity of Different Salsola Species Valorized Through Untargeted Metabolomics and In Vitro Bioassays: The Importance of Phenolic Constituents

by Hajar Salehi, Marco Armando De Gregorio, Gokhan Zengin, Sakina Yagi, Gunes Ak, Enver Saka, Fevzi Elbasan, Evren Yildiztugay, Leilei Zhang, Stefano Dall’Acqua and Luigi Lucini

Plants 2026, 15(2), 199; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants15020199 - 8 Jan 2026

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1208

Abstract

Five Salsola species have been studied as sources of bioactive compounds using a comprehensive, untargeted metabolomic and bioactivity assessment. Plant material was extracted using ethyl acetate (EA), water, and methanol (MeOH). S. ruthenica exhibited the highest total phenolic content (46.04 mg GAE/g, MeOH extract) and antioxidant capacity (DPPH: 47.21 mg TE/g; ABTS: 97.40 mg TE/g; CUPRAC: 141.38 mg TE/g; FRAP: 80.30 mg TE/g). Extracts of S. stenoptera and S. ruthenica showed potent cholinesterase inhibition, while S. crassa was notably active against tyrosinase. A total of 265 metabolites were annotated, revealing strong solvent- and species-specific differences in phenolic composition, as confirmed by AMOPLS analysis. Flavanols, anthocyanins, and lignans emerged as the major chemotaxonomic markers, based on PCA, contributing the most to the total variance. Strong correlations were observed between TPC and CUPRAC (r = 0.93) and between flavanols and DPPH (r = 0.70), suggesting functional relevance of these compounds in redox activity, confirming the importance of different classes of phenolic constituents. VIP markers also revealed species- and solvent-specific enrichments of metabolites. Regularized canonical correlation analysis (rCCA) further linked specific metabolites, namely Quercetin 3-O-glucosyl-xyloside and 6″-O-Acetylgenistin, the flavanone sakuranetin, the lignans Secoisolariciresinol, Anhydro-secoisolariciresinol, and Medioresinol, and p-Coumaric acid ethyl ester, with antioxidant functions. These findings underscore the pharmacological potential of Salsola species and highlight the importance of valorizing metabolic diversity in the search for new sources of health-promoting natural compounds. Furthermore, the work shows the need for a tailored solvent selection in bioactivity-guided phytochemical research. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Valuable Sources of Bioactive Natural Products from Plants, Third Edition)

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15 pages, 401 KB

Open AccessArticle

Phytochemical Composition and Antioxidant Activity of Pot Marigold (Calendula officinalis): The Impact of Light Modification

by Lidija Milenković, Zoran S. Ilić, Ljiljana Stanojević, Aleksandra Milenković, Ljubomir Šunić, Bratislav Ćirković, Dragan Božović and Žarko Kevrešan

Plants 2025, 14(22), 3512; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14223512 - 18 Nov 2025

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1559

Abstract

This study evaluated the impact of colored shade nets (control, pearl, red, and blue) on the phytochemical composition and antioxidant activity of two pot marigold (Calendula officinalis L.) varieties: the ‘Springer mix’ from Italy and a ‘domestic’ variety from Serbia. Phytochemical parameters assessed included total extractive matter (TEM), total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and antioxidant activity measured by DPPH and FRAP assays. The results indicate that colored shade nets significantly enhanced the accumulation of bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity, particularly in the ‘domestic’ Serbian variety, which consistently outperformed the Italian ‘Springer mix’. Blue nets notably improved extract yield and radical scavenging activity, red nets promoted flavonoid synthesis, while control conditions led to the highest TPC. The ‘domestic’ Serbian variety exhibited exceptionally high TPC (68.21 mg GAE/g dry extract) and TFC (55.55 mg RE/g dry extract) content. Correspondingly, potent antioxidant activity was observed, with EC₅₀ values as low as 0.065 mg/mL under blue net conditions. Principal component analysis further validated the superior phytochemical profile of the Serbian variety. These findings demonstrate the effectiveness of light spectrum manipulation in enhancing the medicinal quality of pot marigold and underscore the potential of Serbian germplasm for high-value cultivation in phytopharmaceutical applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Valuable Sources of Bioactive Natural Products from Plants, Third Edition)

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26 pages, 9781 KB

Open AccessArticle

Lipoxygenase Inhibitory Activity and Prostate Cancer Cytotoxicity of In Situ- and In Vitro-Cultivated Balkan Endemic Sideritis scardica Griseb

by Kalina Danova, Jasmina Petreska Stanoeva, Elena Stoyanova, Kalina Alipieva, Marina Stefova and Ina Aneva

Plants 2025, 14(21), 3263; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14213263 - 25 Oct 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1510

Abstract

Sideritis scardica Griseb., a Balkan endemic species traditionally used for respiratory conditions and wound-healing, was investigated for its 15-lipoxygenase (15-LOX) inhibitory and cytotoxic activities in relation to its phenolic composition. Aerial parts from the wild-collected and in vitro-cultivated plant were successively extracted with hexane, chloroform, and methanol and the methanol extract was further fractionated into ethyl acetate, butanol, and water fractions. This study presents the first combined evaluation of LOX inhibition and cytotoxicity against prostate cell lines WPMY-1 (normal epithelial fibroblast/myofibroblast), PC-3 (epithelial adenocarcinoma, Grade IV), and LNCaP (epithelial carcinoma) and detailed phytochemical profiles of wild-collected and in vitro-cultivated S. scardica. The phytochemical analysis revealed distinct profiles: increased LOX-inhibition activity was related to a higher phenylethanoid/flavone glycoside ratio, while PC cytotoxicity was rather related to flavone glycoside domination in the plant preparations. The cytotoxic effect of the in vitro-obtained preparations was characterized by a marked selectivity when comparing their effects on WPMY-1, PC-3 and LNCaP cells. To our knowledge, this is the first report linking phenylethanoid/flavone glycoside profiles of in situ and in vitro S. scardica plants with dual LOX-inhibitory and anti-prostate cancer activities, supporting the plant’s potential as a sustainable source of bioactive compounds. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Valuable Sources of Bioactive Natural Products from Plants, Third Edition)

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Review

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23 pages, 1889 KB

Open AccessReview

Phytochemical Constituents and Biological Activities of Ononis spinosa: A Comprehensive Review

by Vlad-Ionuț Nechita, Alexia-Paula Tărău, Angie-Ioana Şuster, Mihaela-Ancuța Nechita, Anca Toiu, Daniela Benedec, Daniela Hanganu, Costel Siserman, Cristina Drugan and Ilioara Oniga

Plants 2026, 15(9), 1409; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants15091409 - 5 May 2026

Viewed by 1444

Abstract

Ononis spinosa L. (Fabaceae), commonly known as spiny restharrow, is a widely distributed medicinal plant traditionally used in European and Middle Eastern phytotherapy, particularly for the management of urological and inflammatory conditions. Despite its long-standing ethnomedicinal relevance, comprehensive syntheses of its phytochemical profile and biological activities remain limited. This review aimed to summarize current evidence regarding the chemical constituents and pharmacological effects of O. spinosa. Four electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and SpringerLink) were searched for studies published between 1997 and 2024. The search yielded 308 records; after duplicate removal and eligibility screening, 34 studies met the inclusion criteria. The phytochemical profile of O. spinosa is characterized predominantly by isoflavonoids (e.g., ononin and other formononetin derivatives), triterpenes, phenolic acids, and additional polyphenolic compounds. Although the phytochemical profile of O. spinosa includes multiple classes of secondary metabolites, this review places particular emphasis on phenolic compounds, given their prevalence and well-documented biological activities. Experimental evidence indicates a broad spectrum of biological activities, including anti-inflammatory effects (associated with cPLA2α inhibition and cytokine modulation), antibacterial and antifungal activity, antioxidant capacity, wound-healing and dermatological benefits, as well as diuretic and anti-adhesive effects in urinary models. Additional reported properties include antiproliferative, anti-adipogenic, analgesic, and neurotrophic activities. Proposed mechanisms of action involve enzyme inhibition (e.g., Hyal-1 and COX-2), modulation of transient receptor potential (TRP) channels, redox regulation, and interference with microbial adhesion and inflammatory signaling pathways. Overall, O. spinosa contains bioactive compounds exhibiting a wide range of pharmacological activities supported by in vitro and in vivo studies. Among the investigated effects, anti-inflammatory, urological, and wound-healing activities appear to be the most promising targets for future research. These findings highlight its therapeutic potential while emphasizing the need for well-designed clinical studies to further validate its medicinal applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Valuable Sources of Bioactive Natural Products from Plants, Third Edition)

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18 pages, 7641 KB

Open AccessReview

Pharmacological Properties of Parasitic Plants: Current Evidence and the Role of Parasitic Lifestyle

by Tzvetelina Zagorcheva, Denitsa Teofanova, Mariela Odjakova, Junmin Li and Lyuben Zagorchev

Plants 2026, 15(9), 1359; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants15091359 - 29 Apr 2026

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1128

Abstract

Parasitic plants represent a unique group of angiosperms that extract nutrients from host plants through specialized structures called haustoria. With over 4750 recognized species, these plants vary in their dependence on hosts, classified as holoparasites (completely non-photosynthetic) or hemiparasites (partially photosynthetic). Despite their parasitic lifestyle, these plants contribute significantly to ecological stability by regulating plant communities. Some parasitic species, such as Striga and Orobanche, are major agricultural pests, while others, including Cistanche and Cynomorium, are valued for their medicinal properties. Parasitic plants in general are rich in secondary metabolites with potential pharmacological significance. These compounds, including alkaloids, phenolics, and terpenoids, display antimicrobial, anticancer, and immunomodulatory effects. Mistletoe (Viscum album L.) produces lectins and viscotoxins, which exhibit cytotoxic and immune-stimulating properties. Traditional medicine has long utilized parasitic plants, and modern pharmacological research continues to uncover their potential in drug development. However, an intriguing question arises: whether they are superior in any way to their non-parasitic counterparts, or just received more attention due to their unique appearance. Understanding the unique chemistry of parasitic plants provides insights into their ecological role and offers opportunities for advancements in medicine and agriculture. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Valuable Sources of Bioactive Natural Products from Plants, Third Edition)

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