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Bioactive Compounds in Plants—2nd Edition
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Bioactive Compounds in Plants—2nd Edition

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 April 2025) | Viewed by 7504

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Sabater-Jara Ana Belén

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Guest Editor
Plant Biology Department, Faculty of Biology, University of Murcia, Campus de Espinardo, E-30100 Murcia, Spain
Interests: Elicitation, plant in vitro cultures, specialized metabolism, plant defense responses, plant by-products, biostimulants
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Lorena Almagro

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Guest Editor
Plant Biology Department, Faculty of Biology, University of Murcia, Campus de Espinardo, E-30100 Murcia, Spain
Interests: Elicitation, plant in vitro cultures, specialized metabolism, plant defense responses, plant by-products, biostimulants
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Plant bioactive compounds comprise valuable plant components with diverse functions, acting as the defense mechanisms of plants under stress situations. Moreover, the high added value of these bioactive compounds is based on their enormous pharmaceutical interest since some of them possess biological properties relevant for human health such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anticancer activities. The great biological importance of these compounds contradicts their small quantities found in plants, making their extraction a very expensive process. Moreover, many of these compounds have not been completely characterized, and achieving their high extraction yields has not been accomplished yet. The aim of this Special Issue is to gather original research papers, along with review articles, focusing on the recent advances in the field of plant bioactive compounds. This Special Issue of Plants will cover a wide variety of topics, including extraction and identification techniques, bioactivity assays, molecular approaches, and biotechnological strategies to obtain bioactive compounds from plants.

Dr. Sabater-Jara Ana Belén
Dr. Lorena Almagro
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 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

  • specialized metabolism
  • plant defense responses
  • plant by-products
  • biostimulants
  • biological activity
  • extraction and identification methods

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (8 papers)

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Research

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25 pages, 7116 KiB  
Article
Synergistic Antibacterial Interaction of Geraniol and Biogenic Silver Nanoparticles on Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus
by Isabela Madeira de Castro, Camila Antunes, Camila Cristina Valentim, Laís Fernanda de Almeida Spoladori, Helena Tiemi Suzukawa, Guilherme Ferreira Correia, Gislaine Silva-Rodrigues, Paulo Henrique Guilherme Borges, Guilherme Bartolomeu-Gonçalves, Mariana Luiza Silva, Marcelle de Lima Ferreira Bispo, Rayanne Regina Beltrame Machado, Celso Vataru Nakamura, Gerson Nakazato, Phileno Pinge-Filho, Eliandro Reis Tavares, Lucy Megumi Yamauchi and Sueli Fumie Yamada-Ogatta
Plants 2025, 14(7), 1059; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14071059 - 29 Mar 2025
Viewed by 376
Abstract
Since ancient times, plants have been used in folk medicine to treat different diseases. Plants offer exceptional chemical diversity with a wide range of biological activities, and have therefore been the most promising sources for the discovery and development of drugs, including antimicrobial [...] Read more.
Since ancient times, plants have been used in folk medicine to treat different diseases. Plants offer exceptional chemical diversity with a wide range of biological activities, and have therefore been the most promising sources for the discovery and development of drugs, including antimicrobial agents. This study reports the antibacterial effect of geraniol (GER), alone and in combination with biogenic silver nanoparticles (bioAgNPs), produced using the aqueous extract of Trichilia catigua bark, against planktonic and sessile cells of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), one of the main opportunistic and potentially fatal human pathogens. GER had a time-dependent bactericidal effect on planktonic cells, impairing the cell membrane integrity. In addition, GER inhibited the staphyloxanthin production, and molecular docking analyses supported the in silico affinity of GER to dehydrosqualene synthase (CrtM) and 4,4′-diaponeurosporen-aldehyde dehydrogenase (AldH), which are key enzymes within the pigment biosynthesis pathway in S. aureus. GER treatment increased the sensitivity of MRSA to hydrogen peroxide killing. GER displayed synergism with bioAgNPs against planktonic and sessile cells, inhibiting bacterial adhesion and the viability of biofilms formed on abiotic surfaces. MRSA planktonic and sessile cells treated with GER or GER/bioAgNPs displayed severe morphological and ultrastructural alterations. Notably, neither GER nor its combination caused in vitro and in vivo toxicity in mammalian cells and Galleria mellonella larvae, respectively. These findings suggest that the combination of GER/bioAgNPs may be a promising strategy to control MRSA infections. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Compounds in Plants—2nd Edition)
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18 pages, 2151 KiB  
Article
Modification in the Composition of Lactuca sativa L. Plants Exposed to Abiotic Stress Induced by Commonly Used Antibiotics
by Ildiko Lung, Maria-Loredana Soran, Aura Nicoleta Sârb, Adina Stegarescu, Augustin C. Moț, Iolanda-Veronica Ganea, Delia-Maria Gligor and Ocsana Opriș
Plants 2025, 14(6), 842; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14060842 - 7 Mar 2025
Viewed by 506
Abstract
The widespread worldwide use of antibiotics leads to significant diffuse pollution of the environment, but the understanding of the effects of many important antibiotics on plants is still limited. This study aimed to gain insight into the impact of ampicillin (AMP) and ciprofloxacin [...] Read more.
The widespread worldwide use of antibiotics leads to significant diffuse pollution of the environment, but the understanding of the effects of many important antibiotics on plants is still limited. This study aimed to gain insight into the impact of ampicillin (AMP) and ciprofloxacin (CIP) on the bioactive compounds, antioxidant capacity, and elemental content of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.). The lettuce was grown in a climate chamber under controlled conditions of light and temperature, in soil with contaminated antibiotics of different concentrations (7.5 mg kg−1—AMP I; 15 mg kg−1—AMP II; 30 mg kg−1—AMP III; 5 mg kg−1—CIP I; 10 mg kg−1—CIP II; and 20 mg kg−1—CIP III). The results obtained for the plants grown in the presence of antibiotics were compared with the control plants. Changing the growth conditions influenced the composition of the biologically active compounds and the content of elements selected in this study. Thus, it was observed that the plants grown with antibiotics exhibited a double increase in polyphenolic content, especially at higher treatment levels, but also a significant decrease in assimilatory pigments (up to 70.19%), 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical-bleaching activity (up to 83.80%), and elemental contents compared to the control plants. Multivariate analysis was used to gain insight into similarities and differences between treatments and the association of the tested variables following the applied treatments, indicating a coping mechanism of the plants against the antibiotic treatments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Compounds in Plants—2nd Edition)
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15 pages, 544 KiB  
Article
Chemical Profiling and In Vitro Evaluation of Bioactive Properties of Evernia prunastri Extract: Implications for Therapeutic Applications
by Dejan Stojković, Jelena Živković, Stefani Bolevich, Sergey Bolevich, Gokhan Zengin, Uroš Gašić and Marina Soković
Plants 2025, 14(4), 583; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14040583 - 14 Feb 2025
Viewed by 674
Abstract
Evernia prunastri (L.) Ach. (Parmeliaceae), an edible lichen commonly known as oakmoss, was traditionally used by Egyptians to make bread. In this study, the ethyl-acetate (EtOAc) extract of E. prunastri was investigated for its potential therapeutic applications in diabetes mellitus, Alzheimer’s and [...] Read more.
Evernia prunastri (L.) Ach. (Parmeliaceae), an edible lichen commonly known as oakmoss, was traditionally used by Egyptians to make bread. In this study, the ethyl-acetate (EtOAc) extract of E. prunastri was investigated for its potential therapeutic applications in diabetes mellitus, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, oxidative stress, and bacterial infections. The extract exhibited significant in vitro enzyme inhibition activities, including anti-amylase and anti-glucosidase activities linked to diabetes and anti-cholinesterase and anti-tyrosinase activities associated with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. The antioxidant activity was evaluated through multiple assays, including free radical scavenging (DPPH and ABTS), reducing power (CUPRAC and FRAP), metal chelation, and phosphomolybdenum methods, demonstrating strong oxidative stress relief potential. The antibacterial properties were also confirmed through antibacterial testing, showing efficacy against a range of bacterial strains. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents were quantified, while the chemical profile of the EtOAc extract was determined by LC-HRMS/MS analysis. The chemical composition was predominantly characterized by depsides (evernic acid and atranorin), phenolic acids (orsellinic acid), and dibenzofurans, revealing a diverse array of bioactive secondary metabolites. The extract demonstrated a broad spectrum of biological activities, including enzyme inhibition, antioxidant effects, and antibacterial properties. This study highlights the potential of E. prunastri as a functional food, providing a rich source of bioactive compounds with numerous health-promoting effects, and it suggests its relevance in therapeutic applications for chronic diseases such as diabetes, Alzheimer’s, and bacterial infections. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Compounds in Plants—2nd Edition)
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21 pages, 4657 KiB  
Article
Health Status and Disinfection Prior to Grafting Affect the Phenolic Profile of Grapevine Hetero-Grafts and Grafting Yield
by Saša Krošelj, Maja Mikulic-Petkovsek, Domen Kjuder, Anja Pavlin, Matevž Likar, Andreja Škvarč, Katerina Biniari and Denis Rusjan
Plants 2025, 14(3), 444; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14030444 - 3 Feb 2025
Viewed by 702
Abstract
Grapevine trunk disease (GTD) is a major threat to grapevine propagation, severely affecting the growth and development of young vines. As one of the most destructive plant diseases in the world, GTD spreads easily through propagation material and threatens the sustainability of vineyards. [...] Read more.
Grapevine trunk disease (GTD) is a major threat to grapevine propagation, severely affecting the growth and development of young vines. As one of the most destructive plant diseases in the world, GTD spreads easily through propagation material and threatens the sustainability of vineyards. While effective, biologically friendly treatments remain unavailable. This study investigated the graft yield, the growth potential of grapevine hetero-grafts, and phenolic responses focusing on (i) GTD scion health status (healthy—HLT; asymptomatic—ASYM; symptomatic—SYM) and (ii) disinfection methods. Grafting with HLT scions achieved the highest yield rates, particularly with Serenade® ASO (75%) and BioAction ES (79%), while infected scions showed lower yields. The growth potential of the scions was not affected by the disinfection method or the health status of the scions. Phenolic composition varied between scions, graft callus, rootstock canes, and roots, with scion health status strongly influencing most metabolites. Higher levels of flavanols were observed in HLT scions treated with BioAction ES and Serenade® ASO, with these treatments resulting in 1.6 and 1.5 times higher procyanidin dimer levels, respectively, compared to Beltanol. Flavanols and stilbenes were lower in the callus tissue of grafts with healthy scions compared to infected scions. Rootstock also showed higher levels of catechin and procyanidin dimers in grafts with HLT scions. These results indicate that the health status of scion GTD and the disinfection methods significantly influence the graft yield and phenolic composition, providing valuable insights for GTD management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Compounds in Plants—2nd Edition)
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18 pages, 4527 KiB  
Article
Red Currant (Ribes rubrum L.) Fruit Waste Extract and Juice as Potential Spasmolytic Agents
by Maja Cvetković, Bojana Miladinović, Suzana Branković, Milica Randjelović, Slavoljub Živanović, Nemanja Kitić, Milica Milutinović, Miloš Jovanović, Dušica Stojanović, Haris Nikšić, Katarina Šavikin and Dušanka Kitić
Plants 2025, 14(2), 234; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14020234 - 16 Jan 2025
Viewed by 930
Abstract
Red currant (Ribes rubrum L.) berries are rich in bioactive compounds and exhibit nutritive and protective features. This research examined the content of secondary metabolites of the red currant variety Redpoll lyophilized juice and waste extract and their antioxidative and spasmolytic effects. [...] Read more.
Red currant (Ribes rubrum L.) berries are rich in bioactive compounds and exhibit nutritive and protective features. This research examined the content of secondary metabolites of the red currant variety Redpoll lyophilized juice and waste extract and their antioxidative and spasmolytic effects. The flavonol and anthocyanin contents of the samples were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography. The antispasmodic effects were assessed in in vitro conditions, and the potential impact of the samples and possible action mechanisms were revealed. The results showed the prevalence of cyanidin-3-O-glucoside as the dominant anthocyanin with higher content in the juice sample. Quercetin content, as the prevalent flavonol, was higher in the waste sample. The berry juice showed a greater ability for scavenging free radicals, whereas the waste better inhibited lipid peroxidation. The juice was a superior antispasmodic agent for spontaneous, KCl-, CaCl2-, BaCl2-, histamine-, and acetylcholine-induced ileal contractions. This first evaluation of the red currant variety Redpoll lyophilized juice and waste extract indicated the beneficial effects of juice as an antioxidant and spasmolytic agent. Therefore, this red currant juice sample could be designated for the prevention or treatment of gastrointestinal disorders. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Compounds in Plants—2nd Edition)
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23 pages, 3980 KiB  
Article
Seed Treatment with Cold Plasma and Electromagnetic Field: Changes in Antioxidant Capacity of Seedlings in Different Picea abies (L.) H. Karst Half-Sib Families
by Ieva Čėsnienė, Vytautas Čėsna, Diana Miškelytė, Vitalij Novickij, Vida Mildažienė and Vaida Sirgedaitė-Šėžienė
Plants 2024, 13(15), 2021; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13152021 - 23 Jul 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1380
Abstract
In the context of climate change, methods to improve the resistance of coniferous trees to biotic and abiotic stress are in great demand. The common plant response to exposure to vastly different stressors is the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) followed by [...] Read more.
In the context of climate change, methods to improve the resistance of coniferous trees to biotic and abiotic stress are in great demand. The common plant response to exposure to vastly different stressors is the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) followed by activation of the defensive antioxidant system. We aimed to evaluate whether seed treatment with physical stressors can activate the activity of antioxidant enzymes and radical scavenging activity in young Picea abies (L.) H. Karst seedlings. For this, we applied seed treatment with cold plasma (CP) and electromagnetic field (EMF) and compared the response in ten different half-sib families of Norway spruce. The impact of the treatments with CP (1 min—CP1; 2 min—CP2) and EMF (2 min) on one-year-old and two-year-old P. abies seedlings was determined by the emergence rate, parameters of growth, and spectrophotometric assessment of antioxidant capacity (enzyme activity; DPPH and ABTS scavenging) in needles. The results indicated that the impact of seed treatment is strongly dependent on the genetic family. In the 577 half-sib family, the activity of antioxidant enzymes catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), peroxidase (POX), and glutathione reductase (GR) increased after EMF-treatment in one-year-old seedlings, while similar effects in 477 half-sib family were induced by CP2 treatment. In two-year-old seedlings, CP1-treatment increased CAT, APX, POX, GR, SOD, DPPH, and ABTS activity in the 457 half-sib family. However, no significant impact of the treatment with CP1 was determined in one-year-old seedlings in this family. The application of novel technologies and the consideration of the combinatory impact of genetic and physical factors could have the potential to improve the accumulation of compounds that play an essential role in the defense mechanisms of P. abies. Nevertheless, for different resistance and responses to stressors of plants, their genetic properties play an essential role. A comprehensive analysis of interactions among the stress factors (CP and EMF), genetic properties, and changes induced in the antioxidant system can be of importance both for the practical application of seed treatment in forestry and for understanding fundamental adaptation mechanisms in conifers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Compounds in Plants—2nd Edition)
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20 pages, 2214 KiB  
Article
Eucalypt Extracts Prepared by a No-Waste Method and Their 3D-Printed Dosage Forms Show Antimicrobial and Anti-Inflammatory Activity
by Oleh Koshovyi, Mykola Komisarenko, Tatyana Osolodchenko, Andrey Komissarenko, Reet Mändar, Siiri Kõljalg, Jyrki Heinämäki and Ain Raal
Plants 2024, 13(6), 754; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13060754 - 7 Mar 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1546
Abstract
The pharmaceutical industry usually utilizes either hydrophobic or hydrophilic substances extracted from raw plant materials to prepare a final product. However, the waste products from the plant material still contain biologically active components with the opposite solubility. The aim of this study was [...] Read more.
The pharmaceutical industry usually utilizes either hydrophobic or hydrophilic substances extracted from raw plant materials to prepare a final product. However, the waste products from the plant material still contain biologically active components with the opposite solubility. The aim of this study was to enhance the comprehensive usability of plant materials by developing a new no-waste extraction method for eucalypt leaves and by investigating the phytochemical and pharmacological properties of eucalypt extracts and their 3D-printed dosage forms. The present extraction method enabled us to prepare both hydrophobic soft extracts and hydrophilic (aqueous) dry extracts. We identified a total of 28 terpenes in the hydrophobic soft extract. In the hydrophilic dry extract, a total of 57 substances were identified, and 26 of them were successfully isolated. The eucalypt extracts studied showed significant antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus subtilis, Candida albicans, Corynebacterium diphtheriae gravis, and Corynebacterium diphtheriae mitis. The anti-inflammatory activity of the dry extract was studied using a formalin-induced-edema model in mice. The maximum anti-exudative effect of the dry extract was 61.5% at a dose of 20 mg/kg. Composite gels of polyethylene oxide (PEO) and eucalypt extract were developed, and the key process parameters for semi-solid extrusion (SSE) 3D printing of such gels were verified. The SSE 3D-printed preparations of novel synergistically acting eucalypt extracts could have uses in antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory medicinal applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Compounds in Plants—2nd Edition)
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Review

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15 pages, 1383 KiB  
Review
An Up-to-Date Review Regarding the Biological Activity of Geranium robertianum L.
by Diana Haj Ali, Adriana Maria Dărăban, Diana Ungureanu, Adina Căta, Ioana Maria Carmen Ienașcu, Stefania Dinu, Cristina Adriana Dehelean and Corina Danciu
Plants 2025, 14(6), 918; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14060918 - 14 Mar 2025
Viewed by 568
Abstract
In this modern era, in which interest in natural compounds is gaining more ground, Geranium robertianum L. (Gr), a species with long use in traditional medicine, stands out for its promising potential in managing a multitude of health issues. In this context, the [...] Read more.
In this modern era, in which interest in natural compounds is gaining more ground, Geranium robertianum L. (Gr), a species with long use in traditional medicine, stands out for its promising potential in managing a multitude of health issues. In this context, the present review aims to explore the main phytocompounds detected in various types of extracts, as well as the biological activity of Gr species. This review was conducted by analyzing data published up to February 2025 from peer-reviewed journals and databases including PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, using key words combinations such as Geranium robertianum L. and the searched phytocompound and biological effect. According to the literature the main phytochemical classes identified in different types of extracts include tannins, flavonoids, phenolic acids, and essential oils. The most important biological actions described in the literature are antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiulcerative, neuroprotective, anti-cancer, and antidiabetic effects. However, knowledge about Gr is still relatively limited, requiring more detailed study regarding its pharmacological proprieties and the molecular mechanisms behind them. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Compounds in Plants—2nd Edition)
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