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Plants
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Medicinal Properties and Biological Activity of Plant Extracts
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Medicinal Properties and Biological Activity of Plant Extracts

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 June 2026 | Viewed by 2903

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Tatjana M. Majkić

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Guest Editor
Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Environmental Protection, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
Interests: bioactivity; antioxidants; arachidonic acid; inflammation mediators; phytochemicals; enzyme activity assay; cyclooxygenase assay
Dr. Jürgenliemk Guido

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Guest Editor
Pharmaceutical Biology, Institute of Pharmacy, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstraße 31, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
Interests: medicinal plants; isolation and chemical characterization of compounds; phenolic compounds; metabolization of compounds; in vitro biological activity; inflammation; angiogenesis; quantification
Dr. Milena Terzić

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Technology, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
Interests: material; manufacturing; functional food; plant extract; extraction; drying technology; biological activity

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue of Plants contains a curated collection of innovative research articles and critical reviews focusing on the biological potential of plant extracts and recent advances in extraction technologies.

In response to the growing global demand for natural and sustainable alternatives in the fields of pharmaceuticals, dietary supplements, cosmetics, and functional foods, scientific interest in plant-derived bioactive compounds has risen sharply. This Special Issue invites contributions from researchers in the fields of medicinal plant research, natural product chemistry, ethnopharmacology, and biomedical sciences.

The main objective of this Special Issue is to present recent advances in the isolation, characterization, and pharmacological evaluation of bioactive constituents from medicinal plants. Given the inherent complexity of plant extracts as multicomponent systems, we particularly encourage studies that address the challenges of standardization, reproducibility, and phytoequivalence, critical factors to ensure consistent therapeutic efficacy and facilitate the integration of herbal products into modern, evidence-based healthcare systems.

We also seek papers that highlight innovative extraction techniques, including ultrasound- and microwave-assisted and green solvent-based methods that can impact the potency, purity, stability, and standardization of plant extracts.

Submissions should investigate the broad spectrum of biological activities of plant extracts using in vitro, in vivo, and/or in silico models, with a focus on correlating the observed effects with specific phytochemicals or compound classes.

In addition, we are particularly interested in studies that investigate the biological potential of plant extracts after simulated gastrointestinal digestion, providing valuable insights into the bioavailability, stability, and functional properties of phytochemicals under physiological conditions.

This Special Issue aims to promote interdisciplinary collaboration at the interface of ethnopharmacology, natural product research, and biomedicine. By providing a platform for the dissemination of rigorous, evidence-based studies, it aims to deepen our understanding of the therapeutic value of phytochemicals and support their integration into modern, science-based health care approaches.

Dr. Tatjana M. Majkić
Dr. Jürgenliemk Guido
Dr. Milena Terzić
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. 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

  • medicinal plants
  • plant-based products
  • herbal remedies
  • innovative extraction techniques
  • plant extracts
  • anti-inflammatory potential
  • antibacterial potential
  • antioxidant potential
  • hypoglycemic potential
  • cancer prevention
  • cardiovascular diseases prevention
  • respiratory infections prevention
  • metabolic disorders prevention
  • allergies prevention
  • in vitro digestion
  • bioaccessibility
  • phytochemicals
  • polyphenols
  • iridoids

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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18 pages, 1550 KB  
Article
Molecular Docking of Phytochemicals Involved in Apoptotic Pathway and Their Interactions with CASP3, CASP9, and BAX in HepG2 Cell Line
by Madiha Younas, Muhammad Zubair, Muhammad Yousaf Shani, Samia Ahmad, Iqra Arshad, Wacław Jarecki, Muhammad Azmat, Ghulam Farid, Muhammad Yasin Ashraf and Lanlan Zhu
Plants 2026, 15(12), 1822; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants15121822 (registering DOI) - 12 Jun 2026
Viewed by 72
Abstract
As liver cancer is a leading cause of death all over the world, there is a need to explore new therapeutic strategies. This study presents an in silico analysis of the genes Caspase3 (CASP3), Caspase9 (CASP9 [...] Read more.
As liver cancer is a leading cause of death all over the world, there is a need to explore new therapeutic strategies. This study presents an in silico analysis of the genes Caspase3 (CASP3), Caspase9 (CASP9), and BCL-2-associated X protein (BAX) in liver cancer cells to evaluate the apoptosis profile following exposure to green-synthesized plant extract. We assessed the modulatory effects of phytochemicals on the apoptotic pathway by means of bioinformatics tools and a publicly available gene expression dataset. Our findings revealed the possible mechanistic basis of the pro-apoptotic activity observed in vitro, utilizing a structure-based molecular docking method. The biologically synthesized AgNPs at a concentration of 50 µg/mL induced an approximately 4-fold increase in the mRNA expression levels of CASP3, CASP9, and BAX compared with chemically synthesized AgNPs, as determined by qPCR. Rutin was the compound with the highest binding affinities toward all three proteins, with ΔG values of −9.3 kcal/mol (Caspase3), −9.1 kcal/mol (Caspase9), and −9.0 kcal/mol (BAX). These findings offer new insights about the molecular mechanisms that support the cytotoxicity of phytochemicals, and simultaneously highlight the potential of green nanotechnology for the development of therapeutic strategies for liver cancer. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Medicinal Properties and Biological Activity of Plant Extracts)
20 pages, 4591 KB  
Article
Comparative Profiling and In Silico Multitarget Analysis of Volatile Constituents from Sambucus ebulus L. Dried Fruits
by Stoyan Stoyanov, Ivayla Dincheva, Iliyan Kolev, Halil Şenol, Momchil Barbolov, Mladena Radeva, Paweł Olczyk, Petyo Boshnakov, Galina Yaneva, Diana Ivanova and Oskan Tasinov
Plants 2026, 15(12), 1765; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants15121765 - 8 Jun 2026
Viewed by 522
Abstract
Background: Sambucus ebulus L. berries contain numerous bioactive compounds, but their volatile molecular composition has not yet been fully characterized. In this study, we analyzed the volatile components of the essential oil and aqueous infusion prepared from dried S. ebulus fruits, followed by [...] Read more.
Background: Sambucus ebulus L. berries contain numerous bioactive compounds, but their volatile molecular composition has not yet been fully characterized. In this study, we analyzed the volatile components of the essential oil and aqueous infusion prepared from dried S. ebulus fruits, followed by multitarget in silico analysis of the major compounds against the following enzymes implicated in neuroinflammation and oxidative stress, namely cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2), monoamine oxidases (MAO-A and MAO-B), acetylcholinesterase (AChE), and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), for which inhibitory activity of plant-derived compounds has previously been reported. Methods: Steam distillation, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and gas chromatography-flame ionization detection (GC-FID) were employed for compound isolation and analysis. Molecular docking studies were performed using Schrödinger software (version 2025-1). Results: Fatty acid esters and hexahydrofarnesyl acetone predominated in the essential oil, whereas linalool was identified as the major constituent of the infusion. MAO-A was predicted to be the most favorable interaction target for hexahydrofarnesyl acetone and other major constituents. Conclusions: Our findings expand the currently limited available data on the volatile composition of S. ebulus fruits and characterize the volatile profile of its fruit infusion for the first time. The in silico analyses suggest that S. ebulus volatile constituents may interact with several target enzymes implicated in neurodegeneration and inflammation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Medicinal Properties and Biological Activity of Plant Extracts)
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11 pages, 766 KB  
Communication
Comparative Antifungal Activity of Medicinal Plant Extracts and Essential Oils Against Clinical Isolates of Candida albicans from Denture Stomatitis Patients
by Nazanin Fathi, Joo-Hyun Hong, Farzaneh Lotfipour, Samin Ghaffari, Reza Abbasi, Parina Asgharian, Rana Attaran, Hamed Hamishehkar, Maryam Kouhsoltani and Ki Hyun Kim
Plants 2026, 15(9), 1392; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants15091392 - 1 May 2026
Viewed by 614
Abstract
In this study, we investigated the antifungal potential of methanolic extracts and essential oils obtained from five medicinal plants (Salvadora persica, Mentha spicata, Achillea millefolium, Matricaria chamomilla, and Zingiber officinale) against 25 clinical isolates of Candida albicans [...] Read more.
In this study, we investigated the antifungal potential of methanolic extracts and essential oils obtained from five medicinal plants (Salvadora persica, Mentha spicata, Achillea millefolium, Matricaria chamomilla, and Zingiber officinale) against 25 clinical isolates of Candida albicans collected from patients with denture stomatitis. Antifungal susceptibility was assessed using broth microdilution as the primary method, with agar diffusion assays performed to provide complementary visual confirmation. Nystatin was included as a reference control. Across the tested samples, essential oils consistently showed stronger antifungal effects than the corresponding methanolic extracts. Notably, Z. officinale essential oil exhibited the highest level of activity, inhibiting 15 out of 25 isolates and, in several cases, demonstrating efficacy comparable to or exceeding that of nystatin. Chemical profiling by GC–MS indicated that the ginger essential oil was dominated by sesquiterpene and monoterpene hydrocarbons, with zingiberene (21.49%) being the major constituent, followed by β-sesquiphellandrene, α-curcumene, sabinene, and α-citral. This terpene-rich composition may contribute to the observed antifungal activity, potentially through the disruption of fungal cell membrane integrity. Taken together, these results suggest that Z. officinale essential oil represents a promising natural antifungal candidate for the management of denture-associated C. albicans infections. Further studies, including biofilm-based assays and in vivo evaluations, will be necessary to confirm its clinical applicability. To the best of our knowledge, this study is among the first to comparatively assess these five medicinal plants against clinical C. albicans isolates derived specifically from denture stomatitis patients. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Medicinal Properties and Biological Activity of Plant Extracts)
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14 pages, 779 KB  
Article
Seasonal Variation of Essential Oil Quantity and Quality in Bay Laurel (Laurus nobilis L.) Leaves from Montenegro
by Zoran S. Ilić, Ljiljana Stanojević, Lidija Milenković, Aleksandra Milenković, Ljubomir Šunić, Dušica Ilić, Jelena Stanojević, Dragan Cvetković, Dragan Božović and Žarko Kevrešan
Plants 2026, 15(6), 923; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants15060923 - 17 Mar 2026
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 701
Abstract
Seasonal variation is recognized as a key factor affecting the essential oil (EO) yield, chemical composition, and antioxidant activity of Laurus nobilis L. from the Montenegro coast, which constituted the focus of this research. The bay essential oil (BEO) yield was higher in [...] Read more.
Seasonal variation is recognized as a key factor affecting the essential oil (EO) yield, chemical composition, and antioxidant activity of Laurus nobilis L. from the Montenegro coast, which constituted the focus of this research. The bay essential oil (BEO) yield was higher in summer (2.12%) and autumn (2.03%) than in winter (1.26%) and spring (1.28%). The total number of BEO components, depending on seasonal variability, ranges from 31 (summer) to 34 (winter and spring). 1,8-cineole (eucalyptol) was the major aromatic compound in all seasons, with the highest content recorded in summer (52.4%). Linalool, as the second most abundant component, is present in the autumn harvest (14.1%), while α-terpinyl acetate, as the third most abundant component, is most prevalent in the winter–spring period (9.6–9.7%). Two groups of monoterpenes, namely the oxygen-containing monoterpene derivatives (80.1%), constitute the most abundant components in BEO leaves, as well as monoterpene hydrocarbons (14.3–15.5%). The phenylpropanoids were the least abundant (4.9–6.3%). Stronger antioxidant activity (DPPH) during an incubation time of 20 min was shown by the BEOs isolated from autumn (EC50 value of 1.15 mg/mL). Early autumn (September) represents the optimal harvest time for L. nobilis in Montenegro, as they ensure a high essential oil yield and better quality, reflected in a high 1,8-cineole content and stronger antioxidant activity of the oil. These results demonstrate that seasonal variations are key factors regulating the quantity and quality of BEO, providing important information for optimizing harvest strategies for medicinal and industrial purposes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Medicinal Properties and Biological Activity of Plant Extracts)
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Review

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46 pages, 14217 KB  
Review
Phytochemical Composition and Biological Activities of Dracocephalum Species Native to Kazakhstan: A Comprehensive Review
by Assel Sabiyeva, Gayane A. Atazhanova, Yana K. Levaya and Almagul S. Makhmutova
Plants 2026, 15(11), 1722; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants15111722 - 2 Jun 2026
Viewed by 176
Abstract
Medicinal plants are a valuable source of bioactive metabolites, and current research focuses particularly on increasing their productivity and studying previously little-known species. Of particular interest are representatives of the families Lamiaceae, Apiaceae, and Asteraceae, for which either no data exists or only [...] Read more.
Medicinal plants are a valuable source of bioactive metabolites, and current research focuses particularly on increasing their productivity and studying previously little-known species. Of particular interest are representatives of the families Lamiaceae, Apiaceae, and Asteraceae, for which either no data exists or only brief information is available regarding their chemical composition and biological properties. In this context, the family Lamiaceae, one of the dominant families in the flora of Kazakhstan, deserves special attention. Within the republic, it is represented by 233 species, grouped into 45 genera. The genus Dracocephalum L. is a key component of the Lamiaceae, comprising more than 70 species grouped into four subgenera and eight sections. In ethnomedical systems, various species of the genus are used to treat respiratory diseases, fever, digestive disorders, liver and gallbladder diseases, cardiovascular pathologies, diabetes, as well as gynecological, urological, dermatological, and dental diseases. Phytochemical studies have confirmed that species of the genus Dracocephalum are a rich source of polyphenols, including flavonoids and phenolic acids. Approximately 22 species of the genus have been recorded in the flora of Kazakhstan, distributed in steppe and mountainous regions (Altai, Tien Shan, Zhetysu Alatau, Karatau). This review systematizes current data on the chemical composition and biological activity of Dracocephalum species, highlighting their pharmacological potential and the prospects for further study and utilization of Kazakhstan’s flora. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Medicinal Properties and Biological Activity of Plant Extracts)
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