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Chemical Composition and Biological Activities of Plant Extracts
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Chemical Composition and Biological Activities of Plant Extracts

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (25 February 2025) | Viewed by 13548

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Karina Caballero Gallardo

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zaragocilla Campus, University of Cartagena, Cartagena, Colombia
Interests: toxicity; biodiversity; plants, protective effect, action mechanisms

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Plants contain a wide variety of chemical compounds, such as alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, and phenols, among others. These compounds can have beneficial effects on human health, such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties. Studying the chemical composition of plant extracts can help identify and isolate new bioactive compounds with therapeutic potential. They can be used in medicines or serve as a basis for developing more effective and safer drugs. Additionally, plant extracts can provide alternatives to synthetic chemicals, which can be beneficial for those who prefer natural treatments. Moreover, studying the chemical composition of plant extracts can help identify compounds with insecticidal, fungicidal, or herbicidal properties, thereby contributing to the development of safer and environmentally friendly methods for pest and disease control in agriculture.

In summary, studying the chemical composition and biological activities of plant extracts is crucial for discovering new bioactive compounds, developing natural medicines, searching for phytopharmaceutical products, and conserving biodiversity. This Special Issue aims to contribute to the available literature on the current potential of plant extracts to advance science, medicine, and agriculture, and to open new opportunities for the development of safer and more sustainable therapies and products.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome.

I look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Karina Caballero Gallardo
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

  • phytopharmaceutical
  • natural products
  • antioxidants
  • drug discovery
  • in vitro
  • in vivo

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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19 pages, 3584 KiB  
Article
Green Extraction Strategies and Bioactivity of Rheum cordatum Losinsk: Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, and Molecular Docking Insights
by Madina Amangeldinova, Mehmet Ersatır, Adem Necip, Mehmet Cimentepe, Nataliya Kudrina, Nina Terletskaya, Ozge Oztürk Cimentepe, Oguz Cakır, Mustafa Abdullah Yilmaz and Metin Yildirim
Plants 2025, 14(7), 1071; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14071071 - 1 Apr 2025
Viewed by 458
Abstract
This study aimed to compare the efficiency of different green extraction methods for obtaining bioactive compounds from the roots of Rheum cordatum Losinsk and to evaluate their antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. The presence of some important phytochemicals in the extracts obtained using ultrasound-assisted [...] Read more.
This study aimed to compare the efficiency of different green extraction methods for obtaining bioactive compounds from the roots of Rheum cordatum Losinsk and to evaluate their antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. The presence of some important phytochemicals in the extracts obtained using ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), subcritical ethanol extraction (Sbc-EtOH), and supercritical CO2 (ScCO2) extraction was determined by LC-MS/MS, and their antioxidant and antimicrobial properties were examined against Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli. The goal was to determine the optimal extraction conditions that maximize the yield of bioactive compounds while preserving their biological properties. Different pressures (100 bar and 400 bar) were tested in UAE extraction, different solvents and times were tested in Sbc-EtOH extraction, and different pressures were tested in ScCO2 extraction. Most of the 53 important phenolic compounds have been extracted using the ScCO2 extraction method, either exclusively or in the highest amounts. It has been observed that more and higher amounts of phenolic compounds were extracted at lower pressure. The highest antioxidant activity was exhibited by the ScCO2 extracts. Additionally, the ScCO2-100 extract obtained at 100 bar showed strong antimicrobial activity, with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) ranging from 31.25 to 250 μg/mL. Gallic acid, epicatechin gallate, epigallocatechin gallate, and catechin were found in extracts. Additionally, molecular docking studies against the 1QWZ, 2ANQ, 3H77, and 6QXS proteins revealed that epicatechin exhibited docking scores of −6.127, −9.479, −5.836, and −7.067 kcal/mol, respectively. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemical Composition and Biological Activities of Plant Extracts)
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22 pages, 3089 KiB  
Article
Nettle Leaf Water Extracts for Hepatoprotection: Insights into Bioactivity and Mitochondrial Function
by Ruta Muceniece, Beatrise Luize Revina, Jorens Kviesis, Aris Jansons, Kirills Kopiks, Kaspars Jekabsons, Kristine Saleniece, Jana Namniece, Zane Grigale-Sorocina and Baiba Jansone
Plants 2025, 14(7), 992; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14070992 - 21 Mar 2025
Viewed by 706
Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the hepatoprotective effects of nettle (Urtica dioica L.) leaf water extracts on oxygen consumption in the fatty acid oxidation (FAO) pathway using an in vitro fatty liver HepG2 cell model and employing an oxygraphy approach. It also [...] Read more.
This study aimed to evaluate the hepatoprotective effects of nettle (Urtica dioica L.) leaf water extracts on oxygen consumption in the fatty acid oxidation (FAO) pathway using an in vitro fatty liver HepG2 cell model and employing an oxygraphy approach. It also examined the impact of these extracts on HepG2 cell lipid accumulation and viability under oxidative stress. The extracts were obtained via maceration with preservatives or by sonication with/without preservatives. Their chemical composition, including polyphenols, vitamins, and minerals, was analyzed. Bioactivity was confirmed through antioxidant and antiglycation in vitro assays. The extracts contained minerals, water-soluble vitamins, and polyphenols, primarily phenolic acids and rutin. Sonication increased the polyphenol yield, advanced glycation end-product (AGE) inhibition, and total antioxidant capacity compared to maceration. The added preservatives enhanced DPPH scavenging, while SOD-mimicking effects were comparable across extraction methods. In the liver steatosis model, the nettle extracts improved HepG2 cell viability under oxidative stress, reduced lipid accumulation, and enhanced mitochondrial oxygen consumption in the FAO pathway at mitochondria complex I. These findings demonstrate the impact of nettle leaf water extracts on oxygen flux in different oxidative phosphorylation states of the FAO pathway and deepen the understanding of nettle’s protective role in hepatic steatosis. The obtained results confirm the hepatoprotective effects of nettles through multiple mechanisms, primarily involving antioxidant activity, modulation of lipid accumulation, and mitochondrial protection. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemical Composition and Biological Activities of Plant Extracts)
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13 pages, 968 KiB  
Article
Simultaneous Component Analysis of Akebia quinata Seeds (Lardizabalaceae) by Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography–Tandem Mass Spectrometry for Quality and Cytotoxicity Assessment
by Chang-Seob Seo, Jaemoo Chun and Kwang Hoon Song
Plants 2025, 14(5), 669; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14050669 - 21 Feb 2025
Viewed by 430
Abstract
Akebia quinata seeds (AQSs) are used as an analgesic, antiphlogistic, and diuretic in traditional herbal medicine. We developed an ultra-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC–MS/MS) simultaneous component analysis method to analyze eight compounds (chlorogenic acid, isochlorogenic acid A, isochlorogenic acid C, [...] Read more.
Akebia quinata seeds (AQSs) are used as an analgesic, antiphlogistic, and diuretic in traditional herbal medicine. We developed an ultra-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC–MS/MS) simultaneous component analysis method to analyze eight compounds (chlorogenic acid, isochlorogenic acid A, isochlorogenic acid C, hederacolchiside F, hederacoside C, dipsacoside B, akebia saponin D, and α-hederin) as markers for the quality assessment of AQSs. The separation of the eight analytes was performed in an Acquity UPLC BEH C18 reversed-phase analytical column. The method was validated with respect to linearity (coefficient of determination ≥ 0.994), recovery (90.32–108.18%; relative standard deviation (RSD) < 10.0%), and precision (RSD < 10%). The analysis of the AQSs confirmed that the eight components were found in concentrations of 0.42–9.07 mg/g. The cytotoxicity of the AQS extract and the eight compounds against human cancer cell lines, including MDA-MB-231 (breast), A549 (lung), HCT 116 (colon), AsPC-1 (pancreas), and A2780 (ovarian), was also assessed, with cisplatin used as a positive control. In addition, dipsacoside B showed high cytotoxicity in all cell lines. This assay will help to enhance efficacy and clinical research as well as provide a validated quality assessment of AQS extract and related traditional herbal medicines. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemical Composition and Biological Activities of Plant Extracts)
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18 pages, 3866 KiB  
Article
Arbutus unedo L. Fractions Exhibit Chemotherapeutic Properties for the Treatment of Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors
by Aldo Di Vito, Manuela Mandrone, Ilaria Chiocchio, Francesca Gorini, Gloria Ravegnini, Emma Coschina, Eva Benuzzi, Simona Trincia, Augusto Hubaide Nozella, Trond Aasen, Cinzia Sanna, Fabiana Morroni, Patrizia Hrelia, Ferruccio Poli and Sabrina Angelini
Plants 2024, 13(9), 1201; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13091201 - 25 Apr 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1272
Abstract
Novel treatments in gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are essential due to imatinib resistance and the modest results obtained with multi-target tyrosine kinase inhibitors. We investigated the possibility that the hydroalcoholic extract from the leaves of Arbutus unedo L. (AUN) could harbor novel chemotherapeutics. [...] Read more.
Novel treatments in gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are essential due to imatinib resistance and the modest results obtained with multi-target tyrosine kinase inhibitors. We investigated the possibility that the hydroalcoholic extract from the leaves of Arbutus unedo L. (AUN) could harbor novel chemotherapeutics. The bio-guided fractionation of AUN led to a subfraction, FR2-A, that affected the viability of both imatinib-sensitive and -resistant GIST cells. Cells treated with FR2-A were positive for Annexin V staining, a marker of apoptosis. A rapid PARP-1 downregulation was observed, although without the traditional caspase-dependent cleavage. The fractionation of FR2-A produced nine further active subfractions (FRs), indicating that different molecules contributed to the effect promoted by FR2-A. NMR analysis revealed that pyrogallol-bearing compounds, such as gallic acid, gallic acid hexoside, gallocatechin, myricetin hexoside, and trigalloyl-glucose, are the main components of active FRs. Notably, FRs similarly impaired the viability of GIST cells and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), suggesting a non-specific mechanism of action. Nevertheless, despite the lack of specificity, the established FRs showed promising chemotherapeutic properties to broadly affect the viability of GIST cells, including those that are imatinib-resistant, encouraging further studies to investigate whether pyrogallol-bearing compounds could represent an alternative avenue in GISTs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemical Composition and Biological Activities of Plant Extracts)
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28 pages, 1594 KiB  
Article
Comparative Analysis of Chemical Profile and Biological Activity of Juniperus communis L. Berry Extracts
by Timur Belov, Dmitriy Terenzhev, Kseniya Nikolaevna Bushmeleva, Lilia Davydova, Konstantin Burkin, Igor Fitsev, Alsu Gatiyatullina, Anastasia Egorova and Evgeniy Nikitin
Plants 2023, 12(19), 3401; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12193401 - 27 Sep 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2819
Abstract
Researchers are looking for the most effective ways to extract the bioactive substances of Juniperus communis L. berries, which are capable of displaying the greatest range of biological activity, namely antimicrobial potential “against phytopathogens”, antioxidant activity and nematocidal activity. This study provides detailed [...] Read more.
Researchers are looking for the most effective ways to extract the bioactive substances of Juniperus communis L. berries, which are capable of displaying the greatest range of biological activity, namely antimicrobial potential “against phytopathogens”, antioxidant activity and nematocidal activity. This study provides detailed information on the chemical activity, group composition and biological activity of the extracts of juniper berries of 1- and 2-year maturity (JB1 and JB2), which were obtained by using different solvents (pentane, chloroform, acetone, methanol and 70% ethanol) under various extraction conditions (maceration and ultrasound-assisted maceration (US)). Seventy percent ethanol and acetone extracts of juniper berries were analyzed via gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, and they contained monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, polysaccharides, steroids, fatty acid esters and bicyclic monoterpenes. The antimicrobial activity was higher in the berries of 1-year maturity, while the acetone extract obtained via ultrasound-assisted maceration was the most bioactive in relation to the phytopathogens. Depending on the extraction method and the choice of solvent, the antioxidant activity with the use of US decreased by 1.5–1.9 times compared to the extracts obtained via maceration. An analysis of the nematocidal activity showed that the sensitivity to the action of extracts in Caenorhabditis elegans was significantly higher than in Caenorhabditis briggsae, particularly for the acetone extract obtained from the juniper berries of 1-year maturity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemical Composition and Biological Activities of Plant Extracts)
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32 pages, 6611 KiB  
Article
Aronia melanocarpa Flavonol Extract—Antiradical and Immunomodulating Activities Analysis
by Kseniya Bushmeleva, Alexandra Vyshtakalyuk, Dmitriy Terenzhev, Timur Belov, Evgeniy Nikitin and Vladimir Zobov
Plants 2023, 12(16), 2976; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12162976 - 17 Aug 2023
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2374
Abstract
The study of Aronia melanocarpa’s (A. melanocarpa) biological activity is focused on obtaining the crude extract and separation of the flavonol compounds. The extraction and fractionation of A. melanocarpa fruits, followed by quantitative analysis, were accomplished using high-performance liquid chromatography and [...] Read more.
The study of Aronia melanocarpa’s (A. melanocarpa) biological activity is focused on obtaining the crude extract and separation of the flavonol compounds. The extraction and fractionation of A. melanocarpa fruits, followed by quantitative analysis, were accomplished using high-performance liquid chromatography and Darco G-60 filtering. This approach enabled the quantification of flavonoids within each fraction. The antioxidative, immunomodulating activities and cytotoxicity with respect to the lymphoblast cell line RPMI-1788 were studied. The flavonol extract of A. melanocarpa has been shown to have a high capacity to neutralize free DPPH and AAPH radicals in vitro. It also caused an accelerated ‘respiratory burst’ formation of neutrophils and an increase in the metabolic reserves of cells in rats exposed to cyclophosphamide. The reference solution (an equivalent quercetin-rutin blend) contributed to a decrease in lipid peroxidation, intensifying phagocytosis processes. The studied compounds demonstrated their low influence on the leukocyte blood profile in animals. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemical Composition and Biological Activities of Plant Extracts)
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Review

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24 pages, 2001 KiB  
Review
Aromatherapy and Essential Oils: Holistic Strategies in Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Integral Wellbeing
by Karina Caballero-Gallardo, Patricia Quintero-Rincón and Jesus Olivero-Verbel
Plants 2025, 14(3), 400; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14030400 - 29 Jan 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 4393
Abstract
Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) encompasses a variety of ancient therapies with origins in cultures such as those of China, Egypt, Greece, Iran, India, and Rome. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) classifies these integrative therapies into five categories: (1) mind–body therapies, (2) [...] Read more.
Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) encompasses a variety of ancient therapies with origins in cultures such as those of China, Egypt, Greece, Iran, India, and Rome. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) classifies these integrative therapies into five categories: (1) mind–body therapies, (2) biological practices, (3) manipulative and body practices, (4) energy medicine, and (5) whole medical systems, including traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurvedic medicine. This review explores the role of biological practices utilizing aromatic plants, particularly through inhalation aromatherapy and massage with essential oils, as effective complementary strategies within health systems. The review compiles information on the most commonly used plants and essential oils for holistic health maintenance from a complementary and alternative perspective. Given their accessibility and relative safety compared to conventional treatments, these therapies have gained popularity worldwide. Furthermore, the integration of essential oils has been shown to alleviate various psychological and physiological symptoms, including anxiety, depression, fatigue, sleep disorders, neuropathic pain, nausea, and menopausal symptoms. Among the studied plants, lavender has emerged as being particularly notable due to its broad spectrum of therapeutic effects and its designation by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as “Generally Recognized as Safe”. Other essential oils under investigation include eucalyptus, damask rose, sandalwood, vetiver, calamus, frankincense, chamomile, lemon, grapefruit, tangerine, orange, sage, rosemary, garlic, and black pepper. This study emphasizes the potential benefits of these aromatic plants in enhancing patient well-being. Additionally, it underscores the importance of conducting further research to ensure the safety and efficacy of these therapies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemical Composition and Biological Activities of Plant Extracts)
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