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Phytochemicals Beneficial to Human Health

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 April 2023) | Viewed by 33018

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. José Antonio Morales-González

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Guest Editor

Laboratorio de Medicina de Conservación, Escuela Superior de Medicina, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Plan de San Luis y Díaz Mirón, Col. Casco de Santo Tomás, Del. Miguel Hidalgo, Ciudad de México 11340, Mexico
Interests: Liver regeneration; ethanol metabolism; transcriptional factor Nrf2; alcoholic liver disease; oxidative stress; cell damage by free radicals; inflammatory process; chronic diseases.
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Nancy Vargas Mendoza

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Laboratorio de Medicina de Conservación, Escuela Superior de Medicina, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Plan de San Luis y Díaz Mirón, Col. Casco de Santo Tomás, Del. Miguel Hidalgo, Ciudad de México 11340, Mexico
Interests: antioxidants; phytochemicals; oxidative stress; use of antioxidants in exercise; antioxidants in athletic performance and human health
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Plant materials and derivatives have been widely studied worldwide for the countless benefits they bring to human health. Currently, numerous research groups have focused on the study and characterization of herbal extracts to identify numerous plant metabolites that have been found to exert remarkable effects on biological systems.

To a large extent, many diseases arise as the interruption or blockage of natural metabolic biological processes, resulting in the inability to maintain cellular homeostasis. In vitro and in vivo studies show how bioactive plant compounds possess the ability to activate cell signaling pathways that are altered in pathological situations or certain medical conditions. The elucidation of the mechanisms by which the bioactive compounds of plants act continues to be approached as a directional axis in research projects. In this sense, there is a wide area of opportunity to explore the use of phytochemicals on human health, in diseases or in special conditions such as physical exercise and its effect on athletic performance. In addition, phytochemicals currently seem to have a high potential in the treatment of various diseases, proving to be a viable alternative to the currently available medicines.

This Special Issue aims to extend an invitation to the scientific community interested in studying the role of phytochemicals on human health, whether in cases of disease or conditions such as physical exercise, by submitting their work in the form of reviews or original research articles contributing to the formation of solid evidence that supports the optimal use of phytochemicals.

Dr. José Antonio Morales-González
Dr. Nancy Vargas Mendoza
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

phytochemicals
natural products
plant extracts
biocompounds
antioxidants
oxidative stress
human health
physical exercise

Published Papers (11 papers)

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Research

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13 pages, 921 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Spirulina maxima on a Model of Sexual Dysfunction in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Male Rats

by Eduardo Osel Olvera-Roldán, José Melesio Cristóbal-Luna, Yuliana García-Martínez, María Angélica Mojica-Villegas, Ricardo Pérez-Pastén-Borja, Gabriela Gutiérrez-Salmeán, Salud Pérez-Gutiérrez, Rosa Virginia García-Rodríguez, Eduardo Madrigal-Santillán, José A. Morales-González and Germán Chamorro-Cevallos

Plants 2023, 12(4), 722; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12040722 - 6 Feb 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2142

Abstract

Arthrospira (Spirulina) maxima (SM) is a cyanobacterium that has a long history of being used as human food. In recent years, several investigations have shown its beneficial biological effects, among which its antioxidant capacity has been highlighted. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of SM on body weight, glycemia, sexual behavior, sperm quality, testosterone levels, sex organ weights, and the activity of antioxidant enzymes in diabetic male rats (a disease characterized by an increase in reactive oxygen species). The experiment consisted of six groups of sexually expert adult males (n = 6): (1) control (vehicle); (2) streptozotocin (STZ)-65 mg/kg; (3) SM-400 mg/kg; (4) STZ + SM-100 mg/kg; (5) STZ + SM-200 mg/kg; and (6) STZ + SM-400 mg/kg. Sexual behavior tests were performed during the first 3 h of the dark period under dim red illumination. Our results showed that SM significantly improved sexual behavior and sperm quality vs. diabetic animals. Likewise, while the enzymatic activities of SOD and GPx increased, TBARS lipoperoxidation decreased and testosterone levels increased. In view of the findings, it is suggested that SM may potentially be used as a nutraceutical for the treatment of diabetic male sexual dysfunction due to its antioxidant property. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Phytochemicals Beneficial to Human Health)

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15 pages, 1729 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Bauhinia forficata Link, Antioxidant, Genoprotective, and Hypoglycemic Activity in a Murine Model

by Erika Anayetzi Chávez-Bustos, Angel Morales-González, Liliana Anguiano-Robledo, Eduardo Osiris Madrigal-Santillán, Cármen Valadez-Vega, Olivia Lugo-Magaña, Jorge Alberto Mendoza-Pérez and Tomás Alejandro Fregoso-Aguilar

Plants 2022, 11(22), 3052; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11223052 - 11 Nov 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1825

Abstract

Bauhinia forficata L. is a tree used in alternative medicine as an anti-diabetic agent, with little scientific information about its pharmacological properties. The hypoglycemic, antioxidant, and genoprotective activities of a methanolic extract of B. forficata leaves and stems combined were investigated in mice treated with streptozotocin (STZ). Secondary metabolites were determined by qualitative phytochemistry. In vitro antioxidant activity was determined by the DPPH method at four concentrations of the extract. The genoprotective activity was evaluated in 3 groups of mice: control, anthracene (10 mg/kg), and anthracene + B. forficata (500 mg/kg) and the presence of micronuclei in peripheral blood was measured for 2 weeks. To determine the hypoglycemic activity, the crude extract was prepared in a suspension and administered (500 mg/kg, i.g.) in previously diabetic mice with STZ (120 mg/kg, i.p.), measuring blood glucose levels every week as well as the animals’ body weight for six weeks. The extract showed good antioxidant activity and caused a decrease in the number of micronuclei. The diabetic mice + B. forficata presented hypoglycemic effects in the third week of treatment, perhaps due to its secondary metabolites. Therefore, B. forficata is a candidate for continued use at the ethnomedical level as an adjuvant to allopathic therapy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Phytochemicals Beneficial to Human Health)

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30 pages, 4436 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Cholesterol-Modulating Effect of the New Herbal Medicinal Recipe from Yellow Vine (Coscinium fenestratum (Goetgh.)), Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe.), and Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) on Suppressing PCSK9 Expression to Upregulate LDLR Expression in HepG2 Cells

by Tassanee Ongtanasup, Nuntika Prommee, Onkamon Jampa, Thanchanok Limcharoen, Smith Wanmasae, Veeranoot Nissapatorn, Alok K. Paul, Maria de Lourdes Pereira, Polrat Wilairatana, Norased Nasongkla and Komgrit Eawsakul

Plants 2022, 11(14), 1835; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11141835 - 13 Jul 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3181

Abstract

PCSK9 is a promising target for developing novel cholesterol-lowering drugs. We developed a recipe that combined molecular docking, GC-MS/MS, and real-time PCR to identify potential PCSK9 inhibitors for herb ratio determination. Three herbs, Carthamus tinctorius, Coscinium fenestratum, and Zingiber officinale, were used in this study. This work aimed to evaluate cholesterol-lowering through a PCSK9 inhibitory mechanism of these three herbs for defining a suitable ratio. Chemical constituents were identified using GC-MS/MS. The PCSK9 inhibitory potential of the compounds was determined using molecular docking, real-time PCR, and Oil red O staining. It has been shown that most of the active compounds of C. fenestratum and Z. officinale inhibit PCSK9 when extracted with water, and C. fenestratum has been shown to yield tetraacetyl-d-xylonic nitrile (27.92%) and inositol, 1-deoxy-(24.89%). These compounds could inhibit PCSK9 through the binding of 6 and 5 hydrogen bonds, respectively, while the active compound in Z. officinale is 2-Formyl-9-[.beta.-d-ribofuranosyl] hypoxanthine (4.37%) inhibits PCSK9 by forming 8 hydrogen bonds. These results suggest that a recipe comprising three parts C. fenestratum, two parts Z. officinale, and one part C. tinctorius is a suitable herbal ratio for reducing lipid levels in the bloodstream through a PCSK9 inhibitory mechanism. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Phytochemicals Beneficial to Human Health)

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20 pages, 2067 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Anti-Biofilm and Associated Anti-Virulence Activities of Selected Phytochemical Compounds against Klebsiella pneumoniae

by Idowu J. Adeosun, Itumeleng T. Baloyi and Sekelwa Cosa

Plants 2022, 11(11), 1429; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11111429 - 27 May 2022

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3334 | Correction

Abstract

The ability of Klebsiella pneumoniae to form biofilm renders the pathogen recalcitrant to various antibiotics. The difficulty in managing K. pneumoniae related chronic infections is due to its biofilm-forming ability and associated virulence factors, necessitating the development of efficient strategies to control virulence factors. This study aimed at evaluating the inhibitory potential of selected phytochemical compounds on biofilm-associated virulence factors in K. pneumoniae, as well as authenticating their antibiofilm activity. Five phytochemical compounds (alpha-terpinene, camphene, fisetin, glycitein and phytol) were evaluated for their antibacterial and anti-biofilm-associated virulence factors such as exopolysaccharides, curli fibers, and hypermucoviscosity against carbapenem-resistant and extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-positive K. pneumoniae strains. The antibiofilm potential of these compounds was evaluated at initial cell attachment, microcolony formation and mature biofilm formation, then validated by in situ visualization using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Exopolysaccharide surface topography was characterized using atomic force microscopy (AFM). The antibacterial activity of the compounds confirmed fisetin as the best anti-carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae, demonstrating a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value of 0.0625 mg/mL. Phytol, glycitein and α-terpinene showed MIC values of 0.125 mg/mL for both strains. The assessment of the compounds for anti-virulence activity (exopolysaccharide reduction) revealed an up to 65.91% reduction in phytol and camphene. Atomic force microscopy detected marked differences between the topographies of untreated and treated (camphene and phytol) exopolysaccharides. Curli expression was inhibited at both 0.5 and 1.0 mg/mL by phytol, glycitein, fisetin and quercetin. The hypermucoviscosity was reduced by phytol, glycitein, and fisetin to the shortest mucoid string (1 mm) at 1 mg/mL. Phytol showed the highest antiadhesion activity against carbapenem-resistant and extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-positive K. pneumoniae (54.71% and 50.05%), respectively. Scanning electron microscopy correlated the in vitro findings, with phytol significantly altering the biofilm architecture. Phytol has antibiofilm and antivirulence potential against the highly virulent K. pneumoniae strains, revealing it as a potential lead compound for the management of K. pneumoniae-associated infections. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Phytochemicals Beneficial to Human Health)

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Review

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23 pages, 1941 KiB

Open AccessReview

The Protective Role of Cranberries and Blueberries in Oral Cancer

by César Esquivel-Chirino, Mario Augusto Bolaños-Carrillo, Daniela Carmona-Ruiz, Ambar Lopéz-Macay, Fernando Hernández-Sánchez, Delina Montés-Sánchez, Montserrat Escuadra-Landeros, Luis Alberto Gaitán-Cepeda, Silvia Maldonado-Frías, Beatriz Raquel Yáñez-Ocampo, José Luis Ventura-Gallegos, Hugo Laparra-Escareño, Claudia Patricia Mejía-Velázquez and Alejandro Zentella-Dehesa

Plants 2023, 12(12), 2330; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12122330 - 15 Jun 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2288

Abstract

Background: Oral cancer has a high prevalence worldwide, and this disease is caused by genetic, immunological, and environmental factors. The main risk factors associated with oral cancer are smoking and alcohol. Results: There are various strategies to reduce risk factors, including prevention programs as well as the consumption of an adequate diet that includes phytochemical compounds derived from cranberries (Vaccinium macrocarpon A.) and blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum L.); these compounds exhibit antitumor properties. Results: The main outcome of this review is as follows: the properties of phytochemicals derived from cranberries were evaluated for protection against risk factors associated with oral cancer. Conclusions: The secondary metabolites of cranberries promote biological effects that provide protection against smoking and alcoholism. An alternative for the prevention of oral cancer can be the consumption of these cranberries and blueberries. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Phytochemicals Beneficial to Human Health)

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26 pages, 1314 KiB

Open AccessReview

Plant-Derived Nutraceuticals Involved in Body Weight Control by Modulating Gene Expression

by Maria Vrânceanu, Simona-Codruţa Hegheş, Anamaria Cozma-Petruţ, Roxana Banc, Carmina Mariana Stroia, Viorica Raischi, Doina Miere, Daniela-Saveta Popa and Lorena Filip

Plants 2023, 12(12), 2273; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12122273 - 11 Jun 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2768

Abstract

Obesity is the most prevalent health problem in the Western world, with pathological body weight gain associated with numerous co-morbidities that can be the main cause of death. There are several factors that can contribute to the development of obesity, such as diet, sedentary lifestyle, and genetic make-up. Genetic predispositions play an important role in obesity, but genetic variations alone cannot fully explain the explosion of obesity, which is why studies have turned to epigenetics. The latest scientific evidence suggests that both genetics and environmental factors contribute to the rise in obesity. Certain variables, such as diet and exercise, have the ability to alter gene expression without affecting the DNA sequence, a phenomenon known as epigenetics. Epigenetic changes are reversible, and reversibility makes these changes attractive targets for therapeutic interventions. While anti-obesity drugs have been proposed to this end in recent decades, their numerous side effects make them not very attractive. On the other hand, the use of nutraceuticals for weight loss is increasing, and studies have shown that some of these products, such as resveratrol, curcumin, epigallocatechin-3-gallate, ginger, capsaicin, and caffeine, can alter gene expression, restoring the normal epigenetic profile and aiding weight loss. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Phytochemicals Beneficial to Human Health)

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33 pages, 1396 KiB

Open AccessReview

The Anticancer Potential of Plant-Derived Nutraceuticals via the Modulation of Gene Expression

by Maria Vrânceanu, Damiano Galimberti, Roxana Banc, Ovidiu Dragoş, Anamaria Cozma-Petruţ, Simona-Codruţa Hegheş, Oliviu Voştinaru, Magdalena Cuciureanu, Carmina Mariana Stroia, Doina Miere and Lorena Filip

Plants 2022, 11(19), 2524; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11192524 - 26 Sep 2022

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 3938

Abstract

Current studies show that approximately one-third of all cancer-related deaths are linked to diet and several cancer forms are preventable with balanced nutrition, due to dietary compounds being able to reverse epigenetic abnormalities. An appropriate diet in cancer patients can lead to changes in gene expression and enhance the efficacy of therapy. It has been demonstrated that nutraceuticals can act as powerful antioxidants at the cellular level as well as anticarcinogenic agents. This review is focused on the best studies on worldwide-available plant-derived nutraceuticals: curcumin, resveratrol, sulforaphane, indole-3-carbinol, quercetin, astaxanthin, epigallocatechin-3-gallate, and lycopene. These compounds have an enhanced effect on epigenetic changes such as histone modification via HDAC (histone deacetylase), HAT (histone acetyltransferase) inhibition, DNMT (DNA methyltransferase) inhibition, and non-coding RNA expression. All of these nutraceuticals are reported to positively modulate the epigenome, reducing cancer incidence. Furthermore, the current review addresses the issue of the low bioavailability of nutraceuticals and how to overcome the drawbacks related to their oral administration. Understanding the mechanisms by which nutraceuticals influence gene expression will allow their incorporation into an “epigenetic diet” that could be further capitalized on in the therapy of cancer. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Phytochemicals Beneficial to Human Health)

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24 pages, 1749 KiB

Open AccessReview

Phytochemicals in Skeletal Muscle Health: Effects of Curcumin (from Curcuma longa Linn) and Sulforaphane (from Brassicaceae) on Muscle Function, Recovery and Therapy of Muscle Atrophy

by Nancy Vargas-Mendoza, Eduardo Madrigal-Santillán, Isela Álvarez-González, Eduardo Madrigal-Bujaidar, Liliana Anguiano-Robledo, José Leopoldo Aguilar-Faisal, Mauricio Morales-Martínez, Luis Delgado-Olivares, Elda Victoria Rodríguez-Negrete, Ángel Morales-González and José A. Morales-González

Plants 2022, 11(19), 2517; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11192517 - 26 Sep 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2887

Abstract

The mobility of the human body depends on, among other things, muscle health, which can be affected by several situations, such as aging, increased oxidative stress, malnutrition, cancer, and the lack or excess of physical exercise, among others. Genetic, metabolic, hormonal, and nutritional factors are intricately involved in maintaining the balance that allows proper muscle function and fiber recovery; therefore, the breakdown of the balance among these elements can trigger muscle atrophy. The study from the nutrigenomic perspective of nutritional factors has drawn wide attention recently; one of these is the use of certain compounds derived from foods and plants known as phytochemicals, to which various biological activities have been described and attributed in terms of benefiting health in many respects. This work addresses the effect that the phytochemicals curcumin from Curcuma longa Linn and sulforaphane from Brassicaceae species have shown to exert on muscle function, recovery, and the prevention of muscle atrophy, and describes the impact on muscle health in general. In the same manner, there are future perspectives in research on novel compounds as potential agents in the prevention or treatment of medical conditions that affect muscle health. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Phytochemicals Beneficial to Human Health)

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38 pages, 1607 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperReview

Opuntia spp. in Human Health: A Comprehensive Summary on Its Pharmacological, Therapeutic and Preventive Properties. Part 2

by Eduardo Madrigal-Santillán, Jacqueline Portillo-Reyes, Eduardo Madrigal-Bujaidar, Manuel Sánchez-Gutiérrez, Jeannett A. Izquierdo-Vega, Julieta Izquierdo-Vega, Luis Delgado-Olivares, Nancy Vargas-Mendoza, Isela Álvarez-González, Ángel Morales-González and José A. Morales-González

Plants 2022, 11(18), 2333; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11182333 - 6 Sep 2022

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 4745

Abstract

Plants of the genus Opuntia spp are widely distributed in Africa, Asia, Australia and America. Specifically, Mexico has the largest number of wild species; mainly O. streptacantha, O. hyptiacantha, O. albicarpa, O. megacantha and O. ficus-indica. The latter being the most cultivated and domesticated species. Its main bioactive compounds include pigments (carotenoids, betalains and betacyanins), vitamins, flavonoids (isorhamnetin, kaempferol, quercetin) and phenolic compounds. Together, they favor the different plant parts and are considered phytochemically important and associated with control, progression and prevention of some chronic and infectious diseases. Part 1 collected information on its preventive actions against atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and obesity, hepatoprotection, effects on human infertility and chemopreventive capacity. Now, this second review (Part 2), compiles the data from published research (in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies) on its neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, antiulcerative, antimicrobial, antiviral potential and in the treatment of skin wounds. The aim of both reviews is to provide scientific evidences of its beneficial properties and to encourage health professionals and researchers to expand studies on the pharmacological and therapeutic effects of Opuntia spp. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Phytochemicals Beneficial to Human Health)

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27 pages, 1789 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperReview

A Complete Review of Mexican Plants with Teratogenic Effects

by Germán Chamorro-Cevallos, María Angélica Mojica-Villegas, Yuliana García-Martínez, Salud Pérez-Gutiérrez, Eduardo Madrigal-Santillán, Nancy Vargas-Mendoza, José A. Morales-González and José Melesio Cristóbal-Luna

Plants 2022, 11(13), 1675; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11131675 - 24 Jun 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3583

Abstract

In Mexico, the use of medicinal plants is the first alternative to treat the diseases of the most economically vulnerable population. Therefore, this review offers a list of Mexican plants (native and introduced) with teratogenic effects and describes their main alterations, teratogenic compounds, and the models and doses used. Our results identified 63 species with teratogenic effects (19 native) and the main alterations that were found in the nervous system and axial skeleton, induced by compounds such as alkaloids, terpenes, and flavonoids. Additionally, a group of hallucinogenic plants rich in alkaloids employed by indigenous groups without teratogenic studies were identified. Our conclusion shows that several of the identified species are employed in Mexican traditional medicine and that the teratogenic species most distributed in Mexico are Astragalus mollissimus, Astragalus lentiginosus, and Lupinus formosus. Considering the total number of plants in Mexico (≈29,000 total vascular plants), to date, existing research in the area shows that Mexican plants with teratogenic effects represent ≈0.22% of the total species of these in the country. This indicates a clear need to intensify the evaluation of the teratogenic effect of Mexican plants. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Phytochemicals Beneficial to Human Health)

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