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Plant Natural Compounds: From Discovery to Application (2nd Edition)

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A Special Issue of Applied Biosciences (ISSN 2813-0464).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2027 | Viewed by 12188

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Prof. Dr. Adriana Basile

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Department of Biology, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80126 Naples, Italy
Interests: plant cell; bryophytes; environmental pollution; response to stress; ultrastructure; molecular biology; biomarkers; bioactivities
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Dr. Viviana Maresca

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Department of Life Science, Health, and Health Professions", Link Campus University, 00165 Rome, Italy
Interests: oxidative stress; antioxidant enzyme activity; moss; bryophytes; heavy metals; biological activity of secondary metabolites
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Dr. Alessia Postiglione

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Department of Biology, University of Napoli Federico II, Complesso Universitario di Monte S. Angelo, Via Cinthia, 80126 Napoli, Italy
Interests: plant stress; biomonitoring; protection against environmental stresses; phytoremediation; essentials oils; biological activity of secondary metabolites
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue will collect original research dealing with the discovery and applications of plant natural compounds. Plants are incredible chemical factories. According to some estimates, at least ~100,000 secondary metabolites are now known to occur in 50,000 plant species, and ~4000 new secondary metabolites are being discovered every year from a variety of plant species (Thangraj, 2015). This huge amount of chemical diversity can provide molecules for nutraceutical, therapeutic, and general purposes, such as preservatives and natural dyes for food and dressing industries. Today, about 11% of the 252 drugs considered as basic and essential by the World Health Organization (WHO) are derived from flowering plants (Cragg and Newman 2013). The therapeutic potential of plants is known and has been codified by human cultures for millennia. Nowadays, researchers have isolated several compounds from different plant taxa (from bryophytes to angiosperms), which have demonstrated a wide range of biological activities: anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, analgesic, antipyretic, antiproliferative, and cytotoxic (Boustie and Grube, 2005; Shrestha and Clair, 2013). However, most of the research focused on in vitro testing, which has the obvious disadvantage of not reflecting how these molecules behave in living organisms. Furthermore, plants are of great interest in the food industry for many purposes. They can be used as nutraceuticals, flavoring, dressing, preservatives, or decontaminating agents or they are exploited for their biological effects on body parts. Natural plant compounds have another field of application in cosmetics, for example, botanical compounds are used as antiaging agents due to the interesting content of antioxidants.

The challenge is discovering and demonstrating the effectiveness of plant substances for any purpose, which demands great scientific research efforts to explore, discover, and share results in this immense field of scientific research.

Dr. Adriana Basile
Dr. Viviana Maresca
Dr. Alessia Postiglione
Guest Editors

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Keywords

plant natural compounds
bioactivities
food industry
sustainability
cosmetics
secondary metabolites
antimicrobial
antiviral
anticancer
nutraceutics

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Related Special Issue

Plant Natural Compounds: From Discovery to Application in Applied Biosciences (11 articles)

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Research

Jump to: Review

16 pages, 726 KB

Open AccessArticle

Sustainable Valorization of Sinami Fruit (Oenocarpus mapora H. Karst), with Focus on Its Nutrients and Bioactive Components as a Function of Harvest Time

by Winy Cuchuyrumi-Nina, Eliana Molina Mamani, María Isabel Cajo-Pinche, Javier Diaz-Viteri, Ana María Muñoz and Fernando Ramos-Escudero

Appl. Biosci. 2026, 5(3), 65; https://doi.org/10.3390/applbiosci5030065 - 3 Aug 2026

Viewed by 363

Abstract

Sinami (Oenocarpus mapora H. Karst) is a palm tree that grows in the South American Amazon, whose fruits are highly valued for their sensory characteristics, attractive dark purple color, and as a source of edible oil. However, little to no information is available on the changes in the physicochemical properties, nutrients, chemical compounds, and antioxidant capacity of O. mapora fruits throughout their four-week ripening period. The results obtained showed that fruit weight, seed weight, and peel + flesh weight increased slightly. The variables that showed a significant increase (p < 0.001) during ripening were pH, TSS (°Brix), TSS/TA ratio, and the a* coordinate. The lipid content increased substantially from 0.46 to 31.47 g/100 g. Among the variations, the chlorophyll and carotenoid content increased from harvest 1 to harvest 2, while the total anthocyanin content decreased from harvest 3 (1.65 mg c-3-g/g) to harvest 4 (1.00 mg c-3-g/g). Furthermore, 4-hydroxyphenylacetic acid and ferulic acid levels decreased, while gallic acid and rutin levels increased. These results confirm that the fruits of O. mapora vary during the ripening process. Harvests 3 and 4 contributed significantly with a higher content of bioactive compounds and oil, which is important for the utilization and production of vegetable oil and for promoting the use of byproducts such as seeds and the press cake after oil extraction. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Natural Compounds: From Discovery to Application (2nd Edition))

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20 pages, 1271 KB

Open AccessArticle

Estrogen-Responsive Gene Modulation by Mentha pulegium L. Extract in Uterine and Ovarian Tissues of Immature Rat

by Lorraine Sallah, Patrick W. Narkwa, Seth A. Domfeh, Peter N. Coffie, Patience N. Ansong, Cynthia A. Danquah, Kofi O. Owusu-Daaku and Babatunde M. Duduyemi

Appl. Biosci. 2026, 5(3), 64; https://doi.org/10.3390/applbiosci5030064 - 1 Aug 2026

Viewed by 371

Abstract

Mentha pulegium L. is reported to contain phytochemicals known to bind to estrogen receptors and modulate estrogenic effects. A hydroethanolic leaf extract of Mentha pulegium L. (MPE) was prepared, and its effects on uterine and ovarian tissues in immature rats were investigated, focusing on transcriptional endpoint-related estrogenic activity. Female Sprague Dawley rats were treated with varying doses of MPE alone or in combination with estradiol for seven days. Gene expression analysis was performed using reverse transcriptase-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) to evaluate the effect of MPE on estrogen-responsive biomarkers: Calbindin-D9k (CaBP-9k), Progesterone receptor (Pgr), Trefoil factor 1 (pS2), Intestinal calcium-binding protein integral (Icabp), Integral membrane-associated protein-1 (Itmap1) and Complement component 3 (CC3) genes. In ovarian tissues, MPE treatment decreased CaBP-9k and Icapb expression, with CC3 showing significant decreases in the 200 mg/kg group. Treatments with MPE and estradiol significantly reduced the expression of all estrogen-responsive genes compared to estradiol treatment. In uterine tissues, 1000 mg/kg MPE increased CaBP-9k and pS2 expression significantly but decreased Icapb, CC3, pS2, and Itmap across all treatment groups significantly. Combined estradiol treatment with MPE (500 and 1000) mg/kg showed significantly low CaBP-9k and CC3 expressions. Increased expression of Icapb, Itmap, and pS2 was observed when combined estradiol treatments with MPE (500 and 1000) mg/kg were compared to estradiol treatment. MPE influenced the expression of specific genes in the uterus and ovaries and thus may exhibit endocrine-modulatory activity by multiple mechanisms of action, highlighting its potential complexity in modulating estrogenic responses. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Natural Compounds: From Discovery to Application (2nd Edition))

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18 pages, 1546 KB

Open AccessArticle

Modulation of Pro- and Anti-Inflammatory Cytokines by Melaleuca cajuputi subsp. cajuputi Powell Ethanolic Leaf Extract (MC-ELE) in BALB/c Mice

by Agustyas Tjiptaningrum, Yusra Yusra, Kusmardi Kusmardi, Ade Arsianti, Sjahjenny Mustokoweni and Fadilah Fadilah

Appl. Biosci. 2026, 5(2), 41; https://doi.org/10.3390/applbiosci5020041 - 16 May 2026

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Abstract

Background: Cytokine storm-like inflammation includes an imbalanced immune response, where excessive interleukin-6 (IL-6) and inadequate IL-10 play a central role in increasing tissue injury. Melaleuca cajuputi leaves are known to contain anti-inflammatory bioactive compounds. However, the potential to modulate the dysregulated cytokine response remains underexplored. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the immunomodulatory effects of Melaleuca cajuputi subsp. cajuputi Powell Ethanolic Leaf Extract (MC-ELE) on IL-6, IL-6R, and IL-10 levels in a BALB/c mouse model of lung inflammation induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Methods: Phytochemical screening was performed to identify active constituents in MC-ELE. Male BALB/c mice were intratracheally challenged with LPS (mg·kg⁻¹ BW) to induce cytokine storm-like inflammation. After 24 h, mice received oral MC-ELE at doses of 750, 1500, 3000 mg·kg⁻¹ BW, or dexamethasone (10 mg·kg⁻¹ BW), for seven consecutive days. On day eight, serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were collected for IL-6, IL-6R, and IL-10 assessment using ELISA. Furthermore, body weight changes and clinical symptoms were monitored throughout the study. Results: MC-ELE was confirmed to contain anti-inflammatory compounds. Across all groups, IL-6 concentrations in BALF were consistently higher than in serum, with the LPS-only group showing the greatest elevation. Serum IL-6R levels exceeded BALF IL-6R levels in most groups, except at 1500 mg·kg⁻¹ BW MC-ELE dose. BALF IL-10 was higher compared with serum in all MC-ELE-treated groups. Therefore, MC-ELE might preferentially enhance anti-inflammatory responses within the pulmonary microenvironment. There was no observed toxicity or weight loss at doses up to 3000 mg·kg⁻¹ BW. Conclusions: MC-ELE reported promising immunomodulatory activity by lowering IL-6 and IL-6R levels while enhancing IL-10 responses in lung inflammation induced by LPS within lung tissue. These results suggested its potential as a natural therapeutic candidate for managing severe inflammatory conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Natural Compounds: From Discovery to Application (2nd Edition))

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15 pages, 305 KB

Open AccessArticle

Impact of Apple Cold Storage on the Physicochemical and Bioactive Quality of Juice

by Ana-Marija Gotal Skoko, Ivana Flanjak, Dajana Gašo-Sokač, Martina Skendrović Babojelić, Bojan Šarkanj, Ivana Tomac, Valentina Obradović and Ante Lončarić

Appl. Biosci. 2026, 5(2), 33; https://doi.org/10.3390/applbiosci5020033 - 14 Apr 2026

Viewed by 1152

Abstract

This study compared the quality and bioactive composition of cloudy apple juices produced from four traditional and four conventional apple cultivars immediately after harvest and following cold storage of the fruit at 4 °C for three and six months. Apples were harvested at the ripening stage at the same criteria, stored as whole fruit, and processed into cloudy juice after harvest, three, and six months of storage. Physicochemical parameters and sugar composition were determined, while phenolic compounds were quantified by HPLC-PDA. Antioxidant activity, total phenolic, and flavonoid content were measured spectrophotometrically. All analyses were performed in technical triplicate. The results revealed notable differences between traditional and conventional cultivars. Juices produced from traditional apple cultivars exhibited significantly higher total polyphenol and flavonoid contents than those from conventional cultivars. Significant variations in catechin, myricetin, quercetin, and epigallocatechin levels were also observed among cultivars. The traditional apple cultivar ‘Mašanka’ showed higher concentrations of quercetin (0.09 ± 0.01 µg/mL), chlorogenic acid (486.58 ± 5.48 µg/mL), catechin (8.76 ± 0.54 µg/mL), epicatechin (20.22 ± 0.20 µg/mL), and phloridzin (13.48 ± 0.19 µg/mL) compared to the other cultivars. In contrast, conventional cultivars showed higher concentrations of myricetin and procyanidin B1. Moreover, the content of TA, sucrose, and glucose decreased, whereas pH, fructose, TSS (except for ‘Fuji’ and ‘Granny Smith’) increased. The TFC decreased in traditional apple cultivars, while it increased in conventional cultivars; however, the TFC in conventional cultivars remained lower than in traditional ones. Overall, these findings demonstrate that the cold storage of apples significantly affects juice composition and highlight the advantages of traditional apple cultivars for producing juices with enhanced phenolic content and antioxidant activity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Natural Compounds: From Discovery to Application (2nd Edition))

14 pages, 670 KB

Open AccessCommunication

Effect of Feeding Lactic Acid Bacteria from Agave in Caenorhabditis elegans Lifespan, Heat Shock and Acute Oxidative Stress

by Vania Lizett Lucas-Hernández, Liliana Lugo-Zarate, Diana Patricia Olivo-Ramírez, Estefani Yaquelin Hernández-Cruz, José Pedraza-Chaverri and Angélica Saraí Jiménez-Osorio

Appl. Biosci. 2026, 5(2), 27; https://doi.org/10.3390/applbiosci5020027 - 2 Apr 2026

Viewed by 727

Abstract

The food industry has a strong interest in lactic acid bacteria (LAB) because of their probiotic potential and health advantages. LAB have been previously isolated from pulque and agave sap, showing antibacterial action. However, their reaction to stress can limit their survivability, and their biological activities are strain-specific. To ascertain the impact of LAB isolated from pulque and agave sap on lifespan, thermal and oxidative stress, and health span parameters, we fed the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans these bacteria. The nematodes fed the Escherichia coli OP50 strain were utilized as a control for each experiment. Animals were fed each strain for four days starting from L4 and either (day 5) exposed to oxidative stress caused by high hydrogen peroxide concentrations (8 mM) or acute heat stress (35 °C) for four hours. The strains Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum significantly improved lifespan, fertility, movement, and heat shock resistance. Lacticaseibacillus casei enhanced the C. elegans lifespan, and Levilactobacillus brevis only increased its survivability in the heat shock studies. Interestingly, we discovered a harmful impact on animals fed Pediococcus acidilactici. This study highlights that, even when strains come from the same plant source, their biological activity might differ significantly. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Natural Compounds: From Discovery to Application (2nd Edition))

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14 pages, 1816 KB

Open AccessArticle

Sage Essential Oil as a Natural Antigenotoxic Agent: Comet Assay Findings and Pharmacological Relevance

by Sara Diogo Gonçalves, Igor Koval, Rita S. Matos and Ana Caramelo

Appl. Biosci. 2025, 4(4), 54; https://doi.org/10.3390/applbiosci4040054 - 19 Nov 2025

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1632

Abstract

Oxidative stress is a major contributor to genomic instability and a key factor in the etiology of various chronic diseases. Natural compounds with antioxidant and DNA-protective properties are increasingly being explored as potential preventive agents. In this study, we investigated the antigenotoxic potential of Salvia sclarea L. (sage) essential oil in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells exposed to hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress. The DNA damage was assessed using the in vivo Comet assay, and five concentrations of sage essential oil (0.2–3%) were evaluated, both with and without co-exposure to H₂O₂. The results show a dose-dependent reduction in DNA damage in cells treated with the essential oil, with significant protection observed at all tested concentrations. Chemical characterization of the essential oil revealed a high content of linalyl acetate (62.63%) and linalool (22.22%), compounds known for their antioxidant activities. These findings demonstrate the antigenotoxic capacity of S. sclarea essential oil and strengthen the evidence supporting its role as a natural agent capable of protecting human cells from oxidative DNA damage. The study contributes to the growing body of evidence on essential oils as multifunctional bioactive agents and highlights the importance of incorporating natural compounds into strategies aimed at mitigating oxidative DNA damage. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Natural Compounds: From Discovery to Application (2nd Edition))

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Review

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46 pages, 7797 KB

Open AccessReview

Can Plant-Derived Anti-Inflammatory Compounds “Replace” Indomethacin in NSAID Therapy? Advances in Drug Delivery Systems of Indomethacin and Off-Label Medical Applications

by Petya Georgieva, Petya Peneva and Yana Gvozdeva

Appl. Biosci. 2026, 5(3), 75; https://doi.org/10.3390/applbiosci5030075 - 1 Sep 2026

Viewed by 432

Abstract

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are widely used for the management of inflammatory disorders, pain, and fever due to their significant anti-inflammatory and antipyretic properties. However, their long-term use is often associated with multiple adverse effects, including gastric erosion, hemorrhage, and perforation, as well as cardiovascular, hepatic, and renal complications. Indomethacin is a potent NSAID commonly used in the treatment of pain and rheumatoid arthritis. Its poor water solubility, Biopharmaceutics Classification System (BCS) Class II, results in low aqueous solubility and high membrane permeability, and conventional dosage forms often fail to overcome pharmacokinetic limitations and gastrointestinal irritation. To address these drawbacks, alternative indomethacin-loaded drug delivery systems have been developed, which enable controlled release, enhanced solubility, and targeted delivery for improving therapeutic efficacy and safety profile. Nature provides a diverse reservoir of bioactive compounds with significant anti-inflammatory potential, making them promising alternatives or complementary agents to indomethacin. Representative examples include the alkaloids piperine and berberine; the flavonoids oleocanthal and apigenin; and the terpenoids thymoquinone, kahweol, and cafestol; as well as anthraquinones and iridoids. This review summarizes the current evidence on plant-derived anti-inflammatory compounds that may “replace” or act synergistically with indomethacin. In addition, we discuss the pharmacological properties of indomethacin and recent advances in drug delivery systems designed to improve its topical and systemic therapeutic applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Natural Compounds: From Discovery to Application (2nd Edition))

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38 pages, 4852 KB

Open AccessReview

Harnessing the Anticancer Potential of Plant Alkaloids Through Green Extraction Technologies

by Latifa Bouissane, Sohaib Khatib, Reda El Boukhari, Valérie Thiery and Ahmed Fatimi

Appl. Biosci. 2026, 5(2), 23; https://doi.org/10.3390/applbiosci5020023 - 27 Mar 2026

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1869

Abstract

Cancer is an alarming health concern and economic burden in both developed and developing countries. Recently, there has been a growing demand for new alternative medications with more effectiveness and fewer harmful effects. During the past decades, a set of chemotherapeutic agents has been developed to fight against a large spectrum of cancer types. Unfortunately, their use is associated with a high level of toxicity; they are expensive, also, and their deployment is restricted by the emergence of cellular resistance. Plant-based components are garnering attention due to their low toxicity, selectivity, efficiency, and ease of accessibility. Alkaloids are one of these targeted compounds. Indeed, they are a highly diverse group with basic heterocyclic nitrogen-containing alkaloids that exhibit potent anticancer effects against a large panel of solid and liquid tumors, such as lung, breast, leukemia, liver, and colon cancer. The main molecular mechanisms involved in alkaloids’ anticancer effect are the induction of apoptosis via the extrinsic and intrinsic pathways, DNA damage, and the inhibition of cell cycle progression. Amazingly, these auspicious compounds exhibited strenuous inhibitory effects against a whole range of key enzymes involved in cancer progression and metastasis, such as Cytochrome P450 (CYP450), Cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2), Lysine-Specific Demethylase 1 (LSD1), Poly [ADP-ribose] polymerase (PARP), and topoisomerase, mainly through two action modes, namely irreversible and reversible inhibition. Furthermore, several conventional extraction methods have been developed to extract bioactive compounds from natural matrices, such as Soxhlet and hot water extraction. However, these techniques have many drawbacks, as they require a large amount of organic solvents, which not only affect human health but also generate severe environmental issues. To overcome these limitations, multiple eco-extraction techniques have emerged as potential alternatives to traditional extraction methods such as ultrasonic extraction, microwave-assisted extraction, and supercritical fluid extraction. In fact, they are considered eco-friendly and efficient technologies with less time and solvent consumption. Overall, this review aims to provide an updated overview of the most prominent anticancer alkaloids that have not been well reviewed already, as well as the main green extraction techniques relevant to the extraction of antineoplastic alkaloids. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Natural Compounds: From Discovery to Application (2nd Edition))

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15 pages, 1343 KB

Open AccessReview

Plant Latex Proteases in Hemostasis: Beyond Thrombin-like Activity

by Linesh-Kumar Selvaraja and Siti-Balqis Zulfigar

Appl. Biosci. 2025, 4(3), 37; https://doi.org/10.3390/applbiosci4030037 - 1 Aug 2025

Viewed by 2560

Abstract

Plant latex is a rich source of proteolytic enzymes with potential biomedical applications, particularly in hemostasis. Among them, thrombin-like enzymes (TLEs) have garnered interest in their ability to mimic thrombin by catalyzing the conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin, facilitating clot formation. While TLEs from snake venoms have been well-characterized and applied clinically, their plant-derived counterparts remain underexplored. This review critically examines the structural and functional characteristics of TLEs from plant latex, comparing them to animal-derived TLEs and evaluating their role in both procoagulant and fibrinolytic processes. Emphasis is placed on dual fibrinogenolytic and fibrinolytic activities exhibited by latex proteases, which often vary with concentration, incubation time, and protease type. In vitro coagulation assays and electrophoretic analyses are discussed as critical tools for characterizing their multifunctionality. By addressing the knowledge gaps and proposing future directions, this paper positions plant latex proteases as promising candidates for development in localized hemostatic and thrombolytic therapies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Natural Compounds: From Discovery to Application (2nd Edition))

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