Bioactive Phytochemicals from Plant Essential Oils and Extracts, 2nd Edition

Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

Plant resources containing phytochemicals and natural products with medicinal and healthy functions abound. Most phytochemicals contained in herbal and woody plants are flavonoids, lignans, phenylpropanoids, quinoids, tannins, stilbenes, terpenoids, steroids, saponins, alkaloids, glycosides, etc. Natural products in plants exhibit numerous bioactive properties, including antiaging effects, anti-Alzheimer’s activity, anticancer activity, antihypertensive activity, antigout activity, antimelanogenesis effects, antimicrobial activity, antidiabetic activity, antiobesity activity, etc. The process of extracting phytochemicals that have specific bioactive effects and medicinal properties from plants is one of the important areas in natural product research. Recently, through innovative developments in chromatographic and spectroscopic technology, it has become possible to identify more bioactive phytochemicals in various plants and separate them from their sources. This Topic aims to explore more bioactive plant essential oils and extracts, to isolate and identify phytochemicals possessing specific bioactivities, and to illustrate the mechanisms behind enzyme kinetic assays, model organism study, molecular docking analysis, and so on. By continuing to advance scientific research in this area, it will become possible to obtain more bioactive essential oils, extracts, and phytochemicals from plants and harness their potential in pharmaceuticals and other healthy products.

Prof. Dr. Hui-Ting Chang
Prof. Dr. Nour Eddine Es-Safi
Dr. Pei-Ling Yen
Topic Editors

Keywords

Participating Journals

Journal Name	Impact Factor	CiteScore	Launched Year	First Decision (median)	APC
Antioxidants antioxidants	8.2	14.7	2012	18.7 Days	CHF 2900	Submit
International Journal of Molecular Sciences ijms	5.6	10.0	2000	17.5 Days	CHF 2900	Submit
Molecules molecules	5.1	10.3	1996	15.6 Days	CHF 2700	Submit
Nutraceuticals nutraceuticals	-	4.4	2021	24.9 Days	CHF 1200	Submit
Pharmaceuticals pharmaceuticals	5.7	9.0	2004	14.3 Days	CHF 2900	Submit
Plants plants	4.7	8.5	2012	14.8 Days	CHF 2700	Submit

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All Molecules Nutraceuticals Pharmaceuticals Plants Antioxidants IJMS

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Open AccessArticle

In Silico Molecular Docking Studies and Xanthine Oxidase Inhibitory Activity of Abies kawakamii Leaf Extract and Its Constituent

by Chi-Ya Huang, Pei-Ling Yen, Li-Sheng Hsu, Jinn-Guan Low, Yu-Mei Huang, Shou-Ling Huang, Chun-Han Ko and Hui-Ting Chang

Pharmaceuticals 2026, 19(7), 1100; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph19071100 - 17 Jul 2026

Viewed by 458

Abstract

Gout is a metabolic disorder associated with abnormal purine metabolism and persistent hyperuricaemia, which promotes formation and deposition of monosodium urate crystal in joints, leading to acute arthritis and impaired quality of life. This study aimed to evaluate the xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity [...] Read more.

Gout is a metabolic disorder associated with abnormal purine metabolism and persistent hyperuricaemia, which promotes formation and deposition of monosodium urate crystal in joints, leading to acute arthritis and impaired quality of life. This study aimed to evaluate the xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity of ethanolic leaf extract of Abies kawakamii and its fractions. The protocol of bioassay-guided fractionation was employed to isolate active compounds from leaf extract. Maltol was identified as the major active compound from the ethyl acetate fraction (EAF). Maltol inhibited xanthine oxidase with IC₅₀ values of 33.18 and 26.67 μg/mL against xanthine and hypoxanthine, respectively, significantly lower than the crude extract (152.04 and 136.57 μg/mL) and EAF (66.70 and 48.76 μg/mL). Enzyme kinetic analyses further showed that EAF inhibited xanthine oxidase through a competitive inhibition mechanism toward both substrates. Molecular docking analysis suggested that maltol may interact with the active-site region of xanthine oxidase, showing a binding affinity of −6.5 kcal/mol, slightly weaker than that of allopurinol, with no predicted hepatotoxicity based on in silico analysis. Our findings indicate that A. kawakamii leaf extract and its constituent, maltol, could be further explored as a natural approach for gout management. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Bioactive Phytochemicals from Plant Essential Oils and Extracts, 2nd Edition)

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24 pages, 16119 KB  

Open AccessArticle

Pickering Emulsion Stabilized by Chitosan-Modified Saigae Tataricae Cornu Particles for Improving the Oxidative Stability and In Vivo Pharmacokinetics of Acorus tatarinowii Schott Volatile Oil

by Xiaoxiao Lin, Zhichao Wang, Fei Luan, Xiaofei Zhang, Dongyan Guo, Bingtao Zhai, Liang Feng, Yajun Shi and Junbo Zou

Pharmaceuticals 2026, 19(7), 1027; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph19071027 - 30 Jun 2026

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Abstract

Background/Objectives: Acorus tatarinowii Schott volatile oil (ATVO), a bioactive component of traditional Chinese medicine, is susceptible to light-induced oxidation and compositional changes. This study aimed to develop a chitosan-modified Saigae Tataricae Cornu particle (MSTC)-stabilized Pickering emulsion (PE) to improve the light-oxidative stability [...] Read more.

Background/Objectives: Acorus tatarinowii Schott volatile oil (ATVO), a bioactive component of traditional Chinese medicine, is susceptible to light-induced oxidation and compositional changes. This study aimed to develop a chitosan-modified Saigae Tataricae Cornu particle (MSTC)-stabilized Pickering emulsion (PE) to improve the light-oxidative stability and in vivo disposition of ATVO. Methods: Saigae Tataricae Cornu particles were modified with chitosan and used to prepare an oil-in-water PE encapsulating ATVO. Particle wettability, morphology, structural interactions, emulsion type, interfacial distribution, droplet size, and zeta potential were characterized. The light-oxidative stability of ATVO was evaluated under light using peroxide value, malondialdehyde content, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. The pharmacokinetic behavior of α-asarone and β-asarone was further investigated in rats. Results: Chitosan modification increased the contact angle of Saigae Tataricae Cornu particles from 65.37° to 83.23°, indicating improved wettability and interfacial affinity. The resulting PE showed good physical stability, with a droplet size of 2.51 μm and a zeta potential of +32.00 mV. Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) confirmed that MSTC particles adsorbed at the oil–water interface and encapsulated ATVO within the oil droplets. Compared with free ATVO and the physical mixture, the PE reduced peroxide and malondialdehyde formation, slowed light-induced changes in volatile components, and better preserved major bioactive constituents. Pharmacokinetic analysis showed that the plasma concentration-time curve from 0 to t (AUC_0–t) and maximum plasma concentration (C_max) of α-asarone increased by 2.02- and 2.47-fold, respectively, whereas the effect on β-asarone was relatively limited. Conclusions: MSTC-stabilized PE provides an effective interfacial-barrier strategy for protecting ATVO against light-oxidative deterioration. This study highlights the potential of modified natural medicinal particles as green stabilizers for improving the stability, quality consistency, and delivery performance of volatile-oil-containing traditional Chinese medicine preparations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Bioactive Phytochemicals from Plant Essential Oils and Extracts, 2nd Edition)

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11 pages, 545 KB  

Open AccessArticle

Larvicidal Activities of Juniperus chinensis var. kaizuka Leaf Essential Oil and Its Constituents Against Dengue Vector Mosquitoes, Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus

by Ji-Yun Chang, Kun-Hsien Tsai, Yu-Mei Huang, Yu-Yi Chang, Chong-Syuan Huang, Yu-Tung Ho, Sheng-Yang Wang, Mei-Ling Chang and Hui-Ting Chang

Plants 2025, 14(21), 3321; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14213321 - 30 Oct 2025

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1191

Abstract

Juniperus is one of the vital genera of the Cupressaceae family; many Juniperus species (juniper) have served as traditional folk medicines. The aims of this study are to analyze its chemical composition and to evaluate the mosquito larvicidal activity of leaf essential oil [...] Read more.

Juniperus is one of the vital genera of the Cupressaceae family; many Juniperus species (juniper) have served as traditional folk medicines. The aims of this study are to analyze its chemical composition and to evaluate the mosquito larvicidal activity of leaf essential oil and its constituents. The constituents of leaf essential oil were analyzed by GC-MS. Leaf essential oil is mainly composed of hydrocarbon monoterpenes and, secondly, oxygenated monoterpenes. Leaf essential oil exhibited good brine shrimp lethality activity, which is highly correlated with larvicidal activity, with the LC₅₀ of 49.89 μg/mL. Leaf essential oil showed a strong mosquito larvicidal activity against two Dengue vector mosquitoes, Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus, the LC₅₀ values for both species were lower than 50 μg/mL. Among the major constituents of leaf essential oil, compounds limonene, sabinene, and β-myrcene also exhibited a significant larvicidal effect. Through these investigations, it is expected that leaf essential oil from J. chinensis var. kaizuka and its constituents are of potential use as environmental control chemicals against Dengue vector mosquitoes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Bioactive Phytochemicals from Plant Essential Oils and Extracts, 2nd Edition)

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14 pages, 1893 KB  

Open AccessArticle

Anti-Photoaging Effects of a Standardized Hot Water Extract of Petasites japonicus Leaves in Ultraviolet B-Exposed Hairless Mice

by Hyeon-A Song, Min-Ji Park, Chae-Won Lee, Sangsu Park, Jong Kil Lee, Kyung-Sook Chung and Kyung-Tae Lee

Pharmaceuticals 2025, 18(10), 1490; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph18101490 - 3 Oct 2025

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1272

Abstract

Background: Ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation accelerates skin aging by inducing oxidative stress, collagen degradation, and cellular senescence. Although Petasites japonicus is known for its antioxidant properties, its anti-photoaging potential remains underexplored. This research explored the protective properties of a hot water extract from [...] Read more.

Background: Ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation accelerates skin aging by inducing oxidative stress, collagen degradation, and cellular senescence. Although Petasites japonicus is known for its antioxidant properties, its anti-photoaging potential remains underexplored. This research explored the protective properties of a hot water extract from P. japonicus leaves (KP-1) against photoaging caused by UVB exposure. Methods: Hairless mice were exposed to UVB three times per week and orally administered KP-1 for 13 weeks. Wrinkle formation, epidermal thickness, skin hydration, and collagen content were assessed. Protein expression related to MAPK/AP-1, TGF-β/Smad2/3, and p53/p21 pathways was analyzed by Western blotting. Results: KP-1 significantly reduced UVB-induced wrinkle area, epidermal and dermal thickening, and transepidermal water loss while restoring collagen density and skin hydration. KP-1 inhibited MMP-1 expression, enhanced COL1A1 levels, suppressed MAPK/AP-1 activation, and activated TGF-β/Smad2/3 signaling. It also balanced p53/p21 expression and restored cyclin D1 and CDK4 levels, thereby preventing UVB-induced senescence. Conclusions: The findings of this research revealed that KP-1 can serve as a promising natural substance for safeguarding the skin from damage and aging caused by UVB exposure. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Bioactive Phytochemicals from Plant Essential Oils and Extracts, 2nd Edition)

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