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Natural Products and Their Biological Activities

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A special issue of Current Issues in Molecular Biology (ISSN 1467-3045). This special issue belongs to the section "Biochemistry, Molecular and Cellular Biology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 November 2023) | Viewed by 11440

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Vikram Joshi

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Guest Editor

Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
Interests: inflammation; mechanobiology; gut physiology; snake venom toxins; natural bioactives

Dr. Nanjaraj Urs AN

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Guest Editor

Department of Biology, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, USA
Interests: snake venom toxicology; pharmacology; RNA biology; post-translational regulations; natural molecules

Dr. Amog P. Urs

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Guest Editor

Division of Hematology and Hematological Malignancies, Huntsman Cancer Institute and University of Utah Health, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
Interests: leukaemia; long non-coding RNAs; circular RNAs; platelet aggregation; cell signalling; wound healing; snake venom toxins; natural bioactives

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Natural products have been used as a source of therapeutically effective medicines for centuries. Along with their use as drugs to treat many chronic disorders, such as inflammation, cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, hypertension, hyperlipidaemia and many more, natural products also aid in the discovery of many physiological aspects. Further, they offer great structural diversity and can, therefore, be used as lead structures against a wide range of targets. Currently, more than 100 natural product-derived compounds are undergoing clinical trials and a similar number of compounds are under pre-clinical studies.

Hence, in this Special Issue, we aim to gather recent scientific findings and advances related to natural products and their derivatives with special emphasis on their biological activities. With a very broad scope, we welcome original research articles, short communications, and review articles on, but not limited to, isolation, characterization and biological activities of natural compounds from plants, animals and microorganisms; mechanisms of action of natural compounds on human diseases; effects of natural molecules on biochemical signalling pathways; antioxidant, anticancer, antiviral, antimicrobial, anti-hypertensive, antilipidemic, and anti-inflammatory properties of natural compounds; pharmacology and pharmaco-kinetics of natural compounds; secondary metabolites and their derivatives of natural origin; in vitro and in vivo studies of natural products; in silico study of natural products; and natural compounds as a complementary therapy.

Dr. Vikram Joshi
Dr. Nanjaraj Urs AN
Dr. Amog P. Urs
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. Current Issues in Molecular Biology is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly 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 2200 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

natural products
antioxidants
multi-target drugs
complimentary therapy
herbal medicine
phytotherapy
small molecule drugs
bioactivity
secondary metabolites
drug discovery
marine bio-actives
phytochemicals

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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15 pages, 3807 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Ajania pacifica (Nakai) K. Bremer and Humphries Extract Limits MYC Expression to Induce Apoptosis in Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma

by Ye-Rin Woo, Chan-Seong Kwon, Ji-Eun Lee, Byeol-Eun Jeon, Tae-Jin Kim, Joy Choo, Young-Seob Seo and Sang-Woo Kim

Curr. Issues Mol. Biol. 2024, 46(5), 4580-4594; https://doi.org/10.3390/cimb46050278 - 11 May 2024

Viewed by 326

Abstract

The proto-oncogene MYC is frequently dysregulated in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and plays a critical role in disease progression. To improve the clinical outcomes of patients with DLBCL, the development of strategies to target MYC is crucial. The use of medicinal plants for developing anticancer drugs has garnered considerable attention owing to their diverse mechanisms of action. In this study, 100 plant extracts of flora from the Republic of Korea were screened to search for novel agents with anti-DLBCL effects. Among them, Ajania pacifica (Nakai) K. Bremer and Humphries extract (APKH) efficiently suppressed the survival of DLBCL cells, while showing minimal toxicity toward normal murine bone marrow cells. APKH suppressed the expression of anti-apoptotic BCL2 family members, causing an imbalance between the pro-apoptotic and anti-apoptotic BCL2 members. This disrupted mitochondrial membrane potential, cytochrome c release, and pro-caspase-3 activation and eventually led to DLBCL cell death. Importantly, MYC expression was markedly downregulated by APKH and ectopic expression of MYC in DLBCL cells abolished the pro-apoptotic effects of APKH. These results demonstrate that APKH exerts anti-DLBCL effects by inhibiting MYC expression. Moreover, when combined with doxorubicin, an essential component of the CHOP regimen (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone), APKH synergistically enhanced the therapeutic effect of doxorubicin. This indicates that APKH may overcome drug resistance, which is common in patients with refractory/relapsed DLBCL. To identify compounds with anti-DLBCL activities in APKH, the chemical profile analysis of APKH was performed using UPLC-QTOF/MS^e analysis and assessed for its anticancer activity. Based on the UPLC-QTOF/MS^e chemical profiling, it is conceivable that APKH may serve as a novel agent targeting MYC and sensitizing drug-resistant DLBCL cells to CHOP chemotherapy. Further studies to elucidate how the compounds in APKH exert tumor-suppressive role in DLBCL are warranted. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Products and Their Biological Activities)

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15 pages, 3355 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica) Sprout Extract in RAW 264.7 Macrophages and a Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Liver Injury Model

by Hyeon Woo Sim, Won-Yong Lee, Ran Lee, Seo Young Yang, Youn-Kyung Ham, Sung Don Lim and Hyun-Jung Park

Curr. Issues Mol. Biol. 2023, 45(11), 9117-9131; https://doi.org/10.3390/cimb45110572 - 14 Nov 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1489

Abstract

Brassica oleracea var. italica (broccoli), a member of the cabbage family, is abundant with many nutrients, including vitamins, potassium, fiber, minerals, and phytochemicals. Consequently, it has been used as a functional food additive to reduce oxidative stress and inflammatory responses. In the current study, the effects of sulforaphane-rich broccoli sprout extract (BSE) on the inflammatory response were investigated in vitro and in vivo. Comparative high-performance liquid chromatography analysis of sulforaphane content from different extracts revealed that 70% ethanolic BSE contained more sulforaphane than the other extracts. qPCR and enzyme immunoassay analyses revealed that BSE markedly reduced the expression of proinflammatory cytokines and mediators, including cyclooxygenase 2, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-1, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Pretreatment with BSE improved the survival rate and suppressed alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase expression in LPS-induced endotoxemic mice, while proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6, cyclooxygenase-2, and iNOS decreased dramatically in the LPS-induced liver injury model via BSE treatment. Additionally, F4/80 immunostaining showed that BSE suppressed hepatic macrophage infiltration in the liver after lipopolysaccharide injection. In conclusion, BSE may be a potential nutraceutical for preventing and regulating excessive immune responses in inflammatory disease. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Products and Their Biological Activities)

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15 pages, 5930 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Astragalus membranaceus and Cinnamomum cassia Stimulate the Hair Follicle Differentiation-Related Growth Factor by the Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway

by Mi Hye Kim, Seong Chul Jin, Hee Kyung Baek and Woong Mo Yang

Curr. Issues Mol. Biol. 2023, 45(11), 8607-8621; https://doi.org/10.3390/cimb45110541 - 26 Oct 2023

Viewed by 1697

Abstract

Astragalus membranaceus and Cinnamomum cassia are used as spices and flavorful ingredients, or medicinal herbs with pharmacological effects. In this study, the hair-growth-promoting effects of the YH complex, a newly developed formula consisting of membranaceus and C. cassia, are investigated with the prediction of its molecular mechanism. The target gene of the YH complex was about 74.8% overlapped with the gene set of ‘Hair growth’ on the GO Biological Process database. The oral administration of the YH complex promoted hair regrowth and increased hair-shaft thickness in depilated hair loss mice. In addition, the anagen/telogen hair follicle ratio was significantly increased by the YH complex. The growth factors affecting the growth of hair follicles were dose-dependently increased by treatment with the YH complex. The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway expressions in skin tissues were apparently increased by the administration of the YH complex. In conclusion, the YH complex consisting of A. membranaceus and C. cassia induced hair follicle differentiation and preserved the growing-anagen phase by increasing growth factors and the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, leading to the restoration of hair loss. The YH complex can be a remedy for hair loss diseases, such as alopecia areata, androgenetic alopecia, telogen effluvium, and chemotherapy-induced alopecia. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Products and Their Biological Activities)

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23 pages, 8308 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Extremophilic Solutions: The Role of Deinoxanthin in Counteracting UV-Induced Skin Harm

by Mehmet Kuzucu

Curr. Issues Mol. Biol. 2023, 45(10), 8372-8394; https://doi.org/10.3390/cimb45100528 - 16 Oct 2023

Viewed by 1260

Abstract

This research delved into the protective capacities of deinoxanthin, a carotenoid present in Deinococcus radiodurans, against UVA- and UVB-mediated skin damage using human fibroblast foreskin cells (HFF-1). Using the MTT assay, HFF-1 cells treated with 10 µM DNX displayed 20% and 31.7% higher viability than the positive (Vitamin C-treated) and negative (DNX-untreated) control groups, respectively, upon 100 mJ/cm² UVB exposure. At 24 J/cm² UVA, 20 µM DNX-treated cells showed 80.6% viability, exceeding the positive and negative control groups by 28.6% and 33.6%, respectively. Flow cytometry analysis revealed that cells treated with DNX and exposed to 24 J/cm² UVA exhibited a 69.32% reduction in apoptotic processes compared to untreated cells. Similarly, when exposed to 100 mJ/cm² UVB, DNX-treated cells demonstrated a 72.35% decrease in apoptotic processes relative to their untreated counterparts. DNX also displayed dose-dependent inhibition on tyrosinase activity. The study emphasized DNX’s antioxidative capacity, evident in its modulation of superoxide dismutase activity and measurements of Malondialdehyde and intracellular reactive oxygen species levels. DNX-treated cells exhibited higher hydroxyproline levels, suggesting healthier collagen production. Additionally, the wound-healing assay method confirmed an accelerated healing rate in DNX-treated cells. Conclusively, DNX offers significant protection against UV-induced skin damage, emphasizing its potential for skincare and therapeutics. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Products and Their Biological Activities)

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15 pages, 4458 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Anti-Leukemic Effects of Idesia polycarpa Maxim Branch on Human B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Cells

by Chan-Seong Kwon, Ji-Eun Lee, Byeol-Eun Jeon, Ye-Rin Woo, Yun-Seo Kim, Jae-Woo Kim, Chae-Jin Park, Seo-Yun Jang and Sang-Woo Kim

Curr. Issues Mol. Biol. 2023, 45(5), 4035-4049; https://doi.org/10.3390/cimb45050257 - 4 May 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1409

Abstract

Patients with pediatric B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) have a high survival rate, yet the prognosis of adults and patients with relapsed/refractory disease is relatively poor. Therefore, it is imperative to develop new therapeutic strategies. Here, we screened 100 plant extracts from South Korean Flora and investigated their anti-leukemic effect using CCRF-SB cells as a B-ALL model. The top cytotoxic extract identified in this screening was the Idesia polycarpa Maxim. branch (IMB), which efficiently inhibited the survival and proliferation of CCRF-SB cells, while having minimal to no impact on normal murine bone marrow cells. Mechanistically, the IMB-induced proapoptotic effect involves the increase of caspase 3/7 activity, which was shown to be associated with the disruption of the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) through the reduction in antiapoptotic Bcl-2 family expression. IMB also promoted the differentiation of CCRF-SB cells via the upregulation of the expression of differentiation-related genes, PAX5 and IKZF1. Given that resistance to glucocorticoid (GC) is often found in patients with relapsed/refractory ALL, we investigated whether IMB could restore GC sensitivity. IMB synergized GC to enhance apoptotic rate by increasing GC receptor expression and downmodulating mTOR and MAPK signals in CCRF-SB B-ALL cells. These results suggest that IMB has the potential to be a novel candidate for the treatment of B-ALL. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Products and Their Biological Activities)

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14 pages, 4817 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Myrrh Essential Oil Mitigates Renal Ischemia/Reperfusion-Induced Injury

by Nancy S. Younis

Curr. Issues Mol. Biol. 2023, 45(2), 1183-1196; https://doi.org/10.3390/cimb45020078 - 1 Feb 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1470

Abstract

Background: Ischemia/reperfusion (I/R)-induced renal injury is a common reason for kidney injury in clinical settings; therefore, continuous investigation of novel nephroprotective agents is crucial. Myrrh, the oleoresin exudates generated by the genus Commiphora, display numerous pharmacological actions. This study tried to assess the preventive effects of myrrh essential oil against I/R-induced renal damage. Methods: Rats were randomized into five groups. In the sham group, the animals were subjected to bilateral renal artery separation with no occlusion. In the sham + myrrh group; the rats were administered myrrh essential oil and then treated similarly to the sham group. Renal I/R group: the animals were challenged with renal I/R. In the myrrh + renal I/R groups, rats were administered 50 or 100 mg/kg of myrrh essential oil orally for three weeks before being confronted with I/R. Results: Serum levels of renal function tests and renal injury biomarkers, including NGAL, KIM-1, and CysC, were amplified in the renal I/R group. Animals that experienced renal I/R exhibited elevated lipid peroxidation (MDA); declined SOD, CAT, and GPx activity; declined GSH content; augmented TLR4/NFκB gene expression; and subsequent enhancement of inflammatory mediators (TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-1β, and IL-6). Myrrh reduced renal function tests and injury biomarkers and amended renal histological alterations. Pretreatment with myrrh reduced MDA, elevated the antioxidant enzymes’ activities and GSH content, and reduced the TLR4 and NFκB gene expression, leading to subsequent inflammation and apoptosis alleviation. Conclusions: The outcomes of the present investigation established the protective effect of myrrh essential oil against renal I/R via pointing out the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic effects of myrrh. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Products and Their Biological Activities)

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Review

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21 pages, 1880 KiB

Open AccessReview

How Thymoquinone from Nigella sativa Accelerates Wound Healing through Multiple Mechanisms and Targets

by Abdalsalam Kmail, Omar Said and Bashar Saad

Curr. Issues Mol. Biol. 2023, 45(11), 9039-9059; https://doi.org/10.3390/cimb45110567 - 13 Nov 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2877

Abstract

Wound healing is a multifaceted process necessitating the collaboration of numerous elements to mend damaged tissue. Plant and animal-derived natural compounds have been utilized for wound treatment over the centuries, with many scientific investigations examining these compounds. Those with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties are particularly noteworthy, as they target various wound-healing stages to expedite recovery. Thymoquinone, derived from Nigella sativa (N. sativa)—a medicinal herb with a long history of use in traditional medicine systems such as Unani, Ayurveda, Chinese, and Greco-Arabic and Islamic medicine—has demonstrated a range of therapeutic properties. Thymoquinone exhibits antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antineoplastic activities, positioning it as a potential remedy for skin pathologies. This review examines recent research on how thymoquinone accelerates wound healing and the mechanisms behind its effectiveness. We carried out a comprehensive review of literature and electronic databases, including Google Scholar, PubMed, Science Direct, and MedlinePlus. Our aim was to gather relevant papers published between 2015 and August 2023. The main criteria for inclusion were that the articles had to be peer reviewed, original, written in English, and discuss the wound-healing parameters of thymoquinone in wound repair. Our review focused on the effects of thymoquinone on the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in wound healing. We also examined the role of cytokines, signal transduction cascades, and clinical trials. We found sufficient evidence to support the effectiveness of thymoquinone in promoting wound healing. However, there is no consensus on the most effective concentrations of these substances. It is therefore essential to determine the optimal treatment doses and the best route of administration. Further research is also needed to investigate potential side effects and the performance of thymoquinone in clinical trials. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Products and Their Biological Activities)

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