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Dear Colleagues,

Compounds from natural sources and their synthetic derivatives have been considered a gold mine in the discovery and development of novel therapeutics for human ailments, including cancer, cardiovascular disorders, and infectious diseases, along with the application of their beneficial effects to promote health, prevent aging, and in cosmetics’ development. An in-depth understanding of the biological activities and of the underlying mechanisms of action is fundamental to translate the pharmacological potentials of natural compounds and their synthetic derivatives to benefit human wellness. Along this line, this Special Issue of Molecules aims to include original articles with novel discoveries and insightful reviews on the pharmacological and biological performance of synthetic and natural compounds, with the hope of enhancing our knowledge of the health-beneficial potentials of these natural materials.

Prof. Dr. Chia-che Chang
Guest Editor

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

21 pages, 3390 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Total Content and Composition of Phenolic Compounds from Filipendula Genus Plants and Their Potential Health-Promoting Properties

by Ekaterina Sokolova, Tatiana Krol, Grigorii Adamov, Yulia Minyazeva, Dmitry Baleev and Nikolay Sidelnikov

Molecules 2024, 29(9), 2013; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29092013 - 27 Apr 2024

Viewed by 348

Abstract

This current article was dedicated to the determination of the composition of phenolic compounds in extracts of four species of the genus Filipendula in order to establish a connection between the composition of polyphenols and biological effects. A chemical analysis revealed that the composition of the extracts studied depended both on the plant species and its part (leaf or flower) and on the extractant used. All four species of Filipendula were rich sources of phenolic compounds and contained hydrolyzable tannins, condensed tannins, phenolic acids and their derivatives, and flavonoids. The activities included data on those that are most important for creating functional foods with Filipendula plant components: the influence on blood coagulation measured by prothrombin and activated partial thromboplastin time, and on the activity of the digestive enzymes (pancreatic amylase and lipase). It was established that plant species, their parts, and extraction methods contribute meaningfully to biological activity. The most prominent result is as follows: the plant organ determines the selective inhibition of either amylase or lipase; thus, the anticoagulant activities of F. camtschatica and F. stepposa hold promise for health-promoting food formulations associated with general metabolic disorders. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Probing Pharmacological and Biological Performance of Synthetic and Natural Compounds—2nd Edition)

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15 pages, 2743 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Neuroprotective Effects of Aldehyde-Reducing Composition in an LPS-Induced Neuroinflammation Model of Parkinson’s Disease

by Sora Kang, Youngjin Noh, Seung Jun Oh, Hye Ji Yoon, Suyeol Im, Hung Taeck Kwon and Youngmi Kim Pak

Molecules 2023, 28(24), 7988; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28247988 - 07 Dec 2023

Viewed by 1193

Abstract

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a complex neurodegenerative disease in which neuroinflammation and oxidative stress interact to contribute to pathogenesis. This study investigates the in vivo neuroprotective effects of a patented yeast extract lysate in a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced neuroinflammation model. The yeast extract lysate, named aldehyde-reducing composition (ARC), exhibited potent antioxidant and anti-aldehyde activities in vitro. Oral administration of ARC at 10 or 20 units/kg/day for 3 days prior to intraperitoneal injection of LPS (10 mg/kg) effectively preserved dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra (SN) and striatum by preventing LPS-induced cell death. ARC also normalized the activation of microglia and astrocytes in the SN, providing further evidence for its neuroprotective properties. In the liver, ARC downregulated the LPS-induced increase in inflammatory cytokines and reversed the LPS-induced decrease in antioxidant-related genes. These findings indicate that ARC exerts potent antioxidant, anti-aldehyde, and anti-inflammatory effects in vivo, suggesting its potential as a disease-modifying agent for the prevention and treatment of neuroinflammation-related diseases, including Parkinson’s disease. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Probing Pharmacological and Biological Performance of Synthetic and Natural Compounds—2nd Edition)

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