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Medicinal Value of Natural Bioactive Compounds and Plant Extracts II
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Medicinal Value of Natural Bioactive Compounds and Plant Extracts II

A special issue of Molecules (ISSN 1420-3049). This special issue belongs to the section "Natural Products Chemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2024 | Viewed by 4464

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Magdalena Wójciak

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Analytical Chemistry, Medical University of Lublin, Chodzki 4a, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
Interests: secondary plant metabolites; plant extracts; biological activity of natural compounds; polyphenols; chromatography
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Marcin Feldo

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Vascular Surgery, Medical University of Lublin, Staszica 11 St., 20-081 Lublin, Poland
Interests: flavonoids; diosmin; biologicl activity of plant metabolites chronic venous insufficiency; cardiovascular diseases
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Ireneusz Sowa

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Analytical Chemistry, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
Interests: chromatography; trace analysis; pharmaceutical analysis; sample preparation; chromatographic stationary phases; analysis of natural compounds; AAS; food and environmental analysis
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In recent years, the importance of plants and plant derived compounds  is still constantly increasing due to their broad range of activity including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, immunostimulating, protective,  antimicrobial and antifungial properties. They have also health promoting effects and protect against development of cardiovascular and neurodegenerative disorders. However, their potential for applications in pharmacy, medicine and cosmetology is still unexplored and the special Issue aims to present new achievement in this fields.

The study on the isolation, structure elucidation and biological activity of  natural constituents from plants, fungus and algae as well as on the activity and utility of well characterized plant extracts are appreciated. However, it should be mentioned that paper describing activity of extracts  without phytochemical characterization of main components will not be considered.

Original papers or review articles are well welcome.

Prof. Dr. Magdalena Wójciak
Dr. Marcin Feldo
Prof. Dr. Ireneusz Sowa
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. Molecules 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

  • secondary plant metabolites
  • plant extracts
  • biological activity
  • polyphenols
  • alkaloids
  • in vitro, in vivo and clinical study
  • cosmetology
  • ethnopharmacology
  • isolation and structure elucidation of plant metabolites

Related Special Issue

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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17 pages, 10731 KiB  
Article
Anti-Tumor Activity and Mechanism of Silibinin Based on Network Pharmacology and Experimental Verification
by Peihai Li, Dexu Wang, Xueliang Yang, Changyu Liu, Xiaobin Li, Xuanming Zhang, Kechun Liu, Yun Zhang, Mengqi Zhang, Changyun Wang and Rongchun Wang
Molecules 2024, 29(8), 1901; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29081901 - 22 Apr 2024
Viewed by 427
Abstract
Silibinin is a flavonoid compound extracted from the seeds of Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn. It has the functions of liver protection, blood-lipid reduction and anti-tumor effects. However, the potential molecular mechanism of silibinin against tumors is still unknown. This study aimed to assess [...] Read more.
Silibinin is a flavonoid compound extracted from the seeds of Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn. It has the functions of liver protection, blood-lipid reduction and anti-tumor effects. However, the potential molecular mechanism of silibinin against tumors is still unknown. This study aimed to assess the anti-tumor effects of silibinin in adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC2) cells and Balb/c nude mice, and explore its potential mechanism based on network pharmacology prediction and experimental verification. A total of 347 targets interacting with silibinin were collected, and 75 targets related to the tumor growth process for silibinin were filtrated. Based on the PPI analysis, CASP3, SRC, ESR1, JAK2, PRKACA, HSPA8 and CAT showed stronger interactions with other factors and may be the key targets of silibinin for treating tumors. The predicted target proteins according to network pharmacology were verified using Western blot analysis in ACC2 cells and Balb/c nude mice. In the pharmacological experiment, silibinin was revealed to significantly inhibit viability, proliferation, migration and induce the apoptosis of ACC2 cells in vitro, as well as inhibit the growth and development of tumor tissue in vivo. Western blot analysis showed that silibinin affected the expression of proteins associated with cell proliferation, migration and apoptosis, such as MMP3, JNK, PPARα and JAK. The possible molecular mechanism involved in cancer pathways, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway and viral carcinogenesis pathway via the inhibition of CASP3, MMP3, SRC, MAPK10 and CDK6 and the activation of PPARα and JAK. Overall, our results provided insight into the pharmacological mechanisms of silibinin in the treatment of tumors. These results offer a support for the anti-tumor uses of silibinin. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Medicinal Value of Natural Bioactive Compounds and Plant Extracts II)
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18 pages, 7796 KiB  
Article
Involvement of Bile Acid Metabolism and Gut Microbiota in the Amelioration of Experimental Metabolism-Associated Fatty Liver Disease by Nobiletin
by Hongling Xu, Mingming Yuan, Kailin Niu, Wei Yang, Maoyuan Jiang, Lei Zhang and Jing Zhou
Molecules 2024, 29(5), 976; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29050976 - 23 Feb 2024
Viewed by 988
Abstract
Metabolism-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), a growing health problem worldwide, is one of the major risks for the development of cirrhosis and liver cancer. Oral administration of nobiletin (NOB), a natural citrus flavonoid, modulates the gut microbes and their metabolites in mice. In [...] Read more.
Metabolism-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), a growing health problem worldwide, is one of the major risks for the development of cirrhosis and liver cancer. Oral administration of nobiletin (NOB), a natural citrus flavonoid, modulates the gut microbes and their metabolites in mice. In the present study, we established a mouse model of MAFLD by subjecting mice to a high-fat diet (HFD) for 12 weeks. Throughout this timeframe, NOB was administered to investigate its potential benefits on gut microbial balance and bile acid (BA) metabolism using various techniques, including 16S rRNA sequencing, targeted metabolomics of BA, and biological assays. NOB effectively slowed the progression of MAFLD by reducing serum lipid levels, blood glucose levels, LPS levels, and hepatic IL-1β and TNF-α levels. Furthermore, NOB reinstated diversity within the gut microbial community, increasing the population of bacteria that produce bile salt hydrolase (BSH) to enhance BA excretion. By exploring further, we found NOB downregulated hepatic expression of the farnesoid X receptor (FXR) and its associated small heterodimer partner (SHP), and it increased the expression of downstream enzymes, including cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase (CYP7A1) and cytochrome P450 27A1 (CYP27A1). This acceleration in cholesterol conversion within the liver contributes to mitigating MAFLD. The present findings underscore the significant role of NOB in regulating gut microbial balance and BA metabolism, revealing that long-term intake of NOB plays beneficial roles in the prevention or intervention of MAFLD. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Medicinal Value of Natural Bioactive Compounds and Plant Extracts II)
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14 pages, 8518 KiB  
Article
Hypolipidemic and Antithrombotic Effect of 6′-O-Caffeoylarbutin from Vaccinium dunalianum Based on Zebrafish Model, Network Pharmacology, and Molecular Docking
by Boxiao Wu, Churan Li, Huan Kan, Yingjun Zhang, Xiaoping Rao, Yun Liu and Ping Zhao
Molecules 2024, 29(4), 780; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29040780 - 08 Feb 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 806
Abstract
Vaccinium dunalianum leaf buds make one of the most commonly used herbal teas of the Yi people in China, which is used to treat articular rheumatism, relax tendons, and stimulates blood circulation in the body. In addition, 6′-O-caffeoylarbutin (CA) is a [...] Read more.
Vaccinium dunalianum leaf buds make one of the most commonly used herbal teas of the Yi people in China, which is used to treat articular rheumatism, relax tendons, and stimulates blood circulation in the body. In addition, 6′-O-caffeoylarbutin (CA) is a standardized extract of V. dunalianum, which has been found in dried leaf buds, reaching levels of up to 31.76%. Because of the uncommon phenomenon, it is suggested that CA may have a potential therapeutic role in hyperlipidemia and thrombosis. This study was designed to study the efficacy of CA on treating hyperlipidemia and thrombosis and the possible mechanisms behind these effects. Hyperlipidemia and thrombosis zebrafish models were treated with CA to observe variations of the integrated optical density within the vessels and the intensity of erythrocyte staining within the hearts. The possible mechanisms were explored using network pharmacology and molecular docking. The results demonstrate that CA exhibits an excellent hypolipidemic effect on zebrafish at concentrations ranging from 3.0 to 30.0 μg/mL and shows thrombosis inhibitory activity in zebrafish at a concentration of 30.0 μg/mL, with an inhibition rate of 44%. Moreover, network pharmacological research shows that MMP9, RELA, MMP2, PRKCA, HSP90AA1, and APP are major targets of CA for therapy of hyperlipidemia and thrombosis, and may relate to pathways in cancer, chemical carcinogenesis-receptor activation, estrogen signaling pathway, and the AGE–RAGE signaling pathway in diabetic complications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Medicinal Value of Natural Bioactive Compounds and Plant Extracts II)
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20 pages, 4512 KiB  
Article
Uncovering the Anti-Angiogenic Mechanisms of Centella asiatica via Network Pharmacology and Experimental Validation
by Bingtian Zhao, Yuanyuan Li, Binya Wang, Jing Liu, Yang Yang, Qianghua Quan, Quan An, Rong Liang, Chunhuan Liu and Cheng Yang
Molecules 2024, 29(2), 362; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29020362 - 11 Jan 2024
Viewed by 1028
Abstract
Background: Centella asiatica (CA) has been used to address cancer for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Previous studies demonstrated its anti-angiogenesis efficacy, but the underlying mechanism of its action remains to be further clarified. This study aims to investigate the underlying mechanisms [...] Read more.
Background: Centella asiatica (CA) has been used to address cancer for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Previous studies demonstrated its anti-angiogenesis efficacy, but the underlying mechanism of its action remains to be further clarified. This study aims to investigate the underlying mechanisms of CA and its triterpenes in anti-angiogenesis for cancer therapeutics through network pharmacology and experimental validation. Methods: Cytoscape was used to construct a network of compound–disease targets and protein–protein interactions (PPIs) from which core targets were identified. GO and KEGG analyses were performed using Metascape, and the AutoDock-Vina program was used to realize molecular docking for further verification. Then, VEGF165 was employed to establish an induced angiogenesis model. The anti-angiogenic effects of CA were evaluated through assays measuring cell proliferation, migration, and tubular structure formation. Results: Twenty-five active ingredients in CA had potential targets for anti-angiogenesis including madecassoside, asiaticoside, madecassic acid, asiatic acid, and asiaticoside B. In total, 138 potential targets for CA were identified, with 19 core targets, including STAT3, SRC, MAPK1, and AKT1. A KEGG analysis showed that CA is implicated in cancer-related pathways, specifically PD-1 and AGE-RAGE. Molecular docking verified that the active components of CA have good binding energy with the first four important targets of angiogenesis. In experimental validation, the extracts and triterpenes of CA improved VEGF165-induced angiogenesis by reducing the proliferation, migration, and tube formation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Conclusions: Our results initially demonstrate the effective components and great anti-angiogenic activity of CA. Evidence of the satisfactory anti-angiogenic action of the extracts and triterpenes from CA was verified, suggesting CA’s significant potential as a prospective agent for the therapy of cancer. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Medicinal Value of Natural Bioactive Compounds and Plant Extracts II)
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Review

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31 pages, 4074 KiB  
Review
Ethnomedicinal Uses, Geographical Distribution, Botanical Description, Phytochemistry, Pharmacology, and Quality Control of Laportea bulbifera (Sieb. et Zucc.) Wedd.: A Review
by Jiaxin Feng, Guangqing Xia, Junyi Zhu, Li Li and Hao Zang
Molecules 2024, 29(1), 42; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29010042 - 20 Dec 2023
Viewed by 704
Abstract
Laportea bulbifera (Sieb. et Zucc.) Wedd. (L. bulbifera) is a significant plant in the Laportea genus. Traditionally, it has been used in ethnomedicine for treating various conditions such as rheumatic arthralgia, fractures, falling injuries, nephritis dropsy, limb numbness, pruritus, fatigue-induced internal [...] Read more.
Laportea bulbifera (Sieb. et Zucc.) Wedd. (L. bulbifera) is a significant plant in the Laportea genus. Traditionally, it has been used in ethnomedicine for treating various conditions such as rheumatic arthralgia, fractures, falling injuries, nephritis dropsy, limb numbness, pruritus, fatigue-induced internal imbalances, and irregular menstruation. Modern pharmacological studies have confirmed its therapeutic potential, including anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressive, analgesic, and anti-rheumatoid arthritis properties. To gather comprehensive information on L. bulbifera, a thorough literature search was conducted using databases like Web of Science, PubMed, ProQuest, and CNKI. This review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of L. bulbifera, covering various aspects such as ethnomedicinal uses, geographical distribution, botanical description, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and quality control. The goal is to establish a solid foundation and propose new research avenues for exploring and developing potential applications of L. bulbifera. So far, a total of one hundred and eighty-nine compounds have been isolated and identified from L. bulbifera, including flavonoids, phenolics, nitrogen compounds, steroids, terpenoids, coumarins, phenylpropanoids, fatty acids and their derivatives, and other compounds. Notably, flavonoids and fatty acids have demonstrated remarkable antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Additionally, these compounds show promising potential in activities such as analgesia, hypoglycemia, and hypolipidemia, as well as toxicity. Despite extensive fundamental studies on L. bulbifera, further research is still needed to enhance our understanding of its mechanism of action and improve quality control. This requires more comprehensive investigations to explore the specific material basis, uncover new mechanisms of action, and refine quality control methods related to L. bulbifera. By doing so, we could contribute to the further development and utilization of this plant. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Medicinal Value of Natural Bioactive Compounds and Plant Extracts II)
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