Submit to IJMS Review for IJMS Propose a Special Issue

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Phytochemicals from Aromatic and Medicinal Plants: From Identification to Biomedical Applications

Special Issue Editors
Special Issue Information
Keywords
Related Special Issue
Published Papers

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Plant Sciences".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 April 2022) | Viewed by 44007

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Amélia M. Silva

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

1. Department of Biology and Environment, School of Life Sciences and Environment ; Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD), 5001-801 Vila Real, Portugal
2. Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences (CITAB-UTAD), 5001-801 Vila Real, Portugal
Interests: cell biology and biochemistry; cell-based assays; evaluation of bioactivities of natural compounds; phytochemicals; nutraceuticals; nanoencapsulation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Aromatic and medicinal plants play a very important socio-cultural and economic role, for many communities all over the world, beyond being a source of curative and preventive molecules. The use of plants for therapeutic purposes constitutes a valuable ethnopharmacological knowledge that brings a major challenge, which is the identification of bioactive molecules behind the attributed health promoting properties. Phytochemicals from aromatic and medicinal plants, such as phenolics, flavonoids, terpenoids, alkaloids, and others, have been described as nutraceuticals acting at several targets and exerting beneficial health effects. Considering the need to discover new pharmacologically active compounds, both the characterization and identification of plant phytochemicals are required, as well as the study of the relationship between structure and function using in vitro, in vivo or in silico models, with the aim to validate the bioactivity effectiveness. The biomedical potential of phytochemicals is vast, from skin care to cancer prevention, from nutraceutical supply to chronic disease amelioration and prevention; however, the efficient pharmacological effect requires effective targeting, bioavailability at biologically active sites and at effective concentrations, among other aspects.

This Special Issue aims to comprehensively highlight the newest discoveries in phytochemicals obtained from medicinal and aromatic plants, as well as their physiological and pharmacological roles, and to describe their biomedical application. In addition, new strategies to achieve bioavailability and efficacy of phytochemicals at target sites are welcome.

We cordially invite authors to contribute original articles, as well as reviews, that bring new insights into the potential biomedical application of phytochemicals from aromatic and medicinal plants in the prevention and treatment of various chronic diseases.

Prof. Dr. Amélia M. Silva
Guest Editor

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. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. There is an Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal. For details about the APC please see here. 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

phytochemicals
aromatic and medicinal plants
biomedical applications
pharmacological effect
nutraceutical
bioavailability
phytochemical delivery

Related Special Issue

Phytochemicals from Aromatic and Medicinal Plants: From Identification to Biomedical Applications 2.0 in International Journal of Molecular Sciences (7 articles)

Published Papers (9 papers)

Download All Papers

Order results

Result details

Show export options Show export options

Select all

Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

23 pages, 4300 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Sulforaphane-Induced Cell Death upon Repeated Passage of Either P-Glycoprotein-Negative or P-Glycoprotein-Positive L1210 Cell Variants

by Anna Bertova, Szilvia Kontar, Zoltan Polozsanyi, Martin Simkovic, Zuzana Rosenbergova, Martin Rebros, Zdena Sulova, Albert Breier and Denisa Imrichova

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(18), 10818; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms231810818 - 16 Sep 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1867

Abstract

The expression of the membrane ABCB1 transporter in neoplastic cells is one of the most common causes of reduced sensitivity to chemotherapy. In our previous study, we investigated the effect of a single culture of ABCB1-negative (S) and ABCB1-positive variants of L1210 cells (R and T) in the presence of sulforaphane (SFN). We demonstrated that SFN induces the onset of autophagy more markedly in S cells than in R or T cells. In the current study, we focused on the effect of the repeated culture of S, R and T cells in SFN-containing media. The repeated cultures increased the onset of autophagy compared to the simple culture, mainly in S cells and to a lesser extent in R and T cells, as indicated by changes in the cellular content of 16 and 18 kDa fragments of LC3B protein or changes in the specific staining of cells with monodansylcadaverine. We conclude that SFN affects ABCB1-negative S cells more than ABCB1-positive R and T cells during repeated culturing. Changes in cell sensitivity to SFN appear to be related to the expression of genes for cell-cycle checkpoints, such as cyclins and cyclin-dependent kinases. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Phytochemicals from Aromatic and Medicinal Plants: From Identification to Biomedical Applications)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

24 pages, 2593 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Systems of Naringenin with Solubilizers Expand Its Capability to Prevent Neurodegenerative Diseases

by Anna Stasiłowicz-Krzemień, Michał Gołębiewski, Anita Płazińska, Wojciech Płaziński, Andrzej Miklaszewski, Marcin Żarowski, Zofia Adamska-Jernaś and Judyta Cielecka-Piontek

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(2), 755; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23020755 - 11 Jan 2022

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 2714

Abstract

Background: Naringenin (NAR) is a flavonoid with excellent antioxidant and neuroprotective potential that is limited by its low solubility. Thus, solid dispersions with β-cyclodextrin (β-CD), hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD), hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC), and microenvironmental pH modifiers were prepared. Methods: The systems formation analysis was performed by X-Ray Powder Diffraction (XRPD) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). Water solubility and dissolution rates were studied with a pH of 1.2 and 6.8. In vitro permeability through the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and the blood-brain barrier (BBB) was assessed with the parallel artificial membrane permeability assay (PAMPA) assay. The antioxidant activity was studied with the 2,2′-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) and cupric ion reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC) assays, while in vitro enzymes studies involved the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase, and tyrosinase. For the most promising system, in silico studies were conducted. Results: NAR solubility was increased 458-fold by the solid dispersion NAR:HP-β-CD:NaHCO₃ in a mass ratio of 1:3:1. The dissolution rate was elevated from 8.216% to 88.712% in a pH of 1.2 and from 11.644% to 88.843% in a pH of 6.8 (within 3 h). NAR GIT permeability, described as the apparent permeability coefficient, was increased from 2.789 × 10⁻⁶ cm s⁻¹ to 2.909 × 10⁻⁵ cm s⁻¹ in an acidic pH and from 1.197 × 10⁻⁶ cm s⁻¹ to 2.145 × 10⁻⁵ cm s⁻¹ in a basic pH. NAR BBB permeability was established as 4.275 × 10⁻⁶ cm s⁻¹. The antioxidant activity and enzyme inhibition were also increased. Computational studies confirmed NAR:HP-β-CD inclusion complex formation. Conclusions: A significant improvement in NAR solubility was associated with an increase in its biological activity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Phytochemicals from Aromatic and Medicinal Plants: From Identification to Biomedical Applications)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

17 pages, 6430 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Polyurethane Foam Rafts Supported In Vitro Cultures of Rindera graeca Roots for Enhanced Production of Rinderol, Potent Proapoptotic Naphthoquinone Compound

by Mateusz Kawka, Irena Bubko, Mirosława Koronkiewicz, Beata Gruber-Bzura, Konstantia Graikou, Ioanna Chinou, Małgorzata Jeziorek, Agnieszka Pietrosiuk and Katarzyna Sykłowska-Baranek

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(1), 56; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23010056 - 21 Dec 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2490

Abstract

Unique phytochemical profile of plants belonging to Boraginaceae family provides a prolific resource of lipophilic pigments from the group of naphthoquinone derivatives. To overcome low compound content, the major obstacle of plant-based production, immobilization of Rindera graeca roots in in vitro cultures was implemented for efficient production of rinderol, novel furanonaphthoquinone derivative with anticancer properties. Chromatographic procedures revealed rinderol presence in extracts of all investigated root lines, derived both from root biomass and post-culture medium. Unexpectedly, in the second stage of the experiment, rinderol production was ceased in control, unmodified culture systems. On the contrary, roots immobilized on PUF rafts uniformly and stably produced rinderol, and its highest amount was noted for transformed root lines after 42 days of cultivation (222.98 ± 10.47 µg/flask). PUF occurred to be the main place of compound accumulation. Moreover, investigation of rinderol biological activity revealed its fast-acting cell death induction in HeLa cervical cancer cells at relatively low concentrations. Presented results revealed successful application of R. graeca roots immobilization on PUF rafts for production and in situ product removal of rinderol, novel lipophilic furanonaphthoquinone with suggested proapoptotic activity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Phytochemicals from Aromatic and Medicinal Plants: From Identification to Biomedical Applications)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 2582 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Osthole on Inflammatory Gene Expression and Cytokine Secretion in Histamine-Induced Inflammation in the Caco-2 Cell Line

by Natalia K. Kordulewska, Justyna Topa, Dominika Rozmus and Beata Jarmołowska

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(24), 13634; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms222413634 - 20 Dec 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2550

Abstract

Hyperactivity of the immune system in the gastrointestinal tract leads to the development of chronic, inflammation-associated disorders. Such diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease, are not completely curable, but the specific line of treatment may reduce its symptoms. However, the response to treatment varies among patients, creating a necessity to uncover the pathophysiological basis of immune-mediated diseases and apply novel therapeutic strategies. The present study describes the anti-inflammatory properties of osthole during histamine-induced inflammation in the intestinal Caco-2 cell line. Osthole reduced the secretion of cytokines (CKs) and the expression level of inflammation-associated genes, which were increased after a histamine treatment. We have shown that the secretion of pro-inflammatory CKs (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α) during inflammation may be mediated by NFκB, and, after osthole treatment, this signaling pathway was disrupted. Our results suggest a possible role for osthole in the protection against inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract; thus, osthole may be considered as an anti-inflammatory modulator. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Phytochemicals from Aromatic and Medicinal Plants: From Identification to Biomedical Applications)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

20 pages, 2908 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Identification of Salicylates in Willow Bark (Salix Cortex) for Targeting Peripheral Inflammation

by Kyriaki Antoniadou, Corinna Herz, Nguyen Phan Khoi Le, Verena Karolin Mittermeier-Kleßinger, Nadja Förster, Matthias Zander, Christian Ulrichs, Inga Mewis, Thomas Hofmann, Corinna Dawid and Evelyn Lamy

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(20), 11138; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms222011138 - 15 Oct 2021

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3113

Abstract

Salix cortex-containing medicine is used against pain conditions, fever, headaches, and inflammation, which are partly mediated via arachidonic acid-derived prostaglandins (PGs). We used an activity-guided fractionation strategy, followed by structure elucidation experiments using LC-MS/MS, CD-spectroscopy, and 1D/2D NMR techniques, to identify the compounds relevant for the inhibition of PGE₂ release from activated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Subsequent compound purification by means of preparative and semipreparative HPLC revealed 2

^{'}

-O-acetylsalicortin (1), 3

^{'}

-O-acetylsalicortin (2), 2

^{'}

-O-acetylsalicin (3), 2

^{'}

^{'}

-O-diacetylsalicortin (4), lasiandrin (5), tremulacin (6), and cinnamrutinose A (7). In contrast to 3 and 7, compounds 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6 showed inhibitory activity against PGE₂ release with different potencies. Polyphenols were not relevant for the bioactivity of the Salix extract but salicylates, which degrade to, e.g., catechol, salicylic acid, salicin, and/or 1-hydroxy-6-oxo-2-cycohexenecarboxylate. Inflammation presents an important therapeutic target for pharmacological interventions; thus, the identification of relevant key drugs in Salix could provide new prospects for the improvement and standardization of existing clinical medicine. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Phytochemicals from Aromatic and Medicinal Plants: From Identification to Biomedical Applications)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

16 pages, 3740 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Anti-Allergic and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Neferine on RBL-2H3 Cells

by Kuan-Ming Chiu, Yen-Ling Hung, Su-Jane Wang, Yi-Ju Tsai, Nan-Lin Wu, Cher-Wei Liang, Der-Chen Chang and Chi-Feng Hung

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(20), 10994; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms222010994 - 12 Oct 2021

Cited by 22 | Viewed by 4102

Abstract

Mast cells play a very important role in skin allergy and inflammation, including atopic dermatitis and psoriasis. In the past, it was found that neferine has anti-inflammatory and anti-aging effects on the skin, but its effect on mast cells has not yet been studied in detail. In this study, we used mast cells (RBL-2H3 cells) and mouse models to study the anti-allergic and inflammatory effects of neferine. First, we found that neferine inhibits the degranulation of mast cells and the expression of cytokines. In addition, we observed that when mast cells were stimulated by A23187/phorbol 12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA), the elevation of intracellular calcium was inhibited by neferine. The phosphorylation of the MAPK/NF-κB pathway is also reduced by pretreatment of neferine. The results of in vivo studies show that neferine can improve the appearance of dermatitis and mast cell infiltration caused by dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB). Moreover, the expressions of barrier proteins in the skin are also restored. Finally, it was found that neferine can reduce the scratching behavior caused by compound 48/80. Taken together, our results indicate that neferine is a very good anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory natural product. Its effect on mast cells contributes to its pharmacological mechanism. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Phytochemicals from Aromatic and Medicinal Plants: From Identification to Biomedical Applications)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 8215 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Bioactive Phytochemicals from Mulberry: Potential Anti-Inflammatory Effects in Lipopolysaccharide-Stimulated RAW 264.7 Macrophages

by Dahae Lee, Seoung Rak Lee, Ki Sung Kang and Ki Hyun Kim

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(15), 8120; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22158120 - 29 Jul 2021

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 3556

Abstract

The fruits of the mulberry tree (Morus alba L.), known as white mulberry, have been consumed in various forms, including tea, beverages, and desserts, worldwide. As part of an ongoing study to discover bioactive compounds from M. alba fruits, the anti-inflammatory effect of compounds from M. alba were evaluated in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated mouse RAW 264.7 macrophages. Phytochemical analysis of the ethanol extract of the M. alba fruits led to the isolation of 22 compounds. Among the isolated compounds, to the best of our knowledge, compounds 1, 3, 5, 7, 11, 12, and 14–22 were identified from M. alba fruits for the first time in this study. Inhibitory effects of 22 compounds on the production of the nitric oxide (NO) known as a proinflammatory mediator in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages were evaluated using NO assays. Western blot analysis was performed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of cyclo(L-Pro-L-Val) (5). We evaluated whether the anti-inflammatory effects of cyclo(L-Pro-L-Val) (5) following LPS stimulation in RAW 264.7 macrophages occurred because of phosphorylation of IκB kinase alpha (IKKα), IκB kinase beta (IKKβ), inhibitor of kappa B alpha (IκBα), nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and activations of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). Cyclo(L-Pro-L-Val) (5) significantly suppressed phosphorylations of IKKα, IKKβ, IκBα, and NF-κB and activations of iNOS and COX-2 in a concentration-dependent manner. Taken together, these results indicate that cyclo(L-Pro-L-Val) (5) can be considered a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of inflammation-associated disorders. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Phytochemicals from Aromatic and Medicinal Plants: From Identification to Biomedical Applications)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

Review

Jump to: Research

29 pages, 2001 KiB

Open AccessReview

Plant-Derived Antioxidants: Significance in Skin Health and the Ageing Process

by Monika Michalak

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(2), 585; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23020585 - 6 Jan 2022

Cited by 130 | Viewed by 17327

Abstract

Natural substances have traditionally been used in skin care for centuries. There is now an ongoing search for new natural bioactives that not only promote skin health but also protect the skin against various harmful factors, including ultraviolet radiation and free radicals. Free radicals, by disrupting defence and restoration mechanisms, significantly contribute to skin damage and accelerate ageing. Natural compounds present in plants exhibit antioxidant properties and the ability to scavenge free radicals. The increased interest in plant chemistry is linked to the growing interest in plant materials as natural antioxidants. This review focuses on aromatic and medicinal plants as a source of antioxidant substances, such as polyphenols, tocopherols, carotenoids, ascorbic acid, and macromolecules (including polysaccharides and peptides) as well as components of essential oils, and their role in skin health and the ageing process. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Phytochemicals from Aromatic and Medicinal Plants: From Identification to Biomedical Applications)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 2316 KiB

Open AccessReview

Natural Phytochemicals Derived from Gymnosperms in the Prevention and Treatment of Cancers

by Tayyebeh Ghaffari, Joo-Hyun Hong, Solmaz Asnaashari, Safar Farajnia, Abbas Delazar, Hamed Hamishehkar and Ki Hyun Kim

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(12), 6636; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22126636 - 21 Jun 2021

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 4582

Abstract

The incidence of various types of cancer is increasing globally. To reduce the critical side effects of cancer chemotherapy, naturally derived compounds have been considered for cancer treatment. Gymnosperms are a group of plants found worldwide that have traditionally been used for therapeutic applications. Paclitaxel is a commercially available anticancer drug derived from gymnosperms. Other natural compounds with anticancer activities, such as pinostrobin and pinocembrin, are extracted from pine heartwood, and pycnogenol and enzogenol from pine bark. Gymnosperms have great potential for further study for the discovery of new anticancer compounds. This review aims to provide a rational understanding and the latest developments in potential anticancer compounds derived from gymnosperms. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Phytochemicals from Aromatic and Medicinal Plants: From Identification to Biomedical Applications)

► Show Figures

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Phytochemicals from Aromatic and Medicinal Plants: From Identification to Biomedical Applications

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editor

Special Issue Information

Keywords

Related Special Issue

Published Papers (9 papers)

Research

Review

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI