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Anti-Inflammatory Natural Compounds

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2025 | Viewed by 19898

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Penrith, Australia
Interests: natural products chemistry; anti-inflammatory; organic chemistry; pharmacognosy; drug discovery
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Natural Products have been a long-standing robust source of anti-inflammatory molecules for decades. Plants in particular, have demonstrated a varying level of chemistry associated with this activity, including flavonoids, terpenes, phenolics, saponins and many more unprecedented structure classes. This special issue is dedicated to capture the discovery of new secondary metabolites identified from natural sources that has the potential of exhibiting anti-inflammatory properties. Original research papers, communications, review articles are all welcomed.

Dr. Ritesh Raju
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • anti-inflammatory
  • plants
  • chemistry
  • molecules
  • metabolites

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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14 pages, 4892 KiB  
Article
Anti-Neuroinflammatory Effects of Prenylated Indole Alkaloids from the Antarctic Fungus Aspergillus sp. Strain SF-7367
by Zhiming Liu, Chi-Su Yoon, Thao Quyen Cao, Hwan Lee, Il-Chan Kim, Joung Han Yim, Jae Hak Sohn, Dong-Sung Lee and Hyuncheol Oh
Molecules 2025, 30(2), 294; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30020294 - 13 Jan 2025
Viewed by 704
Abstract
Inflammation has always been considered a trigger or consequence of neurodegenerative diseases, and the inhibition of inflammation in the central nervous system can effectively protect nerve cells. Several studies have indicated that various natural products inhibit neuroinflammation. Among these, Antarctic fungal metabolites have [...] Read more.
Inflammation has always been considered a trigger or consequence of neurodegenerative diseases, and the inhibition of inflammation in the central nervous system can effectively protect nerve cells. Several studies have indicated that various natural products inhibit neuroinflammation. Among these, Antarctic fungal metabolites have pharmacological activities and a developmental value. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the anti-neuroinflammatory activity of an Antarctic fungus belonging to Aspergillus (strain SF-7367). Secondary metabolites of SF-7367 were isolated using high-performance liquid chromatography followed by validation of their anti-inflammatory effects in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated BV2 microglia and RAW264.7 macrophages. Chemical analysis of metabolites from the fungal strain revealed five known compounds: epideoxybrevianamide E (1), brevianamide V/W (2), brevianamide K (3), brevianamide Q (4), and brevianamide R (5). Among these compounds, brevianamide K showed significant anti-inflammatory activity against both cell types. Results of Western blotting and molecular docking showed that brevianamide K could regulate the activation of nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cell (NF-κB) signaling. This indicates that brevianamide K present in Aspergillus sp. (strain SF-7367) can inhibit inflammatory responses by reducing lipopolysaccharide-induced nuclear translocation of NF-κB (p65). These findings suggest that Aspergillus sp. (strain SF-7367) and brevianamide K are candidate agents for treating neurodegenerative diseases. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Anti-Inflammatory Natural Compounds)
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19 pages, 5250 KiB  
Article
Kaempferol 3-O-Rutinoside, a Flavone Derived from Tetrastigma hemsleyanum Diels et Gilg, Reduces Body Temperature through Accelerating the Elimination of IL-6 and TNF-α in a Mouse Fever Model
by Weilong Zheng, Haina Wang, Xue Wang, Xin Li, Jiahuan Hu, Xiangyu Zi, Yufeng Zhou, Duotao Pan and Yongqian Fu
Molecules 2024, 29(7), 1641; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29071641 - 5 Apr 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1868
Abstract
Fever is a serious condition that can lead to various consequences ranging from prolonged illness to death. Tetrastigma hemsleyanum Diels et Gilg (T. hemsleyanum) has been used for centuries to treat fever, but the specific chemicals responsible for its antipyretic effects [...] Read more.
Fever is a serious condition that can lead to various consequences ranging from prolonged illness to death. Tetrastigma hemsleyanum Diels et Gilg (T. hemsleyanum) has been used for centuries to treat fever, but the specific chemicals responsible for its antipyretic effects are not well understood. This study aimed to isolate and identify the chemicals with antipyretic bioactivity in T. hemsleyanum extracts and to provide an explanation for the use of T. hemsleyanum as a Chinese herbal medicine for fever treatment. Our results demonstrate that kaempferol 3-rutinoside (K3OR) could be successfully isolated and purified from the roots of T. hemsleyanum. Furthermore, K3OR exhibited a significant reduction in rectal temperature in a mouse model of fever. Notably, a 4 μM concentration of K3OR showed more effective antipyretic effects than ibuprofen and acetaminophen. To explore the underlying mechanism, we conducted an RNA sequencing analysis, which revealed that PXN may act as a key regulator in the fever process induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). In the mouse model of fever, K3OR significantly promoted the secretion of IL-6 and TNF-α during the early stage in the LPS-treated group. However, during the middle to late stages, K3OR facilitated the elimination of IL-6 and TNF-α in the LPS-treated group. Overall, our study successfully identified the chemicals responsible for the antipyretic bioactivity in T. hemsleyanum extracts, and it answered the question as to why T. hemsleyanum is used as a traditional Chinese herbal medicine for treating fever. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the therapeutic potential of T. hemsleyanum in managing fever, and they provide a basis for further research and development in this field. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Anti-Inflammatory Natural Compounds)
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Review

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26 pages, 3086 KiB  
Review
The Neurotherapeutic Arsenal in Cannabis sativa: Insights into Anti-Neuroinflammatory and Neuroprotective Activity and Potential Entourage Effects
by Ahmad K. Al-Khazaleh, Xian Zhou, Deep Jyoti Bhuyan, Gerald W. Münch, Elaf Adel Al-Dalabeeh, Kayla Jaye and Dennis Chang
Molecules 2024, 29(2), 410; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29020410 - 15 Jan 2024
Cited by 18 | Viewed by 16406
Abstract
Cannabis, renowned for its historical medicinal use, harbours various bioactive compounds—cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids. While major cannabinoids like delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) have received extensive scrutiny for their pharmacological properties, emerging evidence underscores the collaborative interactions among these constituents, suggesting a collective [...] Read more.
Cannabis, renowned for its historical medicinal use, harbours various bioactive compounds—cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids. While major cannabinoids like delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) have received extensive scrutiny for their pharmacological properties, emerging evidence underscores the collaborative interactions among these constituents, suggesting a collective therapeutic potential. This comprehensive review explores the intricate relationships and synergies between cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids in cannabis. Cannabinoids, pivotal in cannabis’s bioactivity, exhibit well-documented analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects. Terpenes, aromatic compounds imbuing distinct flavours, not only contribute to cannabis’s sensory profile but also modulate cannabinoid effects through diverse molecular mechanisms. Flavonoids, another cannabis component, demonstrate anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and neuroprotective properties, particularly relevant to neuroinflammation. The entourage hypothesis posits that combined cannabinoid, terpene, and flavonoid action yields synergistic or additive effects, surpassing individual compound efficacy. Recognizing the nuanced interactions is crucial for unravelling cannabis’s complete therapeutic potential. Tailoring treatments based on the holistic composition of cannabis strains allows optimization of therapeutic outcomes while minimizing potential side effects. This review underscores the imperative to delve into the intricate roles of cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids, offering promising prospects for innovative therapeutic interventions and advocating continued research to unlock cannabis’s full therapeutic potential within the realm of natural plant-based medicine. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Anti-Inflammatory Natural Compounds)
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