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Natural Compounds in Modern Therapies, 3rd Edition
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Natural Compounds in Modern Therapies, 3rd Edition

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2026 | Viewed by 1595

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Nina Rembiałkowska

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Wroclaw Medical University, Wrocław, Poland
Interests: drug delivery; drug resistance; anti-cancer drug delivery; cancer biology; membrane permeabilization; electroporation; pulsed electric field; electrochemotherapy; in vitro cell culture; tumor cell culture; cell viability; cytotoxicity; natural chemotherapeutics; apoptosis; cell death; immunofluorescence; biomedical engineering
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Anna Choromańska

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Wroclaw Medical University, Wrocław, Poland
Interests: anti-cancer medicinal plants; plasma membrane organization; targeted therapy; cell migration; cell death; oxidative stress; cell metabolism and cancer
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Following the success of the first and second editions of our Special Issue, we are pleased to launch a third edition titled “Natural Compounds in Modern Therapies, 3rd Edition” and invite submissions from selected experts in this field.

https://www.mdpi.com/journal/molecules/special_issues/natural_therapies

https://www.mdpi.com/journal/molecules/special_issues/36AUTT54Q7

The search for new drugs remains a priority, with growing interest in medicinal plants and their biologically active compounds. These compounds have complex structures that are challenging to replicate at the atomic level and exhibit a more intricate mechanism of action than synthetic drugs. This Special Issue aims to provide valuable information to the scientific community regarding the bioactivity of plant extracts and natural compounds, focusing on their anti-cancer, antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and anti-infectious properties and their potential in treating age-related disorders and metabolic syndrome.

Dr. Nina Rembiałkowska
Dr. Anna Choromańska
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 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

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

  • natural compounds
  • plant extract
  • anti-cancer activity
  • antimicrobial activity
  • antifungal activity
  • antiviral activity
  • anti-inflammatory activity
  • synergistic effect
  • chronic disorders
  • age-related disorders
  • metabolic syndrome
  • nutraceuticals

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Related Special Issues

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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16 pages, 1079 KB  
Article
Insights into Antioxidant Activity and Trace Element Distribution of Aqueous Extract of Silybum marianum Seeds
by Li Quan, Yi-Xiao Wang, Xiu-Lan Cai, En-Chao Zhou, Xue-Wen Guo, Yi-Jun Chen and Hong-Zhen Lian
Molecules 2026, 31(6), 1034; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules31061034 - 19 Mar 2026
Viewed by 303
Abstract
The purpose of this work is to investigate the binding state of inorganic elements to flavonoid components in aqueous extract of Silybum marianum (SM) seeds, as well as the antioxidant activity of the extract. This study employed reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) to [...] Read more.
The purpose of this work is to investigate the binding state of inorganic elements to flavonoid components in aqueous extract of Silybum marianum (SM) seeds, as well as the antioxidant activity of the extract. This study employed reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) to separate silymarin flavonoids in boiling water decoction of SM seeds, and collected the post-column effluent in the segments according to the retention time of seven main silymarin flavonoid components. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was subsequently utilized to quantify nine inorganic elements (As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Zn) in the collected HPLC fractions of the decoction. Meanwhile, electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy (EPR) was employed to assess the free radical scavenging activity of aqueous extract of SM seeds, using the signal intensity changes of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and DMPO-OH• adducts as quantitative metrics. The results showed that essential trace elements (Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn) mainly existed as inorganic ions or strong polar forms in the tea-like infusion, with weak binding to flavonoid compounds. On the other hand, the aqueous extract exhibited significant •OH scavenging capacity, with a scavenging rate of 95% against •OH generated by continuous 5 min ultraviolet irradiation of H2O2 aqueous solution. This study provides experimental evidence for the development of SM as a food–medicine dual-purpose resource, proposing that consumption of SM seed tea represents a facile and effective approach to supplement trace elements and intake silymarin for enhancing endogenous antioxidant defense. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Compounds in Modern Therapies, 3rd Edition)
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30 pages, 6406 KB  
Article
Cell Line–Dependent Cell Death Pathways Induced by Thymoquinone in Colorectal Cancer Cells
by Natalia Kurowska, Maria Książek, Paulina Borkowska and Barbara Strzałka-Mrozik
Molecules 2026, 31(3), 512; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules31030512 - 2 Feb 2026
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 475
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality, with resistance to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) representing a major therapeutic challenge. Thymoquinone (TQ), a bioactive constituent of Nigella sativa, exhibits anticancer activity; however, the mechanisms underlying TQ-induced cell death appear to be highly [...] Read more.
Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality, with resistance to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) representing a major therapeutic challenge. Thymoquinone (TQ), a bioactive constituent of Nigella sativa, exhibits anticancer activity; however, the mechanisms underlying TQ-induced cell death appear to be highly context dependent. This study aimed to characterize cell line-specific death pathways triggered by TQ in colorectal cancer models with distinct molecular backgrounds and differential responsiveness to 5-FU. Human CRC cell lines RKO (5-FU-sensitive) and SW1116 (poorly responsive), along with normal colon epithelial cells (CCD-841CoN), were treated with TQ, 5-FU, or their combination for 24 h. Cell viability, DNA fragmentation, caspase-3/7, -8, and -9 activity, cell death phenotypes, and expression of apoptosis- and necroptosis-related genes were evaluated using MTT assays, ELISA, luminescent assays, flow cytometry, and RT-qPCR. TQ significantly reduced viability in both CRC cell lines while exerting minimal cytotoxicity toward normal cells. In RKO cells, characterized by microsatellite instability (MSI), TQ induced DNA fragmentation, caspase activation, and transcriptional upregulation of pro-apoptotic genes, consistent with apoptosis-associated signaling. In contrast, SW1116 cells, which exhibit chromosomal instability (CIN) and reduced responsiveness to 5-FU, displayed decreased viability accompanied by suppressed caspase activity and predominant features of caspase-independent necrotic cell death. This differential response may be attributed to the CIN phenotype, which has been associated with impaired apoptotic signaling and enhanced tolerance to cytotoxic stress. Combined TQ and 5-FU treatment did not produce synergistic cytotoxicity, as confirmed by Bliss independence analysis, but revealed distinct, cell line-dependent death programs. These findings demonstrate that TQ modulates cell death execution in a molecular context-dependent manner rather than enhancing 5-FU efficacy through pharmacological synergy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Compounds in Modern Therapies, 3rd Edition)
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Review

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21 pages, 2334 KB  
Review
Exploring Microalgae as a Novel Resource for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Therapy
by Sik Yoon, Kok Keong Tan, Won Hoon Song, Chang Won Kim, Boon Huat Bay and Sae-Ock Oh
Molecules 2026, 31(6), 1033; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules31061033 - 19 Mar 2026
Viewed by 540
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains a major cause of cancer-related mortality in the world. Although there is an armamentarium of therapeutic options available for HCC therapy, current treatment modalities still face challenges, such as limited effectiveness and resistance to therapy due to inherent intratumoral [...] Read more.
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains a major cause of cancer-related mortality in the world. Although there is an armamentarium of therapeutic options available for HCC therapy, current treatment modalities still face challenges, such as limited effectiveness and resistance to therapy due to inherent intratumoral heterogeneity. Hence, the development of novel therapeutics is an unmet need. Microalgae possess the ability to provide naturally derived compounds that are attractive for biomedical applications. The multifunctional nature of microalgae, with its unique combination of anticancer metabolites, oxygen-generating capability, and photosensitizing activity, make them a versatile platform for developing next-generation cancer therapeutics. In light of the above, this succinct narrative review highlights the potential biomedical applications of microalgae in cancer therapy, with a focus on HCC. Preclinical studies have shown the significant potential of microalgae as naturally occurring sources of chemopreventive and anticancer agents against HCC. Future directions include the use of biotechnology to enhance the production of microalgal-derived bioactive compounds and the formulation of biocompatible and biodegradable drug–microalgae embolic agents with prolonged release of anticancer drugs, thereby giving rise to synergistic antitumor effects, and their application for the delivery of immune checkpoint inhibitors for immunotherapy in HCC. Overall, microalgae hold considerable promise for advancing innovative therapeutic strategies against HCC. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Compounds in Modern Therapies, 3rd Edition)
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