Medicinal Plants: A Natural Approach to Inflammatory Diseases and Conditions Related to Oxidative Stress

A special issue of Pharmaceuticals (ISSN 1424-8247). This special issue belongs to the section "Natural Products".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 December 2024 | Viewed by 1542

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Medical School of Marilia, University of Marília, Avenue Higino Muzzi Filho 1001, Marília 15525-902, SP, Brazil
Interests: medicinal plants; cardiovascular diseases; pharmacology; toxicology
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are running a Special Issue titled “Medicinal Plants: A Natural Approach to Inflammatory Diseases and Conditions Related to Oxidative Stress” (ISSN: 1424-8247). Our Special Issue focuses on encouraging the submission of original studies, reviews, and systematic reviews, with the objective of unveiling the mechanisms of action of medicinal plants and the wide variety of bioactive compounds in inflammatory diseases related to oxidative stress. Furthermore, studies related to toxicity and side effects are welcome. Since the diseases mentioned above are growing exponentially worldwide and cause a significant reduction in quality of life, it is imperative and challenging to find or develop new therapeutic strategies that can be used as adjuvants in treatment or even replace treatments. Furthermore, existing medications are usually of high cost, and patients can often be irresponsive, in addition to inducing the manifestation of numerous adverse effects. Therefore, this Special Issue can significantly contribute to delineating new approaches to inflammatory diseases and diseases related to oxidative stress

Dr. Sandra Barbalho
Dr. Adriano Araujo
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • medicinal plants
  • phytocompounds
  • natural products
  • inflammatory diseases
  • oxidative stress

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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19 pages, 11079 KiB  
Article
Effects of the N-Butanol Extract of Pulsatilla Decoction on Neutrophils in a Mouse Model of Ulcerative Colitis
by Yadong Wang, Hui Wu, Juan Sun, Can Li, Ying Fang, Gaoxiang Shi, Kelong Ma, Daqiang Wu, Jing Shao, Hang Song, Tianming Wang and Changzhong Wang
Pharmaceuticals 2024, 17(8), 1077; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph17081077 - 16 Aug 2024
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Abstract
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory disease, the incidence of which is increasing worldwide. However, the etiology and pathogenesis of UC remains unclear. The n-butanol extract of Pulsatilla decoction (BEPD), a traditional Chinese medicine, has been shown to be effective in treating [...] Read more.
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory disease, the incidence of which is increasing worldwide. However, the etiology and pathogenesis of UC remains unclear. The n-butanol extract of Pulsatilla decoction (BEPD), a traditional Chinese medicine, has been shown to be effective in treating UC. This study aimed to explore the molecular mechanism underlying the effects of BEPD on UC, in particular its effects on neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation by neutrophils. High-performance liquid chromatography was used to determine the principal compounds of BEPD. UC was induced in mice using dextran sodium sulfate, and mice were treated with 20, 40, or 80 mg/kg BEPD daily for seven days. Colonic inflammation was determined by assessing the disease activity index, histopathology, colonic mucosal damage index, colonic mucosal permeability, and pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine levels. The infiltration and activation status of neutrophils in the colon were determined by analyzing the levels of chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand (CXCL) 1 and CXCL2, reactive oxygen species, Ly6G, and numerous NET proteins. The findings suggest that BEPD improved the disease activity index, histopathology, and colonic mucosal damage index scores of mice with UC, and restored colonic mucosal permeability compared with untreated mice. The expression levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α in colon tissues were significantly decreased, while the expression levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines in colon tissues were significantly increased, exceeding those of control mice. In addition, BEPD reduced the expression of the neutrophil chemokines CXCL1 and CXCL2 in the colon tissue of mice with UC, reduced neutrophil infiltration, reduced reactive oxygen species levels, and significantly reduced the expression of NET proteins. BEPD also significantly reduced NET formation. The results of this study suggest that BEPD exerts therapeutic effects in a murine model of UC by inhibiting neutrophil infiltration and activation in the colon, as well as by inhibiting the expression of key proteins involved in NET formation and reducing NET formation, thereby alleviating local tissue damage and disease manifestations. Full article
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50 pages, 8706 KiB  
Review
Metabolic-Associated Fatty Liver Disease: The Influence of Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, Mitochondrial Dysfunctions, and the Role of Polyphenols
by Raissa Bulaty Tauil, Paula Takano Golono, Enzo Pereira de Lima, Ricardo de Alvares Goulart, Elen Landgraf Guiguer, Marcelo Dib Bechara, Claudia C. T. Nicolau, José Luiz Yanaguizawa Junior, Adriana M. R. Fiorini, Nahum Méndez-Sánchez, Ludovico Abenavoli, Rosa Direito, Vitor Engrácia Valente, Lucas Fornari Laurindo and Sandra Maria Barbalho
Pharmaceuticals 2024, 17(10), 1354; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph17101354 - 10 Oct 2024
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Abstract
Metabolic-Associated Fatty Liver Disease (MAFLD) is a clinical–pathological scenario that occurs due to the accumulation of triglycerides in hepatocytes which is considered a significant cause of liver conditions and contributes to an increased risk of death worldwide. Even though the possible causes of [...] Read more.
Metabolic-Associated Fatty Liver Disease (MAFLD) is a clinical–pathological scenario that occurs due to the accumulation of triglycerides in hepatocytes which is considered a significant cause of liver conditions and contributes to an increased risk of death worldwide. Even though the possible causes of MAFLD can involve the interaction of genetics, hormones, and nutrition, lifestyle (diet and sedentary lifestyle) is the most influential factor in developing this condition. Polyphenols comprise many natural chemical compounds that can be helpful in managing metabolic diseases. Therefore, the aim of this review was to investigate the impact of oxidative stress, inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and the role of polyphenols in managing MAFLD. Some polyphenols can reverse part of the liver damage related to inflammation, oxidative stress, or mitochondrial dysfunction, and among them are anthocyanin, baicalin, catechin, curcumin, chlorogenic acid, didymin, epigallocatechin-3-gallate, luteolin, mangiferin, puerarin, punicalagin, resveratrol, and silymarin. These compounds have actions in reducing plasma liver enzymes, body mass index, waist circumference, adipose visceral indices, lipids, glycated hemoglobin, insulin resistance, and the HOMA index. They also reduce nuclear factor-KB (NF-KB), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), blood pressure, liver fat content, steatosis index, and fibrosis. On the other hand, they can improve HDL-c, adiponectin levels, and fibrogenesis markers. These results show that polyphenols are promising in the prevention and treatment of MAFLD. Full article
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