Plant Natural Compounds and Their Biological Activities

A special issue of Plants (ISSN 2223-7747). This special issue belongs to the section "Phytochemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2026 | Viewed by 1163

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Biology, University of Napoli Federico II, Complesso Universitario di Monte S. Angelo, Via Cinthia, 80126 Napoli, Italy
Interests: plant stress; biomonitoring; protection against environmental stresses; phytoremediation; essentials oils; biological activity of secondary metabolites
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue focuses on the exploration of natural compounds present in plants and their biological activities. Plants are an inexhaustible source of bioactive molecules, which have significant potential in various fields, including medicine, cosmetics, agriculture, and industry. The articles presented in this Special Issue deepen the understanding of the mechanisms through which these natural compounds exert their biological effects. Several aspects are examined, such as the antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antitumour activity of various plant compounds. In addition, the Special Issue highlights the importance of phytochemical analysis to identify and characterise bioactive compounds present in plants. Several analytical techniques are presented that allow for the chemical composition of plants to be studied in detail. Particular attention is paid to the application of these natural compounds in the medical field. The potential therapeutic benefits of various medicinal plants are discussed, as well as the mechanisms through which their bioactive compounds can contribute to the prevention and treatment of various diseases, offering a comprehensive overview of the latest research on natural plant compounds and their biological activities. It is a valuable resource for scientists, researchers, and professionals interested in exploiting the potential of plants to improve human health and promote sustainability.

Prof. Dr. Adriana Basile
Dr. Viviana Maresca
Dr. Alessia Postiglione
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • plant compounds
  • natural products
  • biological activities
  • phytochemicals

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

22 pages, 2400 KB  
Article
Comparative Phytochemical Characterization, Biological Activities and Safety Assessment of Salvia pratensis L. and Salvia sclarea L.
by Mariana Panţuroiu, Mona Luciana Gălăţanu, Sorina Nicoleta Voicu, Emilia Pănuş, Luiza Mădălina Cima, Andrei Biţă, Carmen Marinela Mihăilescu, Carmen-Elisabeta Manea, Adina Turcu-Știolică, Manuel Ovidiu Amzoiu, Mirela Claudia Rîmbu, Daniel Cord and Ion Mircioiu
Plants 2026, 15(7), 1038; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants15071038 - 27 Mar 2026
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Abstract
This study provides a comparative evaluation of two Salvia species, the widely cultivated Salvia sclarea L. and the comparatively underexplored wild species Salvia pratensis L., integrating phytochemical profiling, chemical safety assessment, and biological activity investigation. Dried hydroethanolic extracts and essential oils obtained from [...] Read more.
This study provides a comparative evaluation of two Salvia species, the widely cultivated Salvia sclarea L. and the comparatively underexplored wild species Salvia pratensis L., integrating phytochemical profiling, chemical safety assessment, and biological activity investigation. Dried hydroethanolic extracts and essential oils obtained from aerial parts were analysed. HPLC–PDA analysis revealed distinct phenolic acid profiles, with S. sclarea characterized by higher levels of rosmarinic and protocatechuic acids, whereas S. pratensis contained greater amounts of hydroxycinnamic acids such as caffeic, p-coumaric, and ferulic acids. The total phenolic content was higher in S. pratensis (79.22 mg GAE/g dry extract) than in S. sclarea (52.50 mg GAE/g). GC–MS analysis showed that the essential oil of S. sclarea was dominated by oxygenated monoterpenes, mainly linalyl acetate and linalool, while S. pratensis exhibited a linalool-rich profile accompanied by sesquiterpene derivatives. Chemical safety assessment indicated minimal contamination, with pesticide residues detected only in S. sclarea at levels below regulatory limits and low concentrations of cadmium and lead in both species. The extracts showed strong antioxidant activity (DPPH IC50 values of 6.67 µg/mL for S. sclarea and 3.16 µg/mL for S. pratensis) and moderate broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity (MIC 312.5–2500 µg/mL). In vitro assays on HEK 293 and HaCaT cells confirmed low cytotoxicity, with no evidence of membrane damage or pro-inflammatory effects. Overall, the results highlight the significant bioactive potential of the less studied S. pratensis, demonstrating that this wild species represents a promising alternative source of natural antioxidant and antimicrobial compounds comparable to the widely cultivated S. sclarea. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Natural Compounds and Their Biological Activities)
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