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Journals
Processes
Special Issues
Valorization of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants in Biotechnological Applications
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Valorization of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants in Biotechnological Applications

A special issue of Processes (ISSN 2227-9717). This special issue belongs to the section "Biological Processes and Systems".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2024 | Viewed by 8006

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Tarik Ainane

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Superior School of Technology of Khenifra, University of Sultan Moulay Slimane, BP 170, Khenifra 54000, Morocco
Interests: analytical chemistry; environment engineering
Dr. Ayoub Ainane

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Superior School of Technology of Khenifra, University of Sultan Moulay Slimane, BP 170, Khenifra 54000, Morocco
Interests: the valorization of medicinal plants, natural materials, environmental chemistry
Dr. Fatouma Mohamed Abdoul-Latif

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Medicinal Research Institute, Centre d’Etudes et de Recherche de Djibouti, IRM-CERD, Route de l’Aéroport, Haramous B.P. 486, Djibouti City 77101, Djibouti
Interests: microbial and cell biotechnology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Introduction

For thousands of years, humanity has used various plants found in their environment to treat and cure all kinds of diseases. These plants represent an immense reservoir of potential compounds attributed to secondary metabolites, which have the advantage of being extremely diverse in terms of chemical structure. Additionally, they possess a wide range of biological activities whose evaluation remains an interesting task and has been the subject of numerous studies and research.

Aromatic and Medicinal Plants constitute an immense source of complex biochemical molecules which are used directly or indirectly in various fields, including pharmaceutical, cosmetic, agricultural, nutraceutical, agrochemical, and agri-food fields.

Challenges

Have data on the fields of aromatic and medicinal plants allowing for the research and evaluation of the natural plant heritage, as well as the availability of new modern scientific research paths from the evaluation of the history of the use of aromatic and medicinal plants in several fields.

Aims of the Special Issue

This Special Issue aims to bring together original articles and/or review articles dealing with complementary and alternative approaches to the study of the chemical and/or biological activity of medicinal and aromatic plants and their application in industrial fields.

Proposal Topics

The main scientific topics will cover:

  • Biodiversity, Botany, Ethnobotany, Pharmacology, and Phytotherapy of Medicinal Plants.
  • Aromatic and medicinal plants (MAP) between valorization, overexploitation, and climate change.
  • Natural compounds of medicinal plants: chemical activities, biological activities, structural elucidations, NMR, MS, IR, UV, XRD characterization, etc.
  • Extraction of essential oils, their composition, biochemical valorization, and biotechnological valorization.
  • Promotion and innovation of medicinal plants in different fields: medical, cosmetics, agri-food, agricultural, and the environment.

Prof. Dr. Tarik Ainane
Dr. Ayoub Ainane
Dr. Fatouma Mohamed Abdoul-Latif
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 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. Processes is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly 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 2400 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.

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  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
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  • e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue polices can be found here.

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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15 pages, 3702 KiB  
Article
Scaling up the Natural Mode of Action of Macrophyte Allelochemicals and Their Effect on Toxic Cyanobacteria Using a Nitrogen-Limited Chemostat
by Zakaria Tazart, Khawla Lazrak, Widad El Bouaidi, El Mahdi Redouane, Lamiaa Tebaa, Mountasser Douma, Khadija Mouhri and Mohammed Loudiki
Processes 2024, 12(9), 1883; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr12091883 - 2 Sep 2024
Viewed by 903
Abstract
This study investigates the inhibitory and hormetic effects of Myriophyllum spicatum extract on Microcystis aeruginosa in a controlled, continuous culture environment. To address the global challenge posed by harmful algal blooms, we used a range of extract concentrations to delineate the growth response [...] Read more.
This study investigates the inhibitory and hormetic effects of Myriophyllum spicatum extract on Microcystis aeruginosa in a controlled, continuous culture environment. To address the global challenge posed by harmful algal blooms, we used a range of extract concentrations to delineate the growth response patterns. At very low concentrations (6.25 and 12.5 mg/L), the addition of M. spicatum extract shows no discernible reduction in M. aeruginosa cell density or growth rate; instead, a slight increase is observed during exposure, suggesting a hormetic effect. However, at higher concentrations (75 and 100 mg/L), there is a drastic reduction of more than 50% in cell density and growth rate at 75 mg/L, with complete inhibition at 100 mg/L, leading to pronounced oxidative stress, damage to antioxidant defense systems, and increased cell mortality. Increased levels of malondialdehyde, catalase, and superoxide dismutase activities indicate the involvement of these enzymes in combating oxidative stress. Furthermore, intracellular and extracellular microcystins were significantly decreased at higher extract concentrations (50, 75, and 100 mg/L) in a dose-dependent manner. Our results indicate a dose-dependent response and provide insight into the potential application of natural water treatment solutions. Implications for ecological management and future research directions are discussed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Valorization of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants in Biotechnological Applications)
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12 pages, 8780 KiB  
Article
Novel Ferrocene-Containing Triacyl Derivative of Resveratrol Protects Ovarian Cells from Toxicity Caused by Ortho-Substituted Polychlorinated Biphenyls
by Ivana Kmetič, Teuta Murati, Veronika Kovač, Lidija Barišić, Nina Bilandžić, Branimir Šimić and Marina Miletić
Processes 2024, 12(5), 947; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr12050947 - 7 May 2024
Viewed by 1094
Abstract
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) can induce neurotoxicity, immunotoxicity, reproductive toxicity, genotoxicity, and carcinogenicity (IARC group 1 Carcinogens). Scientific data suggest that resveratrol possesses the ability to attenuate ortho-PCB-induced toxicity. Recently, a novel ferrocene-containing triacyl derivative of resveratrol (RF) was synthesized and in this [...] Read more.
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) can induce neurotoxicity, immunotoxicity, reproductive toxicity, genotoxicity, and carcinogenicity (IARC group 1 Carcinogens). Scientific data suggest that resveratrol possesses the ability to attenuate ortho-PCB-induced toxicity. Recently, a novel ferrocene-containing triacyl derivative of resveratrol (RF) was synthesized and in this study, its potential to protect CHO-K1 cells from selected PCB congeners (75 µM) was evaluated. Cell viability/proliferation was observed by Trypan Blue (TB), Neutral Red (NR), Kenacid Blue (KB), and MTT bioassays, ROS formation by fluorescent probes, and the extent of apoptosis by flow cytometry. All applied bioassays confirmed that RF (2.5–100 μM) remarkably improves viability in PCB 153-treated cells with an increase in cell survival almost up to control levels. This effect was not determined after PCB 77 exposure, although ROS formation was decreased at RF ≥ 50 µM. Apoptosis was significant (p < 0.05) for both congeners. In PCB 77-treated cells, RF did not suppress the induction of cell death. The intended protective effect of RF was evident when cells were treated with PCB 153, and this correlates with results obtained for cell viability. Compared to resveratrol, the novel RF showed promising results in terms of improved biological activity and cell protection against PCB 153 toxicity at all concentrations tested. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Valorization of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants in Biotechnological Applications)
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15 pages, 1575 KiB  
Article
Chemical Composition of the Essential Oil of Catha edulis Forsk from Djibouti and Its Toxicological Investigations In Vivo and In Vitro
by Fatouma Mohamed Abdoul-Latif, Ayoub Ainane, Ibrahim Houmed Aboubaker, Ali Merito Ali, Zineb El Montassir, Mateusz Kciuk, Jalludin Mohamed and Tarik Ainane
Processes 2023, 11(5), 1324; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr11051324 - 25 Apr 2023
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2159
Abstract
This work aimed to evaluate the chemical composition of essential oils from Catha edulis Forsk collected in the Day Forest of the Republic of Djibouti. Additionally, in vivo toxicity studies, biochemical profiling, and hematological tests were conducted to determine the biological activity of [...] Read more.
This work aimed to evaluate the chemical composition of essential oils from Catha edulis Forsk collected in the Day Forest of the Republic of Djibouti. Additionally, in vivo toxicity studies, biochemical profiling, and hematological tests were conducted to determine the biological activity of the investigated essential oils. Finally, in vitro tests were performed to investigate the antibacterial activity of the essential oils. The essential oils were obtained at yields of 0.75%. Chromatographic analysis identified 39 compounds, of which cathinone (81.4%) and cathine (10.55%) were determined as the two major components, representing 91.95% of the total composition. Catha edulis essential oil had a rat LD50 of 2500 mg/kg, indicating very low toxicity. Chronic exposure studies revealed that use of the essential oil in rats resulted in persistent stimulant action at dosages of 100 and 200 mg/kg, whereas the weight gain of control rats was faster than that of the essential oil-treated rats. Hematological parameters showed a significant increase in red blood cell counts, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and platelets in treated rats, which could indicate blood hyperviscosity that may increase the risk of blood clots and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, the investigated essential oil exhibited antimicrobial activity against several bacterial strains. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Valorization of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants in Biotechnological Applications)
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Review

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19 pages, 3511 KiB  
Review
A Review of Dendrophthoe pentandra (Mistletoe): Phytomorphology, Extraction Techniques, Phytochemicals, and Biological Activities
by Mohd Azrie Awang, Nik Nurul Najihah Nik Mat Daud, Nurul Izzati Mohd Ismail, Farah Izana Abdullah and Mohammad Amil Zulhilmi Benjamin
Processes 2023, 11(8), 2348; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr11082348 - 4 Aug 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2928
Abstract
Dendrophtoe pentandra, popularly known as mistletoe, is a semi-parasitic plant that can grow on many host plants and is native to Southeast Asia, especially Malaysia. D. pentandra is regarded as an unfavourable plant for an economically significant horticultural plant; however, D. pentandra [...] Read more.
Dendrophtoe pentandra, popularly known as mistletoe, is a semi-parasitic plant that can grow on many host plants and is native to Southeast Asia, especially Malaysia. D. pentandra is regarded as an unfavourable plant for an economically significant horticultural plant; however, D. pentandra is also regarded as a medicinal plant and is used in traditional and alternative medicine to treat coughs, diabetes, hypertension, and cancer. Scientific research has also found that this plant has significant potential for medical properties such as antioxidant, antibacterial, anticancer, antiproliferative, antidiabetic and antihyperglycaemic, anti-inflammatory, cytotoxicity, hepatoprotective, immunomodulatory, and anti-aging properties. Numerous phytochemical compounds from D. pentandra extracts have been identified using extraction techniques such as maceration and reflux. Thus, this review aims to provide thorough information on phytomorphology, extraction techniques, phytochemicals, biological activities, and the future prospects of D. pentandra. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Valorization of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants in Biotechnological Applications)
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