Therapeutic Potential of Natural Products in Metabolic Diseases

A special issue of Biomolecules (ISSN 2218-273X). This special issue belongs to the section "Natural and Bio-derived Molecules".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 January 2025 | Viewed by 4585

Special Issue Editors


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Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Digital Health and Patient Safety, Medical University of Vienna, Spitalgasse 23, 1090 Vienna, Austria
Interests: molecular medicine; digital health; open innovation; biotechnology; natural products; science communication; molecular pharmacology
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Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104-5158, USA
Interests: cardiovascular diseases; inflammation; circadian rhythms; dietary supplements; nutraceuticals; aging; exercise; preventative medicine
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to announce a Special Issue of Biomolecules dedicated to exploring the therapeutic potential of natural products in metabolic diseases. Nature has long been a source of inspiration for scientific discovery, and in this Special Issue, we will delve into the chemistry, biology, and biomedical applications of bioactive molecules with the aim of advancing future medicine and public health. Natural products display significant potential in counteracting metabolic diseases. Diverse biomolecules derived from plants, fungi, marine organisms, and other natural sources, like phytochemicals, polysaccharides, vitamins, and bioactive peptides/lipids, have been so far reported to display benefits related to a range of bioeffects such as the regulation of glucose and lipid metabolism, antioxidant properties, anti-inflammatory effects, improved insulin sensitivity, the promotion of liver health, the support of weight management, cardiovascular benefits, and microbiome support, among other effects. Due to such diverse range of desirable bioactivities, exploring the therapeutic potential of natural products can provide valuable insights for developing novel treatments and preventive strategies against metabolic diseases.

In this Special Issue, we invite submissions that address the challenges and opportunities associated with all aspects related to natural products research in the context of metabolic diseases. From phytochemicals to herbal remedies, our goal is to foster a deeper understanding of how natural products can be harnessed to combat metabolic disorders.

We look forward to receiving your contributions and sharing groundbreaking insights into the versatile applications of natural products to counteract metabolic diseases.

Prof. Dr. Atanas G. Atanasov
Dr. Ronan Lordan
Dr. Ren-You Gan
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • natural products
  • metabolic disorders
  • diabetes mellitus
  • dietary constituents
  • phytotherapy
  • integrative medicine
  • obesity
  • dyslipidemia
  • non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
  • metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH)
  • nutraceuticals
  • supplements

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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13 pages, 1968 KiB  
Article
Gintonin Stimulates Glucose Uptake in Myocytes: Involvement of Calcium and Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase Signaling
by Rami Lee, Kyung-Jong Won, Ji-Hun Kim, Byung-Hwan Lee, Sung-Hee Hwang and Seung-Yeol Nah
Biomolecules 2024, 14(10), 1316; https://doi.org/10.3390/biom14101316 - 17 Oct 2024
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Abstract
Ginseng has anti-hyperglycemic effects. Gintonin, a glycolipoprotein derived from ginseng, also stimulates insulin release from pancreatic beta cells. However, the role of gintonin in glucose metabolism within skeletal muscle is unknown. Here, we showed the effect of gintonin on glucose uptake, glycogen content, [...] Read more.
Ginseng has anti-hyperglycemic effects. Gintonin, a glycolipoprotein derived from ginseng, also stimulates insulin release from pancreatic beta cells. However, the role of gintonin in glucose metabolism within skeletal muscle is unknown. Here, we showed the effect of gintonin on glucose uptake, glycogen content, glucose transporter (GLUT) 4 expression, and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content in C2C12 myotubes. Gintonin (3–30 μg/mL) dose-dependently stimulated glucose uptake in myotubes. The expression of GLUT4 on the cell membrane was increased by gintonin treatment. Treatment with 1–3 μg/mL of gintonin increased glycogen content in myotubes, but the content was decreased at 30 μg/mL of gintonin. The ATP content in myotubes increased following treatment with 10–100 μg/mL gintonin. Gintonin transiently elevated intracellular calcium concentrations and increased the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). Gintonin-induced transient calcium increases were inhibited by treatment with the lysophosphatidic acid receptor inhibitor Ki16425, the phospholipase C inhibitor U73122, and the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor antagonist 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate. Gintonin-stimulated glucose uptake was decreased by treatment with U73122, the intracellular calcium chelator 1,2-bis(o-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid tetra(acetoxymethyl) ester, and the ERK inhibitor PD98059. These results show that gintonin plays a role in glucose metabolism by increasing glucose uptake through transient calcium increases and ERK signaling pathways. Thus, gintonin may be beneficial for glucose metabolism control. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Therapeutic Potential of Natural Products in Metabolic Diseases)
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Review

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40 pages, 1770 KiB  
Review
Effects of Ginger (Zingiber officinale) on the Hallmarks of Aging
by Maima Matin, Tanuj Joshi, Dongdong Wang, Nikolay T. Tzvetkov, Farhan Bin Matin, Agnieszka Wierzbicka, Artur Jóźwik, Jarosław Olav Horbańczuk and Atanas G. Atanasov
Biomolecules 2024, 14(8), 940; https://doi.org/10.3390/biom14080940 - 2 Aug 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3212
Abstract
Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) is broadly used as a traditional remedy and food ingredient, and numerous preclinical and clinical studies have demonstrated health benefits in a range of age-related disorders. Moreover, longevity-promoting effects have been demonstrated in several (preclinical) research models. With [...] Read more.
Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) is broadly used as a traditional remedy and food ingredient, and numerous preclinical and clinical studies have demonstrated health benefits in a range of age-related disorders. Moreover, longevity-promoting effects have been demonstrated in several (preclinical) research models. With this work, we aimed to comprehensively review the reported effects of ginger and its bioactive constituents on the twelve established hallmarks of aging, with the ultimate goal of gaining a deeper understanding of the potential for future interventions in the area of longevity-extension and counteracting of aging-related diseases. The reviewed literature supports the favorable effects of ginger and some of its constituents on all twelve hallmarks of aging, with a particularly high number of animal research studies indicating counteraction of nutrient-sensing dysregulations, mitochondrial dysfunction, chronic inflammation, and dysbiosis. On this background, validation in human clinical trials is still insufficient or is entirely missing, with the exception of some studies indicating positive effects on deregulated nutrient-sensing, chronic inflammation, and dysbiosis. Thus, the existing body of literature clearly supports the potential of ginger to be further studied in clinical trials as a supplement for the promotion of both lifespan and health span. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Therapeutic Potential of Natural Products in Metabolic Diseases)
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