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Bioactive Molecules of Natural Origin: Mechanisms of Action Related to Health Risks and Benefits—3rd Edition

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Bioactives and Nutraceuticals".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 February 2025 | Viewed by 5165

Special Issue Editor

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Bioactive natural compounds (such as alkaloids, phenolics, terpenes, saponins, and volatile organic compounds) are increasingly used for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, bactericidal, fungicidal and virucidal properties for the benefit of human health. Moreover, they are found in a growing number of applications, such as cosmetics and wellness; but also in sectors where they were not traditionally used such as food preservation, household products and in the field of plant-protection products in agronomy. The number of publications treating bioactive natural compounds has increased significantly in recent years, but many publications are essentially descriptive.

The aim of this Special Issue is to study, at a molecular level, the mechanisms of action of bioactive natural compounds in their various beneficial properties to human health or to other domains and to carry out a rigorous assessment of the risks (toxicity, allergies, for example). This knowledge will contribute to a more rational and safer use of these compounds in the many sectors where they are employed.

Prof. Dr. Marie-Laure Fauconnier
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • natural compounds
  • alkaloids
  • phenolics
  • terpenes
  • saponins
  • essential oils
  • volatile organic compounds
  • mechanisms of action
  • health risk
  • antioxidant
  • anti-inflammatory
  • bactericide
  • fungicide
  • virucidal properties
  • cosmetics
  • plant protection products

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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16 pages, 8492 KiB  
Article
A Bioinformatic Assay of Quercetin in Gastric Cancer
by Sergio Raúl Zúñiga-Hernández, Trinidad García-Iglesias, Monserrat Macías-Carballo, Alejandro Pérez-Larios, Yanet Karina Gutiérrez-Mercado, Gabriela Camargo-Hernández and Christian Martín Rodríguez-Razón
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(14), 7934; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25147934 - 20 Jul 2024
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Abstract
Gastric cancer (GC) remains a significant global health challenge, with high mortality rates, especially in developing countries. Current treatments are invasive and have considerable risks, necessitating the exploration of safer alternatives. Quercetin (QRC), a flavonoid present in various plants and foods, has demonstrated [...] Read more.
Gastric cancer (GC) remains a significant global health challenge, with high mortality rates, especially in developing countries. Current treatments are invasive and have considerable risks, necessitating the exploration of safer alternatives. Quercetin (QRC), a flavonoid present in various plants and foods, has demonstrated multiple health benefits, including anticancer properties. This study investigated the therapeutic potential of QRC in the treatment of GC. We utilized advanced molecular techniques to assess the impact of QRC on GC cells, examining its effects on cellular pathways and gene expression. Our findings indicate that QRC significantly inhibits GC cell proliferation and induces apoptosis, suggesting its potential as a safer therapeutic option for GC treatment. Further research is required to validate these results and explore the clinical applications of QRC in cancer therapy. Full article
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30 pages, 2488 KiB  
Article
Bioactivity of Eugenol: A Potential Antibiotic Adjuvant with Minimal Ecotoxicological Impact
by Natalia Ferrando, María Rosa Pino-Otín, Eva Terrado, Diego Ballestero and Elisa Langa
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(13), 7069; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25137069 - 27 Jun 2024
Viewed by 873
Abstract
Combining commercial antibiotics with adjuvants to lower their minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) is vital in combating antimicrobial resistance. Evaluating the ecotoxicity of such compounds is crucial due to environmental and health risks. Here, eugenol was assessed as an adjuvant for 7 commercial antibiotics [...] Read more.
Combining commercial antibiotics with adjuvants to lower their minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) is vital in combating antimicrobial resistance. Evaluating the ecotoxicity of such compounds is crucial due to environmental and health risks. Here, eugenol was assessed as an adjuvant for 7 commercial antibiotics against 14 pathogenic bacteria in vitro, also examining its acute ecotoxicity on various soil and water organisms (microbiota, Vibrio fischeri, Daphnia magna, Eisenia foetida, and Allium cepa). Using microdilution methods, checkerboard assays, and kinetic studies, the MICs for eugenol were determined together with the nature of its combinations with antibiotics against bacteria, some unexposed to eugenol previously. The lethal dose for the non-target organisms was also determined, as well as the Average Well Color Development and the Community-Level Physiological Profiling for soil and water microbiota. Our findings indicate that eugenol significantly reduces MICs by 75 to 98%, which means that it could be a potent adjuvant. Ecotoxicological assessments showed eugenol to be less harmful to water and soil microbiota compared to studied antibiotics. While Vibrio fischeri and Daphnia magna were susceptible, Allium cepa and Eisenia foetida were minimally affected. Given that only 0.1% of eugenol is excreted by humans without metabolism, its environmental risk when used with antibiotics appears minimal. Full article
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Review

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23 pages, 672 KiB  
Review
Does Resveratrol Improve Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD)?
by Kamila Kasprzak-Drozd, Przemysław Niziński, Paulina Kasprzak, Adrianna Kondracka, Tomasz Oniszczuk, Agata Rusinek and Anna Oniszczuk
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(7), 3746; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25073746 - 27 Mar 2024
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2646
Abstract
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is influenced by a variety of factors, including environmental and genetic factors. The most significant outcome is the alteration of free fatty acid and triglyceride metabolism. Lipotoxicity, impaired autophagy, chronic inflammation, and oxidative stress, as well as [...] Read more.
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is influenced by a variety of factors, including environmental and genetic factors. The most significant outcome is the alteration of free fatty acid and triglyceride metabolism. Lipotoxicity, impaired autophagy, chronic inflammation, and oxidative stress, as well as coexisting insulin resistance, obesity, and changes in the composition of gut microbiota, are also considered crucial factors in the pathogenesis of MASLD. Resveratrol is a polyphenolic compound that belongs to the stilbene subgroup. This review summarises the available information on the therapeutic effects of resveratrol against MASLD. Resveratrol has demonstrated promising antisteatotic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities in liver cells in in vitro and animal studies. Resveratrol has been associated with inhibiting the NF-κB pathway, activating the SIRT-1 and AMPK pathways, normalizing the intestinal microbiome, and alleviating intestinal inflammation. However, clinical studies have yielded inconclusive results regarding the efficacy of resveratrol in alleviating hepatic steatosis or reducing any of the parameters found in MASLD in human patients. The lack of homogeneity between studies, low bioavailability of resveratrol, and population variability when compared to animal models could be the reasons for this. Full article
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