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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: closed (30 January 2024) | Viewed by 16204

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Francisco Les

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Guest Editor

1. Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad San Jorge, 50830 Zaragoza, Spain
2. Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón-IA2, CITA-Universidad de Zaragoza, 50059 Zaragoza, Spain
Interests: pharmacology and pharmacy; pharmacognosy; ethnopharmacology; plant science; medicinal plants; food science; natural products; nutrition and dietetics; bioactive foods
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Prof. Dr. Marta Sofía Valero

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1. Departamento de Farmacología, Fisiología y Medicina Legal y Forense, Universidad de Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
2. Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón-IA2, CITA-Universidad de Zaragoza, 50059 Zaragoza, Spain
Interests: smooth muscle physiology; natural products; antioxidant activity; herbal medicine; biological activities; ionic channels; digestive disorders; metabolic syndrome
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Prof. Dr. María Pilar Arruebo

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Guest Editor

1. Departamento de Farmacología, Fisiología y Medicina Legal y Forense, Universidad de Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
2. Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón, IA2, Universidad de Zaragoza-CITA, Zaragoza, Spain
Interests: digestive pathophysiology; gastrointestinal motility; smooth muscle physiology; natural products; antioxidant activity; intestinal microbiota
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Products of natural origin are derived from plants, minerals, animals, or microorganisms. Nature has been a source of active ingredients, from ancient times to the present day. In addition, there is currently a tendency to use this type of more natural substances.

Natural products, especially those from plants, have attracted significant interest since their composition contains compounds with interesting bioactive properties for health. It is therefore essential to understand and explore the chemical composition of these natural products in order to be able to elucidate the molecules responsible for biological activity. In addition, it is also important to know the interactions of cellular molecules that carry out the biological processes essential for the cell's functions and maintenance.

We are pleased to invite you to present original research and review articles on new advancements in the development and application of natural products.

This Special Issue aims to contribute to the knowledge of different substances of natural origin in their chemical composition and potential biological activities.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Francisco Les
Prof. Dr. Marta Sofía Valero
Dr. María Pilar Arruebo
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. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. There is an Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal. For details about the APC please see here. 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.

Keywords

bioactive compounds
polyphenols
antioxidants
natural products
phytochemicals
molecular research
chemical composition
therapeutic targets
action mechanisms

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Published Papers (9 papers)

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Editorial

Jump to: Research, Review

2 pages, 171 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Natural Product Chemistry and Biological Research

by Francisco Les, Marta Sofía Valero and María Pilar Arruebo

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(7), 3774; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25073774 - 28 Mar 2024

Viewed by 1046

Abstract

Natural products are substances found in nature that have not been significantly modified by humans [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Product Chemistry and Biological Research)

Research

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19 pages, 9027 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Artemisia annua L. Polyphenols Enhance the Anticancer Effect of β-Lapachone in Oxaliplatin-Resistant HCT116 Colorectal Cancer Cells

by Eun Joo Jung, Hye Jung Kim, Sung Chul Shin, Gon Sup Kim, Jin-Myung Jung, Soon Chan Hong, Choong Won Kim and Won Sup Lee

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(24), 17505; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms242417505 - 15 Dec 2023

Viewed by 1464

Abstract

Recent studies suggest that the anticancer activity of β-lapachone (β-Lap) could be improved by different types of bioactive phytochemicals. The aim of this study was to elucidate how the anticancer effect of β-Lap is regulated by polyphenols extracted from Korean Artemisia annua L. (pKAL) in parental HCT116 and oxaliplatin-resistant (OxPt-R) HCT116 colorectal cancer cells. Here, we show that the anticancer effect of β-Lap is more enhanced by pKAL in HCT116-OxPt-R cells than in HCT116 cells via a CCK-8 assay, Western blot, and phase-contrast microscopy analysis of hematoxylin-stained cells. This phenomenon was associated with the suppression of OxPt-R-related upregulated proteins including p53 and β-catenin, the downregulation of cell survival proteins including TERT, CD44, and EGFR, and the upregulation of cleaved HSP90, γ-H2AX, and LC3B-I/II. A bioinformatics analysis of 21 proteins regulated by combined treatment of pKAL and β-Lap in HCT116-OxPt-R cells showed that the enhanced anticancer effect of β-Lap by pKAL was related to the inhibition of negative regulation of apoptotic process and the induction of DNA damage through TERT, CD44, and EGFR-mediated multiple signaling networks. Our results suggest that the combination of pKAL and β-Lap could be used as a new therapy with low toxicity to overcome the OxPt-R that occurred in various OxPt-containing cancer treatments. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Product Chemistry and Biological Research)

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15 pages, 4754 KiB

Open AccessArticle

In Vitro Cytotoxic Effects of Ferruginol Analogues in Sk-MEL28 Human Melanoma Cells

by Luying Shao, Miguel A. González-Cardenete and Jose M. Prieto-Garcia

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(22), 16322; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms242216322 - 14 Nov 2023

Viewed by 1681

Abstract

Ferruginol is a promising abietane-type antitumor diterpene able to induce apoptosis in SK-Mel-28 human malignant melanoma. We aim to increase this activity by testing the effect of a small library of ferruginol analogues. After a screening of their antiproliferative activity (SRB staining, 48 h) on SK-Mel-28 cells the analogue 18-aminoferruginol (GI50 ≈ 10 µM) was further selected for mechanistic studies including induction of apoptosis (DAPI staining, p < 0.001), changes in cell morphology associated with the treatment (cell shrinkage and membrane blebbing), induction of caspase-3/7 activity (2.5 at 48 h, 6.5 at 72 h; p < 0.0001), changes in the mitochondrial membrane potential (not significant) and in vitro effects on cell migration and cell invasion (Transwell assays, not significant). The results were compared to those of the parent molecule (ferruginol, GI50 ≈ 50 µM, depolarisation of mitochondrial membrane p < 0.01 at 72 h; no caspases 3/7 activation) and paclitaxel (GI50 ≈ 10 nM; caspases 3/7 activation p < 0.0001) as a reference drug. Computational studies of the antiproliferative activity of 18-aminoferruginol show a consistent improvement in the activity over ferruginol across a vast majority of cancer cells in the NCI60 panel. In conclusion, we demonstrate here that the derivatisation of ferruginol into 18-aminoferruginol increases its antiproliferative activity five times in SK-MEL-28 cells and changes the apoptotic mechanism of its parent molecule, ferruginol. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Product Chemistry and Biological Research)

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11 pages, 4243 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Phloridzin Docosahexaenoate Inhibits Spheroid Formation by Breast Cancer Stem Cells and Exhibits Cytotoxic Effects against Paclitaxel-Resistant Triple Negative Breast Cancer Cells

by Wasundara Fernando, Rikki F. Clark, H. P. Vasantha Rupasinghe, David W. Hoskin and Melanie R. Power Coombs

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(19), 14577; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms241914577 - 26 Sep 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2102

Abstract

The eradication of cancer stem cells (CSCs) is vital to successful cancer treatment and overall disease-free survival. CSCs are a sub-population of cells within a tumor that are defined by their capacity for continuous self-renewal and recapitulation of new tumors, demonstrated in vitro through spheroid formation. Flavonoids are a group of phytochemicals with potent anti-oxidant and anti-cancer properties. This paper explores the impact of the flavonoid precursor phloridzin (PZ) linked to the ω-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoate (DHA) on the growth of MCF-7 and paclitaxel-resistant MDA-MB-231-TXL breast cancer cell lines. Spheroid formation assays, acid phosphatase assays, and Western blotting were performed using MCF-7 cells, and the cell viability assays, Annexin-V-488/propidium iodide (PI) staining, and 7-aminoactinomycin D (7-AAD) assays were performed using MDA-MB-231-TXL cells. PZ-DHA significantly reduced spheroid formation, as well as the metabolic activity of MCF-7 breast cancer cells in vitro. Treatment with PZ-DHA also suppressed the metabolic activity of MDA-MB-231-TXL cells and led to apoptosis. PZ-DHA did not have an observable effect on the expression of the drug efflux transporters ATP-binding cassette super-family G member 2 (ABCG2) and multidrug resistance-associated protein 1 (MRP1). PZ-DHA is a potential treatment avenue for chemo-resistant breast cancer and a possible novel CSC therapy. Future pre-clinical studies should explore PZ-DHA as a chemo-preventative agent. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Product Chemistry and Biological Research)

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19 pages, 5220 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation of Anticancer and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Some Synthetic Rearranged Abietanes

by Mustapha Ait El Had, Houda Zentar, Blanca Ruiz-Muñoz, Juan Sainz, Juan J. Guardia, Antonio Fernández, José Justicia, Enrique Alvarez-Manzaneda, Fernando J. Reyes-Zurita and Rachid Chahboun

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(17), 13583; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms241713583 - 1 Sep 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1496

Abstract

Synthesis of the rearranged abietane diterpenes pygmaeocins C and D, viridoquinone, saprorthoquinone, and 1-deoxyviroxocine has been successfully achieved. The anticancer and anti-inflammatory activities of selected orthoquinonic compounds 5, 7, 13, and 19, as well as pygmaeocin C (17), were evaluated for the first time. The antitumor properties were assessed using three cancer cell lines: HT29 colon cancer cells, Hep G2 hepatocellular carcinoma cells, and B16-F10 murine melanoma cells. Compounds 5 and 13 showed the highest cytotoxicity in HT29 cells (IC₅₀ = 6.69 ± 1.2 µg/mL and IC₅₀ = 2.7 ± 0.8 µg/mL, respectively). Cytometric studies showed that this growth inhibition involved phase S cell cycle arrest and apoptosis induction, possibly through the activation of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. Morphological apoptotic changes, including nuclear fragmentation and chromatin condensation, were also observed. Furthermore, the anti-inflammatory activity of these compounds was evaluated on the basis of their ability to inhibit nitric oxide production on the lipopolysaccharide activated RAW 264.7 macrophage cell line. Although all compounds showed high anti-inflammatory activity, with percentages between 40 and 100%, the highest anti-inflammatory potential was obtained by pygmaeocin B (5) (IC_50NO = 33.0 ± 0.8 ng/mL). Our results suggest that due to their dual roles, this type of compound could represent a new strategy, contributing to the development of novel anticancer agents. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Product Chemistry and Biological Research)

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20 pages, 1831 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Cannabidiol and Cannabigerol Modify the Composition and Physicochemical Properties of Keratinocyte Membranes Exposed to UVA

by Adam Wroński, Izabela Dobrzyńska, Szymon Sękowski, Wojciech Łuczaj, Ewa Olchowik-Grabarek and Elżbieta Skrzydlewska

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(15), 12424; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms241512424 - 4 Aug 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1574

Abstract

The action of UVA radiation (both that derived from solar radiation and that used in the treatment of skin diseases) modifies the function and composition of keratinocyte membranes. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the effects of phytocannabinoids (CBD and CBG), used singly and in combination, on the contents of phospholipids, ceramides, lipid rafts and sialic acid in keratinocyte membranes exposed to UVA radiation, together with their structure and functionality. The phytocannabinoids, especially in combination (CBD+CBG), partially prevented increased levels of phosphatidylinositols and sialic acid from occurring and sphingomyelinase activity after the UVA exposure of keratinocytes. This was accompanied by a reduction in the formation of lipid rafts and malondialdehyde, which correlated with the parameters responsible for the integrity and functionality of the keratinocyte membrane (membrane fluidity and permeability and the activity of transmembrane transporters), compared to UVA-irradiated cells. This suggests that the simultaneous use of two phytocannabinoids may have a protective effect on healthy cells, without significantly reducing the therapeutic effect of UV radiation used to treat skin diseases such as psoriasis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Product Chemistry and Biological Research)

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11 pages, 905 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

N-Methyl Costaricine and Costaricine, Two Potent Butyrylcholinesterase Inhibitors from Alseodaphne pendulifolia Gamb.

by Muhammad Hafiz Husna Hasnan, Yasodha Sivasothy, Kooi Yeong Khaw, Mohd Azlan Nafiah, Hazrina Hazni, Marc Litaudon, Wan Adriyani Wan Ruzali, Sook Yee Liew and Khalijah Awang

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(13), 10699; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms241310699 - 27 Jun 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1443

Abstract

Studies have been conducted over the last decade to identify secondary metabolites from plants, in particular those from the class of alkaloids, for the development of new anti-Alzheimer’s disease (AD) drugs. The genus Alseodaphne, comprising a wide range of alkaloids, is a promising source for the discovery of new cholinesterase inhibitors, the first-line treatment for AD. With regard to this, a phytochemical investigation of the dichloromethane extract of the bark of A. pendulifolia Gamb. was conducted. Repeated column chromatography and preparative thin-layer chromatography led to the isolation of a new bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloid, N-methyl costaricine (1), together with costaricine (2), hernagine (3), N-methyl hernagine (4), corydine (5), and oxohernagine (6). Their structures were elucidated by the 1D- and 2D-NMR techniques and LCMS-IT-TOF analysis. Compounds 1 and 2 were more-potent BChE inhibitors than galantamine with IC₅₀ values of 3.51 ± 0.80 µM and 2.90 ± 0.56 µM, respectively. The Lineweaver–Burk plots of compounds 1 and 2 indicated they were mixed-mode inhibitors. Compounds 1 and 2 have the potential to be employed as lead compounds for the development of new drugs or medicinal supplements to treat AD. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Product Chemistry and Biological Research)

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12 pages, 2204 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Syringetin Promotes Melanogenesis in B16F10 Cells

by Hyunju Han and Chang-Gu Hyun

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(12), 9960; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24129960 - 9 Jun 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2188

Abstract

Syringetin, an active compound present in red grapes, jambolan fruits, Lysimachia congestiflora, and Vaccinium ashei, is a dimethyl myricetin derivative which contains free hydroxyl groups at the C-2′ and C-4′ positions in ring B. Recent studies have revealed that syringetin possesses multiple pharmacological properties, such as antitumor, hepatoprotective, antidiabetic, antioxidative, and cytoprotective activities. To date, there has been no attempt to test the action of syringetin on melanogenesis. In addition, the molecular mechanism for the melanogenic effects of syringetin remains largely unknown. In this study, we investigated the effect of syringetin on melanogenesis in a murine melanoma cell line from a C57BL/6J mouse, B16F10. Our results showed that syringetin markedly stimulated melanin production and tyrosinase activity in a concentration-dependent manner in B16F10 cells. We also found that syringetin increased MITF, tyrosinase, TRP-1, and TRP-2 protein expression. Moreover, syringetin inhibited ERK and PI3K/Akt phosphorylation by stimulating p38, JNK, PKA phosphorylation levels, subsequently stimulating MITF and TRP upregulation, resulting in the activation of melanin synthesis. Furthermore, we observed that syringetin activated phosphorylation of GSK3β and β-catenin and reduced the protein level of β-catenin, suggesting that syringetin stimulates melanogenesis through the GSK3β/β-catenin signal pathway. Finally, a primary skin irritation test was conducted on the upper backs of 31 healthy volunteers to determine the irritation or sensitization potential of syringetin for topical application. The results of the test indicated that syringetin did not cause any adverse effects on the skin. Taken together, our findings indicated that syringetin may be an effective pigmentation stimulator for use in cosmetics and in the medical treatment of hypopigmentation disorders. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Product Chemistry and Biological Research)

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Review

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32 pages, 5158 KiB

Open AccessReview

Myrsinane-Type Diterpenes: A Comprehensive Review on Structural Diversity, Chemistry and Biological Activities

by Eduarda Mendes, Cátia Ramalhete and Noélia Duarte

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(1), 147; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25010147 - 21 Dec 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1964

Abstract

Euphorbia species are important sources of polycyclic and macrocyclic diterpenes, which have been the focus of natural-product-based drug research due to their relevant biological properties, including anticancer, multidrug resistance reversal, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory activities. Premyrsinane, cyclomyrsinane, and myrsinane diterpenes are generally and collectively designated as myrsinane-type diterpenes. These compounds are derived from the macrocyclic lathyrane structure and are characterized by having highly oxygenated rearranged polycyclic systems. This review aims to describe and summarize the distribution and diversity of 220 myrsinane-type diterpenes isolated in the last four decades from about 20 Euphorbia species. Some myrsinane diterpenes obtained from Jatropha curcas are also described. Discussion on their plausible biosynthetic pathways is presented, as well as isolation procedures and structural elucidation using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Furthermore, the most important biological activities are highlighted, which include cytotoxic and immunomodulatory activities, the modulation of efflux pumps, the neuroprotective effects, and the inhibition of enzymes such as urease, HIV-1 reverse transcriptase, and prolyl endopeptidase, among other biological effects. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Product Chemistry and Biological Research)

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