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Bioactivity of Natural Compounds: From Plants to Humans

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A special issue of Molecules (ISSN 1420-3049). This special issue belongs to the section "Natural Products Chemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 28 February 2025 | Viewed by 9738

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Dr. Guglielmina Froldi

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Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padua, Italy
Interests: diabetes mellitus; obesity; age-related diseases; advanced glycation end products (AGEs); medicinal plants; enzyme activity; pharmacokinetics; ADMET; pharmacotherapy
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Bioactive natural compounds are secondary metabolites isolated from plants and marine organisms that can influence the human body and can also act as beneficial agents against disease. The use of isolated active compounds versus crude extracts allows one to define the precise dosage of the principle useful to induce efficacy. Studies on isolated compounds can support the use of natural products in traditional medicine and can drive the discovery of new active compounds that can be further developed as drugs.

Biologically active compounds are divided into three main classes, such as phenolic, terpene, and nitrogen compounds. Several compounds in these groups may be beneficial in cardiovascular diseases. Endothelial dysfunction is involved in several human diseases, including arteriosclerosis, arterial stiffness, vascular thrombosis and many others. Among all, soluble adhesion molecules, such as E-selectin, ICAM-1, and VCAM-1, and factors of the coagulation pathway, such as Willebrand factor and soluble thrombomodulin, in addition to various cytokines, such as IL-6, IL-8, IL-12, and C-reactive protein, are involved in vascular dysfunction. Furthermore, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are implicated in tissue damages. Therefore, the search for new agents that can selectively inhibit markers of cardiovascular damage is especially interesting in the development of new drugs.

In this Special Issue, we welcome research articles and reviews on the identification of new active compounds of natural origin, as well as compounds already known for which new mechanisms of action or new activities are highlighted. Studies on natural compounds, both in vitro and in vivo, are of interest. In addition, clinical studies of natural compounds that focus on the effectiveness and adverse reactions in human subjects will be carefully examined.

Prof. Dr. Guglielmina Froldi
Guest Editor

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Keywords

natural compounds
blood vessel
endothelium dysfunction
advanced glycation end products (AGEs)
ROS
cytokines
ADMET properties
pharmacokinetics
gender difference

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Published Papers (9 papers)

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Research

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13 pages, 3254 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Determination of Photosensitizing Potential of Lapachol for Photodynamic Inactivation of Bacteria

by Regiane G. Lima, Raphael S. Flores, Gabriella Miessi, Jhoenne H. V. Pulcherio, Laís F. Aguilera, Leandro O. Araujo, Samuel L. Oliveira and Anderson R. L. Caires

Molecules 2024, 29(21), 5184; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29215184 - 2 Nov 2024

Viewed by 620

Abstract

Antimicrobial photodynamic inactivation (aPDI) offers a promising alternative to combat drug-resistant bacteria. This study explores the potential of lapachol, a natural naphthoquinone derived from Tabebuia avellanedae, as a photosensitizer (PS) for aPDI. Lapachol’s photosensitizing properties were evaluated using Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli strains under blue LED light (450 nm). UV-vis spectroscopy confirmed lapachol’s absorption peak at 482 nm, aligning with effective excitation wavelengths for phototherapy. Photoinactivation assays demonstrated significant bacterial growth inhibition, achieving complete eradication of S. aureus at 25 µg·mL⁻¹ under light exposure. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed morphological damage in irradiated bacterial cells, confirming lapachol’s bactericidal effect. This research underscores lapachol’s potential as a novel photosensitizer in antimicrobial photodynamic therapy, addressing a critical need in combating antibiotic resistance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactivity of Natural Compounds: From Plants to Humans)

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17 pages, 5896 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation of Cytotoxic Activity of Cell Biomass from Eryngium planum and Lychnis flos-cuculi on Melanoma Cancer Cell

by Anastasia Aliesa Hermosaningtyas, Ewa Totoń, Natalia Lisiak, Dariusz Kruszka, Anna Budzianowska and Małgorzata Kikowska

Molecules 2024, 29(21), 5158; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29215158 - 31 Oct 2024

Viewed by 524

Abstract

Melanoma is a malignant neoplasm of melanocytes in the skin, and its occurrence is increasing annually. Plant-based products contain active compounds with low toxicity and are accessible alternatives for melanoma cancer treatment. The biotechnology approach for obtaining plant-based products provides continuity and allows the high-yield production of phytochemically uniform biomass. The callus biomass of Eryngium planum L. and Lychnis flos-cuculi L. was induced on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with growth regulators. A combination of 3.0 mg/L of 3,6-dichloro-2-methoxybenzoic acid (dicamba) and 0.3 mg/L of 1-phenyl-3-(1,2,3-thiadiazol-5-yl)urea—(thidiazuron) was used to obtain E. planum callus. Meanwhile, the callus of L. flos-cuculi was cultivated on MS medium with 2.0 mg/L of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). Methanolic extracts (EpME and LFcME), including 40% MeOH fractions (Ep40MF and LFc40MF) and 80% MeOH fractions (Ep80MF and LFc80MF), of E. planum and L. flos-cuculi cell biomass were prepared. Their cytotoxicity activity was assessed in human fibroblast cells (MRC-5) and human melanoma cells (MeWo) by direct cell counting and 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Qualitative analyses using thin-layer chromatography and UPLC-HRMS/MS chromatograms showed the presence of phenolic acids and saponins within the extracts and fractions of both cell biomasses. LFc80MF and Ep80MF showed the strongest toxicity against the MeWo cell line, with IC₅₀ values of 47 ± 0.5 and 52 ± 4 μg/mL after 72 h of treatment. EpME and LFcME had IC₅₀ values of 103 ± 4 and 147 ± 4 µg/mL, respectively. On the other hand, Ep40MF and LFc40MF were less toxic against the MeWo cell line compared to the extracts and 80% MeOH fractions, with IC₅₀ values of 145 ± 10 and 172 ± 7 µg/mL. This study suggests that the obtained extracts and fractions of E. planum and L. flos-cuculi cell biomass potentially possess significant cytotoxic activity against MeWo cells, which work in a time and dose-dependent manner. Although the extracts and 80% MeOH fractions were more potent, the 40% MeOH was shown to be more selective against the MeWo than the control MRC-5 cells. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactivity of Natural Compounds: From Plants to Humans)

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16 pages, 1945 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Purification, Structural Characterization, and Bioactivity of Amaranthus hypochondriacus Lectin

by Maria Fernanda Resendiz-Otero, Aurea Bernardino-Nicanor, Olivia Lugo-Magaña, Gabriel Betanzos-Cabrera, Leopoldo González-Cruz, José A. Morales-González, Gerardo Acosta-García, Eduardo Fernández-Martínez, Arturo Salazar-Campos and Carmen Valadez-Vega

Molecules 2024, 29(21), 5101; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29215101 - 29 Oct 2024

Viewed by 550

Abstract

Lectin extracted from Amaranthus hypochondriacus was purified using an affinity column with an agarose-fetuin matrix specific to the lectin of interest. Purification was confirmed by SDS-PAGE, revealing a single protein band with a molecular mass of 34.4 kDa. A hemagglutination assay showed that the lectin had a higher affinity for human type A erythrocytes, and its hemagglutinating activity was inhibited only by fetuin, not by mono-, di-, or trisaccharides. This demonstrated the lectin’s selectivity for the N-acetylgalactosamine present on the surface of type A erythrocytes and fetuin. Amaranth lectin exhibited antioxidant activity, which was attributed to the phenolic compounds, amino acids, and specific peptides within the protein structure that are known for their antioxidant properties. Infrared (IR) spectroscopy provided a structural analysis and confirmed lectin glycosylation, a crucial factor in its stability and its ability to bind specific glycans on cell surfaces. Cu²⁺, Mn²⁺, and Zn²⁺ ions were found in the lectin, and these ions were strongly bound to the protein, as dialysis against ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) did not remove them. pH and temperature influenced lectin stability, with higher hemagglutinating activity observed at pH 7, and it remained thermostable at 25 °C. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactivity of Natural Compounds: From Plants to Humans)

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13 pages, 2151 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Gossypetin on Glucose Homeostasis in Diet-Induced Pre-Diabetic Rats

by Karishma Naidoo and Andile Khathi

Molecules 2024, 29(18), 4410; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29184410 - 17 Sep 2024

Viewed by 801

Abstract

Natural flavonoids exert many potential health benefits, including anti-hyperglycaemic effects. However, the effects of gossypetin (GTIN) on glucose homeostasis in pre-diabetes have not yet been investigated. This study examined the effects of GTIN on key markers of glucose homeostasis in a diet-induced pre-diabetic rat model. Pre-diabetes was induced by allowing the animals to feed on a high-fat high-carbohydrate (HFHC) diet supplemented with 15% fructose water for 20 weeks. Following pre-diabetes induction, the pre-diabetic animals were sub-divided into five groups (n = 6), where they were either orally treated with GTIN (15 mg/kg) or metformin (MET) (500 mg/kg), both with and without dietary intervention, over a 12-week period. The results demonstrated that animals in the untreated pre-diabetic (PD) control group exhibited significantly higher fasting and postprandial blood glucose levels, as well as elevated plasma insulin concentrations and increased homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA2-IR) index, relative to the non-pre-diabetic (NPD) group. Similarly, increased caloric intake, body weight and plasma ghrelin levels were observed in the PD control group. Notably, these parameters were significantly reduced in the PD animals receiving GTIN treatment. Additionally, glycogen levels in the liver and skeletal muscle, which were disturbed in the PD control group, showed significant improvement in both GTIN-treated groups. These findings may suggest that GTIN administration, with or without dietary modifications, may offer therapeutic benefits in ameliorating glucose homeostasis disturbances associated with the PD state. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactivity of Natural Compounds: From Plants to Humans)

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24 pages, 11508 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Discovery and Optimization of Ergosterol Peroxide Derivatives as Novel Glutaminase 1 Inhibitors for the Treatment of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

by Ran Luo, Haoyi Zhao, Siqi Deng, Jiale Wu, Haijun Wang, Xiaoshan Guo, Cuicui Han, Wenkang Ren, Yinglong Han, Jianwen Zhou, Yu Lin and Ming Bu

Molecules 2024, 29(18), 4375; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29184375 - 14 Sep 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1027

Abstract

In this study, novel ergosterol peroxide (EP) derivatives were synthesized and evaluated to assess their antiproliferative activity against four human cancer cell lines (A549, HepG2, MCF-7, and MDA-MB-231). Compound 3g exhibited the most potent antiproliferative activity, with an IC₅₀ value of 3.20 µM against MDA-MB-231. This value was 5.4-fold higher than that of the parental EP. Bioassay optimization further identified 3g as a novel glutaminase 1 (GLS1) inhibitor (IC₅₀ = 3.77 µM). In MDA-MB-231 cells, 3g reduced the cellular glutamate levels by blocking the glutamine hydrolysis pathway, which triggered reactive oxygen species production and induced caspase-dependent apoptosis. Molecular docking indicated that 3g interacts with the reaction site of the variable binding pocket by forming multiple interactions with GLS1. In a mouse model of breast cancer, 3g showed remarkable therapeutic effects at a dose of 50 mg/kg, with no apparent toxicity. Based on these results, 3g could be further evaluated as a novel GLS1 inhibitor for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) therapy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactivity of Natural Compounds: From Plants to Humans)

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14 pages, 2820 KiB

Open AccessArticle

From Ethnobotany to Biotechnology: Wound Healing and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Sedum telephium L. In Vitro Cultures

by Vanessa Dalla Costa, Anna Piovan, Raffaella Filippini and Paola Brun

Molecules 2024, 29(11), 2472; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29112472 - 24 May 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 829

Abstract

Sedum telephium is a succulent plant used in traditional medicine, particularly in Italy, for its efficacy in treating localized inflammation such as burns, warts, and wounds. Fresh leaves or freshly obtained derivatives are directly applied to the injuries for these purposes. However, challenges such as the lack of microbiologically controlled materials and product standardization prompted the exploration of more controlled biotechnological alternatives, utilizing in vitro plant cell cultures of S. telephium. In the present study, we used HPLC-DAD analysis to reveal a characteristic flavonol profile in juices from in vivo leaves and in vitro materials mainly characterized by several kaempferol and quercetin derivatives. The leaf juice exhibited the highest content in total flavonol and kaempferol derivatives, whereas juice from callus grown in medium with hormones and callus suspensions showed elevated levels of quercetin derivatives. The in vitro anti-inflammatory and wound-healing assays evidenced the great potential of callus and suspension cultures in dampening inflammation and fostering wound closure, suggesting quercetin may have a pivotal role in biological activities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactivity of Natural Compounds: From Plants to Humans)

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13 pages, 2060 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Pterodon emarginatus Seed Preparations: Antiradical Activity, Chemical Characterization, and In Silico ADMET Parameters of β-caryophyllene and Farnesol

by Guglielmina Froldi, Francesco Benetti, Andrea Mondin, Marco Roverso, Elisa Pangrazzi, Francine Medjiofack Djeujo and Paolo Pastore

Molecules 2023, 28(22), 7494; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28227494 - 9 Nov 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1272

Abstract

The study of medicinal plants and their active compounds is relevant to maintaining knowledge of traditional medicine and to the development of new drugs of natural origin with lower environmental impact. From the seeds of the Brazilian plant Pterodon emarginatus, six different preparations were obtained: essential oil (EO), ethanol extract (EthE) prepared using the traditional method, and four extracts using solvents at different polarities, such as n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and methanol (HexE, ChlE, EtAE, and MetE). Chemical characterization was carried out with gas chromatography, allowing the identification of several terpenoids as characteristic components. The two sesquiterpenes β-caryophyllene and farnesol were identified in all preparations of Pterodon emarginatus, and their amounts were also evaluated. Furthermore, the total flavonoid and phenolic contents of the extracts were assessed. Successively, the antiradical activity with DPPH and ORAC assays and the influence on cell proliferation by the MTT test on the human colorectal adenocarcinoma (HT-29) cell line of the preparations and the two compounds were evaluated. Lastly, an in silico study of adsorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity (ADMET) showed that β-caryophyllene and farnesol could be suitable candidates for development as drugs. The set of data obtained highlights the potential medicinal use of Pterodon emarginatus seeds and supports further studies of both plant preparations and isolated compounds, β-caryophyllene and farnesol, for their potential use in disease with free radical involvement as age-related chronic disorders. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactivity of Natural Compounds: From Plants to Humans)

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30 pages, 2284 KiB

Open AccessReview

Recent Research Progress on the Chemical Constituents, Pharmacology, and Pharmacokinetics of Alpinae oxyphyllae Fructus

by Junfa Liao and Xueying Zhao

Molecules 2024, 29(16), 3905; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29163905 - 18 Aug 2024

Viewed by 966

Abstract

Alpinae oxyphyllae fructus (AOF), the dried mature fruit of Alpinia oxyphylla Miquel of the Zingiberaceae family, shows many special pharmacological effects. In recent years, there has been an abundance of research results on AOF. In this paper, the new compounds isolated from AOF since 2018 are reviewed, including terpenes, flavonoids, diarylheptanoids, phenolic acid, sterols, alkanes, fats, etc. The isolation methods that were applied include the microwave-assisted method, response surface method, chiral high-performance liquid chromatography–multiple reaction monitoring–mass spectrometry (HPLC-MRM-MS) analytical method, ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography–quadrupole–electrostatic field orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry (UPLC-Orbitrap-HRMS) method, ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) method, hot water leaching method, ethanol leaching method, and so on. Additionally, the pharmacological effects of AOF found from 2018 to 2024 are also summarized, including neuroprotection, regulation of metabolic disorders, antioxidant activity, antiapoptosis, antiinflammatory activity, antidiabetic activity, antihyperuricemia, antiaging, antidiuresis, immune regulation, anti-tumor activity, renal protection, hepatoprotection, and anti-asthma. This paper provides a reference for further research on AOF. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactivity of Natural Compounds: From Plants to Humans)

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19 pages, 1198 KiB

Open AccessReview

Phenolic Compounds from Apples: From Natural Fruits to the Beneficial Effects in the Digestive System

by Lidija Jakobek and Petra Matić

Molecules 2024, 29(3), 568; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29030568 - 23 Jan 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2122

Abstract

Conditions in the gastrointestinal tract and microbial metabolism lead to biotransformation of parent, native phenolic compounds from apples into different chemical forms. The aim of this work was to review current knowledge about the forms of phenolic compounds from apples in the gastrointestinal tract and to connect it to their potential beneficial effects, including the mitigation of health problems of the digestive tract. Phenolic compounds from apples are found in the gastrointestinal tract in a variety of forms: native (flavan-3-ols, phenolic acids, flavonols, dihydrochalcones, and anthocyanins), degradation products, various metabolites, and catabolites. Native forms can show beneficial effects in the stomach and small intestine and during the beginning phase of digestion in the colon. Different products of degradation and phase II metabolites can be found in the small intestine and colon, while catabolites might be important for bioactivities in the colon. Most studies connect beneficial effects for different described health problems to the whole apple or to the amount of all phenolic compounds from apples. This expresses the influence of all native polyphenols from apples on beneficial effects. However, further studies of the peculiar compounds resulting from native phenols and their effects on the various parts of the digestive tract could provide a better understanding of the specific derivatives with bioactivity in humans. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactivity of Natural Compounds: From Plants to Humans)

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