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Health Benefits Assessment of Phytochemicals from Natural Products
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Health Benefits Assessment of Phytochemicals from Natural Products

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 May 2022) | Viewed by 15068

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Baojun Xu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Food Science and Technology Program, Department of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University-Hong Kong Baptist University United International College, Zhuhai 519087, China
Interests: food science; phytochemicals; nutraceuticals; pharmaceuticals; functional foods; molecular nutrition; cell biology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Kumar Ganesan

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Chinese Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
Interests: bioactive compounds; anti-diabetics; anti-obesity; anticancer; immunomod

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Plants offer not only essential nutrients which are vital for life but also other bioactive phytochemicals that contribute to health promotion and prevention of various diseases. Phytochemicals, often known as secondary metabolites, are non-nutritive chemical compositions supplied by plants. They are macro- and micronutrients in plants and have recently received a great amount of attention due to their antioxidant potential and beneficial effects on human health and emerged as key modulators of several cellular signaling pathways. Epidemiological and animal studies have found that the regular intake of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, seeds, and nuts reduces the risk of several diseases, including cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, obesity, inflammation, aging, and neurodegenerative diseases.

Phytochemicals are antioxidants and have anti-inflammatory effects protecting the body’s cells from oxidative stress. Recently, molecular-based strategies have emphasized the relationship between phytochemicals and authorized therapeutic drugs, including the molecular structure, mechanisms of the molecular network, or target protein relationship, which can envisage the potential effects of phytochemicals. Based on such evidence, many investigators have conducted studies on the roles of phytochemicals in health benefits. Numerous studies have also been done on intestinal microbial alteration induced by phytochemicals, which indicates a beneficial effect on the regulation of gut microbial homeostasis. 

This Special Issue on “Health Benefit Assessment of Phytochemicals from Natural Products” aims to publish scientific contributions offering novel insights into the impact of plant-derived phytochemicals on various diseases and the wellbeing of humans. In particular, we intend to emphasize the physiological, biochemical, and molecular processes underlying the mechanism of action of phytochemicals in in vitro and in vivo studies related to human health. Clinical trials focusing on the role of phytochemicals in the pathogenesis of human diseases will also be encouraged.

Prof. Dr. Baojun Xu
Dr. Kumar Ganesan
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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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. Molecules is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly 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 2700 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.

Keywords

  • health benefits
  • phytochemicals
  • pharmaceuticals
  • disease prevention
  • metabolic syndrome
  • bioavailability
  • gut microbiome
  • bioactive compounds
  • mechanism of action

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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17 pages, 1976 KiB  
Article
Storage Stability and In Vitro Bioaccessibility of Liposomal Betacyanins from Red Pitaya (Hylocereus polyrhizus)
by Xian Lin, Bozhe Li, Jing Wen, Jijun Wu, Daobang Tang, Yuanshan Yu, Yujuan Xu and Baojun Xu
Molecules 2022, 27(4), 1193; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27041193 - 10 Feb 2022
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2388
Abstract
In order to address the poor stability of the betacyanins from red pitaya (Hylocereus polyrhizus, HP), which are considered as good sources of natural colorant, liposomal-encapsulation technique was applied in this study. Thin-layer dispersion method was employed to prepare HP betacyacnin [...] Read more.
In order to address the poor stability of the betacyanins from red pitaya (Hylocereus polyrhizus, HP), which are considered as good sources of natural colorant, liposomal-encapsulation technique was applied in this study. Thin-layer dispersion method was employed to prepare HP betacyacnin liposomes (HPBL). The formulation parameters for HPBL were optimized, and the characteristics, stability, and release profile of HPBL in in vitro gastrointestinal systems were evaluated.Results showed that an HP betacyanin encapsulation efficiency of 93.43 ± 0.11% was obtained after formulation optimization. The HPBL exhibited a narrow size distribution of particle within a nanometer range and a strong electronegative ζ-potential. By liposomal encapsulation, storage stability of HP betacyanin was significantly enhanced in different storage temperatures. When the environmental pH ranged from 4.3–7.0, around 80% of HP betacyanins were preserved on Day 21 with the liposomal protection. The loss of 2,2′-Diphenyl-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity and color deterioration of HPBL were developed in accordance with the degradation of HP betacyanins during storage. In in vitro gastrointestinal digestion study, with the protection of liposome, the retention rates of HP betacyanins in vitro were enhanced by 14% and 40% for gastric and intestinal digestion, respectively.This study suggested that liposomal encapsulation was an effective approach to stabilize HP betacyanins during storage and gastrointestinal digestion, but further investigations were needed to better optimize the liposomal formulation and understand the complex liposomal system. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Benefits Assessment of Phytochemicals from Natural Products)
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Review

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29 pages, 8589 KiB  
Review
Drugs That Changed Society: Microtubule-Targeting Agents Belonging to Taxanoids, Macrolides and Non-Ribosomal Peptides
by Søren Brøgger Christensen
Molecules 2022, 27(17), 5648; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27175648 - 1 Sep 2022
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 3327
Abstract
During a screening performed by the National Cancer Institute in the 1960s, the terpenoid paclitaxel was discovered. Paclitaxel expanded the treatment options for breast, lung, prostate and ovarian cancer. Paclitaxel is only present in minute amounts in the bark of Taxia brevifolia. [...] Read more.
During a screening performed by the National Cancer Institute in the 1960s, the terpenoid paclitaxel was discovered. Paclitaxel expanded the treatment options for breast, lung, prostate and ovarian cancer. Paclitaxel is only present in minute amounts in the bark of Taxia brevifolia. A sustainable supply was ensured with a culture developed from Taxus chinensis, or with semi-synthesis from other taxanes. Paclitaxel is marketed under the name Taxol. An intermediate from the semi-synthesis docetaxel is also used as a drug and marketed as Taxotere. O-Methylated docetaxel is used for treatment of some paclitaxel-resistant cancer forms as cabazitaxel. The solubility problems of paclitaxel have been overcome by formulation of a nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel (NAB-paclitaxel, Abraxane). The mechanism of action is affinity towards microtubules, which prevents proliferation and consequently the drug would be expected primarily to be active towards cancer cells proliferating faster than benign cells. The activity against slowly growing tumors such as solid tumors suggests that other effects such as oncogenic signaling or cellular trafficking are involved. In addition to terpenoids, recently discovered microtubule-targeting polyketide macrolides and non-ribosomal peptides have been discovered and marketed as drugs. The revolutionary improvements for treatment of cancer diseases targeting microtubules have led to an intensive search for other compounds with the same target. Several polyketide macrolides, terpenoids and non-ribosomal peptides have been investigated and a few marketed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Benefits Assessment of Phytochemicals from Natural Products)
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15 pages, 1151 KiB  
Review
Pharmacological and Therapeutic Potential of Myristicin: A Literature Review
by Elisa Frederico Seneme, Daiane Carla dos Santos, Evelyn Marcela Rodrigues Silva, Yollanda Edwirges Moreira Franco and Giovanna Barbarini Longato
Molecules 2021, 26(19), 5914; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26195914 - 29 Sep 2021
Cited by 48 | Viewed by 8016
Abstract
Natural products have been used by humanity for many centuries to treat various illnesses and with the advancement of technology, it became possible to isolate the substances responsible for the beneficial effects of these products, as well as to understand their mechanisms. In [...] Read more.
Natural products have been used by humanity for many centuries to treat various illnesses and with the advancement of technology, it became possible to isolate the substances responsible for the beneficial effects of these products, as well as to understand their mechanisms. In this context, myristicin, a substance of natural origin, has shown several promising activities in a large number of in vitro and in vivo studies carried out. This molecule is found in plants such as nutmeg, parsley, carrots, peppers, and several species endemic to the Asian continent. The purpose of this review article is to discuss data published in the last 10 years at Pubmed, Lilacs and Scielo databases, reporting beneficial effects, toxicity and promising data of myristicin for its future use in medicine. From 94 articles found in the literature, 68 were included. Exclusion criteria took into account articles whose tested extracts did not have myristicin as one of the major compounds. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Benefits Assessment of Phytochemicals from Natural Products)
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