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Nutritional Regulation of Plant Extracts on Human Health
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Nutritional Regulation of Plant Extracts on Human Health

A special issue of Nutrients (ISSN 2072-6643). This special issue belongs to the section "Phytochemicals and Human Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (5 October 2024) | Viewed by 10798

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Francesca Bosco

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Guest Editor
Department of Health Sciences, Institute of Research for Food Safety and Health (IRC-FSH), University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
Interests: neuroinflammation; neurodegeneration; nutraceuticals; cognitive impairment; natural compounds
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue, entitled "Nutritional Regulation of Plant Extracts on Human Health," focuses on the impact of plant extracts on human health. Recent references and studies have concluded that the nutritional regulation of plant extracts has a protective role in the development of several human diseases. In addition, it has been reported that the use of antioxidant supplements derived from plant extracts improves the prognosis of some chronic diseases, and their co-administration with some drugs is often synergistic, increasing their therapeutic benefits. Therefore, plant-extract-based nutritional intervention can play a key role in human health.

Dr. Francesca Bosco
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • nutritional regulation and health
  • disease amelioration
  • herbal medicines
  • natural products
  • plant extracts
  • human health
  • antioxidants
  • phytochemicals
  • molecular mechanisms

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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14 pages, 3746 KiB  
Article
Proanthocyanidins and Phenolic Compounds from the Twigs of Salix chaenomeloides and Their Anti-Lipogenic Effects on 3T3-L1 Preadipocytes
by Kyung Ah Kim, Nguyen Khoi Song Tran, Jiwon Baek, Soah Lee, Ki Sung Kang and Ki Hyun Kim
Nutrients 2024, 16(7), 1036; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16071036 - 2 Apr 2024
Viewed by 1578
Abstract
The present study investigated potential bioactive natural products from the EtOH extract of Salix chaenomeloides twigs using column chromatography, leading to the isolation of six compounds (1–6), which were characterized as two proanthocyanidins, procyanidin B2 (1) [...] Read more.
The present study investigated potential bioactive natural products from the EtOH extract of Salix chaenomeloides twigs using column chromatography, leading to the isolation of six compounds (1–6), which were characterized as two proanthocyanidins, procyanidin B2 (1) and procyanidin B1 (2), and four phenolic compounds, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid β-D-glucosyl ester (3), di-O-methylcrenatin (4), p-coumaric acid glucoside (5), and syringin (6) by the comparison of their NMR spectra with the reported data and high-resolution (HR)-electrospray ionization mass spectroscopy (ESI-MS) analysis. We investigated the potential of six compounds (1–6) to inhibit adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes, which showed that the compounds (1–6) significantly reduced lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes without affecting cell proliferation. Notably, compound 1 demonstrated a remarkable 60% and 90% reduction in lipid levels with 50 and 100 µM treatments, respectively. Oil Red O staining results indicated that compound 1 significantly inhibits the formation of lipid droplets, comparable to the effect of T863, an inhibitor of triglyceride used as a positive control, in adipocytes. Compound 1 had no effect on the regulators PPARγ, C/EBPα, and SREBF1 of adipocyte differentiation in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes, but compound 1 activated the fatty acid oxidation regulator, PPARα, compared to the lipogenic-induced control. It also suppressed fatty acid synthesis by downregulating the expression of fatty acid synthase (FAS). Finally, compound 1 induced the mRNA and protein levels of CPT1A, an initial marker of mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation in 3T3-L1. This finding substantiates the anti-lipogenic and lipolytic effects of procyanidin B2 (1) in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes, emphasizing its pivotal role in modulating obesity-related markers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutritional Regulation of Plant Extracts on Human Health)
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13 pages, 5159 KiB  
Article
Exploring the Anti-Diabetic Potential of Quercetagitrin through Dual Inhibition of PTPN6 and PTPN9
by Geetanjali B. Gone, Geonhui Go, Gibeom Nam, Woojoo Jeong, Hyemin Kim, Soah Lee and Sang J. Chung
Nutrients 2024, 16(5), 647; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16050647 - 25 Feb 2024
Viewed by 1645
Abstract
Protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) are pivotal contributors to the development of type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Hence, directing interventions towards PTPs emerges as a valuable therapeutic approach for managing type 2 diabetes. In particular, PTPN6 and PTPN9 are targets for anti-diabetic effects. Through high-throughput [...] Read more.
Protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) are pivotal contributors to the development of type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Hence, directing interventions towards PTPs emerges as a valuable therapeutic approach for managing type 2 diabetes. In particular, PTPN6 and PTPN9 are targets for anti-diabetic effects. Through high-throughput drug screening, quercetagitrin (QG) was recognized as a dual-target inhibitor of PTPN6 and PTPN9. We observed that QG suppressed the catalytic activity of PTPN6 (IC50 = 1 μM) and PTPN9 (IC50 = 1.7 μM) in vitro and enhanced glucose uptake by mature C2C12 myoblasts. Additionally, QG increased the phosphorylation of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and insulin-dependent phosphorylation of Akt in mature C2C12 myoblasts. It further promoted the phosphorylation of Akt in the presence of palmitic acid, suggesting the attenuation of insulin resistance. In summary, our results indicate QG’s role as a potent inhibitor targeting both PTPN6 and PTPN9, showcasing its potential as a promising treatment avenue for T2DM. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutritional Regulation of Plant Extracts on Human Health)
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14 pages, 3246 KiB  
Article
Anti-Fibrosis Effect of Panax ginseng and Inula japonica Formula in Human Pulmonary Fibroblasts
by YeonGyun Jung, Nam-Hui Yim, Sang Myung Lee, Won-Kyung Cho, Min Ho Cha and Jin Yeul Ma
Nutrients 2024, 16(2), 319; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16020319 - 22 Jan 2024
Viewed by 2110
Abstract
Panax ginseng Meyer and Inula japonica Thunb. are well established in traditional medicine and are known for their therapeutic properties in managing a range of ailments such as diabetes, asthma, and cancer. Although P. ginseng and I. japonica can alleviate pulmonary fibrosis (PF), the anti-fibrosis [...] Read more.
Panax ginseng Meyer and Inula japonica Thunb. are well established in traditional medicine and are known for their therapeutic properties in managing a range of ailments such as diabetes, asthma, and cancer. Although P. ginseng and I. japonica can alleviate pulmonary fibrosis (PF), the anti-fibrosis effect on PF by the combination of two herbal medicines remains unexplored. Therefore, this study explores this combined effect. In conditions that were not cytotoxic, MRC-5 cells underwent treatment using the formula combining P. ginseng and I. japonica (ISE081), followed by stimulation with transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, to explore the fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transition (FMT). After harvesting the cells, mRNA levels and protein expressions associated with inflammation and FMT-related markers were determined to evaluate the antiinflammation activities and antifibrosis effect of ISE081. Additionally, the anti-migratory effects of ISE081 were validated through a wound-healing assay. ISE081 remarkably reduced the mRNA levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, α-smooth muscle actin (SMA), and TGF-β1 in MRC-5 cells and suppressed the α-SMA and fibronectin expressions, respectively. Furthermore, ISE081 inhibited Smad2/3 phosphorylation and wound migration of MRC-5 cells. Under the same conditions, comparing those of ISE081, P. ginseng did not affect the expression of α-SMA, fibronectin, and Smad2/3 phosphorylation, whereas I. japonica significantly inhibited them but with cytotoxicity. The results indicate that the synergistic application of P. ginseng and I. japonica enhances the anti-fibrotic properties in pulmonary fibroblasts and concurrently diminishes toxicity. Therefore, ISE081 has the potential as a prevention and treatment herbal medicine for PF. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutritional Regulation of Plant Extracts on Human Health)
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12 pages, 4781 KiB  
Article
Hypotensive and Vasorelaxant Effects of Sanguisorbae Radix Ethanol Extract in Spontaneously Hypertensive and Sprague Dawley Rats
by Jaesung Jung, Sujin Shin, Junkyu Park, Kyungjin Lee and Ho-Young Choi
Nutrients 2023, 15(21), 4510; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15214510 - 24 Oct 2023
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1347
Abstract
Hypertension requires proper management because of the increased risk of cardiovascular disease and death. For this purpose, functional foods containing tannins have been considered an effective treatment. Sanguisorbae radix (SR) also contains various tannins; however, there have been no studies on its vasorelaxant [...] Read more.
Hypertension requires proper management because of the increased risk of cardiovascular disease and death. For this purpose, functional foods containing tannins have been considered an effective treatment. Sanguisorbae radix (SR) also contains various tannins; however, there have been no studies on its vasorelaxant or antihypertensive effects. In this study, the vasorelaxant effect of the ethanol extract of SR (SRE) was investigated in the thoracic aorta of Sprague Dawley rats. SRE (1, 3, 10, 30, and 100 μg/mL) showed this effect in a dose-dependent manner, and its mechanisms were related to the NO/cGMP pathway and voltage-gated K+ channels. Concentrations of 300 and 1000 μg/mL blocked the influx of extracellular Ca2+ and inhibited vasoconstriction. Moreover, 100 μg/mL of SRE showed a relaxing effect on blood vessels constricted by angiotensin II. The hypotensive effect of SRE was investigated in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) using the tail-cuff method. Blood pressure significantly decreased 4 and 8 h after 1000 mg/kg of SRE administration. Considering these hypotensive effects and the vasorelaxant mechanisms of SRE, our findings suggests that SRE can be used as a functional food to prevent and treat hypertension. Further studies are needed for identifying the active components and determining the optimal dosage. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutritional Regulation of Plant Extracts on Human Health)
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18 pages, 3843 KiB  
Article
A Naturally Derived Watercress Flower-Based Phenethyl Isothiocyanate-Enriched Extract Induces the Activation of Intrinsic Apoptosis via Subcellular Ultrastructural and Ca2+ Efflux Alterations in an In Vitro Model of Human Malignant Melanoma
by Sotiris Kyriakou, Louiza Potamiti, Nikoletta Demosthenous, Tom Amery, Kyle Stewart, Paul G. Winyard, Rodrigo Franco, Aglaia Pappa and Mihalis I. Panayiotidis
Nutrients 2023, 15(18), 4044; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15184044 - 18 Sep 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2023
Abstract
The aim of the current study was to (i) extract isolated fractions of watercress flowers enriched in polyphenols, phenethyl isothiocyanate and glucosinolates and (ii) characterize the anticancer mode of action of non-lethal, sub-lethal and lethal concentrations of the most potent extract fraction in [...] Read more.
The aim of the current study was to (i) extract isolated fractions of watercress flowers enriched in polyphenols, phenethyl isothiocyanate and glucosinolates and (ii) characterize the anticancer mode of action of non-lethal, sub-lethal and lethal concentrations of the most potent extract fraction in primary (A375) and metastatic (COLO-679) melanoma cells as well as non-tumorigenic immortalized keratinocyte (HaCaT) cells. Cytotoxicity was assessed via the Alamar Blue assay, whereas ultrastructural alterations in mitochondria and the endoplasmic reticulum were determined via transmission electron microscopy. Mitochondrial membrane depolarization was determined using Mito-MP dye, whereas apoptosis was evaluated through the activation of caspases-3, -8 and -9. Among all extract fractions, the phenethyl isothiocyanate-enriched one (PhEF) possessed significant cytotoxicity against A375 and COLO-679 cells, while HaCaT cells remained relatively resistant at sub-lethal and lethal concentrations. Additionally, ultrastructural subcellular alterations associated with apoptosis were observed by means of increased mitochondrial area and perimeter, decreased cristae density and a shorter distance of the endoplasmic reticulum to the mitochondria, all taking place during “early” time points (2–4 h) of exposure. Moreover, PhEF induced mitochondrial membrane depolarization associated with “late” time points (24 h) of exposure, thereby leading to the activation of intrinsic apoptosis. Finally, the inhibition of cytosolic Ca2+ efflux reduced levels of caspases-9 and -3 activity, suggesting the involvement of Ca2+ efflux in modulating the activation of intrinsic apoptosis. To conclude, our data demonstrate an association of “early” ultrastructural alterations in mitochondria and the endoplasmic reticulum with the “late” induction of intrinsic apoptosis via the modulation of Ca2+ efflux. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutritional Regulation of Plant Extracts on Human Health)
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Review

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24 pages, 3554 KiB  
Review
Potential Neuroprotective Effects of Alpinia officinarum Hance (Galangal): A Review
by Izzat Zulhilmi Abd Rahman, Siti Hajar Adam, Adila A. Hamid, Mohd Helmy Mokhtar, Ruslinda Mustafar, Mohd Izhar Ariff Mohd Kashim, Ami Febriza and Nur Izzati Mansor
Nutrients 2024, 16(19), 3378; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16193378 - 4 Oct 2024
Viewed by 1222
Abstract
Background/Objectives: This review aims to provide a detailed understanding of the current evidence on Alpinia officinarum Hance (A. officinarum) and its potential therapeutic role in central nervous system (CNS) disorders. CNS disorders encompass a wide range of disorders affecting the brain [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: This review aims to provide a detailed understanding of the current evidence on Alpinia officinarum Hance (A. officinarum) and its potential therapeutic role in central nervous system (CNS) disorders. CNS disorders encompass a wide range of disorders affecting the brain and spinal cord, leading to various neurological, cognitive and psychiatric impairments. In recent years, natural products have emerged as potential neuroprotective agents for the treatment of CNS disorders due to their outstanding bioactivity and favourable safety profile. One such plant is A. officinarum, also known as lesser galangal, a perennial herb from the Zingiberaceae family. Its phytochemical compounds such as flavonoids and phenols have been documented to have a powerful antioxidants effect, capable of scavenging free radicals and preventing oxidative damage. Methods: In this review, we critically evaluate the in vitro and in vivo studies and examine the mechanisms by which A. officinarum exerts its neuroprotective effect. Results: Several studies have confirmed that A. officinarum exerts its neuroprotective effects by reducing oxidative stress and cell apoptosis, promoting neurite outgrowth, and modulating neurotransmitter levels and signalling pathways. Conclusions: Although previous studies have shown promising results in various models of neurological disorders, the underlying mechanisms of A. officinarum in Alzheimer’s (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD) are still poorly understood. Further studies on brain tissue and cognitive and motor functions in animal models of AD and PD are needed to validate the results observed in in vitro studies. In addition, further clinical studies are needed to confirm the safety and efficacy of A. officinarum in CNS disorders. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutritional Regulation of Plant Extracts on Human Health)
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