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Pharmaceuticals
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Botanicals: Bioactive Molecules and Therapeutic Properties for Human Health 2023
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Botanicals: Bioactive Molecules and Therapeutic Properties for Human Health 2023

A special issue of Pharmaceuticals (ISSN 1424-8247). This special issue belongs to the section "Natural Products".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 December 2024 | Viewed by 15418

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Sabesan Yoganathan

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, St. John's University, 8000 Utopia Parkway, Queens, NY 11439, USA
Interests: natural products chemistry; bioactive secondary metabolites; organic synthesis; medicinal chemistry; anticancer agents; antibacterial agents; peptide natural products; bioactive heterocycles; siderophores; polyphenols
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Leonard Barasa

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
Interests: natural product drug discovery; bioactive plant metabolites; chemical synthesis; medicinal chemistry; anticancer/antibacterial drugs; bioactive heterocycles; inflammatory drug discovery

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Historically, phytochemicals and their structural derivatives have played a major role in treating many illnesses. Secondary metabolites from plants exhibit a wide range of health benefits and have led to the development of various therapeutic agents and nutraceutical formulations. Modern scientific methods enable scientists to identify, and quantify the active components found in various medicinal plants and herbal remedies. Moreover, analytical techniques are useful for the isolation and structure determination of these low-molecular-weight medicinal phytochemicals. Phytochemicals are structurally fascinating, and scientists show great interest in better understanding their medicinal properties. Once the bioactive components in plant materials have been identified, these natural compounds and their structural analogs can be further developed into therapeutically promising leads. Chemical and biological approaches allow scientists to investigate the chemical diversity and medicinal properties of phytochemicals. Additionally, medicinal chemists utilize various approaches, including chemical synthesis, molecular modeling, and structure-based drug design to improve the physiochemical properties, desired bioactivity, and in vivo metabolism of drug leads. Medicinal chemistry research also provides new knowledge about the mode of action of drug leads. This Special Issue aims to highlight the discovery of novel and medicinally important botanicals, and scientific approaches available to uncover new plant metabolites and their analogs with therapeutic potential. For this Special Issue, we are inviting research articles on the following topics: (a) isolation of new structural classes of botanicals; (b) chemical synthesis of botanicals and their derivatives; and (c) medicinal chemistry and biological evaluation of botanicals. We are also extending the invitation to experts from the above-mentioned areas of research to contribute review articles to this Special Issue.

Dr. Sabesan Yoganathan
Dr. Leonard Barasa
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. Pharmaceuticals is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly 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 2900 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

  • isolation/characterization of plant metabolites
  • biosynthesis of medicinal botanicals
  • chemical synthesis of botanicals, biological activity screening of botanicals
  • medicinal chemistry evaluation of botanicals
  • application of computational methods to study bioactive botanicals
  • phytochemical-derived drug leads

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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19 pages, 13366 KiB  
Article
Isolation of Alpha-Glucosidase Inhibitors from the Panamanian Mangrove Plant Mora oleifera (Triana ex Hemsl.) Ducke
by Lilia Cherigo, Javier Liao-Luo, Juan Fernández and Sergio Martínez-Luis
Pharmaceuticals 2024, 17(7), 890; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph17070890 - 4 Jul 2024
Viewed by 925
Abstract
Panama boasts an expansive mangrove area and stands as one of the most biodiverse countries in America. While mangrove plants have long been utilized in traditional medicine, there are still unstudied species whose potential medicinal applications remain unknown. This study aimed to extract [...] Read more.
Panama boasts an expansive mangrove area and stands as one of the most biodiverse countries in America. While mangrove plants have long been utilized in traditional medicine, there are still unstudied species whose potential medicinal applications remain unknown. This study aimed to extract bioactive compounds from Mora oleifera (Triana ex Hemsl.) Ducke, an understudied mangrove species. Through bioassay-guided fractionation of the crude extract, we isolated seven active compounds identified as lupenone (1), lupeol (2), α-amyrin (3), β-amyrin (4), palmitic acid (5), sitosterol (6), and stigmasterol (7). Compound structures were determined using spectroscopic analyses, including APCI-HR-MS and NMR. Compounds 1–7 displayed concentration-dependent inhibition of the alpha-glucosidase enzyme, with IC50 values of 0.72, 1.05, 2.13, 1.22, 240.20, 18.70, and 163.10 µM, respectively. Their inhibitory activity surpassed acarbose, the positive control (IC50 241.6 µM). Kinetic analysis revealed that all compounds acted as competitive inhibitors. Docking analysis predicted that all triterpenes bonded to the same site as acarbose in human intestinal alpha-glucosidase (PDB: 3TOP). A complementary metabolomic analysis of M. oleifera active fractions revealed the presence of 64 compounds, shedding new light on the plant’s chemical composition. These findings suggest that M. oleifera holds promise as a valuable botanical source for developing compounds for managing blood sugar levels in individuals with diabetes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Botanicals: Bioactive Molecules and Therapeutic Properties for Human Health 2023)
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13 pages, 1174 KiB  
Article
Exploring the Clinical Applications of Lemongrass Essential Oil: A Scoping Review
by Ikhwan Yuda Kusuma, Muhammad Iqbal Perdana, Csaba Vágvölgyi, Dezső Csupor and Miklós Takó
Pharmaceuticals 2024, 17(2), 159; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph17020159 - 25 Jan 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 5310
Abstract
Lemongrass is a medicinal plant that produces essential oil with a variety of therapeutic properties. Although lemongrass essential oil (LGEO) is promising in clinical applications, the existing knowledge on the efficacy and safety of LGEO remains limited. This scoping review aimed to identify, [...] Read more.
Lemongrass is a medicinal plant that produces essential oil with a variety of therapeutic properties. Although lemongrass essential oil (LGEO) is promising in clinical applications, the existing knowledge on the efficacy and safety of LGEO remains limited. This scoping review aimed to identify, summarize, and synthesize existing literature related to the clinical applications of LGEO to provide an overview of its potential therapeutic benefits for patients. Three databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus) were used following the PRISMA-ScR guidelines to find articles published between 1 January 2013, and 1 November 2022. A total of 671 records were identified and 8 articles were included in this scoping review. The majority of patients received oromucosal and topical treatment. The results of the studies suggest that LGEO might be a useful tool in the treatment of periodontitis, gingivitis and oral malodour, with similar efficacy to chlorhexidine (anti-gingivitis effect) and doxycycline (periodontitis). Additionally, LGEO has the potential for treating pityriasis versicolor and preventing skin aging and may have anti-dandruff effects. These findings not only underscore the diverse clinical potential of LGEO but also emphasize its comparable efficacy to established treatments. Further research is imperative to comprehensively evaluate LGEO’s effectiveness, safety, mechanisms of action, potential interactions with other medications, and its long-term tolerability across diverse populations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Botanicals: Bioactive Molecules and Therapeutic Properties for Human Health 2023)
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15 pages, 3476 KiB  
Article
Phytochemical Investigation of Lepionurus sylvestris Blume and Their Anti-Diabetes Effects via Anti-Alpha Glucosidase and Insulin Secretagogue Activities Plus Molecular Docking
by Sathianpong Phoopha, Surat Sangkaew, Chatchai Wattanapiromsakul, Wanlapa Nuankaew, Tong Ho Kang and Sukanya Dej-adisai
Pharmaceuticals 2023, 16(8), 1132; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph16081132 - 10 Aug 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1636
Abstract
This study presents a phytochemical investigation of Lepionurus sylvestris leaf extracts and their anti-diabetic activities. Traditionally, L. sylvestris leaves were used as vegetables and food in local recipes, but the root extracts of the plant can also be used in body tonic and [...] Read more.
This study presents a phytochemical investigation of Lepionurus sylvestris leaf extracts and their anti-diabetic activities. Traditionally, L. sylvestris leaves were used as vegetables and food in local recipes, but the root extracts of the plant can also be used in body tonic and erectile dysfunction treatments. Following a preliminary anti-diabetic activity screening test, the 80% ethanolic leaf extract exhibited potent anti-alpha glucosidase activity. So, the leaves’ active components were selected for further investigation. Firstly, the plant was extracted via maceration using lower to higher polarity solvents such as hexane, ethyl acetate, ethanol, and water, respectively, to obtain the four crude extracts. Then, the phytochemicals contained in this plant were investigated via classical column chromatography and spectroscopy techniques. Anti-diabetic activity was evaluated via anti-alpha glucosidase and insulin secretagogue assays. The results showed that five compounds were isolated from the fractionated ethanolic leaf extract: interruptin A; interruptin C; ergosterol; diglycerol; and 15-16-epoxy-neo-cleoda-3,7(20),13(16),14-tetraene-12,17:18,19-diolide, a new diterpene derivative which is herein referred to as lepionurodiolide. Interruptin A and the new diterpene derivative exhibited the greatest effect on anti-alpha glucosidase activity, showing IC50 values of 293.05 and 203.71 μg/mL, respectively. Then, molecular docking was used to study the sites of action of these compounds. The results showed that interruptin A and the new compound interacted through H-bonds with the GLN279 residue, with a binding energy of −9.8 kcal/mol, whereas interruptin A and C interacted with HIS280 and ARG315 a with binding energy of −10.2 kcal/mol. Moreover, the extracts were investigated for their toxicity toward human cancer cells, and a zebrafish embryonic toxicity model was used to determine herbal drug safety. The results indicated that ethyl acetate and hexane extracts showed cytotoxicity to both Hela cells and human breast adenocarcinomas (MCF-7), which was related to the results derived from using the zebrafish embryonic toxicity model. The hexane and ethyl acetate presented LC50 values of 33.25 and 36.55 μg/mL, respectively, whereas the ethanol and water extracts did not show embryonic toxicity. This study is the first of its kind to report on the chemical constituents and anti-diabetic activity of L. sylvestris, the leaf extract of which has been traditionally used in southern Thailand as a herbal medicine and food ingredient. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Botanicals: Bioactive Molecules and Therapeutic Properties for Human Health 2023)
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Review

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17 pages, 3185 KiB  
Review
Phytosterols and the Digestive System: A Review Study from Insights into Their Potential Health Benefits and Safety
by Edyta Miszczuk, Andrzej Bajguz, Łukasz Kiraga, Kijan Crowley and Magdalena Chłopecka
Pharmaceuticals 2024, 17(5), 557; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph17050557 - 26 Apr 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2684
Abstract
Phytosterols are a large group of substances belonging to sterols—compounds naturally occurring in the tissues of plants, animals, and humans. The most well-known animal sterol is cholesterol. Among phytosterols, the most significant compounds are β-sitosterol, stigmasterol, and campesterol. At present, they are mainly [...] Read more.
Phytosterols are a large group of substances belonging to sterols—compounds naturally occurring in the tissues of plants, animals, and humans. The most well-known animal sterol is cholesterol. Among phytosterols, the most significant compounds are β-sitosterol, stigmasterol, and campesterol. At present, they are mainly employed in functional food products designed to counteract cardiovascular disorders by lowering levels of ‘bad’ cholesterol, which stands as their most extensively studied purpose. It is currently understood that phytosterols may also alleviate conditions associated with the gastrointestinal system. Their beneficial pharmacological properties in relation to gastrointestinal tract include anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective activity. Also, the anti-cancer properties as well as the impact on the gut microbiome could be a very interesting area of research, which might potentially lead to the discovery of their new application. This article provides consolidated knowledge on a new potential use of phytosterols, namely the treatment or prevention of gastrointestinal diseases. The cited studies indicate high therapeutic efficacy in conditions such as peptic ulcer disease, IBD or liver failure caused by hepatotoxic xenobiotics, however, these are mainly in vitro or in vivo studies. Nevertheless, studies to date indicate their therapeutic potential as adjunctive treatments to conventional therapies, which often exhibit unsatisfactory efficacy or serious side effects. Unfortunately, at this point there is a lack of significant clinical study data to use phytosterols in clinical practice in this area. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Botanicals: Bioactive Molecules and Therapeutic Properties for Human Health 2023)
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19 pages, 2855 KiB  
Review
The Role of Natural Flavonoids as Telomerase Inhibitors in Suppressing Cancer Growth
by Neel Parekh, Ashish Garg, Renuka Choudhary, Madhu Gupta, Ginpreet Kaur, Seema Ramniwas, Moyad Shahwan, Hardeep Singh Tuli and Gautam Sethi
Pharmaceuticals 2023, 16(4), 605; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph16040605 - 17 Apr 2023
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3543
Abstract
Cancer is a complex and multifaceted group of diseases characterized by the uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells. While cancer can be challenging and life-altering, advances in research and development have led to the identification of new promising anti-cancer targets. Telomerase is [...] Read more.
Cancer is a complex and multifaceted group of diseases characterized by the uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells. While cancer can be challenging and life-altering, advances in research and development have led to the identification of new promising anti-cancer targets. Telomerase is one such target that is overexpressed in almost all cancer cells and plays a critical role in maintaining telomere length, which is essential for cell proliferation and survival. Inhibiting telomerase activity can lead to telomere shortening and eventual cell death, thus presenting itself as a potential target for cancer therapy. Naturally occurring flavonoids are a class of compounds that have already been shown to possess different biological properties, including the anti-cancer property. They are present in various everyday food sources and richly present in fruits, nuts, soybeans, vegetables, tea, wine, and berries, to name a few. Thus, these flavonoids could inhibit or deactivate telomerase expression in cancer cells by different mechanisms, which include inhibiting the expression of hTERT, mRNA, protein, and nuclear translocation, inhibiting the binding of transcription factors to hTERT promoters, and even telomere shortening. Numerous cell line studies and in vivo experiments have supported this hypothesis, and this development could serve as a vital and innovative therapeutic option for cancer. In this light, we aim to elucidate the role of telomerase as a potential anti-cancer target. Subsequently, we have illustrated that how commonly found natural flavonoids demonstrate their anti-cancer activity via telomerase inactivation in different cancer types, thus proving the potential of these naturally occurring flavonoids as useful therapeutic agents. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Botanicals: Bioactive Molecules and Therapeutic Properties for Human Health 2023)
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