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Bioactive Compounds from Medicinal Plants and Plant-Based Foods: Advances and...
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Bioactive Compounds from Medicinal Plants and Plant-Based Foods: Advances and Opportunities 2.0

A special issue of Plants (ISSN 2223-7747). This special issue belongs to the section "Phytochemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 September 2023) | Viewed by 10354

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Rosa Tundis

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci, Edificio Polifunzionale, 87036 Arcavacata Rende, CS, Italy
Interests: natural products; antioxidants; chemical analysis; Mediterranean species; plant bioactivities; agro-food by-products; enzymes inhibition; functional foods
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Monica Rosa Loizzo

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, CS, Italy
Interests: food science technology; bioactives from food by-products; evaluation of shelf-life; development of functional foods
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Investigations on natural products have recently regained prominence with the increasing understanding of their biological significance and increasing recognition of the origin as well as function of their structural diversity. Medicinal plants and plant foods have always represented valuable sources of new active compounds and of potential lead compounds for the discovery of new drugs. At the same time, a great deal of evidence supports the existence of an inverse correlation between adherence to specific diets based on the consumption of fruits, vegetables, and edible plants and the occurrence of various human degenerative diseases. The focus of this Special Issue includes all aspects of natural products as potential bioactive agents for the prevention and/or treatment of degenerative diseases through the development of new drugs, functional foods, or food supplements.

Subtopics:

  • Natural products from higher plants;
  • Isolation methodologies and techniques;
  • Structural elucidation of isolated compounds using modern spectroscopic methods;
  • Biological activities of extracts and isolated compounds;
  • Molecular modeling studies and docking studies on bioactive compounds;
  • Metabolomic studies on bioactive compounds;
  • Functionalization of food with bioactives;
  • Application of biotechnology to improve the extraction of bioactives.

Prof. Dr. Rosa Tundis
Prof. Dr. Monica Rosa Loizzo
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. Plants 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

  • natural compounds
  • phytocomplex
  • medicinal plants
  • plant foods
  • supplements
  • functional foods

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (4 papers)

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24 pages, 7565 KiB  
Article
Unveiling the Cardioprotective Power: Liquid Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (LC–MS)-Analyzed Neolamarckia cadamba (Roxb.) Bosser Leaf Ethanolic Extract against Myocardial Infarction in Rats and In Silico Support Analysis
by Raghupathi Niranjan Kumar, Dsnbk Prasanth, Praisy Gladys Midthuri, Sheikh F. Ahmad, Attuluri Venkata Badarinath, Srikanth Kumar Karumanchi, Ramanjaneyulu Seemaladinne, Rahul Nalluri and Praveen Kumar Pasala
Plants 2023, 12(21), 3722; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12213722 - 30 Oct 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1779
Abstract
Neolamarckia cadamba (Roxb.) Bosser, a member of the Rubiaceae family, is a botanical species with recognized therapeutic properties. It is commonly used in traditional medicine to treat cardiac ailments and other disorders. However, the precise active constituents and the potential mechanisms by which [...] Read more.
Neolamarckia cadamba (Roxb.) Bosser, a member of the Rubiaceae family, is a botanical species with recognized therapeutic properties. It is commonly used in traditional medicine to treat cardiac ailments and other disorders. However, the precise active constituents and the potential mechanisms by which they manage cardiovascular disorders remain unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to ascertain the bioactive components and investigate their underlying mechanisms of action. N. cadamba is used to treat cardiovascular disorders using the integrated metabolomic methodology. An HPLC-QTOF-MS/MS analysis determined the potential chemicals in the N. cadamba leaf ethanol extract (NCEE). A thorough investigation of the NCEE samples used in this study led to the identification of 32 phytoconstituents. Of the 32 compounds, 19 obeyed Lipinski’s rule of five (RO5). A molecular docking study directed towards HMG-CoA reductase used 19 molecules. The reference drug atorvastatin indicated a binding energy of −3.9 kcal/mol, while the other substances, Cinchonain Ib and Dukunolide B, revealed binding energies of −5.7 and −5.3 kcal/mol, respectively. Both phytocompounds showed no toxicity and exhibited favorable pharmacokinetic properties. In vivo study results concluded that treatment with NCEE significantly reduced the cardiac myocardial infarction (MI) marker CK-MB and atherogenic risk indices, such as the atherogenic index plasma (AIP), cardiac risk ratio (CRR), and atherogenic coefficient (AC) in isoproterenol-induced MI rats. In MI rats, NCEE therapy significantly improved the antioxidant system of the heart tissue, as evidenced by the increased levels of GSH and SOD, lower levels of the oxidative stress marker MDA, and significantly decreased HMG-CoA activity. Additionally, electrocardiogram (ECG) signals from rats treated with NCEE resembled those treated with traditional atorvastatin to treat myocardial infarction. This study used H&E staining to show that administering NCEE before treatment reduced cardiac myocyte degeneration in rats with myocardial infarction, increased the presence of intact nuclei, and increased myocardial fiber strength. The potential cardioprotective effect observed in myocardial infarction (MI) rats treated with NCEE can be extrapolated from computational data to be caused by Cinchonain Ib. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Compounds from Medicinal Plants and Plant-Based Foods: Advances and Opportunities 2.0)
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19 pages, 46339 KiB  
Article
Phytochemical Composition of Combretum molle (R. Br. ex G. Don.) Engl. & Diels Leaf and Stem Extracts
by Myuri Parusnath, Yougasphree Naidoo, Moganavelli Singh, Hail Rihan and Yaser Hassan Dewir
Plants 2023, 12(8), 1702; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12081702 - 19 Apr 2023
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2784
Abstract
The demand for medicinal plants is on a rise due to their affordability, accessibility and relatively non-toxic nature. Combretum molle (Combretaceae) is used in African traditional medicine to treat a number of diseases. This study aimed to screen the phytochemical composition of the [...] Read more.
The demand for medicinal plants is on a rise due to their affordability, accessibility and relatively non-toxic nature. Combretum molle (Combretaceae) is used in African traditional medicine to treat a number of diseases. This study aimed to screen the phytochemical composition of the hexane, chloroform and methanol extracts of C. molle leaves and stems using qualitative phytochemical screening. Additionally, the study aimed to identify the functional phytochemical groups, determine the elemental composition and provide a fluorescence characterization of the powdered leaves and stems by performing Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) microanalyses and fluorescence microscopy. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, polyphenols, terpenoids, tannins, coumarins, saponins, phytosterols, gums, mucilage, carbohydrates, amino acids and proteins within all leaf and stem extracts. Lipids and fixed oils were additionally present within the methanol extracts. FTIR demonstrated significant peaks in absorption frequency in the leaf at wavelengths of 3283.18, 2917.81, 1617.72, 1318.83, 1233.97, 1032.32 and 521.38 cm−1, and in the stem at 3318.91, 1619.25, 1317.13, 1032.68, 780.86 and 516.39 cm−1. These corresponded to the functional groups of chemical compounds including alcohols, phenols, primary amines, alkyl halides, alkanes and alkyl aryl ethers, corroborating the presence of the detected phytochemicals within the plant. EDX microanalyses showed the elemental composition of the powdered leaves (68.44% C, 26.72% O, 1.87% Ca, 0.96% Cl, 0.93% Mg, 0.71% K, 0.13% Na, 0.12 % Mn and 0.10% Rb) and stems (54.92% C, 42.86% O, 1.7% Ca, 0.43% Mg and 0.09% Mn). Fluorescence microscopy provided a characteristic evaluation of the plant in its powdered form and revealed distinct colour changes in the material when treated with various reagents and viewed under ultraviolet light. In conclusion, the phytochemical constituents of the leaves and stems of C. molle confirm the suitability of this species for use in traditional medicine. The findings from this study suggest the need to validate the use of C. molle in the development of modern medicines. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Compounds from Medicinal Plants and Plant-Based Foods: Advances and Opportunities 2.0)
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10 pages, 674 KiB  
Article
LC–HRMS for the Identification of Quercetin and Its Derivatives in Spiraea hypericifolia (Rosaceae) and Anatomical Features of Its Leaves
by Natalia V. Petrova, Alexander A. Chernonosov, Vladimir V. Koval, Valeriya Yu. Andreeva, Andrey S. Erst, Alexander A. Kuznetsov, Maxim S. Kulikovskiy, Wei Wang, Sheng-Xiang Yu and Vera A. Kostikova
Plants 2023, 12(2), 381; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12020381 - 13 Jan 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2257
Abstract
Spiraea hypericifolia L. is affiliated with the section Chamaedryon Ser. of the genus Spiraea L. (Rosaceae). Similar to many other Spiraea species, S. hypericifolia most often accumulates flavonols among other flavonoids, in particular quercetin and its derivatives. An ethanol–water extract from the [...] Read more.
Spiraea hypericifolia L. is affiliated with the section Chamaedryon Ser. of the genus Spiraea L. (Rosaceae). Similar to many other Spiraea species, S. hypericifolia most often accumulates flavonols among other flavonoids, in particular quercetin and its derivatives. An ethanol–water extract from the aerial part of S. hypericifolia collected in the vicinity of the Ilyichovo settlement (Krasnoyarsk Krai, Russia) was analyzed by liquid chromatography with high-resolution mass spectrometry. Primary and secondary metabolites were found in the extract; structural interpretation consistent with quercetin and its derivatives was proposed for 10 of them. Major compounds were various glycosides of quercetin containing glucose (four compounds), galactose (one compound), xylose (two compounds), arabinose (one compound), or rutinose (one compound) as a carbohydrate residue. Isorhamnetin and 3-O-methylquercetin-3′-O-β-D-glucopyranoside were identified among methyl-containing compounds. The latter compound and reynoutrin, rhamnetin-3-O-β-D-xylopyranosyl-β-D-glucopyranoside, and quercetin-3-O-(6″-O-malonyl)-β-D-glucoside have not been previously found in S. hypericifolia. Data on the presence of quercetin and its derivatives in the extract of S. hypericifolia expand the understanding of the possible practical use of this plant. In addition, the microscopic features of S. hypericifolia leaves were studied. The diagnostic features of the leaf blade necessary for the authentication of raw materials were revealed: straight-walled epidermis cells, stomata located on both sides of the leaf blade (amphistomatic type), two types of trichomes, and wrinkled cuticula with nodi. The main anatomical diagnostic features of the leaves of S. hypericifolia were determined, which makes it possible to assess the authenticity of the raw material. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Compounds from Medicinal Plants and Plant-Based Foods: Advances and Opportunities 2.0)
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20 pages, 2830 KiB  
Systematic Review
Sanguisorba minor Scop.: An Overview of Its Phytochemistry and Biological Effects
by Alexandra Cristina Tocai (Moţoc), Tijana Kokeric, Septimiu Tripon, Lucian Barbu-Tudoran, Ana Barjaktarevic, Snezana Cupara and Simona Ioana Vicas
Plants 2023, 12(11), 2128; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12112128 - 27 May 2023
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2802
Abstract
Since ancient times, many plants have been cultivated for their nutritional and medicinal properties. The genus Sanguisorba has been used for medicinal purposes for more than 2000 years. These species are distributed in temperate, arctic, or alpine areas in the Northern Hemisphere. Elongated, [...] Read more.
Since ancient times, many plants have been cultivated for their nutritional and medicinal properties. The genus Sanguisorba has been used for medicinal purposes for more than 2000 years. These species are distributed in temperate, arctic, or alpine areas in the Northern Hemisphere. Elongated, imparipinnate leaves and densely clustered flower heads are characteristics of the genus Sanguisorba. While Sanguisorba officinalis L. is mainly known for its significant medicinal applications, Sanguisorba minor Scop. is beginning to attract greater interest for its chemical composition and biological effects. Our research collected extensive information on Sanguisorba minor, including its history, taxonomy, habitat, and distribution, as well as its bioactive components and biological activities. In addition to electron microscopy of plant parts (root, stems, and leaves), which is described for the first time in the literature in the case of S. minor, the study also provides information on potential pests or beneficial insects that may be present. Our goal was to provide important information that will serve as a solid foundation for upcoming research on Sanguisorba minor Scop. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Compounds from Medicinal Plants and Plant-Based Foods: Advances and Opportunities 2.0)
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