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Involvement of Medicinal Plants and Food in the Molecular Mechanisms of Disease Prevention

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A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Bioactives and Nutraceuticals".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2022) | Viewed by 24440

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Raffaele Capasso

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Guest Editor

Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80055 Portici, Italy
Interests: pharmacology; natural products; neurotransmission; behavioral pharmacology; experimental pharmacology; preclinical pharmacology; CB1 receptor; PPARs; cannabinoids; endocannabinoids; CB2 receptor
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Maria Grazia Ferraro

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Guest Editor

Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
Interests: biological characterization of a new class of ruthenium-containing nucleolipidic liposomes; design edaspotential chemotherapeutic agents for breast cancer treatment both in vitro and in vivo (xenograft model); preclinical evaluation of nutraceutical formulations and medicinal plants; molecular investigations related to iron homeostasis in different physio-pathological conditions, such as hepaticsteatosis, Alzheimer'sdisease, viralinfection and cancer
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Dietary habits are recognized as important for the well-being, longevity and prevention of various diseases. Healthy food lifestyles, such as the Mediterranean diet, are characterized by several beneficial bioactive components which include, in addition to the classic long-chain fatty acids, the antioxidant polyphenols, as well as a huge mass of new phytochemicals that spread throughout the kingdom vegetable, from fruit and its drinks, to whole grains, legumes and spices.

In addition to nutrition, medicinal plants also contribute to the prevention of various chronic and non-chronic diseases, just think of ginseng, valerian, arnica, licorice, garlic, turmeric, milk thistle, etc.

In addition, medicinal plants have always been used for the prevention of diseases and in recent years their interest and their use has increased significantly, and researchers have also invested heavily in identifying new pharmacological properties.

This Special Issue welcomes the submission of either original research manuscripts or reviews of the scientific literature, concerning biological properties of medicinal plants and new and classical dietary bioactive compounds, nutraceutical or functional food in different clinical and experimental settings of disease, focusing on potential molecular mechanisms.

PS: It is necessary to clarify the exact functional ingredient in the research paper.

This special issue has a joint issue with CIMB, papers on extraction please consider this journal. (https://0-www-mdpi-com.brum.beds.ac.uk/journal/cimb/special_issues/medicinal_plants_food_cimb)

Prof. Dr. Raffaele Capasso
Dr. Maria Ferraro
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. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. There is an Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal. For details about the APC please see here. 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

medicinal plants
food
biological activity
plant side effects
pharmacological interactions
nutraceutical
microbiome
vitamins
metabolism
gastrointestinal disorders
medical use
cancer

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

Jump to: Review

13 pages, 3359 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Chebulinic Acid Suppresses Adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 Preadipocytes by Inhibiting PPP1CB Activity

by Jinsoo Kim, Dohee Ahn and Sang J. Chung

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(2), 865; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijms23020865 - 13 Jan 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2404

Abstract

Depletion of protein phosphatase-1 catalytic subunit beta (PPP1CB), a serine/threonine protein phosphatase and potent adipogenic activator, suppresses the differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes into mature adipocytes. Therefore, PPP1CB is considered as a potential therapeutic target for obesity. We screened 1033 natural products for PPP1CB inhibitors and identified chebulinic acid, which is abundantly present in the seeds of Euphoria longana and fruits of Terminalia chebula. Chebulinic acid strongly inhibited the hydrolysis of 6,8-difluoro-4-methylumbelliferyl phosphate by PPP1CB (IC₅₀ = 300 nM) and demonstrated potent antiadipogenic effects in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes in a concentration-dependent manner. Additional studies have demonstrated that chebulinic acid suppresses early differentiation by downregulating key transcription factors that control adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells. These results suggested that chebulinic acid may be a potential therapeutic agent for treating obesity by inhibiting PPP1CB activity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Involvement of Medicinal Plants and Food in the Molecular Mechanisms of Disease Prevention)

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18 pages, 3102 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Mori Ramulus Suppresses Hydrogen Peroxide-Induced Oxidative Damage in Murine Myoblast C2C12 Cells through Activation of AMPK

by Cheol Park, Seon Yeong Ji, Hyesook Lee, Sung Hyun Choi, Chan-Young Kwon, So Young Kim, Eun Tag Lee, Sung Tae Choo, Gi-Young Kim, Yung Hyun Choi and Mi Ryeo Kim

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(21), 11729; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijms222111729 - 29 Oct 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2923

Abstract

Mori Ramulus, the dried twigs of Morus alba L., has been attracting attention for its potent antioxidant activity, but its role in muscle cells has not yet been elucidated. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the protective effect of aqueous extracts of Mori Ramulus (AEMR) against oxidative stress caused by hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) in C2C12 mouse myoblasts, and in dexamethasone (DEX)-induced muscle atrophied models. Our results showed that AEMR rescued H₂O₂-induced cell viability loss and the collapse of the mitochondria membrane potential. AEMR was also able to activate AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) in H₂O₂-treated C2C12 cells, whereas compound C, a pharmacological inhibitor of AMPK, blocked the protective effects of AEMR. In addition, H₂O₂-triggered DNA damage was markedly attenuated in the presence of AEMR, which was associated with the inhibition of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Further studies showed that AEMR inhibited cytochrome c release from mitochondria into the cytoplasm, and Bcl-2 suppression and Bax activation induced by H₂O₂. Furthermore, AEMR diminished H₂O₂-induced activation of caspase-3, which was associated with the ability of AEMR to block the degradation of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase, thereby attenuating H₂O₂-induced apoptosis. However, compound C greatly abolished the protective effect of AEMR against H₂O₂-induced C2C12 cell apoptosis, including the restoration of mitochondrial dysfunction. Taken together, these results demonstrate that AEMR could protect C2C12 myoblasts from oxidative damage by maintaining mitochondrial function while eliminating ROS, at least with activation of the AMPK signaling pathway. In addition, oral administration of AEMR alleviated gastrocnemius and soleus muscle loss in DEX-induced muscle atrophied rats. Our findings support that AEMR might be a promising therapeutic candidate for treating oxidative stress-mediated myoblast injury and muscle atrophy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Involvement of Medicinal Plants and Food in the Molecular Mechanisms of Disease Prevention)

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14 pages, 5003 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Kurarinone Attenuates BLM-Induced Pulmonary Fibrosis via Inhibiting TGF-β Signaling Pathways

by Soo-Jin Park, Tae-hyoun Kim, Kiram Lee, Min-Ah Kang, Hyun-Jae Jang, Hyung-Won Ryu, Sei-Ryang Oh and Hyun-Jun Lee

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(16), 8388; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijms22168388 - 04 Aug 2021

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 3717

Abstract

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a refractory interstitial lung disease for which there is no effective treatment. Although the pathogenesis of IPF is not fully understood, TGF-

β

and epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) have been shown to be involved in the fibrotic changes of [...] Read more.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a refractory interstitial lung disease for which there is no effective treatment. Although the pathogenesis of IPF is not fully understood, TGF-

β

and epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) have been shown to be involved in the fibrotic changes of lung tissues. Kurarinone is a prenylated flavonoid isolated from Sophora Flavescens with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. In this study, we investigated the effect of kurarinone on pulmonary fibrosis. Kurarinone suppressed the TGF-

β

-induced EMT of lung epithelial cells. To assess the therapeutic effects of kurarinone in bleomycin (BLM)-induced pulmonary fibrosis, mice were treated with kurarinone daily for 2 weeks starting 7 days after BLM instillation. Oral administration of kurarinone attenuated the fibrotic changes of lung tissues, including accumulation of collagen and improved mechanical pulmonary functions. Mechanistically, kurarinone suppressed phosphorylation of Smad2/3 and AKT induced by TGF-

β

1 in lung epithelial cells, as well as in lung tissues treated with BLM. Taken together, these results suggest that kurarinone has a therapeutic effect on pulmonary fibrosis via suppressing TGF-

β

signaling pathways and may be a novel drug candidate for pulmonary fibrosis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Involvement of Medicinal Plants and Food in the Molecular Mechanisms of Disease Prevention)

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Review

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28 pages, 2118 KiB

Open AccessReview

Antibacterial Activity of Medicinal Plants and Their Constituents in the Context of Skin and Wound Infections, Considering European Legislation and Folk Medicine—A Review

by Silvia Bittner Fialová, Katarína Rendeková, Pavel Mučaji, Milan Nagy and Lívia Slobodníková

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(19), 10746; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijms221910746 - 04 Oct 2021

Cited by 23 | Viewed by 7795

Abstract

Bacterial infections of skin and wounds may seriously decrease the quality of life and even cause death in some patients. One of the largest concerns in their treatment is the growing antimicrobial resistance of bacterial infectious agents and the spread of resistant strains not only in the hospitals but also in the community. This trend encourages researchers to seek for new effective and safe therapeutical agents. The pharmaceutical industry, focusing mainly on libraries of synthetic compounds as a drug discovery source, is often failing in the battle with bacteria. In contrast, many of the natural compounds, and/or the whole and complex plants extracts, are effective in this field, inactivating the resistant bacterial strains or decreasing their virulence. Natural products act comprehensively; many of them have not only antibacterial, but also anti-inflammatory effects and may support tissue regeneration and wound healing. The European legislative is in the field of natural products medicinal use formed by European Medicines Agency (EMA), based on the scientific work of its Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products (HMPC). HMPC establishes EU monographs covering the therapeutic uses and safe conditions for herbal substances and preparations, mostly based on folk medicine, but including data from scientific research. In this review, the medicinal plants and their active constituents recommended by EMA for skin disorders are discussed in terms of their antibacterial effect. The source of information about these plant products in the review is represented by research articles listed in scientific databases (Science Direct, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, etc.) published in recent years. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Involvement of Medicinal Plants and Food in the Molecular Mechanisms of Disease Prevention)

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16 pages, 1208 KiB

Open AccessReview

Mechanisms by Which Probiotic Bacteria Attenuate the Risk of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

by Wasitha P.D. Wass Thilakarathna, H.P. Vasantha Rupasinghe and Neale D. Ridgway

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(5), 2606; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijms22052606 - 05 Mar 2021

Cited by 22 | Viewed by 5757

Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Chronic infections with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV), alcoholic liver disease (ALD), and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)/non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) are the major extrinsic risk factors of HCC development. Genetic background is pivotal in HCC pathogenesis, and both germline mutations and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) are intrinsic risk factors of HCC. These HCC risk factors predispose to hepatic injury and subsequent activation of fibrogenesis that progresses into cirrhosis and HCC. Probiotic bacteria can mitigate HCC risk by modulating host gut microbiota (GM) to promote growth of beneficial microbes and inhibit HCC-associated dysbiosis, thus preventing pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs)-mediated hepatic inflammation. Probiotics have antiviral activities against HBV and HCV infections, ameliorate obesity and risk of NAFLD/NASH, and their antioxidant, anti-proliferative, anti-angiogenic, and anti-metastatic effects can prevent the HCC pathogenesis. Probiotics also upregulate the expression of tumor suppressor genes and downregulate oncogene expression. Moreover, metabolites generated by probiotics through degradation of dietary phytochemicals may mitigate the risk of HCC development. These multiple anticancer mechanisms illustrate the potential of probiotics as an adjuvant strategy for HCC risk management and treatment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Involvement of Medicinal Plants and Food in the Molecular Mechanisms of Disease Prevention)

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