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Preventive and Therapeutic Effects of Plant Bioactive Compounds in Chronic Inflammation and Cancer

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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 31429

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. José Miguel P. Ferreira de Oliveira

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LAQV, REQUIMTE, Laboratory of Applied Chemistry, Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
Interests: phytochemicals; oxidative stress; cancer; genotoxicity; in vitro toxicology; cancer cell death; nanotoxicology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Daniela Ribeiro

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Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Research and Technology (IITAA), University of the Azores, Angra do Heroísmo, Portugal
Interests: biological chemistry; antioxidants; anti-inflammatories; bioactive compounds; polyphenols
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Dr. Andreia Ascenso

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Research Institute for Medicine (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal
Interests: agro-industrial waste with added value; plant bioactives; extraction and purification of bioactives; topical formulations based on bioactives; topical delivery; in vitro/ vivo efficacy and safety; inflammatory skin diseases and disorders

Prof. Dr. Conceição Santos

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Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Rua Campo Alegre, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
Interests: biocontrol; cytotoxicology; ecotoxicology; essential oils; natural molecules; OMICS; phytochemistry; plant protection; plant physiologist
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Plant bioactive compounds present vast structural diversity, and their positive effects on human health have been consistently demonstrated. Cancer progression is strongly influenced by the establishment of a continuous inflammatory environment, as evidenced by the association between the incidence of specific chronic inflammatory conditions and various types of cancer. In this respect, plant bioactive compounds can display anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities. Nevertheless, great efforts will be required to maximize the positive multitarget effects of these compounds and overcome some of the typical limitations of plant bioactive compounds concerning compound stability, targeted delivery, and optimized combinations of therapeutic compounds.

This Special Issue is dedicated to recent studies on the positive effects of plant bioactive compounds on chronic inflammation and cancer, with emphasis on the interplay between inflammation and cancer.

Contributions (original research articles and reviews) should include plant bioactive compounds and their preventive and/or therapeutic actions against chronic inflammation or cancer. This Special issue also welcomes studies comparing compound stability, delivery, and combination effects in inflammation and cancer.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. José Miguel P. Ferreira de Oliveira
Dr. Daniela Ribeiro
Dr. Andreia Ascenso
Prof. Dr. Conceição Santos
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. 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

Plant natural compounds
Anti-inflammatory activity
Anticancer activity
Chronic diseases
Prevention and treatment
Stabilization techniques
Drug formulations
Drug delivery
Multitarget therapy
Combination therapy
Biological activity
Pharmacological activity
In vitro assays
In vivo assays

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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18 pages, 2795 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Design of a Nasal Spray Based on Cardiospermum halicacabum Extract Loaded in Phospholipid Vesicles Enriched with Gelatin or Chondroitin Sulfate

by Eleonora Casula, Maria Manconi, José Antonio Vázquez, Tania Belen Lopez-Mendez, José Luis Pedraz, Esteban Calvo, Antonio Lozano, Marco Zaru, Andreia Ascenso and Maria Letizia Manca

Molecules 2021, 26(21), 6670; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules26216670 - 04 Nov 2021

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2118

Abstract

The extract of Cardiospermum halicacabum L. (C. halicacabum) obtained from flower, leaf and vine was loaded into modified phospholipid vesicles aiming at obtaining sprayable, biocompatible and effective nasal spray formulations for the treatment of nasopharyngeal diseases. Penetration enhancer-containing vesicles (PEVs) and hyalurosomes were formulated, and stabilized by adding a commercial gelatin from fish (20 mg/mL) or chondroitin sulfate from catshark cartilages (Scyliorhinus canicula, 20 mg/mL). Cryo-TEM images confirmed the formation of spherical vesicles, while photon correlation spectroscopy analysis disclosed the formation of small and negatively-charged vesicles. PEVs were the smaller vesicles (~100 nm) along with gelatin-hyalurosomes (~120 nm), while chondroitin-PEVs and chondroitin-hyalurosomes were larger (~160 nm). Dispersions prepared with chondroitin sulfate were more homogeneous, as the polydispersity index was ~0.15. The in vitro analysis of the droplet size distribution, average velocity module and spray cone angle suggested a good spray-ability and deposition of formulations in the nasal cavity, as the mean diameter of the droplets was in the range recommended by the Food and Drug Administration for nasal targets. The spray plume analysis confirmed the ability of PEVs, gelatin-PEVs, hyalurosomes and gelatin-hyalurosomes to be atomized in fine droplets homogenously distributed in a full cone plume, with an angle ranging from 25 to 30°. Moreover, vesicles were highly biocompatible and capable of protecting the epithelial cells against oxidative damage, thus preventing the inflammatory state. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Preventive and Therapeutic Effects of Plant Bioactive Compounds in Chronic Inflammation and Cancer)

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Review

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20 pages, 2893 KiB

Open AccessReview

Pharmacological Properties of 4′, 5, 7-Trihydroxyflavone (Apigenin) and Its Impact on Cell Signaling Pathways

by Rameesha Abid, Shakira Ghazanfar, Arshad Farid, Samra Muhammad Sulaman, Maryam Idrees, Radwa Abdallnasser Amen, Muhammad Muzammal, Muhammad Khurram Shahzad, Mohamed Omar Mohamed, Alaa Ashraf Khaled, Waqas Safir, Ifra Ghori, Abdelbaset Mohamed Elasbali and Bandar Alharbi

Molecules 2022, 27(13), 4304; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules27134304 - 04 Jul 2022

Cited by 23 | Viewed by 4419

Abstract

Plant bioactive compounds, particularly apigenin, have therapeutic potential and functional activities that aid in the prevention of infectious diseases in many mammalian bodies and promote tumor growth inhibition. Apigenin is a flavonoid with low toxicities and numerous bioactive properties due to which it has been considered as a traditional medicine for decades. Apigenin shows synergistic effects in combined treatment with sorafenib in the HepG2 human cell line (HCC) in less time and statistically reduces the viability of tumor cells, migration, gene expression and apoptosis. The combination of anti-cancerous drugs with apigenin has shown health promoting potential against various cancers. It can prevent cell mobility, maintain the cell cycle and stimulate the immune system. Apigenin also suppresses mTOR activity and raises the UVB-induced phagocytosis and reduces the cancerous cell proliferation and growth. It also has a high safety threshold, and active (anti-cancer) doses can be gained by consuming a vegetable and apigenin rich diet. Apigenin also boosted autophagosome formation, decreased cell proliferation and activated autophagy by preventing the activity of the PI3K pathway, specifically in HepG2 cells. This paper provides an updated overview of apigenin’s beneficial anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, and anticancer effects, making it a step in the right direction for therapeutics. This study also critically analyzed the effect of apigenin on cancer cell signaling pathways including the PI3K/AKT/MTOR, JAK/STAT, NF-κB and ERK/MAPK pathways. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Preventive and Therapeutic Effects of Plant Bioactive Compounds in Chronic Inflammation and Cancer)

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21 pages, 2199 KiB

Open AccessReview

Exploring the Phytochemicals and Anti-Cancer Potential of the Members of Fabaceae Family: A Comprehensive Review

by Muhammad Usman, Waseem Razzaq Khan, Nousheen Yousaf, Seemab Akram, Ghulam Murtaza, Kamziah Abdul Kudus, Allah Ditta, Zamri Rosli, Muhammad Nawaz Rajpar and Mohd Nazre

Molecules 2022, 27(12), 3863; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules27123863 - 16 Jun 2022

Cited by 27 | Viewed by 4169

Abstract

Cancer is the second-ranked disease and a cause of death for millions of people around the world despite many kinds of available treatments. Phytochemicals are considered a vital source of cancer-inhibiting drugs and utilize specific mechanisms including carcinogen inactivation, the induction of cell cycle arrest, anti-oxidant stress, apoptosis, and regulation of the immune system. Family Fabaceae is the second most diverse family in the plant kingdom, and species of the family are widely distributed across the world. The species of the Fabaceae family are rich in phytochemicals (flavonoids, lectins, saponins, alkaloids, carotenoids, and phenolic acids), which exhibit a variety of health benefits, especially anti-cancer properties; therefore, exploration of the phytochemicals present in various members of this family is crucial. These phytochemicals of the Fabaceae family have not been explored in a better way yet; therefore, this review is an effort to summarize all the possible information related to the phytochemical status of the Fabaceae family and their anti-cancer properties. Moreover, various research gaps have been identified with directions for future research. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Preventive and Therapeutic Effects of Plant Bioactive Compounds in Chronic Inflammation and Cancer)

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19 pages, 7115 KiB

Open AccessReview

Sustainable Valorization of Tomato By-Products to Obtain Bioactive Compounds: Their Potential in Inflammation and Cancer Management

by Tânia Laranjeira, Ana Costa, Catarina Faria-Silva, Daniela Ribeiro, José Miguel P. Ferreira de Oliveira, Sandra Simões and Andreia Ascenso

Molecules 2022, 27(5), 1701; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules27051701 - 04 Mar 2022

Cited by 34 | Viewed by 4065

Abstract

Tomato producing and processing industries present undoubted potential for industrial discarded products valorization whether due to the overproduction of fresh tomatoes or to the loss during processing. Although tomato by-products are not yet considered a raw material, several studies have suggested innovative and profitable applications. It is often referred to as “tomato pomace” and is quite rich in a variety of bioactive compounds. Lycopene, vitamin C, β-carotene, phenolic compounds, and tocopherol are some of the bioactives herein discussed. Tomato by-products are also rich in minerals. Many of these compounds are powerful antioxidants with anti-inflammatory properties besides modulating the immune system. Several researchers have focused on the possible application of natural ingredients, especially those extracted from foods, and their physiological and pharmacological effects. Herein, the effects of processing and further applications of the bioactive compounds present in tomato by-products were carefully reviewed, especially regarding the anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer effects. The aim of this review was thus to highlight the existing opportunities to create profitable and innovative applications for tomato by-products in health context. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Preventive and Therapeutic Effects of Plant Bioactive Compounds in Chronic Inflammation and Cancer)

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14 pages, 1006 KiB

Open AccessReview

Anti-Cancer and Medicinal Potentials of Moringa Isothiocyanate

by Yu-Yao Wu, Yan-Ming Xu and Andy T. Y. Lau

Molecules 2021, 26(24), 7512; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules26247512 - 11 Dec 2021

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 7839

Abstract

Moringa oleifera (M. oleifera), which belongs to the Moringaceae family, is a common herb, rich in plant compounds. It has a variety of bioactive compounds that can act as antioxidants, antibiotics, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer agents, etc., which can be obtained in different body parts of M. oleifera. Isothiocyanates (ITCs) from M. oleifera are one class of these active substances that can inhibit cancer proliferation and promote cancer cell apoptosis through multiple signaling pathways, thus curbing cancer migration and metastasis, at the same time they have little adverse effect on normal cells. There are multiple variants of ITCs in M. oleifera, but the predominant phytochemical is 4-(α-L-rhamnosyloxy)benzyl isothiocyanate, also known as moringa isothiocyanate (MIC-1). Studies have shown that MIC-1 has the possibility to be used clinically for the treatment of diabetes, neurologic diseases, obesity, ulcerative colitis, and several cancer types. In this review, we focus on the molecular mechanisms underlying the anti-cancer and anti-chronic disease effects of MIC-1, current trends, and future direction of MIC-1 based treatment strategies. This review combines the relevant literature of the past 10 years, in order to provide more comprehensive information of MIC-1 and to fully exploit its potentiality in the clinical settings. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Preventive and Therapeutic Effects of Plant Bioactive Compounds in Chronic Inflammation and Cancer)

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17 pages, 763 KiB

Open AccessReview

Anticancer Properties of Eugenol: A Review

by Ali T. Zari, Talal A. Zari and Khalid Rehman Hakeem

Molecules 2021, 26(23), 7407; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules26237407 - 06 Dec 2021

Cited by 56 | Viewed by 7555

Abstract

Conventional cancer treatments have shown several unfavourable adverse effects, as well as an increase in anticancer drug resistance, which worsens the impending cancer therapy. Thus, the emphasis is currently en route for natural products. There is currently great interest in the natural bioactive components from medicinal plants possessing anticancer characteristics. For example, clove (Syzygium aromaticum L.) (Family Myrtaceae) is a highly prized spice that has been historically utilized as a food preservative and for diverse medical uses. It is reckoned amongst the valued sources of phenolics. It is indigenous to Indonesia but currently is cultivated in various places of the world. Among diverse active components, eugenol, the principal active component of S. aromaticum, has optimistic properties comprising antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer actions. Eugenol (4-allyl-2-methoxyphenol) is a musky oil that is mainly obtained from clove. It has long been utilized all over the world as a result of its broad properties like antioxidant, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial activities. Eugenol continues to pique investigators’ interest because of its multidirectional activities, which suggests it could be used in medications to treat different ailments. Anticancer effects of eugenol are accomplished by various mechanisms like inducing cell death, cell cycle arrest, inhibition of migration, metastasis, and angiogenesis on several cancer cell lines. Besides, eugenol might be utilized as an adjunct remedy for patients who are treated with conventional chemotherapy. This combination leads to a boosted effectiveness with decreased toxicity. The present review focuses on the anticancer properties of eugenol to treat several cancer types and their possible mechanisms. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Preventive and Therapeutic Effects of Plant Bioactive Compounds in Chronic Inflammation and Cancer)

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