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Medicinal Plants and Natural Compounds for Modulation of Neuroendocrine-Immune System...
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Medicinal Plants and Natural Compounds for Modulation of Neuroendocrine-Immune System and Potential Use in Ageing-Related Disorders

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 May 2021)

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Alexander George Panossian

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Phytomed AB, 58344 Vastervick, Sweden
Interests: network pharmacology; neuroendocrine-immune system; stress; ageing; infalmmation; adaptogens
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The COVID-19 pandemic has raised new challenges in Biomedical Science, particularly in the development of effective therapies for prevention and treatment of stress-induced and acute viral diseases, which is most severe in elderly people suffering from ageing-associated disorders, such as hypertension, diabetes, and neurodegenerative and other degenerative diseases. High susceptibility to pathogen-induced progression of acute inflammatory response is common in subjects chronically exposed to stress and “inflammaging” (a chronic low-grade inflammation), which is associated with continuous stimulation of the innate immune system and suboptimal production of hormones, and other key mediators of homeostasis during senescence.

Pathogenesis of these diseases as well as virus-induced inflammatory response is a multistep process, which requires the application of correct therapeutic strategies on various steps of the initiation of overall defence response to pathogen and its resolution. Prevention and treatment of these diseases requires pharmaceutical corrections of many regulators of the neuroendocrine-immune system,  presumably by multitarget effects of herbal preparations that have polyvalent and pleiotropic actions on host immune systems.

An obvious advantage of complex mixtures of natural compounds (or herbal extracts) targeting multiple elements of molecular networks involved in the inflammatory defence response makes herbal medicinal products more effictive than monodrugs, targeting only one receptor.  Some of them exhibit adaptogenic activity by increasing adaptability, resilience, and survival of organisms in stress.  Recent studies with adaptogens suggest that they might be helpful, not only in stress-induced mental and behavioral disorders (depression, anxiety, stress-induced and chronic fatigue, bipolar disorders, etc.), instances of which have significantly increased in self-isolation during COVID-19 pandemic, but also in aging-associated disorders, including neurodegeneration, atherosclerosis, diabetes, heart diseases and high blood pressure, chronic inflammation, osteoarthritis, etc.

In this context, this Special Issue will focus on the most recent developments and ideas in the study of mechanism of action of Medicinal Plants, their extracts and isolated compounds on various mediators of extra- and intra-cellular communications involved in regulation of homeostasis of neuroendocrine immune complex (stress system). The journal Pharmaceuticals welcomes researchers to contribute both reviews and original articles shedding light on prevention, mitigation, and treatment of stress-induced and aging-associated disorders. Most welcome are the manuscripts with the results of clinical trials.

Prof. Dr. Alexander George Panossian
Guest Editor

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

  • Andrographis
  • Eleutherococcus
  • Ginseng
  • Hypericum
  • Rhodiola
  • Salvia
  • Schisandra
  • Withania

Related Special Issues

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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19 pages, 3592 KiB  
Article
Effects of Red and White Ginseng Preparations on Electrical Activity of the Brain in Elderly Subjects: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Three-Armed Cross-Over Study
by Wilfried Dimpfel, Pierre-Antoine Mariage and Alexander G. Panossian
Pharmaceuticals 2021, 14(3), 182; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ph14030182 - 25 Feb 2021
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2586
Abstract
Background: Recently, the superior efficacy of hydroponically cultivated red ginseng preparation HRG80® compared to wild growing white ginseng (WG) in preventing stress-induced symptoms related to the daily work situation of healthy subjects was reported. The aim of this study was to compare [...] Read more.
Background: Recently, the superior efficacy of hydroponically cultivated red ginseng preparation HRG80® compared to wild growing white ginseng (WG) in preventing stress-induced symptoms related to the daily work situation of healthy subjects was reported. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of HRG80®, WG, and placebo on the electrical activity in the brain of elderly human subjects during relaxation and mental challenges. Methods: Changes in the electroencephalogram (EEG) frequency ranges of 17 different brain regions were measured after single and repeated administration of HRG80®, WG, and placebo across a four-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled three-armed cross-over trial. Results: Both red and white ginseng preparations had a strong impact on brain activity, with different effects on various brain regions depending on the mental load during relaxation and cognitive tasks associated with memory, attention, and mental performance. Both ginseng preparations exhibited significant effects on spectral powers compared to placebo, reflecting an activating action. The spectral changes in the quantitative EEG induced by HRG80® indicated an improvement in mood as well as calming effects, evidenced by the modulation of β2 waves, representing changes in GABA-ergic neurotransmission. HRG80® attenuated δ/θ powers during relaxation, suggesting the potential improvement of pathologically enhanced spectral power in aging. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that both hydroponically cultivated red and wild growing white ginseng have similar beneficial effects on the cognitive functions of elderly subjects, as reflected by electric brain activity, but their modes of action on the brain are different. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Medicinal Plants and Natural Compounds for Modulation of Neuroendocrine-Immune System and Potential Use in Ageing-Related Disorders)
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11 pages, 1218 KiB  
Article
Annurca Apple Polyphenol Extract Affects Acetyl- Cholinesterase and Mono-Amine Oxidase In Vitro Enzyme Activity
by Rosarita Nasso, Valentina Pagliara, Stefania D’Angelo, Rosario Rullo, Mariorosario Masullo and Rosaria Arcone
Pharmaceuticals 2021, 14(1), 62; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ph14010062 - 14 Jan 2021
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 2822
Abstract
In this study, we explored the ability of Annurca apple flesh polyphenol extract (AFPE) to affect the activity of key enzymes involved in neurodegenerative disorders—in particular, Acetyl- and Butirryl-cholinesterases, and type A and B monoamine oxidase. The effect of AFPE on enzyme activity [...] Read more.
In this study, we explored the ability of Annurca apple flesh polyphenol extract (AFPE) to affect the activity of key enzymes involved in neurodegenerative disorders—in particular, Acetyl- and Butirryl-cholinesterases, and type A and B monoamine oxidase. The effect of AFPE on enzyme activity was analyzed by in vitro enzyme assays, and the results showed concentration-dependent enzyme inhibition, with IC50 values corresponding to 859 ± 18 µM and 966 ± 72 µM for AChE and BuChE respectively, and IC50 corresponding to 145 ± 3 µM and 199 ± 7 µM for MAO-A and MAO-B, respectively, with a preference for MAO-A. Moreover, in this concentration range, AFPE did not affect the viability of human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y and fibroblast BJ-5ta cell lines, as determined by an MTT assay. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that AFPE shows the new biological properties of inhibiting the activity of enzymes that are involved in brain functions, neurodegenerative disorders, and aging. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Medicinal Plants and Natural Compounds for Modulation of Neuroendocrine-Immune System and Potential Use in Ageing-Related Disorders)
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Review

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28 pages, 1620 KiB  
Review
Chinese Herbal Medicine for the Treatment of Depression: Effects on the Neuroendocrine-Immune Network
by Chan Li, Bishan Huang and Yuan-Wei Zhang
Pharmaceuticals 2021, 14(1), 65; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ph14010065 - 14 Jan 2021
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 6175
Abstract
The neuroimmune and neuroendocrine systems are two critical biological systems in the pathogenesis of depression. Clinical and preclinical studies have demonstrated that the activation of the neuroinflammatory response of the immune system and hyperactivity of the hypothalamus–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis of the neuroendocrine system [...] Read more.
The neuroimmune and neuroendocrine systems are two critical biological systems in the pathogenesis of depression. Clinical and preclinical studies have demonstrated that the activation of the neuroinflammatory response of the immune system and hyperactivity of the hypothalamus–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis of the neuroendocrine system commonly coexist in patients with depression and that these two systems bidirectionally regulate one another through neural, immunological, and humoral intersystem interactions. The neuroendocrine-immune network poses difficulties associated with the development of antidepressant agents directed toward these biological systems for the effective treatment of depression. On the other hand, multidrug and multitarget Chinese Herbal Medicine (CHM) has great potential to assist in the development of novel medications for the systematic pharmacotherapy of depression. In this narrative essay, we conclusively analyze the mechanisms of action of CHM antidepressant constituents and formulas, specifically through the modulation of the neuroendocrine-immune network, by reviewing recent preclinical studies conducted using depressive animal models. Some CHM herbal constituents and formulas are highlighted as examples, and their mechanisms of action at both the molecular and systems levels are discussed. Furthermore, we discuss the crosstalk of these two biological systems and the systems pharmacology approach for understanding the system-wide mechanism of action of CHM on the neuroendocrine-immune network in depression treatment. The holistic, multidrug, and multitarget nature of CHM represents an excellent example of systems medicine in the effective treatment of depression. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Medicinal Plants and Natural Compounds for Modulation of Neuroendocrine-Immune System and Potential Use in Ageing-Related Disorders)
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32 pages, 1804 KiB  
Review
The Role of Adaptogens in Prophylaxis and Treatment of Viral Respiratory Infections
by Alexander Panossian and Thomas Brendler
Pharmaceuticals 2020, 13(9), 236; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ph13090236 - 08 Sep 2020
Cited by 39 | Viewed by 10442
Abstract
The aim of our review is to demonstrate the potential of herbal preparations, specifically adaptogens for prevention and treatment of respiratory infections, as well as convalescence, specifically through supporting a challenged immune system, increasing resistance to viral infection, inhibiting severe inflammatory progression, and [...] Read more.
The aim of our review is to demonstrate the potential of herbal preparations, specifically adaptogens for prevention and treatment of respiratory infections, as well as convalescence, specifically through supporting a challenged immune system, increasing resistance to viral infection, inhibiting severe inflammatory progression, and driving effective recovery. The evidence from pre-clinical and clinical studies with Andrographis paniculata, Eleutherococcus senticosus, Glycyrrhiza spp., Panax spp., Rhodiola rosea, Schisandra chinensis, Withania somnifera, their combination products and melatonin suggests that adaptogens can be useful in prophylaxis and treatment of viral infections at all stages of progression of inflammation as well as in aiding recovery of the organism by (i) modulating innate and adaptive immunity, (ii) anti-inflammatory activity, (iii) detoxification and repair of oxidative stress-induced damage in compromised cells, (iv) direct antiviral effects of inhibiting viral docking or replication, and (v) improving quality of life during convalescence. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Medicinal Plants and Natural Compounds for Modulation of Neuroendocrine-Immune System and Potential Use in Ageing-Related Disorders)
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