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Chemical Characterization and Bioactivity Evaluation of Medicinal Plants
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Chemical Characterization and Bioactivity Evaluation of Medicinal Plants

A special issue of Processes (ISSN 2227-9717). This special issue belongs to the section "Pharmaceutical Processes".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 September 2022) | Viewed by 9968

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Chao-Min Wang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Veterinary Medicine, National Chiayi University, Chiayi City 60004, Taiwan
Interests: natural product research; pharmacology; veterinary medicine; microbiology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Recent research studies on phytotherapy have led to the concept that natural products play a serious role in multiple aspects for the treatment of several human diseases. Medicinal plants are an abundant source of natural products, including terpenoids, tannins, flavonoids, phenols, and lignans. Some natural products with multi-target functions have been discovered and approved by the FDA, such as curcumin and resveratrol. Therefore, natural products in medical plants can be primary sources of cancer drug discovery.

This Special Issue “Chemical Characterization and Bioactivity Evaluation of Medicinal Plants” aims to present advances in the studies of chemical composition of medical plants, as well as the biological activity of medicinal plants with a special emphasis on the possible mechanisms of action evaluated on Alzheimer’s disease, inflammatory diseases, diabetes, and cancer. Topics include, but are not limited to:

  • Chemical components of medicinal plants;
  • Bioactive natural compounds present in medicinal plants;
  • The effects of medical plants on cancer and chronic disease;
  • Mechanism studies of medicinal plant components;

Research articles and reviews covering the effects of extracts and/or pure compounds and focusing on their aid in the control of cancer and chronic diseases are also welcome.

Dr. Chao-Min Wang
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. Processes 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 2400 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

  • medical plants
  • natural products
  • cancer
  • chronic disease
  • disease prevention

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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14 pages, 3243 KiB  
Article
Advances on the Antioxidant Activity of a Phytocomplex Product Containing Berry Extracts from Romanian Spontaneous Flora
by Elena Moroșan, Ana Andreea Secăreanu, Adina Magdalena Musuc, Magdalena Mititelu, Ana Corina Ioniță, Emma Adriana Ozon, Adriana Maria Dărăban and Oana Karampelas
Processes 2022, 10(4), 646; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/pr10040646 - 25 Mar 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1822
Abstract
The present study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant properties of a phytocomplex product obtained using 10% hydroalcoholic extractive solutions, in equal proportions, from Ribes nigrum, Rubus idaeus, Rubus fruticosus and Fragaria moschata fresh fruits harvested from the spontaneous flora of Romania. [...] Read more.
The present study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant properties of a phytocomplex product obtained using 10% hydroalcoholic extractive solutions, in equal proportions, from Ribes nigrum, Rubus idaeus, Rubus fruticosus and Fragaria moschata fresh fruits harvested from the spontaneous flora of Romania. These plant products were recognized for their rich antioxidant content. The phytochemical profile was assessed using HPLC chromatography and UV-Vis spectrometry. The obtained results highlighted the presence of complex bioactive compounds with antioxidant actions, namely anthocyanins, proanthocyanins and vitamin C. The antioxidant actions of the hydroalcoholic extractive solutions and the phytocomplex product were evaluated using chemiluminescence, electrochemical and superoxide dismutase (SOD) methods. The experimental results showed evident antioxidant activity in both the hydroalcoholic extracts and the phytocomplex product. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemical Characterization and Bioactivity Evaluation of Medicinal Plants)
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20 pages, 5152 KiB  
Article
Curcumin Improved Glucose Intolerance, Renal Injury, and Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Decreased Chromium Loss through Urine in Obese Mice
by Geng-Ruei Chang, Wen-Tsong Hsieh, Lan-Szu Chou, Chen-Si Lin, Ching-Fen Wu, Jen-Wei Lin, Wei-Li Lin, Tzu-Chun Lin, Huei-Jyuan Liao, Chen-Yung Kao and Chuen-Fu Lin
Processes 2021, 9(7), 1132; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/pr9071132 - 29 Jun 2021
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2451
Abstract
Obesity-associated hyperglycemia underlies insulin resistance, glucose intolerance, and related metabolic disorders including type 2 diabetes, renal damage, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Turmeric root is commonly used in Asia, and curcumin, one of its pharmacological components, can play a role in preventing and [...] Read more.
Obesity-associated hyperglycemia underlies insulin resistance, glucose intolerance, and related metabolic disorders including type 2 diabetes, renal damage, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Turmeric root is commonly used in Asia, and curcumin, one of its pharmacological components, can play a role in preventing and treating certain chronic physiological disorders. Accordingly, this study examined how high-fat diet (HFD)-induced hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia are reduced by curcumin through changes in fatty liver scores, chromium distribution, and renal injury in mice. Relative to the control group, also fed an HFD, the curcumin group weighed less and had smaller adipocytes; it also had lower daily food efficiency, blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels, serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels, serum and hepatic triglyceride levels, and hepatic lipid regulation marker expression. The curcumin-treated obese group exhibited significantly lower fasting blood glucose, was less glucose intolerant, had higher Akt phosphorylation and glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) expression, and had greater serum insulin levels. Moreover, the group showed renal damage with lower TNF-α expression along with more numerous renal antioxidative enzymes that included superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase. The liver histology of the curcumin-treated obese mice showed superior lipid infiltration and fewer FASN and PNPLA3 proteins in comparison with the control mice. Curcumin contributed to creating a positive chromium balance by decreasing the amount of chromium lost through urine, leading to the chromium mobilization needed to mitigate hyperglycemia. Thus, the results suggest that curcumin prevents HFD-induced glucose intolerance, kidney injury, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemical Characterization and Bioactivity Evaluation of Medicinal Plants)
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13 pages, 8228 KiB  
Article
Curcumin and Freshwater Clam Extracts Alleviate the Progression of Osteoarthritis by Reducing Synovial Inflammation and Allowing Cartilage Regeneration
by Chiao-Hsu Ke, Chia-Hui Hsu, Yu-Ling Lin, Wei-Hsiang Huang, Hsin-Pei Weng, Yi-Tzu Ke and Chen-Si Lin
Processes 2021, 9(6), 931; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/pr9060931 - 25 May 2021
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2091
Abstract
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common degenerative disorder and is accompanied by numerous pain symptoms. With increased age, individuals develop a chronic inflammatory status, and pro-inflammatory cytokines as well as mediators contribute to the progression of OA. However, no desirable remedies have been completely [...] Read more.
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common degenerative disorder and is accompanied by numerous pain symptoms. With increased age, individuals develop a chronic inflammatory status, and pro-inflammatory cytokines as well as mediators contribute to the progression of OA. However, no desirable remedies have been completely able to inhibit OA progression or safely provide effective symptomatic relief. Natural component extracts or dietary-derived compounds are widely used for anti-inflammatory diseases. Curcumin and freshwater clam extract (FCE) have been proven as functional foods that are able to regulate immune systems. This study demonstrated that curcumin and FCE had synergistic effects on alleviating the progression of OA by assuaging inflammation and repairing the cartilage within the joints. After consumption of curcumin and FCE, the severity of synovitis was quantified by the infrapatellar fat pad inflammation scoring system and the Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) scoring system. Significant improvement and articular cartilage regeneration were noted. Moreover, once the inflammation within the joints was reduced, the animals redistributed their body weight on the OA-induced hindlimb. In summary, curcumin and FCE possess desirable anti-inflammatory and repair functions, suggesting their potential as alternative remedies in the management of OA or other inflammatory diseases. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemical Characterization and Bioactivity Evaluation of Medicinal Plants)
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Review

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31 pages, 2059 KiB  
Review
From Foods to Chemotherapeutics: The Antioxidant Potential of Dietary Phytochemicals
by Michelle A. Briggs
Processes 2022, 10(6), 1222; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/pr10061222 - 20 Jun 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2717
Abstract
Food plants have been recognized for their medicinal properties for millennia, a concept supported by epidemiological studies indicating long-term health benefits for people consuming greater amounts of fruits and vegetables. As our technology and instrumentation advance, researchers have the ability to identify promising [...] Read more.
Food plants have been recognized for their medicinal properties for millennia, a concept supported by epidemiological studies indicating long-term health benefits for people consuming greater amounts of fruits and vegetables. As our technology and instrumentation advance, researchers have the ability to identify promising phytochemicals, and examine their potential benefits, or detriments, to human health. While results from trials investigating single chemical supplementation have sometimes produced negative health results, studies investigating the synergistic action of phytochemicals—either within our diet or as an adjuvant to radiation or chemotherapy—appear promising. Utilizing phytochemicals as synergistic agents may lower the chemotherapeutic doses needed to incur physiological results, while also using chemicals with fewer toxic effects. This review investigates a variety of plant-produced chemicals humans typically ingest, their impacts on overall health patterns, molecular mechanisms associated with their health impacts, and the potential of their synergistic use for therapeutic purposes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemical Characterization and Bioactivity Evaluation of Medicinal Plants)
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