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Pharmaceuticals
Special Issues
Therapeutic Potential of Natural Products in Internal Diseases
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Therapeutic Potential of Natural Products in Internal Diseases

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 May 2024 | Viewed by 4603

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Dorin Dragoş

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Departament 1 Medical Semiology, Universitatea de Medicina si Farmacie Carol Davila din Bucuresti, Bucharest, Romania
Interests: phytotherapy; herbal medicine; integrative medicine; pshychosomatics; internal medicine; nephrology; cardiovascular; neurovascular; diabetes
Dr. Adelina Vlad

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Physiology Department, Faculty of Medicine, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania
Interests: atherosclerosis; coronary artery disease; scavenger receptors; anesthetic preconditioning; endothelial progenitor cells; non coding RNA; nutraceuticals; phytocompounds
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In the last decades tremendous progress has been made in the discovery of new drugs for the treatment of internal diseases, changing the prognostics and course of these diseases. However, important, often severe or even life-threatening side effects mar the employment of these novel treatments. Despite the statements in the guidelines, patients are not actually encouraged to perform the much-needed lifestyle changes that would make at least some of these new drugs less necessary, if at all, especially for the management of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, obesity, dyslipidemia, and chronic obstructive lung disease. There are many instances of inappropriate employment of conventional drugs in the treatment of symptoms/disorders for which those drugs are not indicated, such as antibiotics for viral diseases, coronary heart disease medication for unspecific (including psychosomatic) chest pain, blood pressure-lowering medication for emotion-related fluctuations in blood pressure, etc., and many honest practitioners acknowledge that they should use something else, but lack the trust in or knowledge of alternative therapies. A large segment of the population prefers alternative treatments, one of the most popular being herbal treatments. Individuals relying on alternative therapies are more amenable to health-promoting lifestyle changes.

Unfortunately, among the researchers and practitioners of mainstream medicine there is a high degree of skepticism about the effectiveness of natural products, given the paucity and low quality of evidence supporting it. Let us, those that understand the considerable and insufficiently tapped potential of natural products, provide high-quality studies and reviews promoting the use of these products.

Dr. Dorin Dragoş
Dr. Adelina Vlad
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. 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

  • medicinal plants
  • phytotherapy
  • herbal treatment
  • natural products
  • herbalism
  • traditional medicine
  • cardiovascular disease
  • lung disease
  • liver disease
  • gastrointestinal disease
  • kidney disease
  • obesity
  • diabetes
  • rheumatological disease

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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21 pages, 4509 KiB  
Article
Effects of Ganjianglingzhu Decoction on Lean Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Mice Based on Untargeted Metabolomics
by Nan Tang, Lei Ji, Xinyu Shi, Yalan Xiong, Xinying Xiong, Hanhua Zhao, Hualing Song, Jianying Wang, Lei Zhang, Shengfu You, Guang Ji, Baocheng Liu and Na Wu
Pharmaceuticals 2024, 17(4), 502; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph17040502 - 15 Apr 2024
Viewed by 462
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is usually associated with obesity. However, it is crucial to recognize that NAFLD can also occur in lean individuals, which is frequently overlooked. Without an approved pharmacological therapy for lean NAFLD, we aimed to investigate whether the Ganjianglingzhu [...] Read more.
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is usually associated with obesity. However, it is crucial to recognize that NAFLD can also occur in lean individuals, which is frequently overlooked. Without an approved pharmacological therapy for lean NAFLD, we aimed to investigate whether the Ganjianglingzhu (GJLZ) decoction, a representative traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), protects against lean NAFLD and explore the potential mechanism underlying these protective effects. The mouse model of lean NAFLD was established with a methionine-choline-deficient (MCD) diet in male C57BL/6 mice to be compared with the control group fed the methionine-choline-sufficient (MCS) diet. After four weeks, physiological saline, a low dose of GJLZ decoction (GL), or a high dose of GJLZ decoction (GH) was administered daily by gavage to the MCD group; the MCS group was given physiological saline by gavage. Untargeted metabolomics techniques were used to explore further the potential mechanism of the effects of GJLZ on lean NAFLD. Different doses of GJLZ decoction were able to ameliorate steatosis, inflammation, fibrosis, and oxidative stress in the liver; GL performed a better effect on lean NAFLD. In addition, 78 candidate differential metabolites were screened and identified. Combined with metabolite pathway enrichment analysis, GL was capable of regulating the glucose and lipid metabolite pathway in lean NAFLD and regulating the glycerophospholipid metabolism by altering the levels of sn-3-O-(geranylgeranyl)glycerol 1-phosphate and lysoPC(P-18:0/0:0). GJLZ may protect against the development of lean NAFLD by regulating glucose and lipid metabolism, inhibiting the levels of sn-3-O-(geranylgeranyl)glycerol 1-phosphate and lysoPC(P-18:0/0:0) in glycerophospholipid metabolism. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Therapeutic Potential of Natural Products in Internal Diseases)
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19 pages, 1941 KiB  
Article
Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Adipocyte Dysfunction Effects of Ficus lindsayana Latex and Root Extracts
by Jirarat Karinchai, Pensiri Buacheen, Daraphan Rodthayoy, Tanpitcha Yodweerapong, Arisa Imsumran, Ariyaphong Wongnoppavich, Bhanumas Chantarasuwan, Uthaiwan Suttisansanee, Piya Temviriyanukul and Pornsiri Pitchakarn
Pharmaceuticals 2024, 17(3), 287; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph17030287 - 23 Feb 2024
Viewed by 767
Abstract
Low-grade chronic inflammation and adipocyte dysfunction are prominent risk factors of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in obesity. Thus, prevention of inflammation and adipocyte dysfunction could be one possible approach to mitigate T2DM development. Several Ficus species have been used [...] Read more.
Low-grade chronic inflammation and adipocyte dysfunction are prominent risk factors of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in obesity. Thus, prevention of inflammation and adipocyte dysfunction could be one possible approach to mitigate T2DM development. Several Ficus species have been used in traditional medicine for ameliorating inflammation and T2DM. Our previous studies reported biological effects of Ficus lindsayana including antioxidant, anti-cancer, and anti-α-glucosidase activities. Further, this study therefore investigated whether F. lindsayana latex (FLLE) and root (FLRE) extracts inhibit inflammation-stimulated insulin resistance in adipocytes and inflammation in macrophages. FLLE and FLRE (200 µg/mL) had no significant cytotoxicity for macrophages, adipocytes, and blood cells (PBMCs and RBCs). FLRE had a total flavonoid content about three times higher than FLLE, while both had similar levels of total phenolic content. FLRE showed higher abilities than FLLE in suppressing inflammation in both macrophages and adipocytes and reversing the inflammation-induced insulin resistance in adipocytes. In TNF-α-induced adipocytes, FLRE significantly improved insulin-induced glucose uptake and insulin-suppressed lipolysis, while FLLE only significantly improved glucose uptake. Moreover, FLRE and FLLE remarkably reduced chemoattractant (MCP-1) but improved adipogenic (PPARγ and CEBPα) gene expression, leading to the promotion of adipogenesis and the suppression of insulin resistance. In LPS-induced macrophages, FLRE, but not FLLE, significantly inhibited LPS-induced NO production. Moreover, FLRE significantly reduced LPS-stimulated iNOS, COX-2, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α gene expression. These results may provide the potential data for the development of this plant, especially the root part, as an alternative medicine, functional ingredient, or food supplement for the prevention of inflammation and obesity-associated insulin resistance, as well as T2DM. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Therapeutic Potential of Natural Products in Internal Diseases)
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20 pages, 1033 KiB  
Article
Chemical Composition, Antioxidant, Anticancer, and Antibacterial Activities of Roots and Seeds of Ammi visnaga L. Methanol Extract
by Ibrahim M. Aziz, Rawan M. Alshalan, Humaira Rizwana, Fetoon Alkhelaiwi, Abdulaziz M. Almuqrin, Reem M. Aljowaie and Noorah A. Alkubaisi
Pharmaceuticals 2024, 17(1), 121; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph17010121 - 17 Jan 2024
Viewed by 1121
Abstract
For centuries, plants and their components have been harnessed for therapeutic purposes, with Ammi visnaga L. (Khella) being no exception to this rich tradition. While existing studies have shed light on the cytotoxic and antimicrobial properties of seed extracts, there remains a noticeable [...] Read more.
For centuries, plants and their components have been harnessed for therapeutic purposes, with Ammi visnaga L. (Khella) being no exception to this rich tradition. While existing studies have shed light on the cytotoxic and antimicrobial properties of seed extracts, there remains a noticeable gap in research about the antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anticancer potential of root extracts. This study seeks to address this gap by systematically examining methanol extracts derived from the roots of A. visnaga L. and comparing their effects with those of seed extracts specifically against breast cancer cells. Notably, absent from previous investigations, this study focuses on the comparative analysis of the antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anticancer activities of both root and seed extracts. The methanol extract obtained from A. visnaga L. seeds demonstrated a notably higher level of total phenolic content (TPC) than its root counterpart, measuring 366.57 ± 2.86 and 270.78 ± 2.86 mg GAE/g dry weight of the dry extract, respectively. In the evaluation of antioxidant activities using the DPPH method, the IC50 values for root and seed extracts were determined to be 193.46 ± 17.13 μg/mL and 227.19 ± 1.48 μg/mL, respectively. Turning our attention to cytotoxicity against breast cancer cells (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231), both root and seed extracts displayed similar cytotoxic activities, with IC50 values of 92.45 ± 2.14 μg/mL and 75.43 ± 2.32 μg/mL, respectively. Furthermore, both root and seed extracts exhibited a noteworthy modulation of gene expression, upregulating the expression of caspase and Bax mRNA levels while concurrently suppressing the expression of anti-apoptotic genes (Bcl-xL and Bcl-2), thereby reinforcing their potential as anticancer agents. A. visnaga L. seed extract outperforms the root extract in antimicrobial activities, exhibiting lower minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 3.81 ± 0.24 to 125 ± 7.63 μg/mL. This highlights the seeds’ potential as potent antibacterial agents, expanding their role in disease prevention. Overall, this study underscores the diverse therapeutic potentials of A. visnaga L. roots and seeds, contributing to the understanding of plant-derived extracts in mitigating disease risks. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Therapeutic Potential of Natural Products in Internal Diseases)
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Review

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19 pages, 2502 KiB  
Review
Evaluating the Potential of Plukenetia volubilis Linneo (Sacha Inchi) in Alleviating Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors: A Mini Review
by Izzat Zulhilmi Abd Rahman, Nur Syahidah Nor Hisam, Amilia Aminuddin, Adila A. Hamid, Jaya Kumar and Azizah Ugusman
Pharmaceuticals 2023, 16(11), 1588; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph16111588 - 09 Nov 2023
Viewed by 1257
Abstract
Plukenetia volubilis Linneo or Sacha Inchi (SI), a traditional natural remedy indigenous to Peru and Brazil, has garnered global attention due to its exceptional nutritional composition. Its protective effects against various non-communicable diseases, notably cardiovascular disease (CVD), have become a subject of interest [...] Read more.
Plukenetia volubilis Linneo or Sacha Inchi (SI), a traditional natural remedy indigenous to Peru and Brazil, has garnered global attention due to its exceptional nutritional composition. Its protective effects against various non-communicable diseases, notably cardiovascular disease (CVD), have become a subject of interest in recent research. This comprehensive review summarizes the existing evidence from 15 relevant articles concerning the impact of SI on common CVD risk factors, including dyslipidemia, obesity, diabetes, and hypertension. The relevant articles were derived from comprehensive searches on PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Web of Science using predefined criteria and keywords related to the topic. Overall, SI demonstrated positive effects in attenuating dyslipidemia, obesity, diabetes, and hypertension. The multifaceted mechanisms responsible for the protective effects of SI against these CVD risk factors are primarily attributed to its antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties. While preclinical studies dominate the current scientific literature on SI, there are limited clinical trials to corroborate these findings. Therefore, future well-designed, large-scale randomized clinical trials are highly recommended to establish the efficacy of SI and determine its optimal dosage, potential drug and food interactions, and practical integration into preventive strategies and dietary interventions for the high-risk populations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Therapeutic Potential of Natural Products in Internal Diseases)
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