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Nature Product as Potential Candidates to Improve Cardio-Metabolic Outcomes in...
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Nature Product as Potential Candidates to Improve Cardio-Metabolic Outcomes in Health and Disease

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 August 2024 | Viewed by 11166

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Chen Huei Leo

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Science, Math & Technology, Singapore University of Technology & Design, Singapore 487372, Singapore
Interests: serious games; extended reality; education; healthcare
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Wei Chen

E-Mail Website
Co-Guest Editor
Institute of Food Bioscience and Technology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
Interests: antioxidants; obesity; diabetes; cancer; oxidative stress; autophagy; cell signaling
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Chronic disorders such as diabetes, hypertension, and obesity have increased dramatically in the last decade, not only in developed countries but also in developing countries with growing economies. As the incidence of obesity, diabetes, and hypertension have all increased, this has also resulted in a parallel increase in the prevalence of cardiometabolic consequences. Cardio-metabolic complications are complex disorders that may be influenced by a variety of factors such as changes in living environments, foods, lifestyles, genetics, and epigenetic factors. Although tremendous progress has been made in understanding the complex processes behind various cardio-metabolic problems, there is still more research to be conducted.

A substance that offers physiological benefits or provides protection against chronic illness is referred to as a natural product. Natural products can be used to promote health, prevent chronic illnesses, and maintain the body's structure and function. They have recently attracted a lot of attention because of their potential nutritional, safety, and therapeutic benefits. Furthermore, natural products may be derived from many sources, including plants, foods and even unutilized parts from plants or food. Natural products may offer their beneficial effects either in their original form or as bioactive extracts, which might be a source of therapeutic candidates for cardio-metabolic diseases. Hence, studies that uncover novel biological processes of natural products in the context of cardio-metabolic outcomes, for example, may offer new therapeutic insights for the prevention or treatment of cardio-metabolic diseases.

This Special Issue invites both reviews and original articles that elucidate the recent progress in natural products and their potential impact on cardio-metabolic health outcomes. In particular, natural products that have the potential to serve as drug candidates for cardio-metabolic diseases will be highly interested in this Special Issue. The collection of manuscripts will be published as a Special Issue of Pharmaceuticals.

Topics include but are not limited to:

  1. Cellular targets and biological processes of natural products;
  2. Drug repurposing and/or synergism with natural products;
  3. Novel extraction technique and characterization of bioactives from natural products;
  4. Upcycling of natural products derived from food waste or unutilized plant parts;
  5. Effects of natural products and their mechanism of action in various cardio-metabolic diseases.

Dr. Chen Huei Leo
Prof. Dr. Wei Chen
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

  • natural products
  • metabolic diseases
  • cardiovascular diseases
  • vascular endothelial dysfunction
  • flavonoids and polyphenolic compounds
  • sustainability and upcycling
  • antioxidant and oxidative stress
  • anti-inflammatory
  • diabetes
  • hypertension
  • obesity

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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16 pages, 2120 KiB  
Article
In Vivo Treatment with a Standardized Green Tea Extract Restores Cardiomyocyte Contractility in Diabetic Rats by Improving Mitochondrial Function through SIRT1 Activation
by Rocchina Vilella, Simona Izzo, Valeria Naponelli, Monia Savi, Leonardo Bocchi, Cristina Dallabona, Maria Carla Gerra, Donatella Stilli and Saverio Bettuzzi
Pharmaceuticals 2022, 15(11), 1337; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph15111337 - 28 Oct 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1945
Abstract
Background. Green tea catechins are known to promote mitochondrial function, and to modulate gene expression and signalling pathways that are altered in the diabetic heart. We thus evaluated the effectiveness of the in vivo administration of a standardized green tea extract (GTE) in [...] Read more.
Background. Green tea catechins are known to promote mitochondrial function, and to modulate gene expression and signalling pathways that are altered in the diabetic heart. We thus evaluated the effectiveness of the in vivo administration of a standardized green tea extract (GTE) in restoring cardiac performance, in a rat model of early streptozotocin-induced diabetes, with a focus on the underlying mechanisms. Methods. Twenty-five male adult Wistar rats were studied: the control (n = 9), untreated diabetic animals (n = 7) and diabetic rats subjected to daily GTE administration for 28 days (n = 9). Isolated ventricular cardiomyocytes were used for ex vivo measurements of cell mechanics and calcium transients, and molecular assays, including the analysis of functional protein and specific miRNA expression. Results. GTE treatment induced an almost complete recovery of cardiomyocyte contractility that was markedly impaired in the diabetic cells, by preserving mitochondrial function and energy availability, and modulating the expression of the sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase and phospholamban. Increased Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) expression and activity substantially contributed to the observed cardioprotective effects. Conclusions. The data supported the hypothesis that green tea dietary polyphenols, by targeting SIRT1, can constitute an adjuvant strategy for counteracting the initial damage of the diabetic heart, before the occurrence of diabetic cardiomyopathy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nature Product as Potential Candidates to Improve Cardio-Metabolic Outcomes in Health and Disease)
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14 pages, 3699 KiB  
Article
Investigation into the Antihypertensive Effects of Diosmetin and Its Underlying Vascular Mechanisms Using Rat Model
by Taseer Ahmad, Adil Javed, Taous Khan, Yusuf S. Althobaiti, Aman Ullah, Farooq M. Almutairi and Abdul Jabbar Shah
Pharmaceuticals 2022, 15(8), 951; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph15080951 - 30 Jul 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1808
Abstract
Objective: Diosmetin is a flavonoid that is found in many important medicinal plants that have antihypertensive therapeutic potential. Diosmetin has been shown to have antiplatelet, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which suggests that it could be a potential candidate for use in antihypertensive therapy. [...] Read more.
Objective: Diosmetin is a flavonoid that is found in many important medicinal plants that have antihypertensive therapeutic potential. Diosmetin has been shown to have antiplatelet, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which suggests that it could be a potential candidate for use in antihypertensive therapy. Methods: In vivo and in vitro methods were used for our investigation into the antihypertensive effects of diosmetin. Results: Diosmetin significantly decreased the mean arterial pressure (MAP). The effects of diosmetin on the MAP and heart rate were more pronounced in hypertensive rats. To explore the involvement of the muscarinic receptors-linked NO pathway, Nω-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) and atropine were pre-administered in vivo. The pretreatment with L-NAME did not significantly change the effects of diosmetin on the MAP by excluding the involvement of NO. Unlike L-NAME, the atropine pretreatment reduced the effects of diosmetin on the MAP, which demonstrated the role of the muscarinic receptors. In the in vitro study, diosmetin at lower concentrations produced endothelium-dependent and -independent (at higher concentrations) vasorelaxation, which was attenuated significantly by the presence of atropine and indomethacin but not L-NAME. Diosmetin was also tested for high K+-induced contractions. Diosmetin induced significant relaxation (similar to verapamil), which indicated its Ca2+ antagonistic effects. This was further confirmed by diosmetin shifting the CaCl2 CRCs toward the right due to its suppression of the maximum response. Diosmetin also suppressed phenylephrine peak formation, which indicated its antagonist effects on the release of Ca2+. Moreover, BaCl2 significantly inhibited the effects of diosmetin, followed by 4-AP and TEA, which suggested that the K+ channels had a role as well. Conclusions: The obtained data showed the Ca2+ channel antagonism, potassium channel activation and antimuscarinic receptor-linked vasodilatory effects of diosmetin, which demonstrated its antihypertensive potential. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nature Product as Potential Candidates to Improve Cardio-Metabolic Outcomes in Health and Disease)
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Review

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17 pages, 1449 KiB  
Review
Isoflavones Effects on Vascular and Endothelial Outcomes: How Is the Gut Microbiota Involved?
by Samuele Laudani, Justyna Godos, Giovanni Luca Romano, Lucia Gozzo, Federica Martina Di Domenico, Irma Dominguez Azpíroz, Raquel Martínez Diaz, Francesca Giampieri, José L. Quiles, Maurizio Battino, Filippo Drago, Fabio Galvano and Giuseppe Grosso
Pharmaceuticals 2024, 17(2), 236; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph17020236 - 11 Feb 2024
Viewed by 1187
Abstract
Isoflavones are a group of (poly)phenols, also defined as phytoestrogens, with chemical structures comparable with estrogen, that exert weak estrogenic effects. These phytochemical compounds have been targeted for their proven antioxidant and protective effects. Recognizing the increasing prevalence of cardiovascular diseases (CVD), there [...] Read more.
Isoflavones are a group of (poly)phenols, also defined as phytoestrogens, with chemical structures comparable with estrogen, that exert weak estrogenic effects. These phytochemical compounds have been targeted for their proven antioxidant and protective effects. Recognizing the increasing prevalence of cardiovascular diseases (CVD), there is a growing interest in understanding the potential cardiovascular benefits associated with these phytochemical compounds. Gut microbiota may play a key role in mediating the effects of isoflavones on vascular and endothelial functions, as it is directly implicated in isoflavones metabolism. The findings from randomized clinical trials indicate that isoflavone supplementation may exert putative effects on vascular biomarkers among healthy individuals, but not among patients affected by cardiometabolic disorders. These results might be explained by the enzymatic transformation to which isoflavones are subjected by the gut microbiota, suggesting that a diverse composition of the microbiota may determine the diverse bioavailability of these compounds. Specifically, the conversion of isoflavones in equol—a microbiota-derived metabolite—seems to differ between individuals. Further studies are needed to clarify the intricate molecular mechanisms behind these contrasting results. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nature Product as Potential Candidates to Improve Cardio-Metabolic Outcomes in Health and Disease)
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23 pages, 1154 KiB  
Review
Gut-Derived Metabolite, Trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) in Cardio-Metabolic Diseases: Detection, Mechanism, and Potential Therapeutics
by Meyammai Shanmugham, Sophie Bellanger and Chen Huei Leo
Pharmaceuticals 2023, 16(4), 504; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph16040504 - 28 Mar 2023
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 5598
Abstract
Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) is a biologically active gut microbiome-derived dietary metabolite. Recent studies have shown that high circulating plasma TMAO levels are closely associated with diseases such as atherosclerosis and hypertension, and metabolic disorders such as diabetes and hyperlipidemia, contributing to endothelial dysfunction. [...] Read more.
Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) is a biologically active gut microbiome-derived dietary metabolite. Recent studies have shown that high circulating plasma TMAO levels are closely associated with diseases such as atherosclerosis and hypertension, and metabolic disorders such as diabetes and hyperlipidemia, contributing to endothelial dysfunction. There is a growing interest to understand the mechanisms underlying TMAO-induced endothelial dysfunction in cardio-metabolic diseases. Endothelial dysfunction mediated by TMAO is mainly driven by inflammation and oxidative stress, which includes: (1) activation of foam cells; (2) upregulation of cytokines and adhesion molecules; (3) increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS); (4) platelet hyperreactivity; and (5) reduced vascular tone. In this review, we summarize the potential roles of TMAO in inducing endothelial dysfunction and the mechanisms leading to the pathogenesis and progression of associated disease conditions. We also discuss the potential therapeutic strategies for the treatment of TMAO-induced endothelial dysfunction in cardio-metabolic diseases. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nature Product as Potential Candidates to Improve Cardio-Metabolic Outcomes in Health and Disease)
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