Bioactive Properties of Natural and Plant-Derived Compounds

Natural and plant-derived compounds encompass a diverse array of chemical classes—such as polyphenols, flavonoids, alkaloids and terpenoids—that exhibit a wide spectrum of bioactivities. These substances are capable of modulating cellular signalling pathways, scavenging free radicals, inhibiting key enzymes and interacting with membrane receptors. Their principal bioactivities include antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anticancer and cardioprotective effects, which underpin applications in drug discovery, functional foods, cosmeceuticals and agricultural biocontrol. Advances in analytical technologies, high-throughput screening, metabolomics and network pharmacology have deepened our understanding of structure–activity relationships, facilitating the identification of lead compounds and elucidation of mechanisms of action. The global significance of this research lies in addressing chronic diseases linked to oxidative stress and inflammation, combating antimicrobial resistance and developing sustainable health and nutrition strategies.

Research from Nature Portfolio

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Bioactive Properties of Natural and Plant-Derived Compounds publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in bioactive properties of natural and plant-derived compounds across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Reactive oxygen species (ROS): Highly reactive derivatives of molecular oxygen that can damage lipids, proteins and nucleic acids but also act as signalling molecules.

Antioxidant activity: The capacity of a compound to neutralise free radicals or inhibit oxidative processes, thereby protecting biomolecules from damage.

Polyphenols: A broad family of plant secondary metabolites characterised by multiple phenolic rings, often responsible for radical-scavenging and anti-inflammatory functions.

Flavonoids: A subclass of polyphenols with a C6–C3–C6 structure, notable for modulating enzyme activity, cell signalling and oxidative stress.

Phytochemicals: Bioactive compounds synthesised by plants—including alkaloids, terpenoids and glycosides—that contribute to therapeutic, nutritional or protective effects.

References

1. Phenylethanoid Glycoside-Enriched Extract Prepared from Clerodendrum chinense Leaf Inhibits A549 Lung Cancer Cell Migration and Apoptosis Induction through Enhancing ROS Production. Antioxidants (2023).
2. Anacyclus pyrethrum var. pyrethrum (L.) and Anacyclus pyrethrum var. depressus (Ball) Maire: Correlation between Total Phenolic and Flavonoid Contents with Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of Chemically Characterized Extracts. Plants (2021).
3. Anti–Inflammatory and Antioxidant Properties of the Ethanol Extract of Clerodendrum Cyrtophyllum Turcz in Copper Sulfate-Induced Inflammation in Zebrafish. Antioxidants (2020).