Plant Extracts and Natural Products as Protective Agents Against Toxins

  • 3,161

    Total downloads

  • 15k

    Total views and downloads

About this Research Topic

Submission closed

Background

Toxic substances that come into close contact with human and animal health have become more prevalent in recent years, and they can now be found almost everywhere. They can be found in cookware, food processing, soil fertilizers, cosmetics, and even food include them. These commonplace chemicals, such as phthalates and organophosphates, have been connected to several health issues. Many bioactive compounds have been reported as being useful in the treatment of health problems caused by toxic exposure. These bioactive molecules, which are often present in vegetables and fruits, are high in polyphenols and flavonoids and have anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, and antioxidant properties that can help minimize toxicity. As a result, they have persuaded the scientific community and increased attention to their preventative and protective applications.

While the prevention of exposure to toxins and their general reduction in the environment remain the primary objectives of reducing toxicological risks, there is growing scientific evidence that natural or synthetic organic compounds can substantially enhance the protection and decrease the damage caused by many common types of environmental pollutants. A few examples are presented below.

- Silymarin, for example, is a natural compound extracted from the Silybum marianum plant that is used as a novel anti-hepatotoxicity and anti-nephrotoxicity drug. Free radicals formed by the metabolism of toxic substances have been shown to damage any cell or tissue they encounter. Due to its ability to scavenge these free radicals, silymarin can aid in the defense against the induced toxicity. It increases glutathione levels in cells, regulates cell transporters, inhibits apoptosis, and promotes liver regeneration by stimulating ribosomal RNA synthesis.
- Curcumin, an active ingredient in turmeric, has been suggested to help protect and treat tissue damage caused by heavy metals such as arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, and mercury. The possible known mechanisms of action have been attributed to its scavenging properties and ability to induce the Nrf2/Keap1/ARE pathway.
- In the treatment of nephrotoxicity and kidney injury after exposure to toxins, extra virgin olive oil has been shown to have a nephroprotective function by scavenging free radicals.

The aim of this Research Topic is to learn more about the roles that bioactive compounds can play in the management and improvement of health problems caused by various toxins. We should concentrate on the ways in which these potential molecules may minimize organ and tissue toxicity. Original Research, Review, and Mini-Review articles focusing on the assessment of the protective and recovery effects of treatment with bioactive compounds, as well as their related molecular mechanisms, with a particular emphasis on anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antiapoptotic effects, are all welcome.

In this Research Topic, we welcome studies on the following subtopics, but not limited to:
1. Bioactive compounds in the recovery and treatment of neurotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, reproductive toxicity, and systemic toxicity.
2. Antioxidants' defensive function in the protection against the mediating effects of pollutants.
3. The mechanisms by which certain bioactive compounds can alter the toxicity of contaminants.

---

All the manuscripts submitted to the collection will need to fully comply with the Four Pillars of Best Practice in Ethnopharmacology (you can freely download the full version here).

We would like to drive the attention of the authors especially to Pillar 1 a):
Traditional context - The traditional context must be described in the introduction and supported with bibliographical primary references. This may be based on modern uses of a plant in general healthcare.

---

Keywords: Bioactive compounds, antioxidants, antineurotoxic, antinephrotoxic, antiapoptotic

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

Topic editors

Frequently asked questions

  • Frontiers' Research Topics are collaborative hubs built around an emerging theme.Defined, managed, and led by renowned researchers, they bring communities together around a shared area of interest to stimulate collaboration and innovation.

    Unlike section journals, which serve established specialty communities, Research Topics are pioneer hubs, responding to the evolving scientific landscape and catering to new communities.

  • The goal of Frontiers' publishing program is to empower research communities to actively steer the course of scientific publishing. Our program was implemented as a three-part unit with fixed field journals, flexible specialty sections, and dynamically emerging Research Topics, connecting communities of different sizes and maturity.

    Research Topics originate from the scientific community. Many of our Research Topics are suggested by existing editorial board members who have identified critical challenges or areas of interest in their field.

  • As an editor, Research Topics will help you build your journal, as well as your community, around emerging, cutting-edge research. As research trailblazers, Research Topics attract high-quality submissions from leading experts all over the world.

    A thriving Research Topic can potentially evolve into a new specialty section if there is sustained interest and a growing community around it.

  • Each Research Topic must be approved by the specialty chief editor, and it falls under the editorial oversight of our editorial boards, supported by our in-house research integrity team. The same standards and rigorous peer review processes apply to articles published as part of a Research Topic as for any other article we publish.

    In 2023, 80% of the Research Topics we published were edited or co-edited by our editorial board members, who are already familiar with their journal's scope, ethos, and publishing model. All other topics are guest edited by leaders in their field, each vetted and formally approved by the specialty chief editor.

  • Publishing your article within a Research Topic with other related articles increases its discoverability and visibility, which can lead to more views, downloads, and citations. Research Topics grow dynamically as more published articles are added, causing frequent revisiting, and further visibility.

    As Research Topics are multidisciplinary, they are cross-listed in several fields and section journals – increasing your reach even more and giving you the chance to expand your network and collaborate with researchers in different fields, all focusing on expanding knowledge around the same important topic.

    Our larger Research Topics are also converted into ebooks and receive social media promotion from our digital marketing team.

     

  • Frontiers offers multiple article types, but it will depend on the field and section journals in which the Research Topic will be featured. The available article types for a Research Topic will appear in the drop-down menu during the submission process.

    Check available article types here 

  • Yes, we would love to hear your ideas for a topic. Most of our Research Topics are community-led and suggested by researchers in the field. Our in-house editorial team will contact you to talk about your idea and whether you’d like to edit the topic. If you’re an early-stage researcher, we will offer you the opportunity to coordinate your topic, with the support of a senior researcher as the topic editor. 

    Suggest your topic here 

  • A team of guest editors (called topic editors) lead their Research Topic. This editorial team oversees the entire process, from the initial topic proposal to calls for participation, the peer review, and final publications.

    The team may also include topic coordinators, who help the topic editors send calls for participation, liaise with topic editors on abstracts, and support contributing authors. In some cases, they can also be assigned as reviewers.

  • As a topic editor (TE), you will take the lead on all editorial decisions for the Research Topic, starting with defining its scope. This allows you to curate research around a topic that interests you, bring together different perspectives from leading researchers across different fields and shape the future of your field. 

     

    You will choose your team of co-editors, curate a list of potential authors, send calls for participation and oversee the peer review process, accepting or recommending rejection for each manuscript submitted.

  • As a topic editor, you're supported at every stage by our in-house team. You will be assigned a single point of contact to help you on both editorial and technical matters. Your topic is managed through our user-friendly online platform, and the peer review process is supported by our industry-first AI review assistant (AIRA).

  • If you’re an early-stage researcher, we will offer you the opportunity to coordinate your topic, with the support of a senior researcher as the topic editor. This provides you with valuable editorial experience, improving your ability to critically evaluate research articles and enhancing your understanding of the quality standards and requirements for scientific publishing, as well as the opportunity to discover new research in your field, and expand your professional network.

  • Yes, certificates can be issued on request. We are happy to provide a certificate for your contribution to editing a successful Research Topic.

  • Research Topics thrive on collaboration and their multi-disciplinary approach around emerging, cutting-edge themes, attract leading researchers from all over the world.

  • As a topic editor, you can set the timeline for your Research Topic, and we will work with you at your pace. Typically, Research Topics are online and open for submissions within a few weeks and remain open for participation for 6 – 12 months. Individual articles within a Research Topic are published as soon as they are ready.

    Find out more about our Research Topics

  • Our fee support program ensures that all articles that pass peer review, including those published in Research Topics, can benefit from open access – regardless of the author's field or funding situation.

    Authors and institutions with insufficient funding can apply for a discount on their publishing fees. A fee support application form is available on our website.

  • In line with our mission to promote healthy lives on a healthy planet, we do not provide printed materials. All our articles and ebooks are available under a CC-BY license, so you can share and print copies.

     

Impact

  • 15kTopic views
  • 11kArticle views
  • 3,161Article downloads
View impact