Plant extracts and their bioactive compounds have long been recognized for their beneficial biological properties, including anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-cancer, anti-microbial, and anti-hypertensive properties. Recently, certain bioactive compounds isolated from plants, such as polyphenols, flavonoids, tannins, terpenoids and fatty acids, have been shown to promote cell division and differentiation of pluripotent stem cells under standard in vitro conditions and have been gaining interest because of their several advantages over other semi-biological and synthetic inducers of cell differentiation, such as a low rejection rate, low toxicity, availability, and comparatively low cost.
However, the chemical complexity and variability of the bioactive constituents present in the medicinal plants still remain the major challenge, which is reflected by the fact that there is still no standard protocol for the use of any plant-derived natural compound in stem cell differentiation. This Research Topic aims to cover promising and novel research trends in the use of plant extracts on regulation of stem cell proliferation and specific cell-lineage differentiation, and to highlight the most recent findings on their mechanism of actions and therapeutic potentials.
In this Research Topic, we welcome original articles, brief research report, reviews, mini reviews, opinions, and perspectives, which will include (but are not limited to):
1. Use of plant-derived natural compounds alone or in cocktails to regulate cell division and differentiation of pluripotent stem cells, adult and alternative sources of stem cells.
2. Innovative approaches for therapeutics and tissue regeneration for neurodegenerative, cardiovascular, hematological, and bone diseases using natural compound-induced stem cell differentiation.
3. Insights into the mechanisms of action of plant extracts and their bioactive compounds using stem cells in vitro and in vivo.
4. Use of novel nano-structured systems to standardize and potentiate the effects of natural compounds on stem cells.
Plant extracts and their bioactive compounds have long been recognized for their beneficial biological properties, including anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-cancer, anti-microbial, and anti-hypertensive properties. Recently, certain bioactive compounds isolated from plants, such as polyphenols, flavonoids, tannins, terpenoids and fatty acids, have been shown to promote cell division and differentiation of pluripotent stem cells under standard in vitro conditions and have been gaining interest because of their several advantages over other semi-biological and synthetic inducers of cell differentiation, such as a low rejection rate, low toxicity, availability, and comparatively low cost.
However, the chemical complexity and variability of the bioactive constituents present in the medicinal plants still remain the major challenge, which is reflected by the fact that there is still no standard protocol for the use of any plant-derived natural compound in stem cell differentiation. This Research Topic aims to cover promising and novel research trends in the use of plant extracts on regulation of stem cell proliferation and specific cell-lineage differentiation, and to highlight the most recent findings on their mechanism of actions and therapeutic potentials.
In this Research Topic, we welcome original articles, brief research report, reviews, mini reviews, opinions, and perspectives, which will include (but are not limited to):
1. Use of plant-derived natural compounds alone or in cocktails to regulate cell division and differentiation of pluripotent stem cells, adult and alternative sources of stem cells.
2. Innovative approaches for therapeutics and tissue regeneration for neurodegenerative, cardiovascular, hematological, and bone diseases using natural compound-induced stem cell differentiation.
3. Insights into the mechanisms of action of plant extracts and their bioactive compounds using stem cells in vitro and in vivo.
4. Use of novel nano-structured systems to standardize and potentiate the effects of natural compounds on stem cells.