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Antioxidants
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Plant Polyphenols in Human Health: Emerging Insights for Future Therapeutic...
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Plant Polyphenols in Human Health: Emerging Insights for Future Therapeutic Strategies

A special issue of Antioxidants (ISSN 2076-3921). This special issue belongs to the section "Health Outcomes of Antioxidants and Oxidative Stress".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 28 February 2026 | Viewed by 2954

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Vicente Micol

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Instituto de Investigación, Desarrollo e Innovación en Biotecnologia Sanitaria at Miguel Hernández University, Elche, Spain
Interests: natural compounds; polyphenols; metabolic disorders; obesity; cancer; antimicrobial; skin; cosmetics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Francisco Javier Álvarez-Martínez

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor Assistant
Institute of Research, Development and Innovation in Healthcare Biotechnology of Elche (IDiBE), Miguel Hernández University (UMH), Alicante, Spain
Interests: antimicrobial; antimicrobial resistance; natural compounds; oxidative stress; polyphenols; skin health
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Plant polyphenols have garnered significant attention for their potential health benefits. This Special Issue delves into the multifaceted roles of these compounds in human health. Classically, the therapeutic and preventive properties of plant polyphenols have been mostly attributed to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. However, more recent research has demonstrated their pleiotropic effects through their ability to modulate gut microbiota and various metabolic targets and pathways related to cellular energy management, signal transduction, cell proliferation, and epigenetic regulation. This issue sheds light on how these interactions influence crucial metabolic processes and contribute to disease prevention. The collection collates the latest studies on various polyphenolic compounds and their potential metabolites, including phenolic acids, flavonoids, stilbenoids, and lignans, and their mechanisms of action in combating chronic diseases such as metabolic syndrome, diabetes, hypertension, liver diseases, neurodegenerative disorders, and dermatological affections. Furthermore, the issue addresses the challenges related to the bioavailability of polyphenols and discusses innovative strategies to enhance their therapeutic efficacy. By integrating recent findings, this compilation underscores the therapeutic potential of plant polyphenols and advocates for their inclusion in future health interventions.

Prof. Dr. Vicente Micol
Guest Editor

Dr. Francisco Javier Álvarez-Martínez
Guest Editor Assistant

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 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

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. Antioxidants 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

  • polyphenols
  • antioxidant properties
  • anti-inflammatory effects
  • metabolic stress
  • chronic disease prevention
  • gut microbiota
  • polyphenols metabolites
  • bioavailability
  • skin health
  • novel therapies

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

14 pages, 832 KB  
Article
Southern Chilean Native Plants as Novel Sources of Antioxidant and Antibacterial Extracts
by Jesús Hernández, Yihajara Fuentes, Eduardo Muñoz-Carvajal, Mario Faúndez, Miguel Gómez, Ady Giordano and Gloria Montenegro
Antioxidants 2025, 14(12), 1488; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox14121488 - 11 Dec 2025
Viewed by 243
Abstract
The temperate rainforests of southern Chile host a rich diversity of plants traditionally used in medicine, yet their bioactive potential remains underexplored. This study evaluated the chemical composition, antioxidant capacity, antibacterial activity, and cell viability of ethanolic leaf extracts from Cissus striata (CS), [...] Read more.
The temperate rainforests of southern Chile host a rich diversity of plants traditionally used in medicine, yet their bioactive potential remains underexplored. This study evaluated the chemical composition, antioxidant capacity, antibacterial activity, and cell viability of ethanolic leaf extracts from Cissus striata (CS), Mitraria coccinea (MC), and Raukaua laetevirens (RL), compared with Buddleja globosa (BG), a well-known medicinal shrub. Extracts were obtained using 70% ethanol, ensuring high recovery of polyphenolic compounds while avoiding thermal degradation. The total phenolic content (TPC) was highest in CS, exceeding values reported for green tea, while MC exhibited the greatest total flavonoid content (TFC). HPLC–MS/MS analysis showed that RL was rich in rutin, while CS exhibited a higher quercetin content. Antioxidant activity assessed through ABTS, DPPH, and FRAP assays, was correlated with polyphenolic composition. CS showed the highest antioxidant potential, surpassing green tea by ~39%, as determined via FRAP, while MC and RL displayed capacities comparable to BG. Antibacterial activity assays demonstrated that MC inhibited Escherichia coli with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 12.5 mg/mL, lower than that of ampicillin, whereas CS was highly active against Staphylococcus aureus, with an MIC of 0.39 mg/mL, equivalent to the activity exhibited by tetracycline. Cytotoxicity assays confirmed that the extracts did not reduce human cell viability, supporting the potential of Chilean native shrubs as safe, natural sources of antioxidants and antimicrobials for food and pharmaceutical applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Polyphenols in Human Health: Emerging Insights for Future Therapeutic Strategies)
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22 pages, 1926 KB  
Article
Green Tea Catechins Mitigate Hepatocyte Ferroptosis Through Attenuation of Oxidative Stress and Improvement of Antioxidant Systems
by Pimpisid Koonyosying, Wit Tharanon, Kavee Pairojthanachai, Yanisa Samakarn, Kornkan Meejak, Narisara Paradee, Onsaya Kerdto, Suphatta Yubo, Yanping Zhong and Somdet Srichairatanakool
Antioxidants 2025, 14(12), 1483; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox14121483 - 10 Dec 2025
Viewed by 399
Abstract
Lipid peroxide (LPO) accumulation and a depletion of intracellular antioxidants are hallmarks of ferroptosis, a controlled iron-dependent form of cell death. Iron chelators and radical scavengers can stop it, while erastin or iron overload can cause it. The main catechin in green tea [...] Read more.
Lipid peroxide (LPO) accumulation and a depletion of intracellular antioxidants are hallmarks of ferroptosis, a controlled iron-dependent form of cell death. Iron chelators and radical scavengers can stop it, while erastin or iron overload can cause it. The main catechin in green tea extract (GTE), epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), has iron-chelating and antioxidant activities. Herein, we investigated the effects of EGCG-rich GTE on ferroptosis in iron-loaded hepatocytes. The contents of EGCG, total phenolics (TPC), and flavonoids (TFC), as well as ABTS•+-scavenging activity and cytotoxicity, were determined. Human hepatoma (Huh7) cells were treated with ferric ammonium citrate (FAC) to induce ferroptosis and were co-treated with various concentrations of GTE. Labile iron pool (LIP), reactive oxygen species (ROS), LPO, glutathione (GSH), and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX-4) activity were then measured in the cells. One gram of GTE contained 26 mg of EGCG, with a TPC of 172.2 mg gallic acid equivalents and a TFC of 32.9 mg quercetin equivalents. GTE displayed concentration-dependent ABTS•+-scavenging activity (IC50 = 1.03 mg) that was equivalent to 0.29 mg of Trolox, reporting a Trolox-equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) value of 0.29 mg. High-dose GTE (>100 µM EGCG equivalent) reduced cell viability below 80% (p < 0.05). Intracellular LIP, ROS, and LPO levels were markedly elevated, whereas GSH and GPX-4 activity levels were decreased (p < 0.05) in iron-loaded Huh7 cells. GTE treatment mitigated these alterations in a dose-dependent manner (p < 0.05). These cell-based in vitro findings indicate that EGCG-rich GTE can attenuate ferroptosis-associated oxidative stress in hepatocytes under iron-loading conditions. GTE may serve as a potential dietary antioxidant candidate; further mechanistic studies and in vivo experiments are required to determine its physiological relevance and translational applicability. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Polyphenols in Human Health: Emerging Insights for Future Therapeutic Strategies)
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21 pages, 1456 KB  
Article
Comparative Pharmacokinetics and Safety of a Micellar Chrysin–Quercetin–Rutin Formulation: A Randomized Crossover Trial
by Afoke Ibi, Chuck Chang, Yun Chai Kuo, Yiming Zhang, Peony Do, Min Du, Yoon Seok Roh, Roland Gahler, Mary Hardy and Julia Solnier
Antioxidants 2025, 14(11), 1313; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox14111313 - 31 Oct 2025
Viewed by 1035
Abstract
Chrysin is a dietary flavonoid with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, but its clinical potential is limited by poor oral bioavailability. This randomized double-blind three period crossover trial evaluated the pharmacokinetics of a novel micellar chrysin formulation co-encapsulated with quercetin and rutin (LMC) compared [...] Read more.
Chrysin is a dietary flavonoid with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, but its clinical potential is limited by poor oral bioavailability. This randomized double-blind three period crossover trial evaluated the pharmacokinetics of a novel micellar chrysin formulation co-encapsulated with quercetin and rutin (LMC) compared with a non-micellar chrysin formulation (NMC) and unformulated chrysin (UFC). Secondary objectives included in vitro permeability (Caco-2) and a 30-day safety assessment of daily LMC supplementation. Sixteen healthy adults received a single oral dose of each formulation in randomized order separated by a 7-day washout. Plasma chrysin was quantified over 24 h to determine pharmacokinetic parameters. In vitro Caco-2 assays evaluated permeability, and clinical biochemistry of 15 participants were assessed weekly during 30 days of daily LMC use. LMC achieved >2-fold higher systemic exposure than unformulated chrysin (AUC0–24 = 914.8 ± 697.5 ng·h/mL; Cmax = 87.3 ± 59.4 ng/mL; both p < 0.05) and >2.6-fold higher than NMC, supported by >10-fold higher in vitro permeability. Daily LMC supplementation was well tolerated, with only mild, reversible adverse events and no clinically relevant safety changes, despite higher systemic exposure. Small, but significant, reductions in fasting glucose were observed in both sexes. The novel micellar chrysin–quercetin–rutin formulation substantially improved bioavailability and was well tolerated during 30 days of daily use, supporting its potential as an advanced delivery strategy for flavonoids with poor oral absorption and identifying glucose regulation as a physiological effect of interest. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Polyphenols in Human Health: Emerging Insights for Future Therapeutic Strategies)
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27 pages, 2246 KB  
Article
Bioactive Compounds, Antioxidant, Antimicrobial and Anticancerogenic Activity in Lacmellea edulis H. Karst., at Different Stages of Maturity
by Elena Coyago-Cruz, Johana Zúñiga-Miranda, Gabriela Méndez, Melany Alomoto, Steven Vélez-Vite, Carlos Barba-Ostria, Rebeca Gonzalez-Pastor and Jorge Heredia-Moya
Antioxidants 2025, 14(10), 1232; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox14101232 - 14 Oct 2025
Viewed by 821
Abstract
Lacmellea edulis, traditionally known as chicle, is a species that has received little attention despite its nutraceutical potential. This study aimed to evaluate the physicochemical characteristics (pH, soluble solids, titratable acidity, moisture, ash, and minerals) and the content of bioactive compounds (vitamin [...] Read more.
Lacmellea edulis, traditionally known as chicle, is a species that has received little attention despite its nutraceutical potential. This study aimed to evaluate the physicochemical characteristics (pH, soluble solids, titratable acidity, moisture, ash, and minerals) and the content of bioactive compounds (vitamin C, organic acids, carotenoids, and phenols) of fruits at different stages of ripeness, as well as their antimicrobial (against Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus mutans), antiproliferative and antihaemolytic activity. Bioactive compounds were quantified using liquid chromatography, while biological activities were assessed via spectrophotometric assays. The results revealed a high concentration of ascorbic acid in the ripe pulp (3.0 mg/100 g DW), higher levels of organic acids in the unripe pulp (3947.6 mg/100 g DW), and a high total phenol content in the ripe peel (10,890.9 mg/100 g DW). The peel exhibited the highest antioxidant activity (63.3 mmol ET/100 g DW). Regarding antimicrobial activity, the pulp exhibited the lowest MIC values against E. coli (2.7 mg/mL) and S. mutans (2.6 mg/mL), the peel against S. aureus (21.3 mg/mL) and C. tropicalis (5.3 mg/mL), and the seeds against C. albicans (20.8 mg/mL). Additionally, the peel exhibited the greatest antiproliferative efficacy against cervical (HeLa) and hepatoma (HepG2) cancer cells. None of the evaluated extracts showed significant haemolytic effects, confirming their safety. Overall, L. edulis appears to be a promising source of bioactive metabolites with potential applications in functional foods and pharmaceutical products. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Polyphenols in Human Health: Emerging Insights for Future Therapeutic Strategies)
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