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Antioxidants
Special Issues
Anti-Cancer Potential of Plant-Based Antioxidants—2nd Edition
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Anti-Cancer Potential of Plant-Based Antioxidants—2nd Edition

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: 31 May 2026 | Viewed by 507

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Javier Espino

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Grupo de Investigación Neuroinmunofisiología y Crononutrición, Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Extremadura, Avenida de Elvas s/n, 06006 Badajoz, Spain
Interests: cancer biology; antioxidants; reactive oxygen species; molecular biology; mitochondria; cancer therapy
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. María Garrido

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Neuroimmunophysiology and Chrononutrition Research Group, University of Extremadura, 06006 Badajoz, Spain
2. Department of Physiology, Science Faculty, University of Extremadura, 06006 Badajoz, Spain
Interests: antioxidants; nutraceuticals; phytochemicals; biological activities; bioactive compounds; phenolic compounds; polyphenols
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Jonathan Delgado-Adamez

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Technological Agri-Food Institute (INTAEX), Centro de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas de Extremadura (CICYTEX), Avda Adolfo Suárez s/n, 06071 Badajoz, Spain
Interests: antioxidants; nutraceuticals; phytochemicals; biological activities; bioactive compounds; polyphenols
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Following the success of our previous edition, we are delighted to announce the 2nd edition of the Special Issue “Anti-Cancer Potential of Plant-Based Antioxidants—2nd Edition”. The therapeutic potential of medicinal plants remains a cornerstone in the development of innovative strategies against cancer. Natural products continue to inspire the discovery of bioactive molecules, with nearly half of clinically effective drugs originating from natural sources. This enduring relevance underscores the importance of exploring plant-derived compounds as modulators of oxidative stress and signaling pathways involved in tumor progression.

This new edition aims to deepen our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the antitumor activity of functional antioxidants obtained from plants. We welcome studies that address their role in apoptosis, cell cycle regulation, and redox homeostasis, as well as their capacity to enhance conventional therapies or overcome drug resistance. Contributions may include in vitro and in vivo investigations, translational research using patient-derived models, and clinical studies evaluating efficacy and safety.

In addition to mechanistic insights, we encourage submissions that employ cutting-edge approaches such as omics technologies, computational modeling, and bioinformatics tools to identify and optimize plant-derived antioxidants with therapeutic potential. Reviews synthesizing current knowledge and highlighting emerging trends in this field are also highly appreciated.

By gathering high-quality research and comprehensive reviews, this Special Issue seeks to advance the development of plant-based strategies for cancer prevention and treatment, fostering innovation at the interface of natural product chemistry, molecular oncology, and translational medicine.

We look forward to your valuable contributions.

Dr. Javier Espino
Dr. María Garrido
Dr. Jonathan Delgado-Adamez
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 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

  • antioxidants
  • cancer
  • carotenoids
  • medicinal plants
  • nutraceuticals
  • oxidative stress
  • polyphenols
  • terpenoids

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

30 pages, 39256 KB  
Article
The Flavonoid Rutin Enhances Temozolomide Sensitivity in Glioblastoma Spheroids by Modulating Chemoresistance via PI3K/AKT, STAT3, Redox and Kynurenine Pathways, and Altering ECM Remodeling Associated with Reduced Migration
by Irlã Santos Lima, Fernanda Vidal Carvalho, Érica Novaes Soares, Monique Reis de Santana, Maria de Fátima Dias Costa, Carolina Kymie Vasques Nonaka, Bruno Solano de Freitas Souza, Henning Ulrich, Cleonice Creusa dos Santos and Silvia Lima Costa
Antioxidants 2026, 15(5), 643; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox15050643 - 19 May 2026
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Abstract
Introduction: Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most aggressive primary tumor of the central nervous system and is highly resistant to temozolomide (TMZ). Rutin is a potent antioxidant with immunomodulatory and anti-glioma effects in vitro, although its mechanisms of action remain incompletely understood. This study [...] Read more.
Introduction: Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most aggressive primary tumor of the central nervous system and is highly resistant to temozolomide (TMZ). Rutin is a potent antioxidant with immunomodulatory and anti-glioma effects in vitro, although its mechanisms of action remain incompletely understood. This study investigated the effects of rutin on morphology, viability, redox balance, and pro-tumoral signaling in GBM 2D cultures and 3D spheroids, as well as its association with TMZ sensitivity. Methods: GL15 and U343 human GBM cell lines and primary astrocytes were treated with rutin (5–30 μM) and/or TMZ (125–4000 μM). Cell metabolic activity and viability were assessed by MTT, PI/DiOC18(3) or PI/Hoechst. Cell migration was assessed from spheroid-derived cells, and extracellular matrix (ECM) components (fibronectin and laminin) were evaluated by immunofluorescence. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) were measured by DCFH-DA fluorescence. IL-6, STAT3, NOS2, and IDO1 gene expression were determined by RT-qPCR, and protein expression of MMP2, fibronectin, STAT3, PI3K, and AKT by Western blotting. Nitric oxide (NO) and L-kynurenine levels were quantified in the supernatant by colorimetric assays. Results: Rutin reduced cell viability and enhanced TMZ cytotoxicity in both 2D and 3D cultures, while exerting selective effects by increasing metabolic activity and attenuating TMZ-induced effects in non-tumoral primary astrocytes. In 3D spheroids, rutin affected structural organization and reduced spheroid-derived cell migration, accompanied by changes in ECM components, including MMP2, fibronectin, and laminin. Rutin decreased intracellular ROS levels and suppressed the TMZ-induced increase in ROS and NOS signaling. These effects were accompanied by modulation of IL-6/STAT3 signaling, along with reduced STAT3, PI3K, and AKT protein levels. Rutin also modulated immunometabolic parameters, including extracellular L-kynurenine and nitric oxide levels, and enhanced TMZ responsiveness following pre-sensitization. Conclusions: Rutin enhances TMZ responsiveness by modulating interconnected pro-tumoral mechanisms, including redox balance, pro-survival signaling, ECM remodeling and migratory behavior, and immunometabolic pathways linked to chemoresistance, supporting its potential as an adjuvant therapeutic strategy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Anti-Cancer Potential of Plant-Based Antioxidants—2nd Edition)
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