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Antioxidants
Special Issues
Antioxidant Capacity of Natural Products—3rd Edition
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Antioxidant Capacity of Natural Products—3rd Edition

A special issue of Antioxidants (ISSN 2076-3921). This special issue belongs to the section "Natural and Synthetic Antioxidants".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 October 2026 | Viewed by 7138

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Younghwa Kim

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Food Biotechnology and Nutrition, Kyungsung University, Busan 48434, Republic of Korea
Interests: food chemistry and experiment; food chemistry; food analysis; functional food science
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Following the successful reception of its previous editions, we are delighted to present the third edition of the Antioxidants Special Issue titled "Antioxidant Capacity of Natural Products". This ongoing series continues to serve as a platform for advancing our understanding of natural antioxidants and their therapeutic potential.

Oxidative stress, caused by the excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and an insufficient antioxidant defense, remains a central factor in the pathogenesis of numerous chronic and degenerative diseases. Natural products—particularly phytochemicals such as polyphenols, carotenoids, alkaloids, and essential micronutrients—are increasingly recognized for their potent antioxidant properties and diverse health benefits. These compounds play a pivotal role in modulating oxidative pathways, protecting biomolecules, and maintaining cellular homeostasis.

Recent advances have expanded our insight into how natural antioxidants interact within complex biological systems, including their molecular mechanisms of action, synergistic interactions, and therapeutic applications. Furthermore, innovative approaches in extraction, characterization, and bioavailability enhancement constitute new avenues for clinical and functional applications of these bioactive compounds.

This Special Issue aims to gather high-quality original research articles, comprehensive reviews, and novel insights addressing the biological efficacy, mechanistic studies, and applied potential of antioxidant-rich natural resources. Both in vitro and in vivo investigations, as well as translational research, are welcomed.

We invite contributions on a broad range of topics, including, but not limited to:

  • Mechanistic insights into the antioxidant action of natural products;
  • The role of dietary antioxidants in the prevention and management of chronic diseases;
  • The synergistic or additive effects of combined phytochemicals;
  • Advances in analytical methods for evaluating antioxidant capacity;
  • Clinical or functional applications of natural antioxidants;
  • Antioxidant evaluation of traditional medicinal plants and ethnobotanical resources.

We hope this Special Issue will serve as a valuable reference for researchers, clinicians, and industry professionals seeking to develop natural antioxidant-based strategies for health promotion and disease prevention.

We look forward to your contributions and to advancing this important field together.

Sincerely,

Prof. Dr. Younghwa Kim
Guest Editor

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

  • natural antioxidants
  • oxidative stress
  • phytochemicals
  • bioactive compounds
  • reactive oxygen species (ROS)

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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18 pages, 1365 KB  
Article
Oxidative Stability and Kinetics of Oxidation of Rosehip, Sunflower, Olive and Jojoba Oils
by Carmen Fagoaga, Angela Moreno, Nayara Fernández-Julián and Gloria Castellano
Antioxidants 2026, 15(5), 646; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox15050646 - 20 May 2026
Viewed by 149
Abstract
Lipid oxidation affects the quality and functionality of vegetable oils, and its progression depends largely on fatty acid composition and antioxidant content. Oxidation kinetics provide essential information about oxidative resistance in oils. The determination of activation parameters allows for the evaluation of oxidation [...] Read more.
Lipid oxidation affects the quality and functionality of vegetable oils, and its progression depends largely on fatty acid composition and antioxidant content. Oxidation kinetics provide essential information about oxidative resistance in oils. The determination of activation parameters allows for the evaluation of oxidation susceptibility under thermal stress. Oxidative stability and oxidation kinetics at different temperatures of rosehip, sunflower, olive and jojoba oils were studied using both Rancimat and BQC-Redox System methods, enabling the calculation of kinetic constants and thermodynamic activation parameters for the process. BRS measurements showed an increase in total antioxidant capacity (TAC) with temperature in all samples, with olive oil presenting the highest TAC and jojoba the lowest at 298 K, while rosehip oil showed the lowest TAC at 373 K. Kinetic analysis revealed negative ΔS# values, indicating the formation of ordered transition states, and similar activation energies (ΔG# ≈ 56–58 kJ/mol), although jojoba displayed the highest ΔH# and ΔG#. Rancimat analysis at 373 K showed clear differences in oxidative stability: jojoba oil had the longest induction period, followed by olive, sunflower, and rosehip. These results correlated with PUFA levels. Principal component analysis (PCA) confirmed strong associations between induction period, fatty-acid composition, and kinetic parameters, demonstrating good agreement between the two analytical methods. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antioxidant Capacity of Natural Products—3rd Edition)
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20 pages, 2086 KB  
Article
Magnetic Field-Driven Regulation of Bioactive Metabolites and Metabolic Enzyme Inhibition in Sanghuangporus vaninii
by Qiurui Ma, Seo Yoon Lee, Zi Liu, Shuo Zhang, Jing Wang, KH Ahammad Uz Zaman, Helong Bai and Ki Hyun Kim
Antioxidants 2026, 15(4), 406; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox15040406 - 24 Mar 2026
Viewed by 837
Abstract
The effects of static magnetic field (SMF) treatment on the solid-state culture of Sanghuangporus vaninii (SV) were investigated to enhance metabolite production and bioactivity. SMF parameters including intensity, exposure duration, and temperature were optimized, and treatment at 4 mT for 2 h per [...] Read more.
The effects of static magnetic field (SMF) treatment on the solid-state culture of Sanghuangporus vaninii (SV) were investigated to enhance metabolite production and bioactivity. SMF parameters including intensity, exposure duration, and temperature were optimized, and treatment at 4 mT for 2 h per day produced the most pronounced effects, increasing total flavonoid (TFC), polyphenol (TPC), and triterpenoid (TTC) contents by 61–438% compared with the control. Ultrasonic extraction and semi-preparative chromatography enabled the isolation of three key compounds: D-(+)-trehalose (1), 5,7-dihydroxy-3,4′-dimethoxyflavone (2), and pinolenic acid (3), all of which were elevated following SMF treatment. Importantly, SMF exposure was associated with enhanced inhibitory activities against enzymes relevant to chronic metabolic disorders. The overall inhibitory activities against α-amylase, α-glucosidase, pancreatic lipase, and xanthine oxidase increased by 6–28% compared with the control, reaching a maximum inhibition of 97.60 ± 0.17%. Preliminary in vitro screening at 100 μg/mL showed that compounds 1 and 2 inhibited both α-amylase and α-glucosidase, whereas compound 3 selectively inhibited pancreatic lipase. Subsequent IC50 analysis confirmed that compound 2 under SMF treatment exhibited inhibitory activity comparable to acarbose against α-amylase (45.62 μg/mL vs. 52.18 μg/mL) and α-glucosidase (38.74 μg/mL vs. 35.42 μg/mL). In addition, compound 3 showed moderate inhibition of pancreatic lipase with an IC50 value of 42.15 μg/mL. These findings suggest that SMF treatment may enhance metabolite production and in vitro enzyme inhibitory activity in S. vaninii. However, these results are limited to in vitro assays, and further studies including cellular and in vivo validation, toxicity assessment, and pharmacokinetic evaluation, are required before any therapeutic or industrial applications can be considered. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antioxidant Capacity of Natural Products—3rd Edition)
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21 pages, 2138 KB  
Article
Elucidating the Effects of Selenium Enrichment on the Structure and Antioxidant Properties of Selenium-Containing Proteins in Yeast Cells
by Lixia He, Xu Wang, Jiangrong Xiao, Jie Qiao, Ying Ma and Yi He
Antioxidants 2026, 15(3), 370; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox15030370 - 15 Mar 2026
Viewed by 712
Abstract
Selenium (Se) enrichment in yeast represents a promising strategy for producing organic Se with high bioavailability. However, a systematic understanding of how Se incorporation alters intact protein structure and function across diverse strains remains lacking. This study investigated four yeast species (Saccharomyces [...] Read more.
Selenium (Se) enrichment in yeast represents a promising strategy for producing organic Se with high bioavailability. However, a systematic understanding of how Se incorporation alters intact protein structure and function across diverse strains remains lacking. This study investigated four yeast species (Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Kluyveromyces marxianus, Kluyveromyces lactis, and Torulaspora delbrueckii) using multi-spectroscopic and radical scavenging assays. Despite moderate growth inhibition (10.4–27.7%), all strains accumulated substantial Se (1164–2858 µg/g). Structural analysis revealed that Se induced strain-dependent protein conformational perturbations. Specifically, in selenium-enriched Saccharomyces cerevisiae, where Se was predominantly incorporated as selenomethionine (SeMet, 85.80%), a significant structural relaxation occurred. This was characterized by decreased rigid β-sheet content, increased flexible random coils, and a substantial enhancement in surface hydrophobicity. Crucially, Pearson correlation analysis revealed that functional enhancements were synergistically governed by specific Se speciation and secondary structural remodeling. Enhanced DPPH• scavenging activity was positively correlated with changes in β-sheet and random coil structures. Selenomethionine content was also significantly correlated with increased scavenging of •OH and ABTS•+. Consequently, Saccharomyces cerevisiae uniquely achieved highly significant (p < 0.001) antioxidant improvements, whereas other strains showed moderate or non-significant responses despite high Se yields. Our findings demonstrate that the antioxidant efficacy of selenoproteins is not solely determined by total Se content but is fundamentally driven by the targeted bioconversion of SeMet and its associated structural relaxation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antioxidant Capacity of Natural Products—3rd Edition)
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21 pages, 2877 KB  
Article
Comprehensive Characterization of Lantana camara Essential Oil from Angola: GC-MS Profiling, Antioxidant Capacity, and Drug-likeness Prediction
by Nswadi Kinkela, Abdy Morales, Hugo A. Sánchez-Martínez, Maricselis Díaz, Nsevolo Samba, Monizi Mawunu, Juan A. Morán-Pinzón, Lúcia Silva, Jesus M. Rodilla and Estela Guerrero De León
Antioxidants 2026, 15(3), 291; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox15030291 - 26 Feb 2026
Viewed by 912
Abstract
Lantana camara L. (Verbenaceae) is a medicinal plant widely used in traditional medicine in Angola, especially for its anti-inflammatory effects. This study evaluated the chemical composition of L. camara essential oil from leaves (Lc-EO) collected in Uíge Province, Angola. GC–MS analysis [...] Read more.
Lantana camara L. (Verbenaceae) is a medicinal plant widely used in traditional medicine in Angola, especially for its anti-inflammatory effects. This study evaluated the chemical composition of L. camara essential oil from leaves (Lc-EO) collected in Uíge Province, Angola. GC–MS analysis enabled the identification of 96 volatile compounds, with sesquiterpenes and monoterpenes as the predominant constituents. Among them, β-caryophyllene (14.49%), sabinene (9.13%), bicyclogermacrene (8.18%), α-humulene (5.66%), nerolidol (5.29%), and 1,8-cineole (5.14%) were identified as major components. The antioxidant activity of Lc-EO was assessed using DPPH, ABTS, and superoxide anion (O2•−) assays. Lc-EO showed strong activity in the DPPH assay (IC50 = 0.72 µg/mL), moderate activity in the ABTS assay (IC50 = 87.5 µg/mL), but minimal effect on O2•− radicals (IC50 = 1491 µg/mL). It also significantly inhibited lipid peroxidation (IC50 = 236.2 µg/mL). The anti-inflammatory activity of Lc-EO was assessed through its ability to inhibit protein denaturation, exhibiting a moderate effect with 28% inhibition. In silico ADMET predictions suggested drug-like properties and low predicted systemic toxicity for major compounds. The Artemia salina lethality assay indicated moderate general toxicity (IC50 = 154.1 µg/mL), whereas the MTT viability assay revealed higher cytotoxic potency of Lc-EO (IC50 = 31.58 µg/mL), highlighting model-dependent differences in sensitivity. Overall, L. camara essential oil shows relevant bioactivity consistent with its traditional use, particularly antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, while its cytotoxicity highlights the need for safety evaluation. These findings indicate that the assayed oil is a promising source of bioactive compounds, but further studies are required to support its development as a safe pharmaceutical raw material. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antioxidant Capacity of Natural Products—3rd Edition)
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13 pages, 1388 KB  
Review
Myo-Inositol: Pharmacokinetics, Biological Functions, and Therapeutic Potential in Liver Protection: Insights from Preclinical Models
by Tomasz Antonowski, Adam Osowski and Joanna Wojtkiewicz
Antioxidants 2026, 15(3), 297; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox15030297 - 27 Feb 2026
Viewed by 4062
Abstract
Myo-inositol, the most common stereoisomer of inositol, plays an important role in many physiological processes, such as cell signaling, regulation of glucose and lipid metabolism, and protection of cells against oxidative stress. The main focus has been on pharmacokinetics, and it has been [...] Read more.
Myo-inositol, the most common stereoisomer of inositol, plays an important role in many physiological processes, such as cell signaling, regulation of glucose and lipid metabolism, and protection of cells against oxidative stress. The main focus has been on pharmacokinetics, and it has been studied in both animal models (Wistar rats, mice, and Danio rerio) and humans. It is characterized by high oral bioavailability and is primarily eliminated via the kidneys. Preclinical studies have shown that myo-inositol has hepatoprotective potential, reducing oxidative stress, inflammation, and lipid accumulation in hepatocytes, as well as stabilizing liver cell membranes. Animal models make it possible to assess mechanisms of action, toxicity, and efficacy, thereby laying the groundwork for clinical research. In clinical practice, myo-inositol is currently used mainly in the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome, gestational diabetes, fertility disorders, and certain affective disorders. Based on the results of preclinical studies, its potential application in liver diseases and drug-induced injury has been suggested. Despite promising findings, further translational research and randomized clinical trials are necessary to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy and safety of myo-inositol in hepatology. In summary, myo-inositol is a natural, well-tolerated compound with a multidirectional mechanism of action that may represent a promising element of supportive therapy for liver diseases. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antioxidant Capacity of Natural Products—3rd Edition)
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