Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Potential of Plants in Cancer Treatment

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: 30 December 2025 | Viewed by 4661

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Faculté de Pharmacie de Paris, Université Paris Cité, U.M.R. n°8038-CiTCoM-(CNRS, Université de Paris Cité), F-75006 Paris, France
Interests: natural products chemistry; pharmacognosy; semisynthesis
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Wild or cultivated plants, whether edible or medicinal, are valuable sources of bioactive compounds such as polyphenols, organic acids, non-volatile terpenoids, steroids, alkaloids, and their glycosides. Polyphenols being the most common, many applications of plant extracts have attracted interest in traditional medicine due to their beneficial health properties for reducing oxidative/inflammatory stress, which represents a critical component in cancer progression. However, other classes of natural compounds may have potential applications in the treatment or prevention of cancer. The identification of secondary metabolites from plants selected according to chemotaxonomic criteria, and the evaluation of their protective and therapeutic effects in cancer progression, are therefore of great interest.

As the circular economy is a new model that combines environmental, economic, and societal benefits, the choice of plants will not be limited to medicinal or food plants. It will focus on cultivated resources with high environmental potential, selected according to chemotaxonomic criteria.

This Special Issue will publish original research articles and reviews on aspects related to the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of pure natural compounds and plant extracts with potential action in cancer treatment. They should be based on the characterization of the chemical profile of plant extracts combined with an in-depth biological evaluation that may explain or reveal the presence of a specific molecule or a family of molecules responsible for the observed activities.

Prof. Dr. Brigitte Deguin
Dr. Lorenza Trabalzini
Prof. Dr. Rosa Tundis
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • phytochemical characterization
  • antioxidant and anti-inflammatory natural compounds and extracts
  • natural waste resources
  • horticultural or wild plants, medicinal plants, and edible plants
  • green selective extraction processes

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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16 pages, 2268 KiB  
Article
Hydnocarpin, a Natural Flavonolignan, Induces the ROS-Mediated Apoptosis of Ovarian Cancer Cells and Reprograms Tumor-Associated Immune Cells
by Jae-Yoon Kim, Yejin Kim, Soo-Yeon Woo, Jin-Ok Kim, Hyunsoo Kim, So-Ri Son, Dae Sik Jang and Jung-Hye Choi
Antioxidants 2025, 14(7), 846; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox14070846 - 10 Jul 2025
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Abstract
Ovarian cancer, the most lethal form of gynecological cancer worldwide with a poor prognosis, is largely driven by an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. In this study, we investigated the anticancer effects of hydnocarpin, a natural flavonolignan derived from the flowers of Pueraria lobata, [...] Read more.
Ovarian cancer, the most lethal form of gynecological cancer worldwide with a poor prognosis, is largely driven by an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. In this study, we investigated the anticancer effects of hydnocarpin, a natural flavonolignan derived from the flowers of Pueraria lobata, focusing on its effects on ovarian cancer and tumor-associated immune cells, including ovarian cancer-stimulated macrophages (MQs) and T cells. Hydnocarpin exhibited potent cytotoxicity against multiple ovarian cancer cell lines but only minimal toxicity against normal ovarian surface epithelial cells. Mechanistically, hydnocarpin triggered caspase-dependent apoptosis, as evidenced by the activation of caspase-9 and -3, with limited involvement of caspase-8, indicating the activation of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. Experimental data implicated reactive oxygen species generation as a key mediator of hydnocarpin cytotoxicity, and reactive oxygen species inhibition significantly inhibited this cytotoxicity. In addition to its direct tumoricidal effects, hydnocarpin reprogrammed the tumor-associated immune cells, ovarian cancer-stimulated macrophages and T cells, by downregulating the levels of M2 MQ markers and pro-tumoral factors (matrix metalloproteinase-2/9, C–C motif chemokine ligand 5, transforming growth factor-β, and vascular endothelial growth factor) and enhancing MQ phagocytosis. Additionally, hydnocarpin promoted T-cell activation (interferon-γ and interleukin-2) and reduced the expression levels of immune evasion markers (CD80, CD86, and VISTA). Overall, this study demonstrated the dual anti-tumor effects of hydnocarpin on both ovarian cancer cells and immunosuppressive immune components in the tumor microenvironment, highlighting its potential as a novel therapeutic candidate for ovarian cancer. Full article
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38 pages, 10621 KiB  
Review
Telomerase Inhibition in the Treatment of Leukemia: A Comprehensive Review
by Elżbieta Bartoszewska, Klaudia Molik, Marta Woźniak and Anna Choromańska
Antioxidants 2024, 13(4), 427; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox13040427 - 30 Mar 2024
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3331
Abstract
Leukemia, characterized by the uncontrolled proliferation and differentiation blockage of myeloid or lymphoid precursor cells, presents significant therapeutic challenges despite current treatment modalities like chemotherapy and stem cell transplantation. Pursuing novel therapeutic strategies that selectively target leukemic cells is critical for improving patient [...] Read more.
Leukemia, characterized by the uncontrolled proliferation and differentiation blockage of myeloid or lymphoid precursor cells, presents significant therapeutic challenges despite current treatment modalities like chemotherapy and stem cell transplantation. Pursuing novel therapeutic strategies that selectively target leukemic cells is critical for improving patient outcomes. Natural products offer a promising avenue for developing effective chemotherapy and preventive measures against leukemia, providing a rich source of biologically active compounds. Telomerase, a key enzyme involved in chromosome stabilization and mainly active in cancer cells, presents an attractive target for intervention. In this review article, we focus on the anti-leukemic potential of natural substances, emphasizing vitamins (such as A, D, and E) and polyphenols (including curcumin and indole-3-carbinol), which, in combination with telomerase inhibition, demonstrate reduced cytotoxicity compared to conventional chemotherapies. We discuss the role of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT), particularly its mRNA expression, as a potential therapeutic target, highlighting the promise of natural compounds in leukemia treatment and prevention. Full article
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