Phytotherapy and Natural Products in the Treatment and Prevention of Chronic Diseases

A Special Issue of Antioxidants (ISSN 2076-3921) belonging to the section "Natural and Synthetic Antioxidants".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 January 2027 | Viewed by 2152

Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
Interests: dietary antioxidants; reactive oxygen species (ROS); nephrotoxicity; molecular biology; pharmacology; toxicology
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E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Via Federico Delpino, 80137 Napoli, Italy
Interests: hematological cancers; leukemia; oxidative stress
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Chronic diseases—including cardiovascular and neurodegenerative disorders diabetes and cancer—pose significant global health challenges. Mounting scientific evidence underscores the pivotal role of oxidative stress and chronic inflammation in their pathogenesis. In this context, there is growing interest in phytotherapy and natural products, particularly those rich in antioxidants, as promising agents for both prevention and adjunctive treatment.

This research topic invites original contributions that investigate the efficacy of plant-derived compounds—such as polyphenols, flavonoids, terpenoids, and alkaloids—in mitigating oxidative damage and restoring physiological homeostasis. We also welcome studies that elucidate the cellular and molecular mechanisms by which traditional and herbal medicinal plants modulate oxidative stress, inflammation, aging, and related diseases.

To better define the scope of this topic, we encourage submissions that explore specific mechanisms of action, including the modulation of redox-sensitive signaling pathways (e.g., Nrf2/ARE, NF-κB), enhancement of endogenous antioxidant defenses (e.g., SOD, catalase, glutathione), and inhibition of pro-inflammatory mediators. While the list of plant components is broad, not all classes of compounds are equally involved in oxidative stress mitigation; therefore, studies should clearly delineate the bioactive constituents responsible for the observed effects and their mechanistic relevance.

Submissions integrating multi-omics approaches with experimental validation are especially encouraged. Authors are expected to provide a comprehensive description of the plant materials used, including methods of identification, extraction, and processing. For detailed submission requirements, please consult the author guidelines.

Prof. Dr. Sara Damiano
Prof. Dr. Roberto Ciarcia
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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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-anonymized 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.

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Keywords

  • chronic diseases
  • phytotherapy
  • natural antioxidants
  • plant-derived compounds

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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15 pages, 1917 KB  
Article
Natural Product Epipyrone A from Epicoccum nigrum Exhibits Antiproliferative Activity on Canine Mammary Tumor Cells Through PI3K/Akt/mTOR Pathway Modulation
by Consiglia Longobardi, Daria Lotito, Alessia Staropoli, Valeria Iervolino, Nunzio Antonio Cacciola, Serena Montagnaro, Francesco Vinale, Sara Damiano and Roberto Ciarcia
Antioxidants 2026, 15(2), 173; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox15020173 - 28 Jan 2026
Viewed by 1296
Abstract
Canine mammary tumors (CMTs) are among the most frequent neoplasms in female dogs, with current therapeutic options being limited and non-standardized, prompting the search for alternative treatments such as fungal secondary metabolites. In this study, the fungal pigment Epipyrone A (Epy A) was [...] Read more.
Canine mammary tumors (CMTs) are among the most frequent neoplasms in female dogs, with current therapeutic options being limited and non-standardized, prompting the search for alternative treatments such as fungal secondary metabolites. In this study, the fungal pigment Epipyrone A (Epy A) was first isolated from Epicoccum nigrum and then tested in vitro on two CMT cell lines, P114 and CF33. The compound significantly reduced cell viability in both lines in a concentration- and time-dependent manner (p < 0.05), with the strongest effect observed at 175 µg/mL after 48 h (p < 0.0001), while showing no cytotoxicity in MDCK non-tumor cells. Epy A also inhibited cell migration and increased total antioxidant capacity in P114 cells, accompanied by a significant reduction in ROS levels. Western blot analysis revealed modulation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway, crucial in CMT biology. Specifically, P114 cells showed downregulation of mTOR and p-Akt, indicating inhibition of proliferative signaling, whereas CF33 cells exhibited increased Akt and p-Akt alongside reduced mTOR, consistent with a compensatory feedback mechanism, probably linked to the changing in oxidative balance after treatment. Overall, these results identified Epy A as a promising natural molecule with potential applications in innovative therapeutic approaches for veterinary and comparative oncology. Full article
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Review

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34 pages, 2684 KB  
Review
The Use of Curcumin to Target Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Its Complications: Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Perspectives
by Jia Zhang, Qipeng Shu, Yuntao Tang, Huilong Liu, Chenxi Zhang, Xiuhong Chen and Shangze Li
Antioxidants 2026, 15(8), 1025; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox15081025 - 17 Aug 2026
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Abstract
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by insulin resistance, pancreatic β-cell dysfunction, and dysregulated glucose and lipid metabolism. Sustained hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia promote excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, antioxidant defense depletion, and chronic low-grade inflammation, thereby aggravating [...] Read more.
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by insulin resistance, pancreatic β-cell dysfunction, and dysregulated glucose and lipid metabolism. Sustained hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia promote excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, antioxidant defense depletion, and chronic low-grade inflammation, thereby aggravating insulin signaling impairment, β-cell injury, and diabetes-related complications. Although current glucose-lowering therapies have improved glycemic control, weight management, and cardiorenal outcomes, oxidative stress and inflammation remain incompletely addressed in many individuals with T2DM. Curcumin, a natural polyphenol derived from Curcuma longa L., exhibits antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, lipid-regulating, insulin-sensitizing, and tissue-protective activities. Evidence suggests that curcumin may alleviate T2DM-associated oxidative stress by suppressing ROS generation, reducing nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase activity, modulating the advanced glycation end-product/receptor for advanced glycation end-product (AGE/RAGE) axis, activating nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2/antioxidant response element (Nrf2/ARE) signaling, preserving mitochondrial homeostasis, and protecting β-cells. It may also inhibit nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and mitogen-activated protein kinase/c-Jun N-terminal kinase (MAPK/JNK) signaling, decrease pro-inflammatory cytokines and C-reactive protein (CRP), improve metabolic tissue inflammation, and attenuate gut-derived inflammation by regulating gut microbiota and intestinal barrier function. However, current clinical evidence mainly supports modest improvements in metabolic, inflammatory, oxidative stress-related, and selected complication-related biomarkers rather than definitive disease-modifying outcomes. Moreover, formulation heterogeneity, low bioavailability, limited pharmacokinetic reporting, and insufficient long-term endpoint data remain major translational barriers. This review summarizes the molecular mechanisms, clinical evidence, formulation-dependent interpretation, safety considerations, and translational limitations of curcumin as a candidate adjunctive intervention for T2DM, rather than as a replacement for evidence-based antidiabetic therapy. Full article
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