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Antioxidants
Special Issues
Potential Health Benefits of Dietary Antioxidants
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Potential Health Benefits of Dietary Antioxidants

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 October 2025 | Viewed by 25931

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Irene Dini

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Via Montesano 49, 80131 Napoli, Italy
Interests: food chemistry; analytical chemistry; commodity chemistry
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Dietary antioxidants are a widespread family of molecules characterized by their chemical structure (e.g., phenols, vitamins, peptides, etc.), chemical–physical properties (e.g., lipophilic or hydrophilic), and activity (enzymatic or nonenzymatic). They mitigate oxidative stress due to excessive and uncontrolled reactive oxygen species (ROS; i.e., singlet oxygen, peroxynitrite, hydroxyl radical OH−, superoxide ion O2−, hydrogen peroxide H2O2) and free radical production. Exogenous (i.e., smoke, pollutants, and radiation) and endogenous factors (i.e., aerobic metabolism in mitochondria, enzymatic reactions, etc.) induce their production. Oxidative stress causes inflammation, cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative illnesses, asthma, senescence, cancer, and premature skin aging. Food's antioxidative capacity is determined by a range of compounds, some of which may not be identified after their metabolization. Depending on their concentration, specific antioxidants may lead to under- or overestimating antioxidant activity since they work synergistically. In recent years, the consumption of functional foods and food supplements containing food antioxidants has expanded exponentially. Recently, supplements based on single antioxidants and extracts containing food antioxidants have been formulated. Unfortunately, many antioxidants act as prooxidants at high concentrations, increasing to oxidative stress and inducing toxicity. This Special Issue aims to collect reviews and research articles in which dietary antioxidants' isolation, characterization, uses, delivery systems and toxicological aspects are reported. 

Dr. Irene Dini
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 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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

  • food antioxidants
  • food supplements
  • antioxidant activity
  • food antioxidant isolation
  • food antioxidant characterization
  • analytical method validation
  • antioxidant bioavailability
  • circular economy
  • sustainability

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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22 pages, 4496 KiB  
Article
Obtainment of Flavonoid-Enriched Fractions from Maqui (Aristotelia chilensis) and Murta (Ugni molinae) Extracts via Preparative HPLC and Evaluation of Their Anti-Inflammatory Effects in Cell-Based Assays
by Amador Alburquenque, Carolina Busch, Gabriela Gómez-Lillo, Alexander Gamboa, Camilo Perez, Nelson Caro Fuentes, Martin Gotteland, Lilian Abugoch and Cristian Tapia
Antioxidants 2025, 14(5), 600; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox14050600 - 16 May 2025
Viewed by 113
Abstract
Polyphenols exert anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects by modulating cell signalling pathways and transcription factors involved in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, their stability during digestion can be compromised. Polymer coatings like chitosan (-C) help preserve their stability. Maqui (Aristotelia chilensis) and [...] Read more.
Polyphenols exert anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects by modulating cell signalling pathways and transcription factors involved in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, their stability during digestion can be compromised. Polymer coatings like chitosan (-C) help preserve their stability. Maqui (Aristotelia chilensis) and murta (Ugni molinae) are rich in antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds. This work aims to obtain extracts (E) and blends (B) enriched in delphinidin and quercetin glucosides from maqui (Ma) and murta (Mu) crude extracts using preparative chromatography methodology (Prep-HPLC) and to evaluate their effectiveness through in vitro and cellular assays. HPLC-DAD analysis revealed a marked increase in phenolic compound concentration in the BEMaMu and BCMaMu extract blends. Total quercetin glycosides (TQG) increased by 11-fold, and total anthocyanins increased by approximately 8-fold compared to the fruit blend (BMaMu). BCMaMu exhibited a significantly higher ORAC value compared to the estimated additive mixture, suggesting a synergistic effect. No cytotoxicity was observed for BEMaMu, BCMaMu, and their chitosan-coated versions (BEMaMu-C and BCMaMu-C) in Caco-2 and HT29-MTX-E12 cells at concentrations of 0.1–50 mg/mL. Notably, only chitosan-coated BCMaMu inhibited NF-κB expression and activated Nrf2 in TNF-α-challenged Caco-2 cells at 0.1 and 0.5 mg/mL. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Potential Health Benefits of Dietary Antioxidants)
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20 pages, 5358 KiB  
Article
20-Hydroxyecdysone Boosts Energy Production and Biosynthetic Processes in Non-Transformed Mouse Cells
by Oleg Shuvalov, Yulia Kirdeeva, Elizaveta Fefilova, Alexandra Daks, Olga Fedorova, Sergey Parfenyev, Alexander Nazarov, Yulia Vlasova, George S. Krasnov and Nick A. Barlev
Antioxidants 2024, 13(11), 1349; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox13111349 - 2 Nov 2024
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1678
Abstract
20-Hydroxyecdysone (20E) is an arthropod steroid hormone that possesses a number of beneficial pharmacological activities in humans, including anabolic, antioxidant, hypoglycemic, cardioprotective, hepatoprotective, neuroprotective, and antineoplastic properties, etc. While several studies have explored the anabolic activity of 20E in muscle cells, they have [...] Read more.
20-Hydroxyecdysone (20E) is an arthropod steroid hormone that possesses a number of beneficial pharmacological activities in humans, including anabolic, antioxidant, hypoglycemic, cardioprotective, hepatoprotective, neuroprotective, and antineoplastic properties, etc. While several studies have explored the anabolic activity of 20E in muscle cells, they have concentrated on its effects on myofibril size, protein biosynthesis intensity, and myostatin expression, without assessing energy metabolism. In this research, we have demonstrated that 20E boosts both catabolism and anabolism, coupling energy-producing and biosynthetic metabolic processes in mouse myoblasts and fibroblasts in the same way. Using a transcriptomic approach, we identified the 20E-mediated up-regulation of genes involved in different metabolic processes. Further experiments revealed that 20E increased the levels of enzymes involved in glycolysis and one-carbon metabolism. It also increased the uptake of glucose, glycolysis, respiration, the production of ATP, and global protein biosynthesis in mouse myoblasts and fibroblasts. This phenomenon involves the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. Taken together, the observed 20E-dependent upregulation of energy metabolism may be the main reason for 20E’s well-known anabolic activity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Potential Health Benefits of Dietary Antioxidants)
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21 pages, 2895 KiB  
Article
Chemical Profiling, Enzyme Inhibitory Activity and Antioxidant Capacity of South African Herbal Teas: Buddleja saligna, Lippia javanica, L. scaberrima and Phyla dulcis
by Nélida Nina, Alberto Burgos-Edwards, Cristina Theoduloz, Satyajit Tripathy, Motlalepula Gilbert Matsabisa and Guillermo Schmeda-Hirschmann
Antioxidants 2024, 13(10), 1219; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox13101219 - 10 Oct 2024
Viewed by 1607
Abstract
Herbal teas are used in South Africa as digestives to lower glycaemia and for other indications. However, the chemical composition of the infusions and their effect on enzymes related to metabolic syndrome is poorly known. The composition of infusions and methanol extracts of [...] Read more.
Herbal teas are used in South Africa as digestives to lower glycaemia and for other indications. However, the chemical composition of the infusions and their effect on enzymes related to metabolic syndrome is poorly known. The composition of infusions and methanol extracts of B. saligna (Scrophulariaceae), Lippia javanica, L. scaberrima, and Phyla dulcis (Verbenaceae) was assessed and the effect of the infusions and extract was determined towards α-glucosidase, α-amylase, and pancreatic lipase. The commercial herbal products were extracted separately with MeOH or hot water to obtain the extract/infusion for comparative studies. Total phenolic, total flavonoid and antioxidant capacity were assessed. The fingerprints of the MeOH extracts and infusions were compared by HPLD-DAD. The extract constituents were tentatively identified by HPLC-MS/MS and NMR analyses. From the extracts/infusions, 57 compounds were identified, including iridoids, phenylpropanoid glycosides, flavonoids, and caffeic acid derivatives, among others. The MeOH extracts and infusions showed strong inhibition towards α-glucosidase with IC50 in the range of 0.13–0.84 µg/mL for the phenolic-enriched infusion extract (PEI) and 0.47–0.50 µg/mL for the MeOH extracts, respectively. The P. dulcis PEI showed higher inhibition towards α-glucosidase, and the MeOH extract of L. scaberrima was better than the PEI. At 100 µg/mL, the PEI from the four herbal teas reduces the activity of α-amylase by 23.03–28.61%, with L. javanica as the most active tea. Three of the species are high in phenylpropanoid glycosides, while P. dulcis contains rosmarinic acid. Some 26 compounds were identified in the infusion from B. saligna, 28 from L. scaberrima, and 21 from P. dulcis. Four of them are common in all the teas, namely decaffeoylverbascoside, verbascoside, isoverbascoside, and tuberonic acid hexoside. Ten compounds occur in two of the teas and seventeen, fifteen, and eleven compounds were detected only in B. saligna, L. scaberrima, and P. dulcis, respectively. Most of the compounds are reported for the first time from the crude drug infusions. The results give some support for the traditional use of herbal teas as digestives and/or indications for diabetes. The chemical fingerprints set the basis for quality control of the crude drugs, based on the main constituents and differential compounds occurring in the samples. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Potential Health Benefits of Dietary Antioxidants)
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16 pages, 530 KiB  
Article
Dietary Antioxidants May Support Cosmetic Treatment in Patients with Rosacea
by Kinga Zujko-Kowalska, Joanna Masłowska, Małgorzata Knaś-Dawidziuk, Jadwiga Hamulka and Małgorzata Elżbieta Zujko
Antioxidants 2024, 13(3), 381; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox13030381 - 21 Mar 2024
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3134
Abstract
Rosacea is a chronic skin disease that significantly reduces the quality of life (QoL) of patients. The aim of this study was to assess whether dietary antioxidants can support the effect of cosmetic treatment in improving the QoL of patients with rosacea. Basic [...] Read more.
Rosacea is a chronic skin disease that significantly reduces the quality of life (QoL) of patients. The aim of this study was to assess whether dietary antioxidants can support the effect of cosmetic treatment in improving the QoL of patients with rosacea. Basic data about participants (N = 160) were collected using a self-reported survey. QoL was assessed using the standardized Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) questionnaire. An interventional cosmetic treatment was performed using cavitation peeling and sonophoresis with a commercial capillary repair serum. The study was registered as a clinical trial (NCT06271135). To assess antioxidant diet quality, for the first time, a new dietary antioxidant quality index (DAQI) was developed, which consisted of 12 items: dietary total antioxidant capacity, dietary polyphenols, phytosterols, lignans, vitamin C, vitamin E, β-carotene, zinc, iron, copper, manganese and selenium. It was found that the highest tertiles of DAQI diminished the odds about 40–45% of the moderate, large and extremely large effect of rosacea on QoL and about 8–11% of the occurrence of rosacea symptoms compared with the lowest tertile. This study showed that rosacea has a negative impact on QoL, but a comprehensive approach to treatment, including antioxidant cosmetic treatment and dietary antioxidants, can improve the QoL of patients with rosacea. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Potential Health Benefits of Dietary Antioxidants)
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Review

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28 pages, 1189 KiB  
Review
Alpha-Lipoic Acid: Biological Mechanisms and Health Benefits
by Fabiana Superti and Rosario Russo
Antioxidants 2024, 13(10), 1228; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox13101228 - 12 Oct 2024
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 15855
Abstract
Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) is a bioactive molecule with significant health effects. The biological action of ALA has been ascribed to the characteristic antioxidant properties of the oxidized form (ALA) and its reduced counterpart the dihydrolipoic acid (DHLA) system. The ALA/DHLA combination represents an [...] Read more.
Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) is a bioactive molecule with significant health effects. The biological action of ALA has been ascribed to the characteristic antioxidant properties of the oxidized form (ALA) and its reduced counterpart the dihydrolipoic acid (DHLA) system. The ALA/DHLA combination represents an ideal antioxidant since it can quench radicals, is able to chelate metals, is amphiphilic, and has no major adverse effects. This unique system is able to scavenge reactive oxygen species, exerting a major effect on tissue levels of reduced forms of other antioxidants, including glutathione. For this reason, ALA is also known as the “antioxidant of antioxidants”. This review analyzes the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects of ALA and discusses its applications as an ameliorative tool for chronic diseases and those associated with oxidative stress. Results from in vitro and in vivo studies demonstrated that ALA modulates various oxidative stress pathways suggesting its application, alone or in combination with other functional substances, as a useful support in numerous conditions, in which the balance oxidant–antioxidant is disrupted, such as neurodegenerative disorders. Based on several successful clinical studies, it has been also established that oral ALA supplements are clinically useful in relieving the complications of diabetes and other disorders including cardiovascular diseases and nerve discomforts suggesting that ALA can be considered a useful approach to improving our health. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Potential Health Benefits of Dietary Antioxidants)
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26 pages, 975 KiB  
Review
A Systematic Review of Cardio-Metabolic Properties of Lonicera caerulea L.
by Larisa Bora, Adelina Lombrea, Stefan Laurentiu Batrina, Valentina Oana Buda, Oana-Maria Esanu, Oana Pasca, Cristina Adriana Dehelean, Stefania Dinu, Zorita Diaconeasa and Corina Danciu
Antioxidants 2024, 13(6), 694; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox13060694 - 5 Jun 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2246
Abstract
In the light of growing concerns faced by Western societies due to aging, natality decline, and epidemic of cardio-metabolic diseases, both preventable and treatable, new and effective strategical interventions are urgently needed in order to decrease their socio-economical encumbrance. The recent focus of [...] Read more.
In the light of growing concerns faced by Western societies due to aging, natality decline, and epidemic of cardio-metabolic diseases, both preventable and treatable, new and effective strategical interventions are urgently needed in order to decrease their socio-economical encumbrance. The recent focus of research has been redirected towards investigating the potential of haskap (Lonicera caerulea L.) as a novel functional food or superfruit. Therefore, our present review aims to highlight the latest scientific proofs regarding the potential of Lonicera caerulea L. (LC), a perennial fruit-bearing plant rich in polyphenols, in reversing cardio-metabolic dysfunctions. In this regard, a systematic search on two databases (PubMed and Google Scholar) from 1 January 2016 to 1 December 2023 was performed, the keyword combination being Lonicera caerulea L. AND the searched pharmacological action, with the inclusion criteria consisting of in extenso original articles, written in English. The health-enhancing characteristics of haskap berries have been examined through in vitro and in vivo studies from the 35 included original papers. Positive effects regarding cardiovascular diseases and metabolic syndrome have been assigned to the antioxidant activity, hypolipidemic and hypoglycemic effects, as well as to the hepatoprotective and vasoprotective potential. Latest advances regarding LCF mechanisms of action are detailed within this review as well. All these cutting-edge data suggest that this vegetal product would be a good candidate for further clinical studies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Potential Health Benefits of Dietary Antioxidants)
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