Nutritional Antioxidants and Redox Regulation

Dear Colleagues,

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are normal secondary products of cellular metabolism. At physiological concentrations, they act as signaling molecules, playing a role in controlling redox homeostasis and regulating redox signaling at the cellular level. However, excess ROS formation, exceeding the capacity of cellular antioxidant defense, generates oxidative stress, which can damage certain endogenous biomolecules, induce inflammatory reactions, and contribute to the development of chronic pathophysiological conditions, such as neurodegenerative diseases, conditions associated with metabolic syndrome, carcinogenesis, and aging processes. Exposure to a wide range of toxic substances, including pollutants, environmental and food contaminants, as well as pharmaceuticals, illicit substances, and various toxins, can induce oxidative stress and disrupt redox homeostasis. At the molecular level, the disruption of cellular redox homeostasis is associated with genomic instability, epigenetic alterations, proteostasis disruption, and metabolic changes.

Phytochemicals can exert complex biological effects by simultaneously modulating multiple cellular signaling pathways. Dietary antioxidants, including vitamins and phytochemical compounds, contribute to the maintenance of redox homeostasis and cellular protection not only through direct antioxidant mechanisms, but also by regulating gene expression and activating adaptive signaling pathways, such as the Nrf2/ARE pathway.

Recent research—in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies—investigating the mechanisms by which antioxidant compounds in food interact with redox regulatory systems is particularly relevant. Understanding these mechanisms will facilitate the optimization of dietary strategies and enhance their effectiveness in preventing diseases associated with oxidative stress. Plant extracts rich in antioxidant compounds constitute promising sources of nutraceuticals, with the potential to extend both lifespan and healthspan, as well as to be used in integrative medicine for the prevention and treatment of pathological conditions associated with cellular redox imbalances. Studies on the bioaccessibility and bioavailability of antioxidant phytochemical compounds from foods or plant sources, as well as the various technological formulations developed to improve their bioavailability and efficacy in regulating redox homeostasis, are also of growing interest.

Prof. Dr. Daniela-Saveta Popa
Dr. Ionel Fizesan
Dr. Roxana Banc
Guest Editors

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• oxidative stress
• redox signaling
• redox homeostasis
• epigenetics
• phytochemicals
• bioaccessibility
• bioavailability
• plant extracts
• dietary interventions
• integrative medicine