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Antioxidants
Special Issues
Natural Products: Biological, Antioxidant Properties and Health Effects—4th Edition
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Natural Products: Biological, Antioxidant Properties and Health Effects—4th Edition

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 May 2025) | Viewed by 4288

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Evangelos Zoidis

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Laboratory of Nutritional Physiology and Feeding, Department of Animal Science, School of Animal Biosciences, Agricultural University of Athens, 75 Lera Odos Str., 11855 Athens, Greece
Interests: nutritional physiology; natural antioxidants; selenium and selenoproteins; elemental metabolomics; molecular metabolism
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Our prior Special Issues on “Natural Products: Biological, Antioxidant Properties and Health Effects” (Volumes 1–3), which were included in the Antioxidants volumes for 2022, 2023, and 2024, were successful collections of research and review articles that attracted over 160 submissions. With a follow-up Special Issue for 2025, we hope to further explore the constantly evolving research area of the biological and antioxidant activities of natural products as well as their implications on human and animal health.

Many antioxidants with radical scavenging and reducing properties are abundant in natural products, i.e., medicinal and aromatic plants, algae, foods, feeds, etc. Polyphenols, terpenoids, carbohydrates and their derivatives, and constituents of essential oils are only some examples of substances that can mitigate oxidative damage. They act on redox-sensitive transcription factors to reduce oxidative stress in vivo by quenching radical species, peroxides, and promoters of oxidative processes.

Considerable evidence has accumulated to indicate that incorporating naturally occurring antioxidant compounds into food or animal feed can improve overall product quality, extend shelf life, and reduce oxidation. Recent studies have also focused on natural bioactive compounds as a means of combating pathogenic bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other microorganisms that are resistant to conventional drugs and seriously threaten human health and global healthcare systems. Additionally, using these supplements may reduce cellular oxidative stress, which has been connected to cardiovascular, neurological, and inflammatory disorders as well as certain cancer types.

Because natural goods can have so many positive effects, studying their bioactive ingredients is always appealing. Furthermore, it is crucial to keep in mind that agricultural leftovers and waste materials can also be a great source of antioxidants.

It is with great pleasure that we invite you to submit your research findings to the the fourth volume of this Special Issue, which aims to gather original research papers, reviews, clinical trials, and meta-analyses covering every facet of the biological properties, applications, and health effects of antioxidants derived from natural products.

The following topics are particularly encouraged: new uses of antioxidants and antimicrobials in food and feed science; and plant antioxidants and natural products that increase antioxidant capacity through technological, agricultural, analytical, biochemical, molecular, or analytical methods.

Please take note that chemical characterization employing analytical techniques including HPLC, MS, LC-MS, HPLC-MS, ICP-MS, and NMR should be incorporated into studies of complex mixtures of natural products.

I look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Evangelos Zoidis
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

  • algal antioxidants
  • agricultural by-products
  • algae
  • bioactive compounds
  • cancer
  • cardiovascular diseases
  • essential oils
  • inflammatory diseases
  • marine organisms
  • metabolic diseases
  • oxidative stress
  • phytochemicals
  • polyphenols
  • radical scavenging
  • shelf life
  • waste products

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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20 pages, 1664 KiB  
Article
Vitis vinifera L. Leaves as a Source of Phenolic Compounds with Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Potential
by Nuria Acero, Jorge Manrique, Dolores Muñoz-Mingarro, Isabel Martínez Solís and Francisco Bosch
Antioxidants 2025, 14(3), 279; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox14030279 - 27 Feb 2025
Viewed by 831
Abstract
Vitis vinifera is a plant known since ancient times mainly for the interest of its fruits. However, its leaves have traditionally been consumed as food in some regions of the Mediterranean basin and as a medicinal remedy. In this work, the phytochemical profile [...] Read more.
Vitis vinifera is a plant known since ancient times mainly for the interest of its fruits. However, its leaves have traditionally been consumed as food in some regions of the Mediterranean basin and as a medicinal remedy. In this work, the phytochemical profile of this part of the plant, which is considered a bio-residue of viticultural processes, was analyzed (UHPLC-ESI(±)-QTOF-MS). Hydroxybenzoic acids, flavonols, and stilbenes are the main phenolic compounds identified. Its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capacity were studied both in vitro and in cell culture. Grapevine leaves have a high capacity to scavenge free radicals, as well as to reduce oxidative stress induced by H2O2 in the HepG2 cell line. On the other hand, the methanolic extract of these leaves is capable of inhibiting lipoxygenase, an enzyme involved in inflammatory responses, with an IC50 of 1.63 μg/mL. In addition, the extract showed potent inhibition of NO production in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. These results pointed out V. vinifera leaves as a powerful functional food with a high content of biologically active compounds. The enhancement of these by-products can be highly beneficial to food systems and contribute to the development of sustainable agriculture. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Products: Biological, Antioxidant Properties and Health Effects—4th Edition)
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23 pages, 2214 KiB  
Article
Neuroprotective Effects of Myrtle Berry By-Product Extracts on 6-OHDA-Induced Cytotoxicity in PC12 Cells
by Debora Dessì, Giacomo Fais, Paolo Follesa and Giorgia Sarais
Antioxidants 2025, 14(1), 88; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox14010088 - 13 Jan 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1149
Abstract
The rising global focus on healthy lifestyles and environmental sustainability has prompted interest in repurposing plant-based by-products for health benefits. With increasing life expectancy, the incidence of neurodegenerative diseases—characterized by complex, multifactorial mechanisms such as abnormal protein aggregation, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and [...] Read more.
The rising global focus on healthy lifestyles and environmental sustainability has prompted interest in repurposing plant-based by-products for health benefits. With increasing life expectancy, the incidence of neurodegenerative diseases—characterized by complex, multifactorial mechanisms such as abnormal protein aggregation, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and inflammation—continues to grow. Medicinal plants, with their diverse bioactive compounds, offer promising therapeutic avenues for such conditions. Myrtus communis L., a Mediterranean plant primarily used in liquor production, generates significant waste rich in antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This study explores the neuroprotective potential of Myrtus berry by-products in a cellular model of neurodegeneration. Using PC12 cells exposed to 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA), we assessed cell viability via MTT assay and measured reactive oxygen species (ROS) production using DCFDA fluorescence. Additionally, we analyzed the expression of genes linked to oxidative stress and neuronal function, including AChE, PON2, Grin1, Gabrd, and c-fos, by RT-PCR. Our findings reveal that Myrtus extract significantly protects against 6-OHDA-induced cytotoxicity, reduces ROS levels, and modulates the expression of key stress-related genes, underscoring its potential as a neuroprotective agent. These results highlight the therapeutic promise of Myrtus extracts in mitigating neurodegenerative processes, paving the way for future interventions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Products: Biological, Antioxidant Properties and Health Effects—4th Edition)
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18 pages, 1442 KiB  
Article
Coffee and Cocoa By-Products as Valuable Sources of Bioactive Compounds: The Influence of Ethanol on Extraction
by Blanca Martínez-Inda, Nerea Jiménez-Moreno, Irene Esparza and Carmen Ancín-Azpilicueta
Antioxidants 2025, 14(1), 42; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox14010042 - 1 Jan 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1441
Abstract
Cocoa and coffee are two of the world’s most important crops. Therefore, their by-products are generated in large quantities. This work proposes a simple method for the valorization of these residues by obtaining phenolic compounds and melanoidins by solid–liquid extraction using different hydroalcoholic [...] Read more.
Cocoa and coffee are two of the world’s most important crops. Therefore, their by-products are generated in large quantities. This work proposes a simple method for the valorization of these residues by obtaining phenolic compounds and melanoidins by solid–liquid extraction using different hydroalcoholic solutions as extracting solvents (0, 25, 50, 75, 100% ethanol). Extracts of both by-products presented the highest antioxidant capacity and total phenolic and melanoidin content when using 50–75% ethanol in the solvent. Among all the extracts, those obtained from spent coffee grounds at 75% ethanol showed the highest concentrations of total phenolic compounds (13.5 ± 1.3 mmol gallic acid equivalents/g dry matter) and melanoidins (244.4 ± 20.1 mg/g dry matter). Moreover, the sun protection factor values of the coffee extracts obtained with 50 and 75% of ethanol as extraction solvent (7.8 ± 0.9 and 8.5 ± 0.7, respectively) showed their potential for use in the cosmetic sector. The most important phenolic compounds identified in the coffee by-products extracts were phenolic acids, and most of them were found in higher concentration in extracts obtained with lower percentages of ethanol (0–25%). Protocatechuic acid was the most abundant phenolic in cocoa extracts, with concentrations ranging from 18.49 ± 2.29 to 235.35 ± 5.55 µg/g dry matter, followed by 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, (-)-epicatechin and (+)-catechin. Esculetin was found in both coffee and cocoa extracts, which had not been reported to date in these residues. In summary, the use of 75% ethanol as an extraction solvent seems a good strategy to obtain extracts rich in phenolic compounds from food by-products rich in melanoidins, such as coffee and cocoa by-products. The high antioxidant potential of these extracts makes them of great interest for the cosmetic and nutraceutical industries. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Products: Biological, Antioxidant Properties and Health Effects—4th Edition)
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Review

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21 pages, 2008 KiB  
Review
The Role of Antioxidant Compounds from Citrus Waste in Modulating Neuroinflammation: A Sustainable Solution
by Alessia Silla, Angela Punzo, Cristiana Caliceti, Maria Cristina Barbalace, Silvana Hrelia and Marco Malaguti
Antioxidants 2025, 14(5), 581; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox14050581 - 11 May 2025
Viewed by 273
Abstract
In normal conditions, neuroinflammation induces microglia and astrocyte activation to maintain brain homeostasis. However, excessive or prolonged neuroinflammation can inflict harmful damage on brain tissue. Numerous factors can trigger chronic neuroinflammation, ultimately leading to neurodegeneration. In this context, considering the pressing need for [...] Read more.
In normal conditions, neuroinflammation induces microglia and astrocyte activation to maintain brain homeostasis. However, excessive or prolonged neuroinflammation can inflict harmful damage on brain tissue. Numerous factors can trigger chronic neuroinflammation, ultimately leading to neurodegeneration. In this context, considering the pressing need for novel, natural approaches to mitigate neuroinflammatory damage, attention has turned to unconventional sources such as agricultural by-products. Citrus fruits are widely consumed globally, producing substantial waste, including peels, seeds, and pulp. Traditionally regarded as agricultural waste, these by-products are now recognized as valuable reservoirs of bioactive compounds, including flavonoids, carotenoids, terpenoids, and limonoids. Among these, citrus polyphenols—particularly flavanones like hesperidin, naringenin, and eriocitrin—have emerged as potent modulators of neuroinflammatory pathways through their multifaceted interactions with cellular antioxidant systems, pro-inflammatory signaling cascades, neurovascular integrity, and gut–brain axis dynamics. This review aims to characterize the key molecules present in citrus waste and synthesizes preclinical and clinical evidence to elucidate the biochemical mechanisms underlying neuroinflammation in neurodegenerative disorders. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Products: Biological, Antioxidant Properties and Health Effects—4th Edition)
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