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Antioxidants
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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: 30 November 2025 | Viewed by 15577

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Evangelos Zoidis

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Guest Editor
Laboratory of Nutritional Physiology and Feeding, Department of Animal Science, School of Animal Biosciences, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
Interests: farm animals; experimental trials; molecular diagnostics; tissue samples; performance parameters
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 (9 papers)

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Research

Jump to: Review

22 pages, 2773 KB  
Article
Antioxidant, Neuroprotective, and Antinociceptive Effects of Peruvian Black Maca (Lepidium meyenii Walp.)
by Iván M. Quispe-Díaz, Roberto O. Ybañez-Julca, Daniel Asunción-Alvarez, Cinthya Enriquez-Lara, José L. Polo-Bardales, Rafael Jara-Aguilar, Edmundo A. Venegas-Casanova, Ricardo D. D. G. de Albuquerque, Noé Costilla-Sánchez, Edison Vásquez-Corales, Pedro Buc Calderon and Julio Benites
Antioxidants 2025, 14(10), 1214; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox14101214 - 8 Oct 2025
Viewed by 821
Abstract
Lepidium meyenii Walp. (black maca, BM) is a traditional Andean crop increasingly studied for its bioactive potential. This work characterized the phytochemical profile and evaluated the antioxidant, antinociceptive, and neuroprotective properties of a lyophilized aqueous extract of BM hypocotyls. UHPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS identified twelve major [...] Read more.
Lepidium meyenii Walp. (black maca, BM) is a traditional Andean crop increasingly studied for its bioactive potential. This work characterized the phytochemical profile and evaluated the antioxidant, antinociceptive, and neuroprotective properties of a lyophilized aqueous extract of BM hypocotyls. UHPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS identified twelve major compounds, including macamides, imidazole alkaloids, sterols, and fatty acid amides. BM showed a moderate total phenolic content but strong electron transfer-based antioxidant activity in CUPRAC and FRAP assays, together with moderate radical scavenging capacity in ABTS and DPPH systems. In ovariectomized rats, BM significantly reduced brain malondialdehyde levels, mitigated oxidative stress, and improved spatial learning during acquisition in the Morris water maze, confirming its neuroprotective effect. Antinociceptive assays (hot plate, cold plate, and tail immersion) further revealed a rapid but transient increase in nociceptive thresholds. This study provides experimental evidence supporting the analgesic effect of black maca. Molecular docking highlighted lepidiline B and campesterol as key metabolites with strong interactions with redox enzymes, the μ-opioid receptor, and the FAAH enzyme, supporting their role in the observed bioactivities. ADMET predictions indicated favorable oral bioavailability, CNS penetration, systemic clearance, and acceptable safety profiles. These results substantiate the role of black maca as a neuroprotective nutraceutical and highlight its promise as a novel source of rapidly acting natural analgesic compounds. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Products: Biological, Antioxidant Properties and Health Effects—4th Edition)
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14 pages, 836 KB  
Article
Modulation of Egg Elemental Metabolomics by Dietary Supplementation with Flavonoids and Orange Pulp (Citrus sinensis)
by Evangelos Zoidis, Athanasios C. Pappas, Michael Goliomytis, Panagiotis E. Simitzis, Kyriaki Sotirakoglou, Savvina Tavrizelou, George P. Danezis and Constantinos A. Georgiou
Antioxidants 2025, 14(10), 1179; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox14101179 - 26 Sep 2025
Viewed by 476
Abstract
Dried orange pulp (Citrus sinensis) is known for its antioxidant properties. This study aimed to examine the effects of adding dried orange pulp (OP) to the layers’ diets on the concentration of selected elements in the egg. The present work was [...] Read more.
Dried orange pulp (Citrus sinensis) is known for its antioxidant properties. This study aimed to examine the effects of adding dried orange pulp (OP) to the layers’ diets on the concentration of selected elements in the egg. The present work was part of a bigger project aiming to investigate the effect of orange pulp in layers’ diets on the performance of birds and egg quality. There were three dietary treatments and 63 layers per treatment, with 189 layers in total. Cages were the experimental units, and seven cages were allocated per treatment (n = 7). The dietary treatments were (1) a control treatment (C) that involved a basal diet without orange pulp addition, (2) an OP treatment with the addition of 9% dried orange pulp, and (3) a hesperidin–naringin (EN) treatment with 0.767 g hesperidin and 0.002 g naringin added per kg of diet; these levels of hesperidin and naringin represent those present in dried orange pulp for the OP treatment. Birds were fed the diets for 30 days. The diets had similar energy and protein levels and contained the same vitamin and mineral premixes. The analyzed egg (yolk, albumen, shell) elemental profile consisted of As, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Ni, Sb, Se, Sr, V, and Zn and was determined via Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). Dried orange pulp supplementation significantly altered the elemental profile. OP largely altered the element concentrations in albumen and egg yolk. Most notably, it decreased the concentrations of Co (p < 0.001), Fe (p < 0.001), Mn (p < 0.001), Ni (p = 0.046), and Se (p = 0.035) in egg yolk and those of Co (p = 0.011), Fe (p = 0.025), Cr (p = 0.049), Cu (p = 0.001), and Se (p = 0.014) in albumen. In addition, it decreased the concentrations of As (p = 0.025) and Ca (p = 0.025) in the eggshell. Principal component analysis was applied to the concentrations of the examined elements in all egg parts to explore the relationships between the elements and detect those capable of distinguishing samples, resulting in the apparent separation of yolk, albumen, and eggshell samples. Further analysis revealed that all samples were clustered into the three dietary treatments, resulting in 100% correct classification. The chelating and antioxidant capacities of flavonoids are intricate and rely on a variety of factors. OP supplementation modulated the deposition of specific elements in egg parts in comparison to those from layers fed a typical diet. Thus, this study indicated that eggs with specialized elemental profiles could be created. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Products: Biological, Antioxidant Properties and Health Effects—4th Edition)
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19 pages, 5365 KB  
Article
Ferulic Acid Promotes Hematopoietic Stem Cell Maintenance in Homeostasis and Injury Through Diminishing Ferroptosis Susceptibility
by Shuzhen Zhang, Yimin Zhang, Jiacheng Le, Kuan Yu, Xinliang Chen, Jun Chen, Mo Chen, Yiding Wu, Yang Xu, Song Wang, Chaonan Liu, Junping Wang and Changhong Du
Antioxidants 2025, 14(9), 1053; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox14091053 - 27 Aug 2025
Viewed by 789
Abstract
Redox balance is essential for maintenance of the hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) pool, which ensures the lifelong hematopoiesis. However, oxidative attack induced by various physiopathological stresses always compromises HSC maintenance, while there remains lack of safe and effective antioxidative measures combating these conditions. [...] Read more.
Redox balance is essential for maintenance of the hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) pool, which ensures the lifelong hematopoiesis. However, oxidative attack induced by various physiopathological stresses always compromises HSC maintenance, while there remains lack of safe and effective antioxidative measures combating these conditions. Here, we show that ferulic acid (FA), a natural antioxidant abundantly present in Angelica sinensis which is a traditional Chinese herb commonly used for promotion of blood production, distinctively and directly promotes HSC maintenance and thereby boosts hematopoiesis at homeostasis, whether supplemented over the long term in vivo or in HSC culture ex vivo. Using a mouse model of acute myelosuppressive injury induced by ionizing radiation, we further reveal that FA supplementation effectively safeguards HSC maintenance and accelerates hematopoietic regeneration after acute myelosuppressive injury. Mechanistically, FA diminishes ferroptosis susceptibility of HSCs through limiting the labile iron pool (LIP), thus favoring HSC maintenance. In addition, the LIP limitation and anti-ferroptosis activity of FA is independent of nuclear-factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2), probably relying on its iron-chelating ability. These findings not only uncover a novel pharmacological action and mechanism of FA in promoting HSC maintenance, but also provides a therapeutic rationale for using FA or FA-rich herbs to treat iron overload- and ferroptosis-associated pathologies such as acute myelosuppressive injury. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Products: Biological, Antioxidant Properties and Health Effects—4th Edition)
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36 pages, 3577 KB  
Article
Screening of a Plant Extract Library from the Greek Flora for Biological Activities Related to Anti-Aging Applications
by Harris Pratsinis, Despoina D. Gianniou, Gabriela Belén Lemus Ringele, Adamantia Agalou, Asimina Fotopoulou, Xanthippi P. Louka, Christos Nastos, Eleftherios Kalpoutzakis, Aikaterini Argyropoulou, Dimitris Michailidis, Antonia Theodoridi, Ioanna Eleftheriadou, Adamantia Papadopoulou, Sentiljana Gumeni, Stavros Beteinakis, Konstantina Karamanou, Eleni Mavrogonatou, Georgios Stavropoulos, Dimitris Beis, Maria Halabalaki, Ioannis P. Trougakos and Dimitris Kletsasadd Show full author list remove Hide full author list
Antioxidants 2025, 14(7), 824; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox14070824 - 4 Jul 2025
Viewed by 1236
Abstract
Characteristic manifestations of skin aging, due to either intrinsic or extrinsic factors, such as ultraviolet (UV) radiation and oxidative stress, include cell senescence, alterations in collagen and elastin networks, and melanogenesis disorders. Natural products are considered a rich source of anti-aging molecules. Accordingly, [...] Read more.
Characteristic manifestations of skin aging, due to either intrinsic or extrinsic factors, such as ultraviolet (UV) radiation and oxidative stress, include cell senescence, alterations in collagen and elastin networks, and melanogenesis disorders. Natural products are considered a rich source of anti-aging molecules. Accordingly, the screening of a plant extract library from the Greek flora for a panel of biological activities related to skin aging is presented herein. In particular, 52 plant materials extracted using Accelerated Solvent Extraction (ASE) and Supercritical Fluid Extraction (SFE) were assessed for their effects on (1) human skin cell viability, (2) antioxidant activity—using both cell-free and cell-based methods—(3) photoprotective capacity, and (4) interference with collagenase, elastase, and tyrosinase, as well as with proteasomal and lysosomal activities of human skin cells. In vivo phenotypic screens on Danio rerio (zebrafish) embryos were also used for assessing melanogenesis. Many active extracts were identified, some of them for the first time, and others in agreement with previous reports. In general, ASE extracts exhibited higher activities than SFE ones. Seven extracts showed multiple activities, being highly effective in at least four different assays. These data support the potential use of these extracts against skin aging in medicinal and cosmetic applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Products: Biological, Antioxidant Properties and Health Effects—4th Edition)
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20 pages, 1664 KB  
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
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2163
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 KB  
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 4 | Viewed by 1851
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 KB  
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 6 | Viewed by 2739
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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18 pages, 1207 KB  
Review
Biochemical, Biological, and Clinical Properties of γ-Oryzanol
by Helena Juricic, Massimiliano Cuccioloni, Laura Bonfili, Mauro Angeletti, Daniela Uberti, Anna Maria Eleuteri, Giulia Abate and Valentina Cecarini
Antioxidants 2025, 14(9), 1099; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox14091099 - 9 Sep 2025
Viewed by 2793
Abstract
γ-Oryzanol is a complex mixture of ferulic acid esters of phytosterols and triterpene alcohols predominantly found in rice bran. It exhibits a wide range of biological activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and lipid-lowering effects, as well as the ability to modulate cellular metabolic pathways [...] Read more.
γ-Oryzanol is a complex mixture of ferulic acid esters of phytosterols and triterpene alcohols predominantly found in rice bran. It exhibits a wide range of biological activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and lipid-lowering effects, as well as the ability to modulate cellular metabolic pathways in both in vitro and in vivo models. The composition and concentration of γ-oryzanol vary significantly among rice varieties and are influenced by genetic, environmental, and technological factors. Advances in extraction methods, including traditional solvent extraction and innovative approaches such as supercritical fluid extraction, have improved yield and purity, supporting its use in functional foods, nutraceuticals, and cosmetics. Current research in the biological, biomedical, and cosmetic fields is actively investigating γ-oryzanol’s mechanisms of action in metabolic regulation and inflammation, as well as developing advanced formulation strategies to enhance its antioxidant, skin-protective, and functional properties. These efforts aim to optimize its delivery and efficacy by addressing challenges related to poor water solubility and bioavailability, thereby expanding its role as a multifunctional bioactive compound. This review provides a comprehensive overview on γ-oryzanol, focusing on its extraction techniques, chemical characterization, and biological/pharmacological activities. Additionally, clinical trials investigating its efficacy and safety have been thoroughly dissected, offering valuable insights into its therapeutic potential in human populations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Products: Biological, Antioxidant Properties and Health Effects—4th Edition)
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20 pages, 2008 KB  
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
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1641
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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