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Dietary Bioactive Compounds and Their Neuroprotective Potential

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2025 | Viewed by 515

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Animal Anatomy and Histology, University of Life Sciences, Akademicka Str. 12, 20-033 Lublin, Poland
Interests: neuroprotection; hippocampus; bioactive compounds; memory and cognitive function; natural antioxidants; obesity and diabetes models; neuropeptides

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Guest Editor
Institute of Animal Nutrition and Bromatology, University of Life Sciences, 20-934 Lublin, Poland
Interests: nutrition; physiology; metabolism; meat quality; milk quality; feedstuffs; herbs; feed additives; oxidative stress
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Bioactive compounds—naturally occurring, non-nutrient constituents found in a wide variety of plant- and marine-based foods—have seen increased scientific interest due to their remarkable neuroprotective potential. These compounds, including polyphenols, flavonoids, terpenoids, alkaloids, carotenoids, and omega-3 fatty acids, are capable of modulating critical cellular pathways involved in brain health. Their pleiotropic actions encompass antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiapoptotic, and neurogenic effects, all of which are highly relevant in the context of neurodegeneration and age-related cognitive decline.

This Special Issue aims to highlight cutting-edge research on the role of dietary bioactive compounds in protecting the nervous system. We invite contributions that explore their mechanisms of action, structure–activity relationships, bioavailability, gut–brain interactions, and potential for translation into functional foods or nutraceutical interventions. Particular interest will be given to studies targeting neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and other chronic neurological conditions, where bioactive compounds may offer promising preventive or therapeutic benefits.

Dr. Małgorzata Komar (Matysek)
Dr. Edyta Kowalczuk-Vasilev
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • bioactive compounds
  • neuroprotection
  • dietary bioactives
  • polyphenols
  • flavonoids
  • brain health
  • oxidative stress
  • neuroinflammation
  • neurodegeneration
  • functional foods
  • nutraceuticals
  • cognitive decline
  • gut–brain axis

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

13 pages, 1081 KB  
Article
Hispidulin Protects C6 Astroglial Cells Against H2O2-Induced Injury by Attenuating Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, and Apoptosis
by Ji-Hyun Kim, Qiqi Pang, Bohkyung Kim and Eun Ju Cho
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(20), 11069; https://doi.org/10.3390/app152011069 - 15 Oct 2025
Viewed by 255
Abstract
Oxidative stress occurs when excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) disrupts the redox balance between oxidants and antioxidants. The brain is particularly vulnerable to oxidative stress due to its high metabolic rate. Astrocytes, the key homeostatic cells in the brain, play a [...] Read more.
Oxidative stress occurs when excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) disrupts the redox balance between oxidants and antioxidants. The brain is particularly vulnerable to oxidative stress due to its high metabolic rate. Astrocytes, the key homeostatic cells in the brain, play a crucial role in maintaining physiological function, including the regulation of oxidative stress. In the present study, we investigated whether hispidulin can mitigate oxidative damage by regulating redox imbalance, inflammatory signaling and apoptotic response in hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-treated C6 astroglial cells. The cells were exposed to hispidulin at various concentrations for 24 h and then challenged with H2O2 for another 24 h. Hispidulin treatment significantly increased the viability in all concentrations and attenuated H2O2-induced increases in ROS production, lactate dehydrogenase release, and nitric oxide levels. Furthermore, it significantly downregulated proinflammatory markers, including tumor necrosis factor α, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and IL-1β. Western blot analysis exhibited that hispidulin significantly increased the antioxidant defense system-related proteins such as nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2, glutathione peroxidase 1, and superoxide dismutase. In addition, hispidulin decreased the pro-apoptotic Bax and cytochrome C, while increasing the levels of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2. In conclusion, hispidulin showed a protective effect against H2O2-induced injury in C6 astroglial cells by suppressing oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dietary Bioactive Compounds and Their Neuroprotective Potential)
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