Antioxidant Effects of Bioactive Compounds
A special issue of Biomolecules (ISSN 2218-273X).
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 5 February 2026 | Viewed by 30
Special Issue Editor
Interests: phytochemicals; natural product chemistry; bioactivity; phytochemical analysis; extraction; biological activities; phenolic compounds; natural product isolation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Bioactive compounds of natural origin—such as polyphenols, flavonoids, carotenoids, and phenolic acids—demonstrate remarkable antioxidant properties that are increasingly recognized for their therapeutic potential. These compounds, widely present in fruits, vegetables, teas, spices, and medicinal plants, can directly neutralize reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS), thereby protecting cellular components from oxidative damage.
Oxidative stress is implicated in the pathophysiology of numerous chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disorders, cancer, diabetes, and neurodegenerative conditions. Bioactive compounds exert their antioxidant effects not only through free radical scavenging but also by modulating key cellular defence mechanisms. Notably, many of these compounds activate the Nrf2-ARE signalling pathway, which upregulates endogenous antioxidant enzymes such as glutathione peroxidase, catalase, and superoxide dismutase.
New evidence highlights the synergistic interactions between bioactive compounds, their bioavailability, and the influence of gut microbiota on their metabolic transformation and efficacy. These insights pave the way for new possibilities in designing functional foods and nutraceuticals aimed at enhancing the body’s antioxidant defence.
This Special Issue of Biomolecules aims to explore recent findings on the antioxidant mechanisms of bioactive compounds and their role in maintaining cellular homeostasis and preventing oxidative stress-related diseases.
Prof. Dr. Katarzyna Dos Santos Szewczyk
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. Biomolecules 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 2700 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
- bioactive compounds
- polyphenols
- oxidative stress
- chronic diseases
- nutraceuticals
Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue
- Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
- Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
- Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
- External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
- Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.
Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.
