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Phenolic Compounds: Extraction, Chemical Profiles, and Bioactivity

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A Special Issue of Compounds (ISSN 2673-6918).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 September 2026) | Viewed by 16620

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Dr. Francisco Vázquez-Armenta

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Departamento de Ciencias Químico-Biológicas, Universidad de Sonora, Hermosillo 83000, Sonora, Mexico
Interests: phenolic compounds; anti-virulence agents; biofilm control; foodborne pathogens; enzyme inhibition

Dr. Ariadna Thalia Bernal-Mercado

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Department of Research and Postgraduate in Food, University of Sonora, Blvd. Luis Encinas y Rosales S/N, Col. Centro, Hermosillo 83000, Sonora, Mexico
Interests: phenolic compounds; antimicrobial activity; anti-biofilm compounds; listeria monocytogenes; natural product chemistry; antibiotics
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Dear Colleagues,

Phenolic compounds represent one of the most diverse and bioactive classes of secondary plant metabolites, widely recognized for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and therapeutic properties. In recent years, advances in extraction technologies, sustainable sourcing strategies, and analytical methods have significantly expanded our understanding of phenolic compounds, both in their natural matrices and as functional ingredients in food, pharmaceutical, and environmental applications.

This Special Issue aims to provide an updated, multidisciplinary perspective on the extraction, chemical profiling, and bioactivity of phenolic compounds. Particular emphasis will be placed on innovative, eco-friendly extraction methods, such as ultrasound-assisted extraction and the use of natural deep eutectic solvents, as well as the valorization of agro-industrial by-products as sustainable sources of phenolics. Contributions addressing the structural characterization and comprehensive chemical profiling of phenolic compounds using advanced chromatographic and spectrometric techniques are especially welcome.

Furthermore, the issue aims to highlight new findings on the health-promoting effects of phenolic compounds and their role as natural preservatives in food systems. Emerging topics, such as the environmental fate and atmospheric interactions of phenolics, as well as the development of functional foods enriched with these bioactive molecules, are also of interest.

This Special Issue offers a platform for researchers to share original research articles and reviews that advance the current knowledge on phenolic compounds, from sustainable extraction to bioactivity validation and functional applications.

Dr. Francisco Vázquez-Armenta
Dr. Ariadna Thalia Bernal-Mercado
Guest Editors

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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-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Compounds is an international peer-reviewed open access quarterly journal published by MDPI.

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Keywords

phenolic compounds
extraction methods
sustainable sourcing
chemical profiling
bioactivity
functional foods
antioxidant activity
natural preservatives
bioactive properties

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Published Papers (11 papers)

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Research

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17 pages, 3649 KB

Open AccessArticle

Untargeted RPLC-UV-Vis-HRMS/MS Profiling of Phenolic Compounds in Naturally Grown Kalanchoe delagoensis Leaves

by Giovanni Ventura, Francesco Busto, Vito Nettis, Elvira De Giglio, Cosima Damiana Calvano and Tommaso R. I. Cataldi

Compounds 2026, 6(3), 49; https://doi.org/10.3390/compounds6030049 - 20 Aug 2026

Viewed by 459

Abstract

Kalanchoe delagoensis is a Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) succulent plant native to Madagascar that has spread as an aggressive invader across subtropical and Mediterranean regions. Research on this species has focused almost entirely on its cardiotoxic bufadienolides, leaving its phenolic fraction largely unexplored. Here, we profiled the phenolics of dried K. delagoensis leaves by reversed-phase liquid chromatography coupled with UV-Vis detection and electrospray ionisation high-resolution mass spectrometry (RPLC-ESI-HRMS). Two flavonoid diglycosides produced the most intense signals and were tentatively annotated by MS/MS analyses as quercetin and kaempferol deoxyhexoside-pentosides; the former shares the formula and fragmentation of quercetin 3-O-arabinopyranosyl-rhamnopyranoside (QAR), the chemical marker of the congeneric K. pinnata. The remaining MS/MS supported features form a single combinatorial family of flavonol glycosides on kaempferol, quercetin, and myricetin cores decorated with pentose, deoxyhexose, hexose, and hexuronic-acid units. Minor flavonol glycosides and mono- and digalloyl hexoses were also detected, and a malvidin-hexoside was putatively identified as a candidate contributor to the reddish leaf tint of the more sun-exposed leaves, supported by its absorption maximum at 520 nm and characteristic MS/MS spectrum. Folin-reactive compounds reached 47.0 ± 0.8 mg gallic acid equivalents per gram of dry leaf. These results extend the chemistry of K. delagoensis well beyond its bufadienolides, within the limits of a single clonal genotype and a single harvest. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Phenolic Compounds: Extraction, Chemical Profiles, and Bioactivity)

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15 pages, 660 KB

Open AccessArticle

Phenolic Profile, Antioxidant and Antiproliferative Activity, and Acute Toxicity of Bursera hindsiana Engl

by Julio César López-Romero, Heriberto Torres-Moreno, José Luis Montijo-Montijo, Maribel Plascencia-Jatomea, Mónica Alejandra Villegas-Ochoa, Norma Julieta Salazar-López and Gustavo Adolfo González Aguilar

Compounds 2026, 6(3), 40; https://doi.org/10.3390/compounds6030040 - 1 Jul 2026

Viewed by 661

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the phenolic compound profile, antioxidant activity, antiproliferative activity, and toxicity of B. hindsiana. Ethanolic extractions of B. hindsiana leaves and stems were performed. The content of phenolic compounds was determined by the Folin–Ciocalteu method, while the phenolic compound profile was determined by UPLC-DAD. The antioxidant activity was evaluated using the DPPH, ABTS, ORAC, and FRAP methods. Antiproliferative activity was determined by the MTT method against HeLa, A549, and ARPE-19 cell lines. Acute toxicity was determined in Artemia salina. The results showed that the B. hindsiana leaf extract had the highest concentration of phenolic compounds, with quercetin-3-β-glucoside, rutin, and chlorogenic acid being the major compounds. Regarding antioxidant activity, the leaf extract showed a greater capacity (p < 0.05) to stabilize free radicals and reduce metals. For antiproliferative activity, the leaf extract also showed a greater capacity (p < 0.05) to inhibit the proliferation cancer cell lines. Finally, the B. hindsiana extracts presented an LC₅₀ value greater than 100 µg/mL in A. salina. Overall, the B. hindsiana extracts show promising biological potential, which may be associated with the phenolic compounds present, with low toxicity. This research is the first study reporting the phenolic compound profile and the leaf and stem biological activities from B. hindsiana. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Phenolic Compounds: Extraction, Chemical Profiles, and Bioactivity)

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13 pages, 479 KB

Open AccessArticle

Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents and Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction for the Green Recovery of Bioactive Compounds from Gunnera tinctoria Mol.

by Hernán Vera-Benavides, Dayana Quinchanegua, Antonia Osorio-Weng, Yihajara Fuentes, Paulina Pavez, Gloria Montenegro, Patricia Velásquez and Ady Giordano

Compounds 2026, 6(2), 27; https://doi.org/10.3390/compounds6020027 - 14 Apr 2026

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1475

Abstract

Nalca (Gunnera tinctoria Mol.) is traditionally consumed for its edible petioles and valued for medicinal properties associated with its bioactive compounds. In this study, natural deep eutectic solvents (NADESs) were synthesized and applied for the ultrasound-assisted extraction of phenolic compounds and alkaloids from Nalca leaves. NADES synthesis was confirmed using ¹H NMR, and their physicochemical properties were evaluated to assess their influence on extraction efficiency. The extracts showed total phenolic contents ranging from 6.8 to 142.6 mg GAE/g DW and total alkaloid contents ranging from 0.2 to 3.2 mg OXIE/g DW, depending on solvent composition. Antioxidant activity, evaluated using DPPH and FRAP assays, confirmed that most NADES extracts exhibited significant radical-scavenging and ferric-reducing capacities, generally correlating with phenolic content. The extraction yields obtained with specific NADES formulations were comparable or superior to those achieved with conventional solvents, demonstrating their efficiency. These results demonstrate that NADESs are effective and environmentally friendly alternatives to conventional solvents for extracting bioactive compounds from Nalca leaves. The physicochemical properties of NADESs enable the selective extraction of different metabolite classes, highlighting their potential for green extraction processes in food, nutraceutical, and pharmaceutical applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Phenolic Compounds: Extraction, Chemical Profiles, and Bioactivity)

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21 pages, 1097 KB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Enriched Safflower Oil with Oleoresin from Capsicum annuum var. Anaheim on the Physicochemical and Microbiological Properties of Reformulated Pork Sausages

by Alfredo Varela-Esquer, Saul Ruíz-Cruz, María Isabel Estrada-Alvarado, Martin Valenzuela Melendres, Luis A. Cira-Chávez, Enrique Márquez-Ríos, José de Jesús Ornelas-Paz, Carmen Lizette Del-Toro-Sánchez and Víctor Manuel Ocaño-Higuera

Compounds 2026, 6(2), 26; https://doi.org/10.3390/compounds6020026 - 10 Apr 2026

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Abstract

The growing demand for healthier meat products has led to efforts to reduce synthetic additives, such as nitrites, in processed meats. This study evaluated the effect of enriched safflower oil with oleoresin from Capsicum annuum var. Anaheim (ESO) as a functional ingredient in the reformulation of Frankfurt-style pork sausages with reduced nitrite content. Five formulations were evaluated: a negative control without additives (F1 (0% ESO, 0% nitrite), a positive control containing only sodium nitrite F2 (0% ESO, 0.15% nitrite = 93.8 mg/kg), and three experimental treatments contained ESO and nitrite: F3 (0.5% ESO, 0.075% nitrite = 46.9 mg/kg), F4 (1% ESO, 0.05% nitrite = 31.3 mg/kg), and F5 (1.5% ESO, 0% nitrite), stored under refrigeration (4 °C) for five weeks. Physicochemical (pH, color, texture profile, proximate composition, residual chlorides and nitrites), oxidative (TBARS), and microbiological (total viable count) analyses were conducted over 5 weeks of storage. Results showed that formulation F4 provided the best balance between oxidative stability microbial control and nitrite residual content, maintaining TBARS levels below the 1.0 mg MDA/kg rancidity threshold (0.33 ± 0.01 mg MDA/kg), TVC within the 6.0 log CFU/g limit for processed meats (3.89 log CFU/g) and 1.15 mg/kg of nitrite residual at the end of the storage period. These findings suggest a synergistic effect between ESO and nitrites. Since addition of ESO was consistent with improved cured color development, likely due to the combined effect of reduced nitrite levels and the natural pigments from Anaheim chili. These findings demonstrate that ESO is a promising natural additive to partially replace nitrites, contributing to the development of healthier and safer processed meat alternatives. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Phenolic Compounds: Extraction, Chemical Profiles, and Bioactivity)

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20 pages, 769 KB

Open AccessArticle

Heartwood Chemistry Predicts Natural Durability in Pinus nigra Clones: The Critical Role of Resin Acid over Stilbenes in Decay Resistance

by Kostas Ioannidis, Nikoleta Soulioti, Polyxeni Koropouli, Eleni Melliou, Prokopios Magiatis and Georgios Menexes

Compounds 2026, 6(1), 13; https://doi.org/10.3390/compounds6010013 - 2 Feb 2026

Viewed by 1480

Abstract

The natural durability of wood, determined primarily by its chemistry, meets the growing demand for environmentally sustainable alternatives to toxic wood preservatives. This study assessed the relationship between the fungitoxic acetone extractive content, in particular resin acids and stilbenes, and heartwood decay resistance among fifty-two Pinus nigra J. F. Arnold clones from a clonal seed orchard in Greece. Quantitative ¹H-NMR spectroscopy was employed to determine total stilbenes (TSs) and total resin acids (TRAs) in heartwood samples, while decay resistance was evaluated through standardized weight loss tests using the brown-rot fungus Coniophora puteana (Schumach.) P. Karst. (1865) and the white-rot fungus Porodaedalea pini (Brot.) Murrill (1905). The heartwood exhibited exceptionally high extractive content (mean TAE = 304.15 mg g_dhw⁻¹), with resin acids (68.26%) predominating over stilbenes (22.31%). Regression analysis showed that the TAE and TRAs were the strongest predictors of decay resistance, explaining 33% of the variance, while stilbenes exhibited weaker and more variable associations. P. pini caused significantly higher mean weight loss (11.43%) than C. puteana (3.55%), indicating species-specific fungal aggressiveness. Among individual resin acids, abietic acids were the most influential contributors to decay resistance. The results demonstrate that resin acids have a dominant role over stilbenes in determining the natural durability of P. nigra (Black pine) heartwood and could serve as effective biochemical markers for selective breeding. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Phenolic Compounds: Extraction, Chemical Profiles, and Bioactivity)

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15 pages, 1437 KB

Open AccessArticle

Efficient Microwave-Assisted Extraction of Polyphenol-Rich Extract from Salvia dumetorum Leaves

by Yana K. Levaya, Karakoz Zh. Badekova, Mussa E. Zholdasbayev, Gulnissa K. Kurmantayeva, Gayane A. Atazhanova, Daniyar T. Sadyrbekov and Ainabayev Assanali

Compounds 2025, 5(4), 58; https://doi.org/10.3390/compounds5040058 - 11 Dec 2025

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1699

Abstract

Salvia dumetorum Andrz. ex Besser is a promising non-pharmacopoeial plant species with traditional medicinal potential. This study aimed to determine the optimal microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) conditions for obtaining a polyphenol-rich ethanolic extract from the S. dumetorum leaves. Dried and powdered leaves were extracted using 40% ethanol with different power of microwaves varying from 200 to 800 W and time of extraction 2–8 min. The extract was filtered, concentrated, and evaluated for yield, identification of phenolic compounds using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), total phenolic content (TPC), and total flavonoid content (TFC). Extraction yields ranged from 2.20% to 25.80% based on dry weight. TPC and TFC were determined using Folin–Ciocalteu and aluminum chloride colorimetric assays, respectively, and are expressed as mg GAE/g and mg RUE/g of dry extract. The antioxidant activity of the extracts was evaluated using the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical) assay. According to HPLC analysis, the main phenolic components of the extracts were rosmarinic acid (1.78–2.95 mg/mL), chlorogenic acid (0.31–0.54 mg/mL), caffeic acid (0.11–0.20 mg/mL), rutin (up to 0.47 mg/mL) and ferulic acid (0.13–0.33 mg/mL); traces of myricetin were found only in isolated samples. The optimum extraction conditions were found to be 400 W microwave power, 8 min extraction time, one MAE cycle, and a 1:30 g/mL solvent-to-material loading ratio; TPC and TFC were evaluated as 35.23 ± 0.50 mg GAE/g DW and 19.94 ± 0.14 mg RuE/g DW, respectively, indicating the highest yield of polyphenolic compounds, antioxidant potential inhibiting 96.68% ± 0.27 of DPPH radicals, and IC₅₀ = 10.24 µg/mL. These findings highlight the efficiency of MAE in producing a bioactive ethanolic extract of S. dumetorum, which can be further explored for potential applications as a natural antioxidant in pharmaceutical or cosmetic formulations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Phenolic Compounds: Extraction, Chemical Profiles, and Bioactivity)

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18 pages, 527 KB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Mexican Fruits of the Stenocereus Genus: Characterization, Physicochemical, Nutritional, and Content of Bioactive Compounds

by Alma Delia Noriega-Juárez, Yolanda Nolasco-González, Oswaldo Alejandro Arellano-Machuca, Diego Rafael Montoya-Carvajal, Brandon Alexis López-Romero, Javier Alberto Navarro-Mendoza and Efigenia Montalvo-González

Compounds 2025, 5(4), 55; https://doi.org/10.3390/compounds5040055 - 2 Dec 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1845

Abstract

Stenocereus fruits are appreciated for their flavor and color, and their cultivation is highly sustainable, as they grow in arid zones without the need for fertilizers or agrochemicals. However, their nutritional and bioactive composition remains underexplored. This study evaluated the physicochemical and nutritional properties, bioactive compound content, and antioxidant capacity (AOX) of Stenocereus thurberi (red, white, purple, and orange), Stenocereus martinezzi (red), and Stenocereus gummosus (red). All fruits exhibited low total soluble solids (12.6 ± 0.2–14.7 ± 0.3 °Brix), acidity (0.81 ± 0.03–1.12 ± 0.03%), and moderate dietary fiber content (3.71 ± 0.05–4.86 ± 0.09%). S. martinezzi stood out for its high levels of betalains (33.7 ± 0.65 mg/100 g_fw), vitamin E (84.7 ± 0.2 µg/100 g_fw), and vitamin C (147.6 ± 11.4 mg/100 g_fw). At the same time, potassium, magnesium, and calcium were the predominant minerals in all samples. S. gummosus showed the highest total soluble phenols (120.6 ± 2.2 mg/100 g_fw) and was also notable for its flavonoid content. Flavonoids, hydroxycinnamic, and hydroxybenzoic acids were detected in all fruits. Red fruits had the highest AOX levels, followed by white, orange, and purple varieties. In conclusion, these fruits are nutritious, low in sugars, and rich in bioactive compounds, suggesting their potential as functional foods, particularly beneficial for individuals with chronic degenerative diseases. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Phenolic Compounds: Extraction, Chemical Profiles, and Bioactivity)

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20 pages, 3564 KB

Open AccessArticle

Optimization of Green Processes for Catechin Extraction and Evaluation of the Antioxidant Activity of Extracts from Shan Tuyet Tea Leaves in Vietnam

by Xuyen Thi Nguyen, Phuong Thi Thu Pham, Uyen Thu Pham, Duong Thanh Nguyen, Doanh Van Nguyen and Tung Quang Nguyen

Compounds 2025, 5(4), 46; https://doi.org/10.3390/compounds5040046 - 24 Oct 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3133

Abstract

Aged green tea leaves, particularly from Shan Tuyet trees, represent an underutilized source of catechins—key antioxidant compounds with known health benefits. This study aims to optimize and compare three green extraction methods—Hot Water Extraction (HWE), Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction (UAE), and Ethanol–Water Extraction (EthE)—for catechin recovery from mature tea leaves. A Box–Behnken design (BBD) under Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was used to evaluate the effects of different extraction conditions. Total catechin content was quantified by HPLC, and antioxidant activities were measured using DPPH, FRAP, ORAC, and cellular antioxidant activity (CAA) assays. Results showed that while UAE and HWE produced total catechin yields of 206.0 mg/g and 202.0 mg/g, respectively, their biological efficacy was profoundly different. HWE, operating at a higher temperature (82 °C), induced significant thermal degradation, evidenced by high levels of catechin epimerization (EGCG/GCG ratio = 3.62) and hydrolysis. This loss of structural integrity resulted in the lowest cellular antioxidant activity (CAA) of 98.3 µmol QE/g. In contrast, the optimized UAE process (78 °C, 55 min, 290 W) preserved catechin stereochemistry (EGCG/GCG ratio = 9.86), yielding the highest CAA (185.2 µmol QE/g). These findings demonstrate that UAE acts as the optimal green strategy for producing high-yield, functionally superior extracts from mature tea leaves. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Phenolic Compounds: Extraction, Chemical Profiles, and Bioactivity)

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16 pages, 1077 KB

Open AccessArticle

Synthesis of Acetylated Phenolic Compounds with Promising Antifouling Applications: An Approach to Marine and Freshwater Mussel Settlement Control

by Míriam C. Pérez, Mónica García, Gustavo Pasquale, María V. Laitano, Gustavo Romanelli and Guillermo Blustein

Compounds 2025, 5(4), 45; https://doi.org/10.3390/compounds5040045 - 24 Oct 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1296

Abstract

Biofouling by mussels is responsible for serious economic losses worldwide. In Argentina, Limnoperna fortunei (Dunker, 1857) and Brachidontes rodriguezii (d’Orbigny, 1842) are common and abundant bivalve species of great interest, inhabiting freshwater and marine coasts, respectively. Both species are considered fouling pests for coastal industrial facilities that use untreated water as part of their processes. To chemically control mussel biofouling, it is necessary to find efficient and environmentally friendly non-biocidal compounds. In this work, we report the antifouling activity of three phenolic compounds (hydroquinone, resorcinol, and catechol) and their respective acetylated derivatives against L. fortunei and B. rodriguezii mussels. Classic ecotoxicity tests with Artemia salina were also performed. Acetylated phenolic compounds were synthesized in the laboratory by sustainable chemistry procedures. Results revealed the importance of hydroquinone, resorcinol, and catechol and their diacetylated derivatives for preventing the settlement of both these mussels, in a non-biocide way. Ecotoxicity bioassays revealed that these compounds were not toxic, with the exception of resorcinol. We propose the incorporation of these compounds in solution into closed circuits and water sprinkler anti-fire systems to prevent the settlement of L. fortunei and their inclusion in antifouling paints to prevent the settlement of B. rodriguezii. These results highlight a new friendly alternative for controlling mussels. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Phenolic Compounds: Extraction, Chemical Profiles, and Bioactivity)

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Review

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25 pages, 14747 KB

Open AccessReview

Exploring Oak-Derived Phenolics to Control Quorum Sensing and Lipase-Mediated Spoilage in Pseudomonas fluorescens

by Elsa Daniela Othón-Díaz, Brenda A. Silva-Espinoza, Gustavo A. González-Aguilar, Karina D. García-Orozco, Cristóbal J. González-Pérez, Minerva Edith Beltrán-Martínez and J. Fernando Ayala-Zavala

Compounds 2026, 6(2), 30; https://doi.org/10.3390/compounds6020030 - 18 May 2026

Viewed by 839

Abstract

Pseudomonas fluorescens is a major psychrotrophic bacterium responsible for spoilage in refrigerated foods, particularly dairy products, where deterioration is driven by biofilm formation, quorum sensing (QS) regulation, and the secretion of thermostable lipases. Conventional control strategies reduce bacterial loads but often fail to prevent enzymatic spoilage. Plant-derived phenolic compounds have been widely reported as QS inhibitors and lipase modulators in various biological systems; however, evidence specifically addressing their effects on P. fluorescens regulatory networks and bacterial lipases remains limited. This review critically examines current knowledge on QS-mediated biofilm formation and lipase production in P. fluorescens and analyzes the reported inhibitory activity of phenolic compounds, with emphasis on oak (Quercus spp.)-derived metabolites. While flavonoids and phenolic acids such as quercetin, gallic acid, and p-coumaric acid have demonstrated QS inhibition and antilipolytic activity in other Pseudomonas species and pancreatic models, direct mechanistic validation in P. fluorescens lipases is scarce. Moreover, most studies rely on crude plant extracts without comprehensive metabolomic characterization, and the potential contribution of additional oak metabolites, including terpenoids, remains largely unexplored. Identifying these gaps is essential for advancing toward integrative approaches that combine enzymology, molecular modeling, and validation in food-relevant systems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Phenolic Compounds: Extraction, Chemical Profiles, and Bioactivity)

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21 pages, 7084 KB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceReview

Phenolic Compound Transport from Gut to Brain: Their Chemical Interactions and Transport Pathways

by Francisco Jonathan Pérez-Delgado, J. Abraham Domínguez-Avila, Gustavo A. González-Aguilar, Jesús Fernando Ayala-Zavala, Mónica A. Villegas-Ochoa, Alejandro Martínez-Martínez, Alejandra M. Preciado-Saldaña, Denisse García-Villa and Marcelino Montiel-Herrera

Compounds 2026, 6(2), 25; https://doi.org/10.3390/compounds6020025 - 2 Apr 2026

Viewed by 1387

Abstract

Antioxidants, such as phenolic compounds, are essential for mammal physiology. Significant research made on the gut–brain axis has produced volumes of evidence indicating that some plant-derived phenolic compounds can reach brain cells to exert protective effects on them, mainly by maintaining and/or restoring redox homeostasis. Their systemic uptake and transport might be determined by the phenolic’s physicochemical properties, along with complex interactions with protein transporters and carriers, including GLUT, SGLT1, ABC transporters (P-glycoprotein, breast cancer resistance protein), albumin, fibrinogen, organic anion and cation transporters, and MATE1. The present work focuses on the chemical interactions and transport pathways of some phenolic compounds to reach brain cells. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Phenolic Compounds: Extraction, Chemical Profiles, and Bioactivity)

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