Bioactive Food Components in Metabolic Health and Disease Prevention: From Functional Insights to Therapeutic Potential

A special issue of Foods (ISSN 2304-8158). This special issue belongs to the section "Nutraceuticals, Functional Foods, and Novel Foods".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 August 2026 | Viewed by 2204

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
School of Medicine, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, NT 0909, Australia
Interests: collagen peptides; resistant starch; microbiome

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Guest Editor
College of Food Science and Engineering, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, TEDA, Tianjin 300457, China
Interests: carbohydrates; protein; functional food; nutrition; metabolism

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Bioactive Food Components in Metabolic Health and Disease Prevention: From Functional Insights to Therapeutic Potential

Bioactive foods can play an important role in maintaining metabolic health and preventing chronic diseases such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disorders. Compounds such as polyphenols, omega‑3 fatty acids, dietary fibers, peptides, and probiotics can exert functional effects beyond basic nutrition. These effects include positively influencing glucose regulation and lipid metabolism, reducing inflammation, and modifying gut microbiota composition.

By modulating these pathways, bioactive components help improve insulin sensitivity, reduce oxidative stress, and support healthy energy balance. Their therapeutic potential positions them as valuable tools in both dietary strategies and functional food development aimed at reducing the global burden of metabolic disease. 

This collection will explore how dietary bioactives—such as polyphenols, omega‑3 fatty acids, peptides, fibers, and probiotics—modulate key aspects of metabolic health, including glucose regulation, lipid metabolism, insulin sensitivity, inflammation, and gut microbiota balance. Contributions may address mechanisms of action, translational studies, or therapeutic applications in preventing obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and related disorders. Join us in advancing knowledge that bridges nutrition science with innovative strategies for disease prevention.

Potential topics include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Polyphenols and oxidative stress in metabolic disorders;
  • Omega‑3 fatty acids and cardiovascular risk reduction;
  • Dietary fibers, microbiota, and insulin sensitivity;
  • Plant peptides in glucose and lipid regulation;
  • Probiotics and bioactive metabolites in obesity prevention;
  • Functional food innovations for type 2 diabetes management.

Dr. Padraig Strappe
Prof. Dr. Zhongkai Zhou
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • bioactive
  • dietary fibers
  • microbiota
  • nutrition
  • metabolic disorders

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

30 pages, 9343 KB  
Article
Integrative Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking Analysis Uncovers Multi-Target Mechanisms of Alpha-Mangostin Against Acute Kidney Injury
by Moragot Chatatikun, Aman Tedasen, Chutima Jansakun, Passakorn Poolbua, Jason C. Huang, Jongkonnee Thanasai, Wiyada Kwanhian Klangbud and Atthaphong Phongphithakchai
Foods 2026, 15(7), 1270; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods15071270 - 7 Apr 2026
Viewed by 727
Abstract
Alpha-mangostin (AM), a xanthone from Garcinia mangostana, has shown promising nephroprotective properties, but its mechanisms in acute kidney injury (AKI) remain incompletely defined. In this study, we applied an integrative network pharmacology pipeline combined with molecular docking to clarify AM’s multi-target mechanisms [...] Read more.
Alpha-mangostin (AM), a xanthone from Garcinia mangostana, has shown promising nephroprotective properties, but its mechanisms in acute kidney injury (AKI) remain incompletely defined. In this study, we applied an integrative network pharmacology pipeline combined with molecular docking to clarify AM’s multi-target mechanisms in AKI. We identified 128 predicted AM targets and intersected them with AKI-related genes, yielding 122 shared targets. Protein–protein interaction analysis identified ten hub genes—TNF, AKT1, IL6, SRC, CTNNB1, HSP90AA1, NFKB1, HIF1A, PPARG, and PTGS2—implicating inflammatory, hypoxia, and cell-survival pathways. KEGG enrichment highlighted HIF-1 signaling, PI3K–Akt signaling, chemokine signaling, AGE–RAGE signaling, and pathways related to cellular senescence and oxidative stress, while GO terms emphasized responses to chemical/oxygen-containing compounds, kinase activity, signal transduction, and apoptosis. Molecular docking against the ten hub proteins showed favorable binding energies across multiple targets. The strongest predicted affinities were observed for PTGS2 (−11.13 kcal/mol), TNF (−9.74 kcal/mol), and AKT1 (−9.48 kcal/mol). Docking positioned AM within the COX-2 catalytic pocket, engaging key catalytic and hydrophobic residues similar to known inhibitors. MD simulation interaction analysis confirmed that AM maintained stable contacts with key human PTGS2 residues, characterized by dominant hydrogen bonds and water-bridge interactions with SER353, TYR355, ARG513, and SER530, along with consistent hydrophobic contacts, and persistent interactions sustained throughout the 200 ns trajectory. Collectively, these results suggest that AM modulates interconnected inflammatory, hypoxic, and survival pathways relevant to AKI, acting as a multi-target ligand with notable interaction involving COX-2, TNF, and AKT1. Further experimental validation and formulation strategies to improve bioavailability are recommended for the advancement of AM toward therapeutic evaluation in AKI. Full article
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15 pages, 3953 KB  
Article
Ameliorative Effects of Pumpkin Seed Protein Peptides on Dexamethasone-Treated Sarcopenia and Their Effects When Combined with Vitamin D
by Donghui Ma, Yuxin Liu, Jing Zhao and Quanhong Li
Foods 2026, 15(7), 1162; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods15071162 - 30 Mar 2026
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Abstract
Sarcopenia is a degenerative condition that imposes a substantial global public health burden, yet safe and effective interventions remain limited. Nutritional support is regarded as an important strategy to mitigate age-related muscle loss and improve physical function in older adults. Due to time [...] Read more.
Sarcopenia is a degenerative condition that imposes a substantial global public health burden, yet safe and effective interventions remain limited. Nutritional support is regarded as an important strategy to mitigate age-related muscle loss and improve physical function in older adults. Due to time and cost constraints, dexamethasone (DEX)-treated models are often used as an alternative to age-related sarcopenia models. This study investigated the effects of pumpkin seed protein peptides (PSPP) and vitamin D on DEX-treated mice. In vitro, PSPP attenuated senescence-associated phenotypes, reduced cellular injury, and partially alleviated DEX-treated myofibrillar atrophy, as evidenced by decreased Atrogin-1 and MuRF1 expression and increased MyoD expression. In vivo, PSPP and vitamin D, particularly in combination, ameliorated DEX-treated declines in muscle mass, grip strength, and endurance. Histological analyses further demonstrated improvements in myofibrillar architecture and muscle fiber cross-sectional area. In addition, each intervention was associated with increased ATP content, elevated interleukin-10 and insulin-like growth factor-1 levels, and reduced tumor necrosis factor-α and malondialdehyde levels. Collectively, these findings suggest that PSPP, either alone or combined with vitamin D, may alleviate DEX-treated sarcopenia, potentially through the modulation of mitochondrial homeostasis, attenuation of oxidative stress and inflammatory responses, and promotion of myogenic regeneration. Full article
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