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Nutraceuticals for the Maintenance of Brain Health
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Nutraceuticals for the Maintenance of Brain Health

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Bioactives and Nutraceuticals".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 September 2025 | Viewed by 2900

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Maria Anttonietta Panaro

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Environment, University of Bari, 70125 Bari, Italy
Interests: inflammation; microglia; astrocytes; neurodegeneration; Parkinson's disease; neuroinflammation; immune system; brain; inflammatory bowel diseases
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The word “nutraceutical” (from “nutrition” and “pharmaceutical”) encompasses the pharmacological action of nutritional elements which are identified as useful for the prevention or treatment of conditions or diseases. Neurological diseases have a major impact on the population; as such, it is good to know that there is a very close link between the mind and nutrition. Many food-based substances are potentially useful in the prevention and treatment of cognitive decline in pre-clinical studies; however, further studies are needed to confirm their beneficial effects in humans.

A nutraceutical approach useful for improving cognitive abilities must consider an adequate dietary intake of vitamins and micro- and macronutrients.

The main objective of this Special Issue will be to improve our understanding of the functions of vitamins and/or nutraceuticals in brain health, by regulating pertinent molecules and signaling pathways, reducing oxidative stress, modulating molecular mechanism of neuroinflammation, suppressing the formation and aggregation of the pathogenic protein, etc. Specifically, we will publish high-quality reviews or original research articles that examine the role of vitamins and nutraceuticals in cognitive functions and/or neurodegenerative diseases, identifying molecular pathways as pharmacological targets aimed at therapeutic strategies.

We are pleased to invite you to contribute original articles, reviews, communications, etc. We look forward to your contributions to this Special Issue.

Dr. Maria Antonietta Panaro
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. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. There is an Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal. For details about the APC please see here. 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

  • vitamin
  • nutraceutics
  • brain
  • neuroinflammation
  • neurodegeneration
  • cognitive function

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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20 pages, 4908 KiB  
Article
Genes That Associated with Action of ACTH-like Peptides with Neuroprotective Potential in Rat Brain Regions with Different Degrees of Ischemic Damage
by Ivan B. Filippenkov, Yana Yu. Shpetko, Daria A. Ales, Vasily V. Stavchansky, Alina E. Denisova, Vadim V. Yuzhakov, Natalia K. Fomina, Leonid V. Gubsky, Lyudmila A. Andreeva, Nikolay F. Myasoedov, Svetlana A. Limborska and Lyudmila V. Dergunova
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(13), 6256; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26136256 - 28 Jun 2025
Viewed by 131
Abstract
In the treatment of ischemic stroke, an innovative approach is the use of neuroprotective compounds. Natural peptides, including adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), can serve as the basis for such drugs. Previously, a significant effect of non-hormonal ACTH(4-7)PGP (Semax) and ACTH(6-9)PGP peptides on the functions [...] Read more.
In the treatment of ischemic stroke, an innovative approach is the use of neuroprotective compounds. Natural peptides, including adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), can serve as the basis for such drugs. Previously, a significant effect of non-hormonal ACTH(4-7)PGP (Semax) and ACTH(6-9)PGP peptides on the functions of the nervous system was shown. Also, while using RNA-Seq, we firstly revealed differentially expressed genes (DEGs) that associated with peptides in the penumbra-associated region of the frontal cortex (FC) of rats at 24 h after transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) model. Peptides significantly reduced profile disturbances caused by ischemia for almost two-thousand DEGs in FC related to the neurotransmitter and inflammatory response. Here, we studied how peptides affected the expression of genes in the striatum with an ischemic focus, predominantly. The same animals from which we previously acquired FC were used to collect striatum samples. Peptides generated fewer DEGs in the striatum than in the FC. Both peptides tended to normalize the profile of disturbances caused by ischemia for hundreds of DEGs, whereas 152 genes showed an even more affected profile in the striatum under ACTH(6-9)PGP action. These DEGs were associated with inflammation, predominantly. About hundred genes were overlapped between both peptides in both tissues and were associated with neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, predominantly. Thus, genes that are associated with the ACTH-like peptide action in rat brain regions with varying levels of ischemia injury were identified. Moreover, differential spatial regulation of the ischemia process in the rat brain at the transcriptome levels was discovered under peptides with different ACTH structures. We suppose that our results may be useful for selecting more effective neuroprotective drug structures in accordance with their specific tissue/damage therapeutic impact. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutraceuticals for the Maintenance of Brain Health)
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17 pages, 6118 KiB  
Article
Birch Sap Preserves Memory Function in Rats by Enhancing Cerebral Blood Flow and Modulating the Presynaptic Glutamatergic System in the Hippocampus
by Chien-Fen Huang, Tzu-Kang Lin, Chia-Chuan Chang, Ming-Yi Lee, Ching-Yi Lu, Chi-Feng Hung and Su-Jane Wang
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(11), 5009; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26115009 - 22 May 2025
Viewed by 502
Abstract
As the average age of the population increases, memory impairment has become an increasingly prevalent issue. This study investigates the effects of 14 days of oral birch sap administration on memory functions in healthy rats using the Morris water maze (MWM) test and [...] Read more.
As the average age of the population increases, memory impairment has become an increasingly prevalent issue. This study investigates the effects of 14 days of oral birch sap administration on memory functions in healthy rats using the Morris water maze (MWM) test and explores the underlying mechanisms. A compositional analysis revealed that birch soap is rich in polysaccharides, specifically a low-molecular weight polysaccharide (MW 1.29 kDa), and exhibits no hepatotoxicity or renal toxicity at the tested dose. The results from the MWM test demonstrated that the time and distance required to reach the platform were significantly shorter in the birch sap-treated group compared to the control group, suggesting that birch sap supports memory preservation. Moreover, rats treated with birch sap showed improved cerebral blood flow compared to the control rats. Additionally, in hippocampal nerve terminals (synaptosomes), rats treated with birch sap exhibited a significant increase in evoked glutamate release, as well as elevated levels of presynaptic proteins, including vesicular glutamate transporter 1 (VGluT1), synaptophysin, synaptobrevin, synaptotagmin, syntaxin, synapsin I, and the 25 kDa synaptosome-associated protein (SNAP-25). Transmission electron microscopy also revealed a notable increase in the number of synaptic vesicles in hippocampal synaptosomes of the birch-sap-treated rats. These findings suggest that birch sap enhances hippocampal presynaptic glutamatergic functions and cerebral blood flow, contributing to its memory-preserving effects in rats. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutraceuticals for the Maintenance of Brain Health)
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13 pages, 575 KiB  
Article
Can Vitamin D Reduce Inflammation? The Influence of Supplementation on Selected Immunological Markers
by Martyna Lis, Natalia Niedziela, Jowita Adamczyk-Zostawa, Jolanta Zalejska-Fiolka, Michał Błachut, Jarosław Szczygieł, Agata Świętek and Monika Adamczyk-Sowa
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(14), 7592; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25147592 - 11 Jul 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1458
Abstract
There is increasing evidence that vitamin D (VitD) supplementation may reduce inflammation in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different doses of VitD on selected markers of inflammation in patients with relapsing–remitting MS [...] Read more.
There is increasing evidence that vitamin D (VitD) supplementation may reduce inflammation in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different doses of VitD on selected markers of inflammation in patients with relapsing–remitting MS (RRMS). Participants were divided depending on the supplemented dose of VitD into a high-dose (2000 IU/d; HD) group and a low-dose (15,960 IU/month; LD) group (n = 23 and n = 29, respectively). The concentration of 25(OH)D and the levels of CXCL16, PTX3, ALCAM, IL-1RA, and OPG were measured initially and after six months of VitD supplementation in blood serum. A significant increase in the concentrations of CXCL16, PTX3, and OPG was observed during the study (p = 0.02, p = 0.01, and p < 0.01, respectively). Furthermore, a higher increase in PTX3 and OPG in the LD group was observed (p = 0.04 and p = 0.03, respectively). A significant positive correlation was observed between the 25(OH)D serum concentration and PTX3 (R = 0.28, p < 0.05) and OPG (R = 0.28, p < 0.05) only at the beginning of the study. In patients with RRMS, such doses of VitD might be too low to induce obvious beneficial effects on the pro-inflammatory and inflammatory balance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutraceuticals for the Maintenance of Brain Health)
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Review

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58 pages, 2866 KiB  
Review
Shifting Perspectives on the Role of Tocotrienol vs. Tocopherol in Brain Health: A Scoping Review
by Rabiatul Adawiyah Razali, Wan Zurinah Wan Ngah, Suzana Makpol, Daijiro Yanagisawa, Tomoko Kato and Ikuo Tooyama
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(13), 6339; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26136339 - 30 Jun 2025
Abstract
Vitamin E has been extensively studied for its neuroprotective properties, with increasing evidence supporting its broader roles in brain health. This scoping review aims to systematically identify, analyze, and synthesize evidence of the existing literature over the last 10 years on tocotrienol and [...] Read more.
Vitamin E has been extensively studied for its neuroprotective properties, with increasing evidence supporting its broader roles in brain health. This scoping review aims to systematically identify, analyze, and synthesize evidence of the existing literature over the last 10 years on tocotrienol and tocopherol supplementation in humans. A systematic search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, and EBSCOhost yielding 42 eligible articles. Findings suggest that tocopherols, especially α- and γ-forms, are associated with improved cognitive performance, reduced neuroinflammation, and preservation of synaptic proteins. Despite tocotrienol’s lower plasma bioavailability, tocotrienol availability in selective brain regions has been associated with structural protection, particularly in white matter. Both compounds exhibit complementary effects, suggesting a potential advantage of combined supplementation. However, heterogeneity in study designs, subject characteristics, dosage, duration, and assessment methods limit direct comparisons and generalizability of findings. Based on our review’s findings, further research such as dose-optimization, long-term exposures, and delivery methods on human studies should be performed. This review highlights the multifaceted roles of vitamin E in brain health and underscores the urgent need for well-designed studies to clarify the distinct and synergistic effects of tocopherols and tocotrienols, particularly in human populations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutraceuticals for the Maintenance of Brain Health)
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