International Journal of Molecular Sciences

Journal Browser

► Journal Browser

Phytochemicals: Molecular Mechanism Research on Antioxidants and Anti-Inflammatory Agents

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Shereen Basiouni

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Institute of Molecular Physiology, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Hanns-Dieter-Hüsch-Weg 17, D-55128 Mainz, Germany
Interests: natural products; anti-inflammatory; antioxidant; immunostimulant; wound healing; hepatocytes; keratiocytes

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Phytochemicals are plant-based bioactive compounds produced by plants. Utilizing these components, which are characterized by low toxicity, abundance, and cost-effectiveness, offers a promising strategy for improving individual health and well-being. Phytochemicals, including flavonoids, phenolic acids, and terpenoids, have attracted significant interest due to their antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties.

This Special Issue invites papers that investigate the various effects of phytochemicals, including their roles in the following:

Scavenging free radicals;
Inhibiting inflammatory mediators;
Modulating signaling pathways;
Identifying molecular targets;
Mechanisms underlying their mechanisms of action.

The aim of this Special Issue is to advance our understanding of phytochemicals and their multifaceted roles in health and disease management.

We look forward to your valuable contributions to this Special Issue in the form of original papers, reviews, and short communications.

Dr. Shereen Basiouni
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.

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.

Published Papers (2 papers)

Download All Papers

Order results

Result details

Show export options Show export options

Select all

Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

31 pages, 2919 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Multitargeted Effects of Plantago ovata Ethanol Extract in Experimental Rat Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetes Mellitus and Letrozole-Induced Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

by Lia-Oxana Usatiuc, Raluca Maria Pop, Surd Adrian, Marcel Pârvu, Mădălina Țicolea, Ana Uifălean, Dan Vălean, Laura-Ioana Gavrilaș, Szabo Csilla-Enikő, Loredana Florina Leopold, Floricuța Ranga, Florinela Adriana Cătoi and Alina Elena Pârvu

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(10), 4712; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26104712 - 14 May 2025

Viewed by 205

Abstract

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a common and multifactorial endocrine disorder in reproductive-aged women, is strongly associated with insulin resistance (IR) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and also affects up to one in four women with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). The current study explored the potential of Plantago ovata (P. ovata) seed ethanol extract (POEE) to modulate oxidative stress (OS), inflammatory responses, metabolic profiles, and hormonal levels in rat Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced DM and Letrozole (LET)-induced PCOS. Phytochemical analysis measured total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) using HPLC-DAD-ESI MS for compound identification. POEE’s antioxidant activity was evaluated in vitro through DPPH, H₂O₂, FRAP, and NO scavenging assays. Rats received POEE, metformin, or Trolox (TX) for 10 days. PCOS confirmation was achieved via ultrasound and histopathology. Serum levels of OS markers (TOS, TAC, OSI, MDA, AOPP, 8-OHdG, NO, 3-NT, AGEs, and SH), inflammatory markers (NF-κB, IL-1β, IL-18, Gasdermin D, and IL-10), metabolic parameters (fasting blood glucose, lipid profile, and liver enzymes), and hormone levels (LH, FSH, estrogen, testosterone, and insulin) were assessed. Additionally, the Triglyceride–Glucose index (TyG) and HOMA-IR were calculated. POEE had a medium content of polyphenols and a good in vitro antioxidant effect. In vivo, POEE administration in diabetic rats led to a reduction in OS markers and an increase in antioxidant levels, alongside decreases in inflammatory cytokines, blood glucose levels, and transaminase activity and improvements in lipid profile. In the PCOS model, POEE treatment effectively reduced total OS and lowered levels of LH, FSH, and testosterone, while elevating estrogen concentrations and reducing insulin resistance. These therapeutic effects were dose-dependent, with higher doses producing more pronounced outcomes, comparable to those observed with metformin and TX treatment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Phytochemicals: Molecular Mechanism Research on Antioxidants and Anti-Inflammatory Agents)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

21 pages, 590 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation of Spirulina platensis as a Feed Additive in Low-Protein Diets of Broilers

by Hüseyin Yalçınkaya, Sakine Yalçın, Muhammad Shazaib Ramay, Esin Ebru Onbaşılar, Buket Bakır, Fatma Kübra Erbay Elibol, Suzan Yalçın, Awad A. Shehata and Shereen Basiouni

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(1), 24; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26010024 - 24 Dec 2024

Viewed by 1023

Abstract

Spirulina platensis is a natural antioxidant product that has the ability to improve the performance of poultry. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the effect of using Spirulina platensis as a feed additive in broiler diets. A total of 252 daily male Ross 308 chicks were randomly assigned to six groups. There were two different protein groups: one was at the catalog protein value, and the other was reduced by 10%. Spirulina platensis at 0, 0.1, and 0.2% was added to each protein group. The trial lasted 41 days. Reducing the protein level by 10% had a negative impact on the performance of the chicks. However, Spirulina platensis supplementation had a positive effect on the feed conversion ratio, reduced the oxidative stress index in the chicks’ liver and meat, increased the total antioxidant status and antioxidant enzyme activities, improved the villus height, serum IgG, and some bone parameters, and reduced the serum triglyceride concentration. The carcass yield, visceral organ weight percentages, total phenolic content, and malondialdehyde (MDA) level in the thigh meat and some serum biochemical parameters were not affected by the usage of Spirulina platensis. In conclusion, 0.1% Spirulina platensis could be a feasible feed additive in low-protein diets due to eliciting an improved performance, antioxidant status, and immune response in broilers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Phytochemicals: Molecular Mechanism Research on Antioxidants and Anti-Inflammatory Agents)

► Show Figures

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Phytochemicals: Molecular Mechanism Research on Antioxidants and Anti-Inflammatory Agents

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editor

Special Issue Information

Keywords

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

Published Papers (2 papers)

Research

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI