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Latest Review Papers in Bioactives and Nutraceuticals

Editor


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Collection Editor
Laboratory of Physiology and Metabolism, Department of Food Safety and Nutritional Science, Faculty of Applied Bioscience, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Tokyo, Japan
Interests: nutrition; phytochemicals; lipids; nuclear receptors; lipid metabolisms; inflammation; insulin resistance; hyperlipidemia; adipocytes; hepatocytes; enterocytes
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Topical Collection Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Topical Collection will collect high-quality review papers in all areas of bioactives and nutraceuticals. We encourage researchers from related fields to invite relevant experts and colleagues to contribute review papers highlighting the latest developments in the fields. Full-length comprehensive reviews are preferred.

Prof. Dr. Nobuyuki Takahashi
Collection 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 collection 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

  • bioactives
  • nutrients
  • nutraceuticals
  • molecular biology

Published Papers (4 papers)

2025

26 pages, 832 KiB  
Review
Do Sex and Gender Interact with the Biological Actions of Taurine? A Critical Rereading of the Literature
by Giuseppe Seghieri, Ilaria Campesi, Giancarlo Tonolo, Federico Bennardini, Isabella Stendardi, Rosanna Matucci and Flavia Franconi
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(16), 8097; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26168097 - 21 Aug 2025
Viewed by 263
Abstract
In humans, taurine (TAU) is a conditionally essential nutrient that exhibits pleiotropic activity in several and different biological processes suggesting its use in the prevention and therapy for a long time. However, its actual role in prevention and treatment is still incomplete and [...] Read more.
In humans, taurine (TAU) is a conditionally essential nutrient that exhibits pleiotropic activity in several and different biological processes suggesting its use in the prevention and therapy for a long time. However, its actual role in prevention and treatment is still incomplete and unclear. This review focuses on the potential therapeutic effect of TAU in genetic diseases, cardiovascular diseases (heart failure, hypertension), metabolic syndrome, and on the first pandemic of the third millennium, namely, diabetes mellitus and some gestational diseases such as gestational diabetes, intrauterine growth restriction, and pre-eclampsia, discussing the role of TAU in developmental trajectory. Previous preclinical and clinical TAU investigations predominately enrolled male animals, including humans, even though sex and gender differences play a critical role both in numerous physiological and pathological conditions. This review aims to outline some biological actions of TAU and evidences the sex and gender gap must be reduced in order to establish the role of TAU in prevention and therapy for all individuals. Full article
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17 pages, 860 KiB  
Review
Neurophysiological Basis of Short-Chain Fatty Acid Action in Pain Modulation: Therapeutic Implications
by Mamoru Takeda, Yukito Sashide and Syogo Utugi
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(16), 8082; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26168082 - 21 Aug 2025
Viewed by 145
Abstract
The gut microbiota influences both energy metabolism and central nervous system (CNS) functions. This influence is mediated by humoral factors, including various metabolites, neurotransmitters, cytokines, and hormones, in addition to neural pathways such as the vagus nerve. Notably, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs)—comprising acetic, [...] Read more.
The gut microbiota influences both energy metabolism and central nervous system (CNS) functions. This influence is mediated by humoral factors, including various metabolites, neurotransmitters, cytokines, and hormones, in addition to neural pathways such as the vagus nerve. Notably, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs)—comprising acetic, propionic, and butyric acids—merit specific attention. These compounds originate from the anaerobic fermentation of dietary fibers by the gut microbiota. Growing evidence indicates that SCFAs confer beneficial effects on diverse pain conditions. Although previous review articles have summarized animal studies suggesting the possibility that SCFAs can alleviate pathological pain, there are few reviews on the neurophysiological mechanisms by which SCFAs modulate the excitability of nociceptive neurons in the pain pathway under nociceptive and pathological conditions. Extending previous in vitro findings, our laboratory recently conducted in vivo neurophysiological studies using animal models to explore the pain-relieving properties of SCFAs. Our published results demonstrate two significant effects: (i) an intravenous anesthetic action against nociceptive pain and (ii) an anti-inflammatory contribution to chronic pain alleviation. This review synthesizes the current understanding of the mechanisms by which SCFAs modulate pain and explores their contribution to the attenuation of nociceptive and/or pathological pain. Furthermore, we discuss their prospective clinical application Full article
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22 pages, 4653 KiB  
Review
Curcumin as a Dual Modulator of Pyroptosis: Mechanistic Insights and Therapeutic Potential
by Dong Oh Moon
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(15), 7590; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26157590 - 6 Aug 2025
Viewed by 395
Abstract
Curcumin, a polyphenolic compound derived from Curcuma longa, has drawn significant attention for its pleiotropic pharmacological activities, including anti-inflammatory and anticancer effects. Pyroptosis, an inflammatory form of programmed cell death mediated by inflammasome activation and gasdermin cleavage, has emerged as a critical [...] Read more.
Curcumin, a polyphenolic compound derived from Curcuma longa, has drawn significant attention for its pleiotropic pharmacological activities, including anti-inflammatory and anticancer effects. Pyroptosis, an inflammatory form of programmed cell death mediated by inflammasome activation and gasdermin cleavage, has emerged as a critical target in both chronic inflammatory diseases and cancer therapy. This review comprehensively explores the dual roles of curcumin in the regulation of NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis. Curcumin exerts inhibitory effects by suppressing NF-κB signaling, attenuating mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) and ER stress, preventing potassium efflux, and disrupting inflammasome complex assembly. Conversely, in certain cancer contexts, curcumin promotes pyroptosis by stabilizing NLRP3 through the inhibition of Smurf2-mediated ubiquitination. Molecular docking studies support curcumin’s direct binding to several pyroptosis-associated proteins, including NLRP3, AMPK, caspase-1, and Smurf2. These context-dependent regulatory effects underscore the therapeutic potential of curcumin as both an inflammasome suppressor in inflammatory diseases and a pyroptosis inducer in cancer. Full article
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29 pages, 2167 KiB  
Review
Coffee and Its Major Polyphenols in the Prevention and Management of Type 2 Diabetes: A Comprehensive Review
by HwiCheol Kim, Sang Ryong Kim and Un Ju Jung
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(12), 5544; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26125544 - 10 Jun 2025
Viewed by 4165
Abstract
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by insulin resistance and impaired glucose metabolism and affects a substantial portion of the global population. Over the past few decades, numerous studies have investigated lifestyle factors, including diet and physical activity, [...] Read more.
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by insulin resistance and impaired glucose metabolism and affects a substantial portion of the global population. Over the past few decades, numerous studies have investigated lifestyle factors, including diet and physical activity, as preventive measures or adjunctive treatments for T2DM. Among the dietary factors, coffee consumption has garnered attention because of its potential to mitigate the risk and progression of T2DM. This review examines the current evidence on the relationship between coffee consumption and T2DM, with particular focus on the major polyphenols found in coffee, such as chlorogenic acid and related hydroxycinnamic acids (caffeic acid, ferulic acid, p-coumaric acid, and sinapic acid). These bioactive compounds are thought to exert anti-diabetic effects through several mechanisms, including improvements in glucose homeostasis, insulin sensitivity, inflammation, and oxidative stress. This review aimed to clarify the scientific rationale behind the potential therapeutic effects of coffee on T2DM and proposed directions for future studies. However, significant knowledge gaps remain, including limited clinical evidence, unclear optimal dosages, low bioavailability, and an incomplete understanding of molecular mechanisms. Addressing these gaps through well-designed clinical trials and advanced molecular studies is essential to fully establish the therapeutic potential of coffee and its polyphenols in T2DM. Full article
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