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The Role of Oxidative Stress and Antioxidants in Human Disease
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The Role of Oxidative Stress and Antioxidants in Human Disease

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Pathology, Diagnostics, and Therapeutics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 September 2025 | Viewed by 4793

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Federica Mannino

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Via C. Valeria, 98125 Messina, Italy
Interests: pharmacology; natural products; oxidative stress; inflammatory disease; atherosclerosis; metabolic disease; neurodegenerative diseases; autophagy; proliferation and differentiation process
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Oxidative stress is a condition where there is an imbalance between free radicals (reactive oxygen species) and antioxidants in the body. Free radicals are highly reactive molecules that can damage cells, proteins, and DNA, contributing to aging and various diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and neurodegenerative disorders. Antioxidants are molecules that neutralize free radicals, preventing or reducing damage. Natural antioxidants, such as vitamins C and E, polyphenols, and flavonoids, are found in fruits, vegetables, nuts, and whole grains. They play a crucial role in maintaining health by protecting cells from oxidative damage. The body also produces endogenous antioxidants, like glutathione, which further defend against oxidative stress. Balancing oxidative stress with sufficient antioxidants is essential for preventing chronic diseases and promoting overall well-being. Consuming a diet rich in natural antioxidants is a key strategy for managing oxidative stress.

This Special Issue will focus on new insights into the role of oxidative stress and antioxidants in human diseases.

Dr. Federica Mannino
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

  • oxidative stress
  • free radicals
  • antioxidants
  • reactive oxygen species (ROS)
  • polyphenols

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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12 pages, 1268 KiB  
Article
The Effects of Lutein-Containing Supplement Intake on Glycation Inhibition Among Diabetic Patients with Cataracts
by Rijo Hayashi, Shimmin Hayashi and Shigeki Machida
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(12), 5706; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26125706 - 13 Jun 2025
Viewed by 314
Abstract
Glycation is known as an important factor inducing human diseases, including diabetic complications. As oxidative stress contributes to procedures of glycation, antioxidants may inhibit glycation and delay the progression of diabetic complications. Our previous investigation of human aqueous humor after the intake of [...] Read more.
Glycation is known as an important factor inducing human diseases, including diabetic complications. As oxidative stress contributes to procedures of glycation, antioxidants may inhibit glycation and delay the progression of diabetic complications. Our previous investigation of human aqueous humor after the intake of a lutein-containing supplement demonstrated increases in antioxidative activities and decreases in peroxidative products. This study enrolled 25 patients with diabetes (DM group) and 100 age-matched controls. Aqueous humor samples were collected during cataract surgery before and after 6 weeks of oral intake of the lutein-containing antioxidant supplement, Ocuvite + Lutein®. The carboxymethyl-lysine level (CML) was measured as an indicator of glycation. Levels of superoxide dismutase activities (SOD) and total hydroperoxide (TH) were measured as indicators of oxidation. Changes after intake and the differences between age-matched controls and the DM group were evaluated. CML decreased after intake among the DM group, while there were no changes among the age-matched controls. SOD was significantly lower and TH was significantly higher in the DM group as compared to the age-matched controls, both before and after intake. In line with the decreases in glycation, the intake of lutein-containing antioxidant supplements may inhibit diabetic complications in diabetic patients. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Oxidative Stress and Antioxidants in Human Disease)
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16 pages, 1573 KiB  
Article
Peumus boldus Extract Inhibits Lipid Accumulation in 3T3-L1 Adipocytes
by Laura Montaldo, Llerson Bendezu Meza, Mauricio De Marzi and Liliana Noemi Guerra
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(9), 4326; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26094326 - 2 May 2025
Viewed by 342
Abstract
Obesity is a metabolic condition of epidemic scale. Previously, we showed that antioxidant extracts from Ribes nigrum had antioxidant and anti-adipogenic effects in mature adipocytes (AD). Here, we evaluated an aqueous extract from Peumus boldus (Boldo) in AD and studied its effect on [...] Read more.
Obesity is a metabolic condition of epidemic scale. Previously, we showed that antioxidant extracts from Ribes nigrum had antioxidant and anti-adipogenic effects in mature adipocytes (AD). Here, we evaluated an aqueous extract from Peumus boldus (Boldo) in AD and studied its effect on reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid production. We analyzed the antioxidant activity (AA) of the Boldo extract using the DPPH technique and polyphenol (Pph) content via Folin’s reagent. In AD, we evaluated ROS production, catalase (CAT) activity, intracellular triglyceride (Tg) and cholesterol (Chol) contents, nitric oxide (NO) production via Griess reagent, and the levels of glycerol (Gly) and TNF-α released in the culture medium. We showed that the Boldo extract has high AA. In vitro, Boldo treatment decreased ROS intracellular production and CAT activity. In addition, the Boldo extract was effective in reducing Tg and Chol levels and NO production. We did not identify significant differences in Gly released or TNF-α secreted. We suggest that the Boldo extract has antioxidant and anti-adipogenic effects, but we did not observe lipolytic effects. Boldo did not modify inflammatory markers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Oxidative Stress and Antioxidants in Human Disease)
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23 pages, 6999 KiB  
Article
Beneficial Antioxidant Effects of Coenzyme Q10 in In Vitro and In Vivo Models of CDKL5 Deficiency Disorder
by Manuela Loi, Francesca Valenti, Giorgio Medici, Nicola Mottolese, Giulia Candini, Angelica Marina Bove, Federica Trebbi, Luca Pincigher, Romana Fato, Christian Bergamini, Stefania Trazzi and Elisabetta Ciani
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(5), 2204; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26052204 - 28 Feb 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1007
Abstract
CDKL5 deficiency disorder (CDD), a developmental encephalopathy caused by mutations in the cyclin-dependent kinase-like 5 (CDKL5) gene, is characterized by a complex and severe clinical picture, including early-onset epilepsy and cognitive, motor, visual, and gastrointestinal disturbances. This disease still lacks a [...] Read more.
CDKL5 deficiency disorder (CDD), a developmental encephalopathy caused by mutations in the cyclin-dependent kinase-like 5 (CDKL5) gene, is characterized by a complex and severe clinical picture, including early-onset epilepsy and cognitive, motor, visual, and gastrointestinal disturbances. This disease still lacks a medical treatment to mitigate, or reverse, its course and improve the patient’s quality of life. Although CDD is primarily a genetic brain disorder, some evidence indicates systemic abnormalities, such as the presence of a redox imbalance in the plasma and skin fibroblasts from CDD patients and in the cardiac myocytes of a mouse model of CDD. In order to shed light on the role of oxidative stress in the CDD pathophysiology, in this study, we aimed to investigate the therapeutic potential of Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), which is known to be a powerful antioxidant, using in vitro and in vivo models of CDD. We found that CoQ10 supplementation not only reduces levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and normalizes glutathione balance but also restores the levels of markers of DNA damage (γ-H2AX) and senescence (lamin B1), restoring cellular proliferation and improving cellular survival in a human neuronal model of CDD. Importantly, oral supplementation with CoQ10 exerts a protective role toward lipid peroxidation and DNA damage in the heart of a murine model of CDD, the Cdkl5 (+/−) female mouse. Our results highlight the therapeutic potential of the antioxidant supplement CoQ10 in counteracting the detrimental oxidative stress induced by CDKL5 deficiency. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Oxidative Stress and Antioxidants in Human Disease)
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Review

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15 pages, 792 KiB  
Review
Impact of Reductive Stress on Human Infertility: Underlying Mechanisms and Perspectives
by Efthalia Moustakli, Athanasios Zikopoulos, Charikleia Skentou, Periklis Katopodis, Ekaterini Domali, Anastasios Potiris, Sofoklis Stavros and Athanasios Zachariou
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(21), 11802; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms252111802 - 2 Nov 2024
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2300
Abstract
Antioxidants have a well-established effect on general health and are essential in preventing oxidative damage to cells by scavenging free radicals. Free radicals are thought to be neutralized by these substances, which include polyphenols, β-carotene, and vitamins C and E, reducing cellular damage. [...] Read more.
Antioxidants have a well-established effect on general health and are essential in preventing oxidative damage to cells by scavenging free radicals. Free radicals are thought to be neutralized by these substances, which include polyphenols, β-carotene, and vitamins C and E, reducing cellular damage. On the other hand, recent data indicates that consuming excessive amounts of antioxidants may have side effects. Apoptosis and cell signaling are two beneficial physiological processes that are affected by excessive supplementation. Other negative effects include paradoxical enhancement of oxidative stress and unbalanced cellular redox potential. Overdosing on particular antioxidants has been associated with increased medication interactions, cancer progression, and fatality risks. Additionally, the complex impacts they may have on fertility might be both useful and adverse, depending on the quantity and duration of usage. This review delves into the dual role of antioxidants and emphasizes the importance of employing antioxidants in moderation. Antioxidant overconsumption may disrupt the oxidative balance necessary for normal sperm and oocyte function, which is one of the potential negative effects of antioxidants on fertility in both males and females that are also investigated. Although modest usage of antioxidants is generally safe and useful, high levels of antioxidants can upset hormonal balance, impair sperm motility, and negatively impact the outcomes of assisted reproductive technologies (ART). The findings emphasize the need to use antioxidant supplements in a balanced way, the importance of further research to optimize their use in fertility treatments, and the importance of supporting reproductive health to avoid adverse effects. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Oxidative Stress and Antioxidants in Human Disease)
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