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Bioactive Compounds in the Prevention of Chronic Diseases

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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: closed (20 January 2026) | Viewed by 22203

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Dr. Diego A. Moreno

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Research Group "Laboratorio de Fitoquímica y Alimentos Saludables" (LabFAS), CSIC, CEBAS, Campus Universitario de Espinardo, E-30100 Murcia, Spain
Interests: phytochemicals; inflammation; obesity; health-centered agri-foods
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Prof. Dr. Antonio J. Ruiz-Alcaraz

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Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology B and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Murcia, Regional Campus of International Excellence “Campus Mare Nostrum”, 30100 Murcia, Spain
Interests: Inmune response; inflammation; immunonutrition; chronic diseases
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Dr. Paola Maycotte

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Centro de Investigación Biomédica de Oriente, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Puebla 74360, Mexico
Interests: mitochondria; autophagy; cellular metabolism; cancer; breast cancer; cervical cancer
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In order to resolve the need for a balanced and varied diet that is rich in bioactive compounds to combat the rising incidence of diseases such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and osteoporosis, we are interested in breakthrough experimental and technical progress of broad interest in biology, chemistry, and medicine on Bioactive Compounds in the Prevention of Chronic Diseases.

The bioactive compounds and their known metabolites including, but not limited to, polyphenols, fatty acids, proteins, dietary fibers, etc., play a crucial role in modulating inflammation and oxidative stress, which are key factors in chronic disease development. Additionally, the search for safer and more effective therapeutics for life-threatening diseases like cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases is ongoing. We encourage authors to focus on results at the molecular level and to submit their contributions to help the scientific community and society by extension to fully understand the effectiveness of the bioactive compounds in disease management.

Dr. Diego A. Moreno
Dr. Antonio J. Ruiz-Alcaraz
Dr. Paola Maycotte
Guest Editors

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 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

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
chronic disease
inflammation
oxidative stress
obesity
diabetes
cancer

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Bioactive Compounds in the Prevention of Chronic Diseases: 2nd Edition in International Journal of Molecular Sciences (1 article)

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Research

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15 pages, 1123 KB

Open AccessArticle

UHPLC-QTOF-MS Profiling of Chemical Constituents in POW9^TM Cocktail with Antioxidant and Anti-Proliferative Potentials Against Vero, MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 Cells

by Chirra Taworntawat, Pisit Tonkittirattanakul, Pongpisid Koonyosying, David D. Perrodin, Somdet Srichairatanakool and Wachiraporn Tipsuwan

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(3), 1246; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27031246 - 27 Jan 2026

Viewed by 1235

Abstract

Breast cancer remains one of the most prevalent and lethal malignancies affecting women worldwide, underscoring the need for safer and more effective therapeutic strategies. This study investigated the phytochemical composition, antioxidant activity, and antiproliferative potential of POW9™, a proprietary botanical blend formulated from nine medicinal plant extracts. Comprehensive phytochemical profiling was performed using ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS) in both positive and negative ionization modes. A total of 34 compounds were identified in negative mode and 27 compounds in positive mode, comprising flavonoids, terpenoids, steroids, organic acids, peptides, glycosides, and lipids. POW9™ exhibited high total phenolic content (190.3 ± 3.5 mg gallic acid equivalents/g) and total flavonoid content (115.2 ± 1.5 mg quercetin equivalents/g), along with strong antioxidant activity, demonstrated by a 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) of 1.66 mg/mL (33.73 mg Trolox equivalents/g). Cytotoxicity assessment revealed minimal toxicity toward normal Vero cells. In contrast, POW9™ significantly inhibited the proliferation of human breast cancer cell lines in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. The IC₅₀ values were 6.75 mg/mL for MCF-7 cells and 18.08 mg/mL for MDA-MB-231 cells after 72 h of treatment, while prolonged exposure (96 h) further enhanced antiproliferative efficacy, reducing the IC₅₀ to 2.34 mg/mL. These findings demonstrate that POW9™ is a chemically diverse herbal formulation with potent antioxidant and selective anti-breast cancer activities, supporting its potential development as a complementary therapeutic or nutraceutical agent for breast cancer management. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Compounds in the Prevention of Chronic Diseases)

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15 pages, 2087 KB

Open AccessArticle

Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Alpha-Lipoic Acid Modulate Cystathionine-γ-Lyase Expression in RAW 264.7 Macrophages

by Aqsa Shahid, Stephen Chambers, Amy Scott-Thomas, Masuma Zawari and Madhav Bhatia

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(2), 949; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27020949 - 18 Jan 2026

Viewed by 536

Abstract

Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) is a naturally occurring organosulfur compound with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. The time-dependent effects of ALA and mechanism of interaction with cystathionine-γ-lyase (CSE—an enzyme responsible for hydrogen sulfide—H₂S synthesis) in RAW 264.7 macrophages remain unknown. In this study, we report results supporting the hypothesis that anti-inflammatory effects of ALA are associated with the reduction in CSE expression. To investigate the temporal effect of ALA in lipopolysaccharide (LPS—a potent stimulator of inflammation) treated RAW 264.7 macrophages, ALA was administered 1 h before LPS stimulation and 1, 3, and 6 h post LPS stimulation. Effects of ALA on different inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers including tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), catalase activity (CAT), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were investigated. LPS stimulation significantly increased TNF- α, IL-6, MCP-1, MDA levels, and CSE expression and decreased CAT activity compared with the control group (p < 0.05 to 0.0001). ALA treatment at 1000 µM significantly attenuated LPS-stimulated inflammatory response in the macrophages across different time points (p < 0.05 to 0.0001). Furthermore, we found that ALA treatment reduced the expression of CSE in both pre- and post-treated LPS-stimulated macrophages in a time-dependent manner. In conclusion, this study demonstrated for the first time that the protective effects of ALA are dependent on the reduction in CSE expression in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Compounds in the Prevention of Chronic Diseases)

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14 pages, 2614 KB

Open AccessArticle

Brassica Extracts Prevent Benzo(a)pyrene-Induced Transformation by Modulating Reactive Oxygen Species and Autophagy

by José Benito Montes-Alvarado, Paula Garcia-Ibañez, Diego A. Moreno, Fabiola Lilí Sarmiento-Salinas, Xiadani Edén Susano-Hernández, Karen Andrea Larrauri-Rodríguez, Francisco Jesús García-Hernández, Lorena Milflores-Flores, Fabiola Domínguez and Paola Maycotte

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(19), 9519; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26199519 - 29 Sep 2025

Viewed by 894

Abstract

Plants from the Brassicaceae family are characterized by their high content of glucosinolates (GSLs), whose hydrolysis products, isothiocyanates (ITC) or indole compounds, have been found to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and metabolic regulatory functions. In this work, we used a model of transformation using the MCF10A cell line, a non-tumorigenic breast fibrocystic disease cell line, treated with benzo(a)pyrene (B(a)P), a potent carcinogen known to induce the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and DNA damage. Broccoli sprout (BSE) or red cabbage aqueous (RCA) extracts were rich in ITC and indole compounds. Their use decreased B(a)P induced cellular proliferation and ROS production. in addition, RCA extract induced autophagy in MCF10A cells. Our results indicate a potential use of BSE or RCA for the prevention of carcinogen-induced transformation and of RCA as a method for autophagy, a tumor suppressor pathway, induction. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Compounds in the Prevention of Chronic Diseases)

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18 pages, 3043 KB

Open AccessArticle

Phytochemicals from Purwoceng (Pimpinella pruatjan) and Their Potential in Chronic Disease Prevention: Focus on Kidney Health

by Trisni U. Dewi, Kartika W. Rukmi, Fachrur R. Mahendra, Fauziyatul Munawaroh, Yusuf Ryadi, Leliana N. Widi, Naufal M. Nurdin and Irmanida Batubara

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(17), 8404; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26178404 - 29 Aug 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1975

Abstract

This study examines the potential of purwoceng (Pimpinella pruatjan) to prevent chronic kidney damage through its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. To evaluate both efficacy and safety, purwoceng extract was assessed for its phytochemical content and administered to five groups of rats: a healthy control group, a cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity model, and three treatment groups receiving purwoceng at doses of 20, 30, and 40 mg/kg BW/day. In silico predictions were used for confirmation of in vitro and in vivo results. Renal function was monitored through serum creatinine and urea levels before and after treatment, while kidney tissue was evaluated histopathologically. The results indicate that purwoceng extract complies with safety standards. Notably, a dose of 20 mg/kg BW/day improved glomerular structure in cisplatin-exposed rats, suggesting a nephroprotective effect possibly mediated by vasodilatory and antioxidant mechanisms. In contrast, higher doses (30–40 mg/kg BW) increased urea and creatinine levels, and histological signs indicated only tubule damage. In silico predictions indicate that pinellic acid strongly binds to Cyclooxygenase-2 and Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase, suggesting its anti-inflammatory potential and benefits for glomerular structure. Therefore, the bioactive compounds in purwoceng may help prevent chronic kidney disease, emphasizing the need for careful dose regulation to avoid toxicity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Compounds in the Prevention of Chronic Diseases)

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17 pages, 2921 KB

Open AccessArticle

Assessing the Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Activity of Mangiferin in Murine Model for Myocarditis: Perspectives and Challenges

by Alexandra Popa, Lia-Oxana Usatiuc, Iuliu Calin Scurtu, Raluca Murariu, Alexandra Cofaru, Romelia Pop, Flaviu Alexandru Tabaran, Luciana Madalina Gherman, Dan Valean, Alexandru Cristian Bolundut, Rares Ilie Orzan, Ximena Maria Muresan, Andreea Georgiana Morohoschi, Sanda Andrei, Cecilia Lazea and Lucia Agoston-Coldea

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(18), 9970; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25189970 - 16 Sep 2024

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2784

Abstract

Myocarditis is a major cause of heart failure and death, particularly in young individuals. Current treatments are mainly symptomatic, but emerging therapies focus on targeting inflammation and fibrosis pathways. Natural bioactive compounds like flavonoids and phenolic acids show promising anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Corticosteroids are frequently employed in the treatment of autoimmune myocarditis and appear to lower mortality rates compared to conventional therapies for heart failure. This study aims to explore the effects of Mangiferin on pro-inflammatory cytokine levels, nitro-oxidative stress markers, histopathological alterations, and cardiac function in experimental myosin-induced autoimmune myocarditis. The effects were compared to Prednisone, used as a reference anti-inflammatory compound, and Trolox, used as a reference antioxidant. The study involved 30 male Wistar–Bratislava rats, which were randomly divided into five groups: a negative control group (C−), a positive control group with induced myocarditis using a porcine myosin solution (C+), three groups with induced myocarditis receiving Mangiferin (M), Prednisone (P), or Trolox (T) as treatment. Cardiac function was evaluated using echocardiography. Biochemical measurements of nitro-oxidative stress and inflammatory markers were conducted. Finally, histopathological changes were assessed. At echocardiography, the evaluation of the untreated myocarditis group showed a trend toward decreased left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) but was not statistically significant, while all treated groups showed some improvement in LVEF and left ventricular fraction shortening (LVFS). Significant changes were seen in the Mangiferin group, with lower end-diastolic left ventricular posterior wall (LVPWd) by day 21 compared to the Trolox group (p < 0.001). In the first week of the experiment, levels of interleukins (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α were significantly higher in the myosin group compared to the negative control group (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.01), indicating the progression of inflammation in this group. Treatment with Mangiferin, Prednisone, and Trolox caused a significant reduction in IL-1β compared to the positive control group (p < 0.001). Notably, Mangiferin resulted in a superior reduction in IL-1β compared to Prednisone (p < 0.05) and Trolox (p < 0.05). Furthermore, Mangiferin treatment led to a statistically significant increase in total oxidative capacity (TAC) (p < 0.001) and a significant reduction in nitric oxide (NOx) levels (p < 0.001) compared to the negative control group. Furthermore, when compared to the Prednisone-treated group, Mangiferin significantly reduced NOx levels (p < 0.001) and increased TAC levels (p < 0.001). Mangiferin treatment significantly lowered creatine kinase (CK) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels on day 7 (p < 0.001 and p < 0.01, respectively) and reduced CK levels on day 21 (p < 0.01) compared to the untreated group. In the nontreated group, the histological findings at the end of the experiment were consistent with myocarditis. In the group treated with Mangiferin, only one case exhibited mild inflammatory infiltrates, represented by mononucleated leukocytes admixed with few neutrophils, with the severity graded as mild. Statistically significant correlations between the grades (0 vs. 1–2) and the study groups have been highlighted (p < 0.005). This study demonstrated Mangiferin’s cardioprotective effects in autoimmune myocarditis, showing reduced oxidative stress and inflammation. Mangiferin appears promising as a treatment for acute myocarditis, but further research is needed to compare its efficacy with other treatments like Trolox and Prednisone. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Compounds in the Prevention of Chronic Diseases)

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17 pages, 1853 KB

Open AccessReview

Exploring the Protective Effects of Taxifolin in Cardiovascular Health: A Comprehensive Review

by Hwan-Hee Sim, Ju-Young Ko, Dal-Seong Gong, Dong-Wook Kim, Jung Jin Kim, Han-Kyu Lim, Hyun Jung Kim and Min-Ho Oak

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(16), 8051; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26168051 - 20 Aug 2025

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3623

Abstract

Taxifolin is a natural flavonoid found in a variety of plants, including Siberian larch (Larix sibirica) and milk thistle (Silybum marianum), that has attracted attention for its multifaceted pharmacological properties, including cardioprotective effects. Through its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, taxifolin has shown significant therapeutic potential in cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis, myocardial ischemia, and diabetic cardiomyopathy. This review highlights the cardioprotective effects of taxifolin in preclinical models of atherosclerosis, ischemia/reperfusion injury, and diabetic cardiomyopathy. Taxifolin contributes to its cardioprotective effects through key mechanisms such as modulation of pathways such as PI3K/AKT and JAK2/STAT3, inhibition of NADPH oxidase, and modulation of nitric oxide production. Recent studies have shown that taxifolin can affect glucose metabolism by modulating sodium–glucose transporter (SGLT) expression, potentially enhancing the cardioprotective effects of SGLT2 inhibitors. Given the emerging role of SGLT2 inhibitors in the management of cardiovascular disease, further investigation of the interaction of this pathway with taxifolin may provide new therapeutic insights. Although taxifolin has multifaceted potential in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease, further studies are needed to better understand its mechanisms and validate its efficacy in different disease stages. This review aims to provide a rationale for the clinical application of taxifolin-based cardiovascular therapies and suggest directions for future research. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Compounds in the Prevention of Chronic Diseases)

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15 pages, 1109 KB

Open AccessReview

Research Progress on Anti-Inflammatory Mechanism of Inula cappa

by Ningning Wu, Siqi Wang, Yuqian Zhang and Siming Wang

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(5), 1911; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26051911 - 23 Feb 2025

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2315

Abstract

The incidence of various inflammatory diseases has remained high. Inula cappa is a kind of Chinese herbal medicine with a wide range of pharmacological uses and application value. It has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antioxidant, hepatoprotective and other pharmacological activities. The monomeric compounds that have been confirmed to have anti-inflammatory effects are luteolin, chrysoerilol, artemetin, chlorogenic acid, neochlorogenic acid, cryptchlorogenic acid, isochlorogenic acid A, isochlorogenic acid B, isochlorogenic acid C and 1,3-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid. This article introduces the relationship between Inula cappa and inflammation, the anti-inflammatory components of I. cappa, the modulation of each component on the inflammatory transduction signal pathway, and the TLR2/MyD88/NF-KB anti-inflammatory signaling pathway, providing a theoretical basis for anti-inflammatory research on and clinical medication using Inula cappa. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Compounds in the Prevention of Chronic Diseases)

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26 pages, 3353 KB

Open AccessReview

Potential Use of Selected Natural Compounds with Anti-Biofilm Activity

by Dagmara Fydrych, Jagoda Jeziurska, Jana Wełna and Joanna Kwiecińska-Piróg

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(2), 607; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26020607 - 13 Jan 2025

Cited by 22 | Viewed by 6686

Abstract

Antibiotic resistance in microorganisms is an escalating global concern, exacerbated by their formation of biofilms, which provide protection through an extracellular matrix and communication via quorum sensing, enhancing their resistance to treatment. This situation has driven the search for alternative approaches, particularly those using natural compounds. This study explores the potential of phytochemicals, such as quercetin, apigenin, arbutin, gallic acid, proanthocyanidins, and rutin, known for their antibacterial properties and ability to inhibit biofilm formation and disrupt mature biofilms. The methods used in this study included a comprehensive review of current literature assessing the bioavailability, distribution, and effective concentrations of these compounds in treating biofilm-associated infections. The results indicate that these phytochemicals exhibit significant antibacterial effects, reduce biofilm’s structural integrity, and inhibit bacterial communication pathways. Moreover, their potential use in combination with existing antibiotics may enhance therapeutic outcomes. The findings support the conclusion that phytochemicals offer promising additions to anti-biofilm strategies and are capable of complementing or replacing conventional treatments, with appropriate therapeutic levels and delivery mechanisms being key to their effectiveness. This insight underscores the need for further research into their clinical applications for treating infections complicated by biofilms. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Compounds in the Prevention of Chronic Diseases)

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