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Antioxidants from Natural Plants: Chemistry, Bioactivity, and Applications
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Antioxidants from Natural Plants: Chemistry, Bioactivity, and Applications

A Special Issue of Molecules (ISSN 1420-3049) belonging to the section "Natural Products Chemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2026 | Viewed by 1368

Editor

Dr. Zoi Vasiliki Skaperda

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, 41500 Larissa, Greece
Interests: polyphenols; antioxidants; redox status; toxicology; free radicals
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Natural plants are an abundant and diverse source of antioxidants—bioactive compounds that play a crucial role in protecting biological systems against oxidative stress. Oxidative damage, driven by an imbalance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and antioxidant defenses, is implicated in aging, chronic inflammation, metabolic disorders, neurodegeneration, and cardiovascular diseases. Plant-derived antioxidants, including polyphenols, flavonoids, carotenoids, vitamins, terpenoids, and sulfur-containing compounds, have attracted increasing scientific and industrial interest due to their multifunctional biological activities and generally favorable safety profiles.

Recent advances in analytical chemistry, molecular biology, and systems biology have significantly improved our understanding of the composition, bioavailability, metabolism, and mechanisms of action of plant antioxidants. At the same time, sustainable extraction technologies, valorization of agricultural by-products, and evidence-based evaluation frameworks are reshaping how natural antioxidants are sourced and applied.

This Special Issue aims to provide a comprehensive platform for original research articles and reviews addressing the chemistry, biological activity, mechanisms, and applications of plant-derived antioxidants. Contributions spanning in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo studies, as well as those relevant to food, feed, nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic applications, are particularly welcome.

Dr. Zoi Vasiliki Skaperda
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 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-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Molecules is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). 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

  • antioxidants
  • oxidative stress
  • natural plants
  • botanicals
  • polyphenols

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

22 pages, 18016 KB  
Article
Protective Effects of Prenatal Bacopa monnieri Extract Against Valproic Acid-Induced Autism-like Behavioral and Neurohistological Alterations in Mice
by Zainab M. Almalki, Ashwaq H. Batawi, Asma Almuhammadi, Safaa A. Alowaidi, Suad H. Almasoudi, Jehan Alamri and Mona A. AL-Thepyani
Molecules 2026, 31(16), 2783; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules31162783 - 10 Aug 2026
Viewed by 442
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by impaired social communication and repetitive behaviors. Oxidative stress is increasingly recognized as a key contributor to the neuro-degeneration and behavioral abnormalities associated with ASD. Bacopa monnieri (BM), a medicinal herb with potent antioxidant [...] Read more.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by impaired social communication and repetitive behaviors. Oxidative stress is increasingly recognized as a key contributor to the neuro-degeneration and behavioral abnormalities associated with ASD. Bacopa monnieri (BM), a medicinal herb with potent antioxidant and neuro-protective properties, has shown promise in mitigating oxidative damage. This study evaluated the preventive effects of BM extract on behavioral and neuro-histological alterations in a valproic acid (VPA)-induced mouse model of ASD. Pregnant mice received BM extract (400 mg/kg, orally) throughout gestation, while VPA (600 mg/kg) was administered intraperitoneally on embryonic day 12 (E12). Behavioral assessments included the open field test, righting reflex, three-chamber social interaction, marble burying, and hot plate tests. Oxidative stress markers, malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH), were quantified in hippocampal and cerebellar tissues. BM-treated offspring showed significant behavioral improvements, including reduced hyperactivity in the open field test (p < 0.0001), along with restored brain tissue architecture. Moreover, BM extract decreased MDA levels and elevated GSH concentrations, indicating attenuation of oxidative stress. In conclusion, Bacopa monnieri extract exerts protective effects against autism-like symptoms by enhancing antioxidant defenses and preserving neural integrity, suggesting its potential as a natural preventive strategy for ASD. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antioxidants from Natural Plants: Chemistry, Bioactivity, and Applications)
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28 pages, 4789 KB  
Article
Comparative Evaluation of the Antidiabetic, Hypolipidemic and Antioxidant Effects of Polygonum persicaria L. Herb and Vaccinium myrtillus L. Leaves in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetes
by Kostici Roxana, Pirscoveanu Denisa Floriana Vasilica, Diana-Maria Trasca, Adina Maria Kamal, Carmen Vladulescu, Renata Maria Varut, Pluta Ion Dorin, Daniela Cîrțînă, Maria Stoica, Romeo Popa and Gabriela Pura
Molecules 2026, 31(12), 2080; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules31122080 - 13 Jun 2026
Viewed by 528
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, and oxidative stress, leading to severe systemic complications. Medicinal plants rich in polyphenolic compounds have gained increasing attention as complementary therapeutic agents. This study aimed to comparatively evaluate the chemical composition, [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, and oxidative stress, leading to severe systemic complications. Medicinal plants rich in polyphenolic compounds have gained increasing attention as complementary therapeutic agents. This study aimed to comparatively evaluate the chemical composition, as well as the antidiabetic, hypolipidemic, and antioxidant effects of Polygonum persicaria and Vaccinium myrtillus in a streptozotocin-induced diabetic model. Although Vaccinium myrtillus has been more extensively investigated for its antidiabetic potential, the pharmacological relevance of Polygonum persicaria in diabetes remains insufficiently characterized, particularly in direct comparison with a recognized phytotherapeutic comparator. Methods: Hydroalcoholic tinctures prepared from Polygonum persicaria L. herb and Vaccinium myrtillus L. leaves were subjected to phytochemical analysis using High-Performance Thin-Layer Chromatography (HPTLC) for the identification of flavonoids and phenolcarboxylic acids, alongside spectrophotometric determination of total polyphenol and flavonoid content. Experimental diabetes was induced in CD1 mice by streptozotocin administration. Animals were treated orally for 35 days, and glycemic parameters, lipid profile, body weight, food and water intake, and oxidative stress markers (MDA, SOD, TAC, and GPx) were evaluated. Results: HPTLC/CSS screening indicated the presence of rutin, chlorogenic acid, and caffeic acid in Polygonum persicaria, while Vaccinium myrtillus showed stronger densitometric signals for phenolcarboxylic acid-type compounds, particularly chlorogenic and caffeic acids. Total polyphenol and flavonoid content were also higher in Vaccinium myrtillus (433.89 ± 8.67 mg/L GAE; 154.38 ± 3.08 mg/L QE) compared to Polygonum persicaria (269.28 ± 5.25 mg/L GAE; 132.75 ± 2.65 mg/L QE). Functionally, Vaccinium myrtillus demonstrated a significant antihyperglycemic effect from day 14 (p = 0.009) and improved lipid parameters, while Polygonum persicaria showed a delayed glycemic effect, significant only at day 35 (p = 0.014), without significant hypolipidemic activity. In contrast, Polygonum persicaria exerted a marked antioxidant effect, significantly increasing GPx activity (p = 0.025) and reducing MDA levels (p = 0.053). Conclusions: Vaccinium myrtillus showed stronger antihyperglycemic and hypolipidemic effects, while Polygonum persicaria was mainly associated with antioxidant-related biochemical changes. These differences may be influenced by phytochemical composition, but they cannot be attributed solely to total polyphenol or flavonoid content. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antioxidants from Natural Plants: Chemistry, Bioactivity, and Applications)
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