Chemobrain and Polyphenols: Mechanism and Therapeutic Perspective
A special issue of Molecules (ISSN 1420-3049). This special issue belongs to the section "Medicinal Chemistry".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 1 November 2026 | Viewed by 560
Special Issue Editors
Interests: amyloid aggregation; autophagy; natural polyphenols; neurodegenerative diseases
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: amyloid; cytotoxicity; inflammation; polyphenols
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Chemotherapy-induced cognitive impairment (CICI), often referred to as “chemobrain,” is now widely recognized as a long-lasting and multifactorial consequence of cancer treatment. It typically involves difficulties in memory, attention, executive function, and processing speed, and seems to affect older individuals and women more frequently. At the molecular level, CICI does not arise from a single cause, but rather from the interplay of several processes, including oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and changes in hormone-related signaling pathways.
In this complex scenario, dietary phenolic compounds have gained increasing attention as a versatile and chemically diverse group of bioactive molecules. This class includes flavonoids, phenolic acids, stilbenes, lignans, and secoiridoids, all of which share structural features that enable them to interact with multiple molecular targets. Their redox properties, mild electrophilic character, and ability to establish non-covalent interactions with biomolecules contribute to their broad range of biological activities. These characteristics make phenolic compounds particularly interesting candidates for modulating the interconnected pathways involved in CICI.
Among them, phenolic compounds with phytoestrogenic activity represent a particularly relevant subgroup. Owing to their structural resemblance to endogenous estrogens, these molecules can bind to estrogen receptors and influence signaling pathways that are essential for neuronal function and neuroprotection. This aspect becomes especially important in conditions associated with reduced estrogen levels, such as aging or chemotherapy-induced menopause, where increased vulnerability to cognitive impairment has been observed. Clarifying how specific structural features of phenolic compounds influence their interaction with estrogen receptors and downstream signaling remains an important and evolving research area.
This Special Issue aims to offer a comprehensive and chemically oriented overview of the role of phenolic compounds, including phytoestrogens, in CICI. Particular attention will be given to molecular mechanisms of action, structure–activity relationships (SAR), and the identification of key chemical features responsible for their bioactivity. Contributions addressing metabolism, bioavailability, and chemical modification are also strongly encouraged, as these aspects are essential for translating chemical properties into biological effects.
Dr. Manuela Leri
Dr. Monica Bucciantini
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. 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
- oxidative stress
- neuroinflammation
- mitochondrial dysfunction
- phenolic compounds
- flavonoids
- lignans
- phytoestrogens
- structure–activity relationships (SAR)
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.
