Plant-Derived Phenolic Compounds: From Molecular Mechanisms to Clinical Application

Dear Colleagues,

Plant-derived phenolic compounds, a large group of water-soluble metabolites, have protective roles against a variety of environmental stresses by scavenging free radicals during oxidative stress. Phenolic compounds vary from low molecular weight monomers to high molecular weight molecules and can be widely found in fruits, seeds, flowers, and leafs. The most important classes of phenolic compounds are flavonoids (i.e. catechin,epicatechin) quinones, stilbenes (i.e. resveratrol) and essential oils (i.e. thymol, carvacrol). Monomers of (+)-catechins and the isomer (−)-epicatechins polymerize to form condensed tannins called proanthocyanidins. Plant-derived phenolic compounds are considered as beneficial molecole for prevention and treatment of several diseases, since it has been shown that they have antioxidant, anticarcinogenic, cardioprotective, neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory properties. They have also proved effective as cardioprotective agents by inhibiting the LDL oxidation involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Moreover, these active molecules have also evidenced efficacy in improving diabetic complications, such as neuropathy, retinopathy, or nephropathy. Plant-derived phenolic compounds have shown anticancer properties by slowing tumor development through inhibition of cell proliferation and induction of apoptosis. Phenolic compounds have been found to present strong antimicrobial agents, i.e. they provide antiadhesive actions against bacteria in urinary and dental infections. Finally, these compounds can increase migration of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and enhance wound healing as well o control the functions and behavior of MSCs during immunomodulation. This Special Issue will contain contributions concerning different aspects of the use of phenolic plant-derived molecules for prevention and therapy of several diseases, in order to understand the mechanisms involved in their protective role, their  bioavailability and their metabolism in human tissue. Moreover the use of different strategies for extraction, synthesis and delivery of these compounds,will be covered.

Prof. Dr. Stefano Castellani
Prof. Dr. Massimo Conese
Guest Editors

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