Nutraceuticals and Their Anti-inflammatory Effects

A special issue of Nutraceuticals (ISSN 1661-3821).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 October 2025 | Viewed by 7686

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
1. Drugs Research Laboratory, Federal University of Amapá, Macapá 68902-280, Brazil
2. University Hospital of the Federal University of Amapá, Macapá 68902-280, Brazil
Interests: nutraceutical from the Amazonian; dyslipidemie; anti-inflammatory; anxiolytic; antidepressant; alternative methods
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Guest Editor
Department of Biological and Health Sciences, Federal University of Amapá, Campus Marco Zero, Macapá, 68903-419, Brazil
Interests: phytopharmaceutical nanobiotechnology; nano-emulsions; nanodispersions; essential oils; amazon oils; terpenes
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The potential therapeutic benefits of nutraceuticals, especially their anti-inflammatory effects, have garnered significant attention in recent years. Inflammation plays a central role in numerous chronic diseases, and nutraceuticals present a natural approach to combating this pervasive issue. In this issue of the Journal Nutraceuticals "Nutraceuticals and Their Anti-inflammatory Effects", we will be accepting manuscripts that describe neutraceuticas that possess anti-inflammatory properties, the mechanisms through which they operate, and their implications for health and disease prevention, in addition to the following related topics:

  1. Active raw materials from the Amazon for application as anti-inflammatory nutraceuticals;
  2. Modulation of inflammatory diseases by the use of nutraceuticals;
  3. Modulatory mechanisms of action of nutraceuticals on skin disorders;
  4. In silico studies on the safety and efficacy of anti-inflammatory nutraceuticals;
  5. Application of nutraceuticals in the modulation of dynapenia and sarcopenia;
  6. Perspectives on the use of nutraceuticals in inflammatory metabolic syndromes;
  7. Non-clinical pharmacotoxicological validation of anti-inflammatory nutraceuticals;
  8. Regulatory processes for registration of nutraceuticals.

These are just some broad sub-topics within the theme of "Nutraceuticals and Their Anti-inflammatory Effects". Each of these can be explored in depth, with specific studies, research findings, and expert opinions to provide a comprehensive view on the topic.

Prof. Dr. José Carlos Tavares Carvalho
Dr. Caio Pinho Fernandes
Guest Editors

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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. Nutraceuticals is an international peer-reviewed open access quarterly 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 1000 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.

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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14 pages, 5460 KiB  
Article
A Transcriptomic Evaluation of Neuroactive Receptors in the Colon of a Dextran Sodium Sulphate Pig Model of Colitis
by Marion T. Ryan, John V. O’Doherty and Torres Sweeney
Nutraceuticals 2024, 4(3), 395-408; https://doi.org/10.3390/nutraceuticals4030023 - 17 Jul 2024
Viewed by 757
Abstract
The enteric nervous system (ENS) interacts bidirectionally with the local immune system, responding to inflammation within the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. In a previous study using the same samples, several gene targets were identified as being differentially expressed in the inflamed colonic tissue of [...] Read more.
The enteric nervous system (ENS) interacts bidirectionally with the local immune system, responding to inflammation within the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. In a previous study using the same samples, several gene targets were identified as being differentially expressed in the inflamed colonic tissue of pigs challenged with dextran sodium sulphate (DSS). Additionally, animals in the basal DSS group, exhibited reduced growth and increased fecal and pathology scores, while the relative abundance of beneficial taxa was reduced and harmful bacteria increased. While changes in the innate immune response and barrier function are widely cited regarding inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), the effects of inflammation on the local structures of the enteric nervous system (ENS) are less well understood. Hence, the objectives of this study were to: (1) evaluate the expression of a range of functionally diverse neuroactive receptors, transporters and neurotrophic factors in RNA derived from the colonic tissue from the same pigs; (2) examine associations with these neuroactive components and inflammatory, barrier function and matrix remodeling targets. Mature pigs were split into two experimental groups: (1) basal diet (n = 10); (2) basal diet + DSS (n = 11). The pigs were orally challenged with DSS once daily for four days and sacrificed humanely. Colonic tissue was collected for gene expression analysis. Most of the targets evaluated in this study were present at low levels or in some cases were undetectable by QPCR, including the dopamine receptor DRD5 and the serotonin receptor HTR3A. The dopamine receptors (DRD1, DRD3, DRD4), serotonin receptor (HTR4), and other selected neuroactive receptors (GRM7, GABRA2) were down-regulated in the DSS-challenged animals relative to the basal group (p < 0.05). Most notably, DRD2, was up-regulated four-fold, suggesting an active process involving this receptor (p < 0.05). Relationships with (previously published) gene expression data from the same samples suggest that DRD1 and DRD2 are influenced by different pathways and may also be interlinked with matrix remodeling and, more specifically, genes relevant to the epithelial to mesenchymal transition (CDH1, CDH2, IL6, IL13, IL10, MMP1, MMP2) an important fibrotic process in the pathogenesis of IBD. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutraceuticals and Their Anti-inflammatory Effects)
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18 pages, 3190 KiB  
Article
Osteoprotective Effect of the Phytonutraceutical Ormona® on Ovariectomy-Induced Osteoporosis in Wistar Rats
by Aline Lopes do Nascimento, Gabriel da Costa Furtado, Vinicius Maciel Vilhena, Helison de Oliveira Carvalho, Priscila Faimann Sales, Alessandra Ohana Nery Barcellos, Kaio Coutinho de Maria, Francinaldo Sarges Braga, Heitor Ribeiro da Silva, Roberto Messias Bezerra and José Carlos Tavares Carvalho
Nutraceuticals 2024, 4(2), 147-164; https://doi.org/10.3390/nutraceuticals4020010 - 22 Mar 2024
Viewed by 1510
Abstract
The phytonutraceutical Ormona® is a product composed of purified oil of Bixa orellana Linné, dry extract of Myrciaria dubia McVaugh, dry extract of Trifolium pratense L., and dry extract of Euterpe oleracea Mart. obtained using Evolve® technology. This study evaluated the [...] Read more.
The phytonutraceutical Ormona® is a product composed of purified oil of Bixa orellana Linné, dry extract of Myrciaria dubia McVaugh, dry extract of Trifolium pratense L., and dry extract of Euterpe oleracea Mart. obtained using Evolve® technology. This study evaluated the effects of Ormona® on Wistar rats affected by ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis. Pre-treatment was conducted for 15 days before surgery and continued for a further 45 days after the surgical procedure. The experimental design consisted of five groups (n = 5): OVW: treated with distilled water (1 mL/kg, p.o); ADS: alendronate sodium (4 mg/kg p.o); EST: conjugated estrogen (2 µg/kg, p.o); ORM: Ormona® (20 mg/kg, p.o); ORM + EST: Ormona® (20 mg/kg, p.o) + conjugated estrogen (2 µg/kg, p.o). Biochemical and hormonal parameters of bone histopathology and trabecular and femoral diaphysis size were evaluated through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and bone calcium quantification by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The results show that ovariectomy caused bone alterations such as loss of femoral microarchitecture, decreased bone homeostasis parameters, and changes in the lipid profile. Estrogen supplementation reduced parameters such as cholesterol, LDL, and Ca2+ concentration. However, Ormona® showed higher serum estradiol levels (p < 0.01), effects on the lipid profile, including parameters that estrogen replacement and alendronate sodium did not affect, with an increase in HDL, and positive modulation of bone metabolism, increasing osteocytes and the presence of osteoblasts. Ormona®, therefore, produced better results than the groups treated with estrogen and alendronate sodium. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutraceuticals and Their Anti-inflammatory Effects)
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20 pages, 3253 KiB  
Article
Investigation of the In Vitro Immunomodulatory Effects of Extracts from Green-Lipped Mussels (Perna canaliculus)
by Roberta Cardim Lessa, Belgheis Ebrahimi, Hui Li, Xiao Guan, Yan Li and Jun Lu
Nutraceuticals 2024, 4(1), 127-146; https://doi.org/10.3390/nutraceuticals4010009 - 15 Mar 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1549
Abstract
The immune system plays a crucial role in defending the body against foreign invaders, and the balance of various polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), can impact immune cell functions and overall immune responses. [...] Read more.
The immune system plays a crucial role in defending the body against foreign invaders, and the balance of various polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), can impact immune cell functions and overall immune responses. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of mussel oil extracts in modulating inflammatory responses by analysing their effects on immune cell lines and cytokine expression. Four different mussel oil extracts were obtained using two extraction methods (organic solvent and supercritical CO2 extraction) from two tissue sources (fresh and commercial). These extracts were then tested at various concentrations on T lymphocyte (Jurkat) cells, monocytes, and macrophages (THP-1 and U-937). Cytokine levels were quantified using ELISA. The results showed that the solvent-extracted samples had a dose-dependent effect on tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) cytokine secretion in THP-1 and U937 cells, with the extract from a commercial mussel powder being more efficient than the extract from fresh powder. However, supercritical CO2 samples showed elevated cytokine secretion levels despite their high omega-3 content. Furthermore, 100 ug/mL extract from fresh powder successfully reduced interleukin-2 (IL-2) secretion while maintaining cell viability after stimulation. The study demonstrated that solvent-extracted mussel oil can effectively regulate cytokine secretion, modulate immune cell activation, and alleviate inflammation. These findings offer valuable insights into using mussel oil extracts to treat inflammatory disorders and enhance immune responses. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutraceuticals and Their Anti-inflammatory Effects)
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22 pages, 5408 KiB  
Article
Exploring the In Vitro Protective Effects of Green-Lipped Mussel (GLM) Oil Extract against Biomarkers of Glucose Metabolism and Inflammation in Chondrocyte Cells
by Roberta Cardim Lessa, Belgheis Ebrahimi, Xiao Guan, Yan Li and Jun Lu
Nutraceuticals 2024, 4(1), 1-22; https://doi.org/10.3390/nutraceuticals4010001 - 19 Dec 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1768
Abstract
Chondrocyte behavior is critical in osteoarthritis (OA) progression and cartilage deterioration. Recent studies have shown that green-lipped mussel (GLM) oil extracts obtained through solvent extraction can regulate cytokine secretion in cell lines, potentially reducing inflammation and immune cell activation. This study investigates the [...] Read more.
Chondrocyte behavior is critical in osteoarthritis (OA) progression and cartilage deterioration. Recent studies have shown that green-lipped mussel (GLM) oil extracts obtained through solvent extraction can regulate cytokine secretion in cell lines, potentially reducing inflammation and immune cell activation. This study investigates the effects of these extracts on human chondrocyte cell lines to understand their impact on osteoarthritis development. Chondrocyte cultures exposed to osteoarthritis-related inflammatory factors were treated with various concentrations of GLM oil. The results revealed that mussel oils, particularly a commercial mussel powder extract (SOLV.COM), enhance glucose uptake and protect chondrocyte cells. SOLV.COM effectively manages the release of inflammatory markers like interleukin-6 (IL-6) and matrix metalloproteinases-3 (MMP-3), showing increased deoxyglucose uptake. This study highlights the significant influence of extract choice on managing interleukin-6 (IL-6) secretion and cellular activation pathways, demonstrating the potential of SOLV.COM in managing osteoarthritis by controlling reactive oxygen production, regulating glucose metabolism, and inflammatory markers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutraceuticals and Their Anti-inflammatory Effects)
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40 pages, 1698 KiB  
Review
Vanillin and Its Derivatives: A Critical Review of Their Anti-Inflammatory, Anti-Infective, Wound-Healing, Neuroprotective, and Anti-Cancer Health-Promoting Benefits
by Magdalini Kafali, Marios Argyrios Finos and Alexandros Tsoupras
Nutraceuticals 2024, 4(4), 522-561; https://doi.org/10.3390/nutraceuticals4040030 - 11 Oct 2024
Viewed by 609
Abstract
Inflammation and thrombosis are implicated in several non-communicable chronic disorders, including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, renal and neurodegenerative disorders, skin diseases, and especially in cancer. Natural bioactives and especially phytochemicals like phenolic compounds have been proposed to reduce the inflammatory burden with several health [...] Read more.
Inflammation and thrombosis are implicated in several non-communicable chronic disorders, including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, renal and neurodegenerative disorders, skin diseases, and especially in cancer. Natural bioactives and especially phytochemicals like phenolic compounds have been proposed to reduce the inflammatory burden with several health benefits against these disorders. Vanillin is a phenolic compound found in the seeds of various species of vanilla plants. It has been known since ancient times for its aromatic and soothing properties; however, recent outcomes have outlined several other pleiotropic actions for this phenolic bioactive compound. Within this article, the potent anti-inflammatory activities of vanillin and its derivatives are thoroughly reviewed, with emphasis on their anti-cancer, anti-infective, wound-healing, and neuroprotective health-promoting properties. The mechanisms of their action(s), along with recent outcomes from in vitro and in vivo studies and clinical trials, on the benefits of these vanillin-based phenolic bioactives against each of these disorders, and especially against specific types of cancer, are also outlined. Limitations and future perspectives of their use solely as bioactive ingredients, as ingredients in several functional products—such as functional foods, supplements, nutraceuticals, or even cosmetics and drugs—and even as adjuvant therapies are also discussed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutraceuticals and Their Anti-inflammatory Effects)
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19 pages, 1625 KiB  
Review
Promising Phytoconstituents in Antiangiogenesis Drug Development
by Ibrahim M. Abu-Reidah and Amani Taamalli
Nutraceuticals 2024, 4(4), 450-468; https://doi.org/10.3390/nutraceuticals4040027 - 29 Sep 2024
Viewed by 682
Abstract
Angiogenesis, the process of forming new blood vessels from existing ones, is crucial in both physiological and pathological conditions, such as tumor growth, metastasis, and inflammatory disorders. Targeting angiogenesis has emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy. Recent research has increasingly focused on the [...] Read more.
Angiogenesis, the process of forming new blood vessels from existing ones, is crucial in both physiological and pathological conditions, such as tumor growth, metastasis, and inflammatory disorders. Targeting angiogenesis has emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy. Recent research has increasingly focused on the role of bioactive components found in food in regulating angiogenesis, although there are certain limitations. This review provides a comprehensive examination of the origins, composition, pharmacological activities, and mechanisms of action of these components in medicinal foods, reflecting the growing intersection of medicine and nutrition. The goal is to aid in preventing angiogenesis-related complications and fostering healthier habits. The insights offered in this review aim to advance the development of effective, low-toxicity antiangiogenic drugs. Additionally, there has been a notable rise in interest in plant-derived compounds with antiangiogenic properties. This review investigates the potential of phytoconstituents from plants as drug candidates targeting angiogenesis, exploring their mechanisms of action, the research conducted thus far, and the challenges associated with transitioning these compounds into clinical applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutraceuticals and Their Anti-inflammatory Effects)
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