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The Role of Bioactive Compounds in Human Health and Diseases...
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The Role of Bioactive Compounds in Human Health and Diseases (3rd Edition)

A special issue of Nutrients (ISSN 2072-6643). This special issue belongs to the section "Nutritional Epidemiology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 May 2026 | Viewed by 2752

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Jacqueline Isaura Alvarez-Leite

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
Interests: obesity; inflammation; immunity; bioactive compounds; nutrition; apolipoproteins
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Bioactive compounds are being studied to better understand their effects on health and disease. These compounds are found in various foods, such as beverages (wine, cider, juices), vegetable oils, spices (curcuma, pepper, etc.), teas, and infusions. In both in vitro and in vivo studies, some of these compounds have shown potentially beneficial effects on human health and disease prevention. Plant bioactive compounds are of great interest due to their variety and diverse effects on thermogenesis, inflammation, metabolism, and endocrine factors.

More research is needed to explore their use in improving physical performance, slowing the aging process, and preventing or helping treat diseases such as obesity, CVD, diabetes mellitus, tumors, and inflammation.

Thus, we invite you to contribute to the Special Issue titled "The Role of Bioactive Compounds in Human Health and Diseases (3rd Edition)". Clinical, experimental, and in vitro studies, as well as reviews on the effects of bioactive compounds in obesity and its comorbidities, are welcome.

Prof. Dr. Jacqueline Isaura Alvarez-Leite
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-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Nutrients 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 2900 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

  • bioactive compounds
  • obesity
  • diabetes
  • tumors
  • inflammatory
  • cardiovascular disease
  • plants
  • immunity
  • diet
  • nutrition

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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12 pages, 745 KB  
Article
Effects of Pomegranate Extract on IGF-1 Levels and Telomere Length in Older Adults (55–70 Years): Findings from a Randomised Double-Blinded Controlled Trial
by Grace Farhat, Jhama Malla, Liam Hanson, Jay Vadher and Emad A. S. Al-Dujaili
Nutrients 2025, 17(18), 2974; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17182974 - 16 Sep 2025
Viewed by 2292
Abstract
Background: Emerging evidence suggests that polyphenols may contribute to the attenuation of telomere attrition and the upregulation of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), primarily in animal and cell studies, and to a lesser extent in humans. Pomegranate extract, known for its high [...] Read more.
Background: Emerging evidence suggests that polyphenols may contribute to the attenuation of telomere attrition and the upregulation of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), primarily in animal and cell studies, and to a lesser extent in humans. Pomegranate extract, known for its high antioxidant capacity, has shown promise in preventing telomere shortening and enhancing IGF-1 levels, but evidence in humans is lacking. Objective: To investigate the effects of pomegranate extract on telomere length and serum IGF-1 levels in older adults aged 55–70 years. Methods: Participants took part in a two-arm double-blind parallel trial, receiving either placebo capsules (maltodextrin) or pomegranate extract (740 mg) daily for 12 weeks. At baseline, week 6 and week 12, anthropometric measurements, blood pressure readings and blood samples were collected. Telomere length and serum IGF-1 levels were assessed. Results: A total of 72 participants completed the study. Analysis showed a significant effect of treatment and time on IGF-1 ((F2,136 = 3.43, p = 0.04), with levels significantly increasing in the pomegranate extract group at week 12. No significant effects on telomere length were noted. Weight status, physical activity, age, gender and energy intake did not impact the outcomes. Conclusions: Pomegranate extract significantly increased IGF-1 levels and could exert a positive role on vascular ageing. Further research is needed to replicate these findings and confirm its long-term benefits. Extended studies are required to elucidate its potential to counteract telomere shortening. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Bioactive Compounds in Human Health and Diseases (3rd Edition))
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Review

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46 pages, 6723 KB  
Review
Therapeutic Potentials of Phytochemicals in Pancreatitis: Targeting Calcium Signaling, Ferroptosis, microRNAs, and Inflammation with Drug-Likeness Evaluation
by Fatma Farhat, Balaji Venkataraman, Bhoomendra A. Bhongade, Mauro Pessia, Shreesh Ojha and Sandeep B. Subramanya
Nutrients 2025, 17(24), 3841; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17243841 - 8 Dec 2025
Viewed by 123
Abstract
Background: Pancreatitis, encompassing acute (AP), severe acute (SAP), and chronic (CP) forms, is a life-threatening inflammatory disorder with limited therapeutic options. Current management is largely supportive, highlighting the urgent need for novel interventions targeting underlying molecular pathways. Aim: This review summarizes recent advances [...] Read more.
Background: Pancreatitis, encompassing acute (AP), severe acute (SAP), and chronic (CP) forms, is a life-threatening inflammatory disorder with limited therapeutic options. Current management is largely supportive, highlighting the urgent need for novel interventions targeting underlying molecular pathways. Aim: This review summarizes recent advances in the pathogenesis of pancreatitis, focusing on calcium dysregulation, ferroptosis, and microRNA-mediated mechanisms while exploring the therapeutic potential of phytochemicals as disease-modifying agents. Summary: Aberrant calcium signaling, iron-dependent lipid peroxidation, and microRNA imbalance drive acinar cell injury, inflammatory cascades, and pancreatic fibrosis. Phytochemicals, including flavonoids, terpenoids, alkaloids, and phenolics, have shown protective effects in preclinical models through multi-targeted mechanisms. These include suppression of NF-κB-driven inflammation, activation of the Nrf2/HO-1 antioxidant pathway, modulation of ferroptosis via GPX4 and iron efflux, regulation of calcium signaling, and modulation of microRNA expression. Importantly, several phytochemicals attenuate acinar cell death, reduce cytokine release, and limit fibrosis, thereby improving outcomes in experimental pancreatitis. However, poor solubility, bioavailability, and pharmacokinetic limitations remain significant barriers. Emerging strategies such as nanotechnology-based formulations, prodrug design, and pharmacokinetic profiling, as well as bioavailability studies, may enhance their clinical applicability. Conclusions: Phytochemicals represent a promising reservoir of multitarget therapeutic agents for pancreatitis. Their ability to modulate oxidative stress, inflammatory and calcium signaling, ferroptosis, and microRNA networks highlights their translational potential. Future studies should focus on clinical validation, bioavailability optimization, and advanced delivery platforms to bridge the gap from bench to bedside. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Bioactive Compounds in Human Health and Diseases (3rd Edition))
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