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Roles of Phenolic Compounds in Human Health and Disease Prevention

A Special Issue of Nutrients (ISSN 2072-6643) belonging to the section "Phytochemicals and Human Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 June 2026) | Viewed by 1288

Editor


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Guest Editor
Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine with the Division of Dentistry and Division of Medical Education in English, Medical University of Białystok, ul. Mickiewicza 2a, 15-222 Białystok, Poland
Interests: plant extracts; polyphenols; flavonoids; essential oils; bioactivity; synthesis of flavonoids and their congeners
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Phenolic compounds (PCs) are a diverse group of natural secondary metabolites found in plants, characterized by the presence of one or more hydroxyl groups linked to at least one aromatic ring or substituted phenyl groups. They can be divided into several classes. The main groups of phenolic compounds include flavonoids, phenolic acids, tannins, lignans and stilbenes. PCs have strong antioxidant, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, and antibacterial properties, and exhibit protection of the cardiovascular system. The biological properties of phenolic compounds are diverse, and the specific mechanisms of their disease-preventing action remain incompletely understood despite the numerous studies conducted so far.

The current state of knowledge about phenolic compounds is sufficient to conclude that they hold a crucial role in maintaining human health and disease prevention, and have a beneficial effect on the human body. Phenolic compounds are also of interest in the cosmetic industry, as well as in other fields. All of this, together with the growing interest in obtaining natural products demonstrating potential health benefits, draws substantial attention to the scientific world and research projects related to phenolic compounds.

The biochemical effects of PC, along with their involvement in human health and disease prevention, will be discussed in this Special Issue. This Special Issue will focus on describing recent reviews and exploring the latest research articles on PC, their multifunctional roles in human health and disease prevention, and possible applications of different groups of phenolic compounds in the treatment and development of various human diseases.

Dr. Monika Tomczykowa
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • phenolic compounds
  • flavonoids
  • non-flavonoid phenolic compounds
  • human health
  • disease prevention

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Review

30 pages, 1104 KB  
Review
The Therapeutic Architecture of Chlorogenic Acids: Molecular Mechanisms in Chronic Disease Prevention
by Gabriela Morales-Lima, Mariana Esteves Felix Penha, Beatriz Silva Piristrello, Scarlett Cristina Mendes da Silva, Giuseppina Negri, Carlos A. Toro, Fúlvio Rieli Mendes and Giulio Maria Pasinetti
Nutrients 2026, 18(15), 2542; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18152542 - 4 Aug 2026
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Abstract
This review examines the structural variety, distribution, and physicochemical properties of chlorogenic acids (CGAs), identifying coffee and green coffee as the leading dietary sources of these compounds. Preclinical studies indicate that plant-derived phenolic compounds exhibit strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, cardioprotective, and antidiabetic effects [...] Read more.
This review examines the structural variety, distribution, and physicochemical properties of chlorogenic acids (CGAs), identifying coffee and green coffee as the leading dietary sources of these compounds. Preclinical studies indicate that plant-derived phenolic compounds exhibit strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, cardioprotective, and antidiabetic effects across various disease models. The biological effectiveness of CGAs is attributed to their modulation of cellular signaling pathways, particularly by activating the erythroid 2-related factor 2 antioxidant defense mechanism and inhibiting the pro-inflammatory nuclear factor kappa B pathway. The regulation of the energy-sensing Sirtuin 1 and AMP-activated protein kinase pathways further enhances these therapeutic effects. In the gastrointestinal tract, CGAs serve as key modulators of the microbiota–gut–brain axis by exerting prebiotic-like effects, lowering the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio, promoting the production of short-chain fatty acids, and preserving gut barrier integrity. Some preclinical studies with coffee, Ilex paraguariensis, Eugenia uniflora, and other CGAs-rich extracts are also discussed. However, despite strong preclinical evidence, translating these findings into human clinical settings remains inconsistent due to significant individual differences in gut microbiota metabolism and the confounding effects of other components in dietary supplements, such as caffeine. Considering this, the review will first explore the molecular mechanisms supporting the potential development of CGAs as preventive interventions, while also discussing current human trials demonstrating selective improvements in neurological, cardiovascular, and metabolic functions. It will also highlight a historical limitation: the lack of studies on the bioavailability, bioactivity, and efficacy of isolated CGAs. The review will conclude by addressing the constraints of clinical studies, emphasizing the urgent need for future precision nutrition frameworks that employ standardized CGAs formulations to enhance potential therapeutic outcomes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Roles of Phenolic Compounds in Human Health and Disease Prevention)
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