Therapeutic Potential of Plant Extracts in Oxidative Stress–Mediated Disorders

Dear Colleagues,

Oxidative stress plays a pivotal role in the development, pathophysiology, and progression of a wide range of human diseases, including cardiovascular, inflammatory, metabolic, neurodegenerative, and autoimmune disorders. Increased production of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species disrupts cellular homeostasis and contributes to chronic inflammation, mitochondrial impairment, and ultimately tissue damage. As the incidence and global burden of these diseases continue to rise, the search for effective preventive and therapeutic strategies remains a priority for the scientific community.

Plant extracts and their bioactive constituents—such as polyphenols, flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, and other secondary metabolites—have gained significant scientific attention due to their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and cytoprotective properties. These phytochemicals are increasingly investigated for their capacity to modulate redox signaling pathways, protect tissues from oxidative damage, and influence key molecular mechanisms involved in disease pathogenesis.

In recent years, major advances in extraction techniques, analytical characterization, and bioactivity assessment have expanded our understanding of the therapeutic potential of medicinal and edible plants. Additionally, novel formulations, both oral and topical, have significantly increased the bioavailability of phytochemicals in the human organism and thus their effectiveness. Plants aims to showcase this rapid progress by gathering high-quality studies in this Special Issue.

We invite researchers to submit original research articles, reviews, and short communications on the extraction, characterization, and biological evaluation of plant-derived compounds relevant to oxidative stress–mediated disorders. Studies involving phytochemical profiling, mechanism-of-action investigations, and in vitro, in vivo, or clinical evaluations are particularly encouraged.

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

• Use of innovative and “green” technology for the extraction and isolation of antioxidant-rich plant materials;
• Phytochemical characterization of plant extracts;
• Biological activity of plant extracts - Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, or cytoprotective activities;
• Modulation of oxidative stress and redox-sensitive pathways (e.g., Nrf2, NF-κB, MAPKs) – molecular mechanisms of antioxidant action;
• Effects of plant extracts in models of cardiovascular, metabolic, neurodegenerative, inflammatory, autoimmune, or skin diseases;
• Structure–activity relationships of phytochemicals with redox-regulating properties;
• In vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies exploring the therapeutic potential of plant extracts and plant-derived novel formulations.

We look forward to your valuable contributions to this Special Issue of Plants, which aims to advance our knowledge of how plant extracts and their bioactive compounds can be used to combat oxidative stress-related human diseases.

Dr. Nevena Lazarevic
Dr. Marijana Andjic
Dr. Aleksandar Kocovic
Guest Editors

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