Antioxidant Activity of Plant Extracts

Dear Colleagues,

Antioxidants are specific compounds that protect the cells against the damaging effects of free radicals.

In terms of health properties, many studies have demonstrated their various biological activities including anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antibacterial, and antiviral properties. Specific bioactive compounds from plants were described to function as antioxidants, enzyme inhibitors, epigenetic modulators, or even suppressors in some signaling pathways.

Throughout the years, researchers have been focused mainly on the antioxidant activity of plants’ bioactive compounds, because it targets an important niche in today’s society: pollution. Every day, we are exposed to radiation, air pollutants, and water and food pollutants, all representing some of the leading causes of oxidative stress. Our cells produce persistently reactive species, such as reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS), that can cause many cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases as well as cancer and metabolic diseases. Antioxidants are specific compounds that protect the cells against the damaging effects of free radicals.

Phytochemicals are known to act as free-radical scavengers and metal chelators. Although there are plenty in vitro studies that demonstrate that phytochemicals are some of the most important antioxidant molecules in animal cells, the antioxidant efficacy of some phytochemicals in vivo is less documented due to the poor knowledge of their uptake and bioavailability. However, it is known that the high daily consumption of phytochemicals in the form of vegetables, fruits, and beverages may be helpful for scavenging the ROS, preventing free-radical damage to biological molecules such as lipids, proteins, and DNA.

Phytochemical such as flavonoids, phenolic acids, anthocyanins, and vitamins have been shown to possess a variety of health benefits, and many studies suggest that they may be promising candidates in the treatment of various chronic diseases, including cancer.

This Special Issue of Plants entitled “Antioxidant Activity of Plant Extracts” welcomes original research and reviews with a particular focus on the extraction, purification, and phytochemical characterization of antioxidant activities of plant bioactive compounds and their potential health benefits in vivo and in vitro.

Prof. Dr. Andreea Stănilă
Prof. Dr. Carmen Socaciu
Dr. Zorita Diaconeasa
Guest Editors

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