Natural Bioactive Compounds as a Promising Approach to Mitigating Oxidative Stress

Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

Oxidative stress is a pathological condition that arises due to an imbalance between oxidants and antioxidant defense systems in the body. It is implicated in the pathogenesis of several chronic diseases, including diabetes, cancer, and neurodegenerative disorders.

Natural bioactive compounds, such as polyphenols, flavonoids, and terpenoids, offer a promising approach to mitigating oxidative stress. These compounds are found in various sources, including fruits, vegetables, and medicinal plants, and have demonstrated potent antioxidant properties capable of preventing oxidative damage to cells. Additionally, they exhibit beneficial effects, including anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anticancer, and immune-modulating properties.

Despite their robust pharmacodynamic effects, these compounds often exhibit poor pharmacokinetics. In response, nanotechnological approaches have been leveraged to enhance the characteristics of these compounds, addressing issues such as solubility, bioavailability, and stability. This improvement aims to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of natural bioactive compounds, making them more suitable for pharmaceutical applications.

Within this topic, we welcome contributions related to natural bioactive compounds and the exploitation of their antioxidant effects in fighting oxidative stress. We encourage the exploration of green extraction methods for natural sources, the structural characterization of complex biomolecules, and investigations into their interactions with cellular receptors and enzymes. Additionally, contributions discussing the potential application of novel nanotechnologies to enhance the physicochemical characteristics of these compounds are also appreciated. 

Prof. Dr. Andrea Ragusa
Prof. Dr. Filomena Corbo
Topic Editors

Keywords

Participating Journals

Journal Name	Impact Factor	CiteScore	Launched Year	First Decision (median)	APC
Antioxidants antioxidants	6.0	10.6	2012	15.5 Days	CHF 2900	Submit
Chemistry chemistry	2.4	3.2	2019	13.4 Days	CHF 1800	Submit
International Journal of Molecular Sciences ijms	4.9	8.1	2000	18.1 Days	CHF 2900	Submit
Molecules molecules	4.2	7.4	1996	15.1 Days	CHF 2700	Submit
Pharmaceutics pharmaceutics	4.9	7.9	2009	14.9 Days	CHF 2900	Submit

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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All Antioxidants Chemistry IJMS Molecules Pharmaceutics

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Open AccessArticle

Computational Insights into the Radical Scavenging Activity and Xanthine Oxidase Inhibition of the Five Anthocyanins Derived from Grape Skin

by Xiao-Qin Lu, Jindong Li, Bin Wang and Shu Qin

Antioxidants 2024, 13(9), 1117; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox13091117 - 15 Sep 2024

Viewed by 314

Abstract

Anthocyanins, typical polyphenol compounds in grape skin, have attracted increasing interest due to their health-promoting properties. In this body of work, five representative anthocyanins (Cy-3-O-glc, Dp-3-O-glc, Pn-3-O-glc, Mv-3-O-glc, and Pt-3-O-glc) were studied using [...] Read more.

Anthocyanins, typical polyphenol compounds in grape skin, have attracted increasing interest due to their health-promoting properties. In this body of work, five representative anthocyanins (Cy-3-O-glc, Dp-3-O-glc, Pn-3-O-glc, Mv-3-O-glc, and Pt-3-O-glc) were studied using the density functional theory (DFT) to elucidate structure–radical scavenging activity in the relationship and the reaction path underlying the radical-trapping process. Based on thermodynamic parameters involved in HAT, SET-PT, and SPLET mechanisms, along with the structural attributes, it was found that the C4′ hydroxyl group mainly contributes to the radical scavenging activities of the investigated compounds. Pt-3-O-glc exhibits a good antioxidant capacity among the five compounds. The preferred radical scavenging mechanisms vary in different phases. For the Pt-3-O-glc compound, the calculations indicate the thermodynamically favoured product is benzodioxole, rather than o-quinone, displaying considerably reduced energy in double HAT mechanisms. Additionally, the thermodynamic and kinetic calculations indicate that the reaction of ^•OH into the 4′-OH site of Pt-3-O-glc has a lower energy barrier (7.6 kcal/mol), a higher rate constant (5.72 × 10⁹ M⁻¹ s⁻¹), and exhibits potent ^•OH radical scavenging properties. Molecular docking results have shown the strong affinity of the studied anthocyanins with the pro-oxidant enzyme xanthine oxidase, displaying their significant role in inhibiting ROS formation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Natural Bioactive Compounds as a Promising Approach to Mitigating Oxidative Stress)

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31 pages, 2531 KiB  

Open AccessReview

Treatment of Acute and Long-COVID, Diabetes, Myocardial Infarction, and Alzheimer’s Disease: The Potential Role of a Novel Nano-Compound—The Transdermal Glutathione–Cyclodextrin Complex

by Ray Yutani, Vishwanath Venketaraman and Nisar Sheren

Antioxidants 2024, 13(9), 1106; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox13091106 - 12 Sep 2024

Viewed by 593

Abstract

Oxidative stress (OS) occurs from excessive reactive oxygen species or a deficiency of antioxidants—primarily endogenous glutathione (GSH). There are many illnesses, from acute and post-COVID-19, diabetes, myocardial infarction to Alzheimer’s disease, that are associated with OS. These dissimilar illnesses are, in order, viral [...] Read more.

Oxidative stress (OS) occurs from excessive reactive oxygen species or a deficiency of antioxidants—primarily endogenous glutathione (GSH). There are many illnesses, from acute and post-COVID-19, diabetes, myocardial infarction to Alzheimer’s disease, that are associated with OS. These dissimilar illnesses are, in order, viral infections, metabolic disorders, ischemic events, and neurodegenerative disorders. Evidence is presented that in many illnesses, (1) OS is an early initiator and significant promotor of their progressive pathophysiologic processes, (2) early reduction of OS may prevent later serious and irreversible complications, (3) GSH deficiency is associated with OS, (4) GSH can likely reduce OS and restore adaptive physiology, (5) effective administration of GSH can be accomplished with a novel nano-product, the GSH/cyclodextrin (GC) complex. OS is an overlooked pathological process of many illnesses. Significantly, with the GSH/cyclodextrin (GC) complex, therapeutic administration of GSH is now available to reduce OS. Finally, rigorous prospective studies are needed to confirm the efficacy of this therapeutic approach. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Natural Bioactive Compounds as a Promising Approach to Mitigating Oxidative Stress)

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24 pages, 442 KiB  

Open AccessReview

Current Treatments, Emerging Therapeutics, and Natural Remedies for Inflammatory Bowel Disease

by Karma Yeshi, Tenzin Jamtsho and Phurpa Wangchuk

Molecules 2024, 29(16), 3954; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29163954 - 21 Aug 2024

Viewed by 560

Abstract

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic, lifelong disorder characterized by inflammation of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The exact etiology of IBD remains incompletely understood due to its multifaceted nature, which includes genetic predisposition, environmental factors, and host immune response dysfunction. Currently, there [...] Read more.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic, lifelong disorder characterized by inflammation of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The exact etiology of IBD remains incompletely understood due to its multifaceted nature, which includes genetic predisposition, environmental factors, and host immune response dysfunction. Currently, there is no cure for IBD. This review discusses the available treatment options and the challenges they present. Importantly, we examine emerging therapeutics, such as biologics and immunomodulators, that offer targeted treatment strategies for IBD. While many IBD patients do not respond adequately to most biologics, recent clinical trials combining biologics with small-molecule drugs (SMDs) have provided new insights into improving the IBD treatment landscape. Furthermore, numerous novel and specific therapeutic targets have been identified. The high cost of IBD drugs poses a significant barrier to treatment, but this challenge may be alleviated with the development of more affordable biosimilars. Additionally, emerging point-of-care protein biomarkers from serum and plasma are showing potential for enhancing the precision of IBD diagnosis and prognosis. Several natural products (NPs), including crude extracts, small molecules, and peptides, have demonstrated promising anti-inflammatory activity in high-throughput screening (HTS) systems and advanced artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted platforms, such as molecular docking and ADMET prediction. These platforms are advancing the search for alternative IBD therapies derived from natural sources, potentially leading to more affordable and safer treatment options with fewer side effects. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Natural Bioactive Compounds as a Promising Approach to Mitigating Oxidative Stress)

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18 pages, 9614 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Functional Mechanisms of Dietary Crocin Protection in Cardiovascular Models under Oxidative Stress

by Sepideh Zununi Vahed, Marisol Zuluaga Tamayo, Violeta Rodriguez-Ruiz, Olivier Thibaudeau, Sobhan Aboulhassanzadeh, Jalal Abdolalizadeh, Anne Meddahi-Pellé, Virginie Gueguen, Abolfazl Barzegari and Graciela Pavon-Djavid

Pharmaceutics 2024, 16(7), 840; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics16070840 - 21 Jun 2024

Viewed by 861

Abstract

It was previously reported that crocin, a water-soluble carotenoid isolated from the Crocus sativus L. (saffron), has protective effects on cardiac cells and may neutralize and even prevent the formation of excess number of free radicals; however, functional mechanisms of crocin activity have [...] Read more.

It was previously reported that crocin, a water-soluble carotenoid isolated from the Crocus sativus L. (saffron), has protective effects on cardiac cells and may neutralize and even prevent the formation of excess number of free radicals; however, functional mechanisms of crocin activity have been poorly understood. In the present research, we aimed to study the functional mechanism of crocin in the heart exposed to oxidative stress. Accordingly, oxidative stress was modeled in vitro on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and in vivo in mice using cellular stressors. The beneficial effects of crocin were investigated at cellular and molecular levels in HUVECs and mice hearts. Results indicated that oral administration of crocin could have protective effects on HUVECs. In addition, it protects cardiac cells and significantly inhibits inflammation via modulating molecular signaling pathways TLR4/PTEN/AKT/mTOR/NF-κB and microRNA (miR-21). Here we show that crocin not only acts as a direct free radical scavenger but also modifies the gene expression profiles of HUVECs and protects mice hearts with anti-inflammatory action under oxidative stress. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Natural Bioactive Compounds as a Promising Approach to Mitigating Oxidative Stress)

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18 pages, 9765 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Stress Granule Core Protein-Derived Peptides Inhibit Assembly of Stress Granules and Improve Sorafenib Sensitivity in Cancer Cells

by Juan Li, Yaobin Zhang, Jinxuan Gu, Yulin Zhou, Jie Liu, Haiyan Cui, Tiejun Zhao and Zhigang Jin

Molecules 2024, 29(9), 2134; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29092134 - 4 May 2024

Viewed by 1511

Abstract

Upon a variety of environmental stresses, eukaryotic cells usually recruit translational stalled mRNAs and RNA-binding proteins to form cytoplasmic condensates known as stress granules (SGs), which minimize stress-induced damage and promote stress adaptation and cell survival. SGs are hijacked by cancer cells to [...] Read more.

Upon a variety of environmental stresses, eukaryotic cells usually recruit translational stalled mRNAs and RNA-binding proteins to form cytoplasmic condensates known as stress granules (SGs), which minimize stress-induced damage and promote stress adaptation and cell survival. SGs are hijacked by cancer cells to promote cell survival and are consequently involved in the development of anticancer drug resistance. However, the design and application of chemical compounds targeting SGs to improve anticancer drug efficacy have rarely been studied. Here, we developed two types of SG inhibitory peptides (SIPs) derived from SG core proteins Caprin1 and USP10 and fused with cell-penetrating peptides to generate TAT-SIP-C1/2 and SIP-U1-Antp, respectively. We obtained 11 SG-inducing anticancer compounds from cell-based screens and explored the potential application of SIPs in overcoming resistance to the SG-inducing anticancer drug sorafenib. We found that SIPs increased the sensitivity of HeLa cells to sorafenib via the disruption of SGs. Therefore, anticancer drugs which are competent to induce SGs could be combined with SIPs to sensitize cancer cells, which might provide a novel therapeutic strategy to alleviate anticancer drug resistance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Natural Bioactive Compounds as a Promising Approach to Mitigating Oxidative Stress)

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