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Polyphenols and Their Impact on Human Health: 2nd Edition

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Bioactives and Nutraceuticals".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 December 2024 | Viewed by 11309

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via Cintia 4, I-80126 Naples, Italy
Interests: structural characterization, extraction, and evaluation/modulation of the antioxidant properties of natural phenolic compounds; exploitation of phenolic compounds, especially from agri-food by-products for the development of functional materials to be used in cosmetics, food packaging, and biomedicine; reactivity of natural phenolic compounds with reactive oxygen and nitrogen species and their manipulation/derivatization to improve their functional properties; evaluation of the antioxidant properties of phenolic compounds and of complex extracts/matrices using validated chemical assays; chemistry of melanin pigments
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Polyphenols are widely present not only in foods but also in easily accessible sources such as waste materials from agri-food industries. Based on their potent antioxidant and biological properties, the possible exploitation of these compounds as food supplements as well as functional ingredients for biomedical and cosmetic applications has gained more and more attention. This Special Issue welcomes original research articles relating to innovative applications of natural polyphenols from edible or non-edible natural sources in the field of nutrition and biomedicine, e.g., in food supplements or functional foods for the prevention of oxidative-stress-related diseases, as well as additives in biomedical devices, skincare formulations and cosmetic products. The identification of the main phenolic components and the characterization of the antioxidant and other relevant specific properties for their exploitation as functional ingredients in the health, food and/or cosmetic sectors are required.

Leading by Prof. Dr. Lucia Panzella and assisting by our Topical Advisory Panel Member Dr. Fortuna Iannuzzo (University of Chieti-Pescara G. D’Annunzio), this Special Issue focuses on recent studies that contribute to our understanding of polyphenols and their impact on human health. Original research articles and reviews on these and related topics are welcome in this Special Issue.

Prof. Dr. Lucia Panzella
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • polyphenols
  • antioxidants
  • food supplements
  • biomedical devices
  • skincare
  • agri-food by-products
  • sustainability

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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15 pages, 3016 KiB  
Article
Polyphenol-Rich Extract from ‘Limoncella’ Apple Variety Ameliorates Dinitrobenzene Sulfonic Acid-Induced Colitis and Linked Liver Damage
by Stefania Lama, Ester Pagano, Francesca Borrelli, Maria Maisto, Gian Carlo Tenore, Maria Francesca Nanì, Pilar Chacon-Millan, Ettore Novellino and Paola Stiuso
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(6), 3210; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25063210 - 11 Mar 2024
Viewed by 1525
Abstract
Inflammatory bowel conditions can involve nearly all organ systems and induce pathological processes through increased oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation and disruption of the immune response. Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are at high risk of having extra-intestinal manifestations, for example, in the [...] Read more.
Inflammatory bowel conditions can involve nearly all organ systems and induce pathological processes through increased oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation and disruption of the immune response. Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are at high risk of having extra-intestinal manifestations, for example, in the hepatobiliary system. In 30% of patients with IBD, the blood values of liver enzymes, such as AST and ALT, are increased. Moreover, treatments for inflammatory bowel diseases may cause liver toxicity. Apple polyphenol extracts are widely acknowledged for their potential antioxidant effects, which help prevent damage from oxidative stress, reduce inflammation, provide protection to the liver, and enhance lipid metabolism. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the polyphenol apple extract from Malus domestica cv. ‘Limoncella’ (LAPE) may be an effective intervention for the treatment of IBD-induced hepatotoxicity. The LAPE was administrated in vivo by oral gavage (3–300 mg/kg) once a day for 3 consecutive days, starting 24 h after the induction of dinitro-benzenesulfonic acid (DNBS) colitis in mice. The results showed that LAPE significantly attenuated histological bowel injury, myeloperoxidase activity, tumor necrosis factor and interleukin (IL-1β) expressions. Furthermore, LAPE significantly improved the serum lipid peroxidation and liver injury in DNBS-induced colitis, as well as reduced the nuclear transcription factor-kappaB activation. In conclusion, these results suggest that LAPE, through its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, could prevent liver damage induced by inflammatory bowel disease. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polyphenols and Their Impact on Human Health: 2nd Edition)
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20 pages, 5016 KiB  
Article
Inhibitory Effect of Quercetin on Oxidative Endogen Enzymes: A Focus on Putative Binding Modes
by Stefania Olla, Chiara Siguri, Antonella Fais, Benedetta Era, Massimo Claudio Fantini and Amalia Di Petrillo
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(20), 15391; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms242015391 - 20 Oct 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1451
Abstract
Oxidative stress is defined as an imbalance between the production of free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the ability of the body to neutralize them by anti-oxidant defense systems. Cells can produce ROS during physiological processes, but excessive ROS can lead [...] Read more.
Oxidative stress is defined as an imbalance between the production of free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the ability of the body to neutralize them by anti-oxidant defense systems. Cells can produce ROS during physiological processes, but excessive ROS can lead to non-specific and irreversible damage to biological molecules, such as DNA, lipids, and proteins. Mitochondria mainly produce endogenous ROS during both physiological and pathological conditions. Enzymes like nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase (NOX), xanthine oxidase (XO), lipoxygenase (LOX), myeloperoxidase (MPO), and monoamine oxidase (MAO) contribute to this process. The body has enzymatic and non-enzymatic defense systems to neutralize ROS. The intake of bioactive phenols, like quercetin (Que), can protect against pro-oxidative damage by quenching ROS through a non-enzymatic system. In this study, we evaluate the ability of Que to target endogenous oxidant enzymes involved in ROS production and explore the mechanisms of action underlying its anti-oxidant properties. Que can act as a free radical scavenger by donating electrons through the negative charges in its phenolic and ketone groups. Additionally, it can effectively inhibit the activity of several endogenous oxidative enzymes by binding them with high affinity and specificity. Que had the best molecular docking results with XO, followed by MAO-A, 5-LOX, NOX, and MPO. Que’s binding to these enzymes was confirmed by subsequent molecular dynamics, revealing different stability phases depending on the enzyme bound. The 500 ns simulation showed a net evolution of binding for NOX and MPO. These findings suggest that Que has potential as a natural therapy for diseases related to oxidative stress. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polyphenols and Their Impact on Human Health: 2nd Edition)
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Review

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34 pages, 12056 KiB  
Review
Curcumin in Cancer and Inflammation: An In-Depth Exploration of Molecular Interactions, Therapeutic Potentials, and the Role in Disease Management
by Dong-Oh Moon
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(5), 2911; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25052911 - 2 Mar 2024
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 4157
Abstract
This paper delves into the diverse and significant roles of curcumin, a polyphenolic compound from the Curcuma longa plant, in the context of cancer and inflammatory diseases. Distinguished by its unique molecular structure, curcumin exhibits potent biological activities including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and potential [...] Read more.
This paper delves into the diverse and significant roles of curcumin, a polyphenolic compound from the Curcuma longa plant, in the context of cancer and inflammatory diseases. Distinguished by its unique molecular structure, curcumin exhibits potent biological activities including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and potential anticancer effects. The research comprehensively investigates curcumin’s molecular interactions with key proteins involved in cancer progression and the inflammatory response, primarily through molecular docking studies. In cancer, curcumin’s effectiveness is determined by examining its interaction with pivotal proteins like CDK2, CK2α, GSK3β, DYRK2, and EGFR, among others. These interactions suggest curcumin’s potential role in impeding cancer cell proliferation and survival. Additionally, the paper highlights curcumin’s impact on inflammation by examining its influence on proteins such as COX-2, CRP, PDE4, and MD-2, which are central to the inflammatory pathway. In vitro and clinical studies are extensively reviewed, shedding light on curcumin’s binding mechanisms, pharmacological impacts, and therapeutic application in various cancers and inflammatory conditions. These studies are pivotal in understanding curcumin’s functionality and its potential as a therapeutic agent. Conclusively, this review emphasizes the therapeutic promise of curcumin in treating a wide range of health issues, attributed to its complex chemistry and broad pharmacological properties. The research points towards curcumin’s growing importance as a multi-faceted natural compound in the medical and scientific community. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polyphenols and Their Impact on Human Health: 2nd Edition)
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38 pages, 4204 KiB  
Review
Inhibition of Cancer Development by Natural Plant Polyphenols: Molecular Mechanisms
by Alexander Lyubitelev and Vasily Studitsky
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(13), 10663; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms241310663 - 26 Jun 2023
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3014
Abstract
Malignant tumors remain one of the main sources of morbidity and mortality around the world. A chemotherapeutic approach to cancer treatment poses a multitude of challenges, primarily due to the low selectivity and genotoxicity of the majority of chemotherapeutic drugs currently used in [...] Read more.
Malignant tumors remain one of the main sources of morbidity and mortality around the world. A chemotherapeutic approach to cancer treatment poses a multitude of challenges, primarily due to the low selectivity and genotoxicity of the majority of chemotherapeutic drugs currently used in the clinical practice, often leading to treatment-induced tumors formation. Highly selective antitumor drugs can largely resolve this issue, but their high selectivity leads to significant drawbacks due to the intrinsic tumor heterogeneity. In contrast, plant polyphenols can simultaneously affect many processes that are involved in the acquiring and maintaining of hallmark properties of malignant cells, and their toxic dose is typically much higher than the therapeutic one. In the present work we describe the mechanisms of the action of polyphenols on cancer cells, including their effects on genetic and epigenetic instability, tumor-promoting inflammation, and altered microbiota. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polyphenols and Their Impact on Human Health: 2nd Edition)
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