Antioxidant Effects of Bioactive Compounds
A special issue of Biomolecules (ISSN 2218-273X).
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 5 February 2026 | Viewed by 1217
Special Issue Editor
Interests: phytochemicals; natural product chemistry; bioactivity; phytochemical analysis; extraction; biological activities; phenolic compounds; natural product isolation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Bioactive compounds of natural origin—such as polyphenols, flavonoids, carotenoids, and phenolic acids—demonstrate remarkable antioxidant properties that are increasingly recognized for their therapeutic potential. These compounds, widely present in fruits, vegetables, teas, spices, and medicinal plants, can directly neutralize reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS), thereby protecting cellular components from oxidative damage.
Oxidative stress is implicated in the pathophysiology of numerous chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disorders, cancer, diabetes, and neurodegenerative conditions. Bioactive compounds exert their antioxidant effects not only through free radical scavenging but also by modulating key cellular defence mechanisms. Notably, many of these compounds activate the Nrf2-ARE signalling pathway, which upregulates endogenous antioxidant enzymes such as glutathione peroxidase, catalase, and superoxide dismutase.
New evidence highlights the synergistic interactions between bioactive compounds, their bioavailability, and the influence of gut microbiota on their metabolic transformation and efficacy. These insights pave the way for new possibilities in designing functional foods and nutraceuticals aimed at enhancing the body’s antioxidant defence.
This Special Issue of Biomolecules aims to explore recent findings on the antioxidant mechanisms of bioactive compounds and their role in maintaining cellular homeostasis and preventing oxidative stress-related diseases.
Prof. Dr. Katarzyna Dos Santos Szewczyk
Guest Editor
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Keywords
- bioactive compounds
- polyphenols
- oxidative stress
- chronic diseases
- nutraceuticals
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