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Antioxidants
Special Issues
Antioxidant Activities of Phytochemicals in Fruits and Vegetables
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Antioxidant Activities of Phytochemicals in Fruits and Vegetables

A special issue of Antioxidants (ISSN 2076-3921). This special issue belongs to the section "Natural and Synthetic Antioxidants".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 October 2025 | Viewed by 3211

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Wen Qin

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Sichuan Key Laboratory of Fruit and Vegetable Postharvest Physiology, College of Food Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an 625014, China
Interests: fruit and vegetable nutrition; food bioactive components; food processing and safety
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Reactive oxygen species (ROS), the by-products of cellular respiration and metabolism, are crucial in regulating various physiological pathways. An excessive accumulation of free radicals disrupts the redox balance, leading to oxidative stress and chronic diseases. Over the past two decades, bioactive food components, particularly antioxidant-rich phytochemicals like polyphenols and polysaccharides in fruits and vegetables, have been extensively studied. Green and efficient extraction technology is the primary condition for studying phytochemicals in fruits and vegetables, such as deep eutectic solvents and enzyme extraction. 

Moreover, chemical models, such as ORAC, DPPH, and ABTS, are commonly used to assess the antioxidant capacity of phytochemicals, revealing their health potential. However, new analytical and molecular biology tools have also uncovered their anti-inflammatory properties and modulatory effects on cell signaling. Recent advances, exemplified by animal model experiments like DSS-induced ulcerative colitis in mice, suggest a new role of fruits and vegetables in modulating the phytochemical—oxidative stress—gut microbiota–intestinal metabolites—inflammation—metabolic syndrome axis.

Original research papers, reviews, and case studies are welcome on the topics mentioned below:

  • Green and efficient extraction, characterization, and in vitro antioxidant activity of phytochemicals from fruits and vegetables (such as polyphenols and polysaccharides in fruits and vegetables).
  • In vitro antioxidant activity of phytochemicals in fruits and vegetables based on cell experiments.
  • In vivo antioxidant activity of phytochemicals in fruits and vegetables based on animal model experiments.
  • The main mechanism of phytochemicals exerting anti-inflammatory in vivo activity through modulating oxidative stress.
  • In studies of complex mixtures of natural products, the characterization of chemicals using analytical methodologies, such as HPLC, MS, LC–MS, HPLC–MS, and NMR, should be included.

Prof. Dr. Wen Qin
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Antioxidants is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • ROS and oxidative stress
  • green and efficient extraction technology of phytochemicals
  • antioxidant activity of phytochemicals in fruits and vegetables
  • polyphenols and polysaccharides in fruits and vegetables
  • phytochemicals and inflammation

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

23 pages, 10645 KiB  
Article
Cyanidin-3-O-Glucoside Mitigates Amyloid-Beta (1–42)-Induced Apoptosis in SH-SY5Y Cells by Regulating Ca2+ Homeostasis and Inhibiting Mitochondrial Dysfunction
by Chao Ma, Yu Nie, Donglei Zhang, Lulu Ran, Su Xu, Xun Ran, Junya Huang and Lingshuai Meng
Antioxidants 2025, 14(4), 490; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox14040490 - 18 Apr 2025
Viewed by 79
Abstract
Background: Blueberry anthocyanin such as Cyanidin-3-O-glucoside may help prevent Alzheimer’s disease. We aimed to investigate the preventive and therapeutic effects of Cyanidin-3-O-glucoside against Aβ1–42-induced apoptosis of SH-SY5Y cells as well as the underlying mechanisms. Methods: Cell viability [...] Read more.
Background: Blueberry anthocyanin such as Cyanidin-3-O-glucoside may help prevent Alzheimer’s disease. We aimed to investigate the preventive and therapeutic effects of Cyanidin-3-O-glucoside against Aβ1–42-induced apoptosis of SH-SY5Y cells as well as the underlying mechanisms. Methods: Cell viability and intracellular and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species were detected by MTT, a reactive oxygen species detection kit, and a MitoSOX red mitochondrial superoxide indicator. The mitochondrial membrane potential, intracellular calcium ion content, and adenotriphophate (ATP) were identified via a mitochondrial membrane potential detection kit, calcium ion detection kit, and ATP detection kit, and apoptosis was detected via flow cytometry. Transcription of apoptosis-related genes was detected using real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and expression of apoptosis-related proteins was identified using Western blot. Results: We found that Cyanidin-3-O-glucoside could downregulate the expression of cytochrome c, caspase 9, caspase 3, and other genes and proteins, which consequently reduced the rate of apoptosis. Additionally, it could upregulate Bcl-2 gene and protein expression, downregulate Bax gene and protein expression, regulate mitochondrial membrane permeability and calcium-release channels, reduce calcium influx into mitochondria, maintain intracellular calcium ion levels, reduce intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species and increase ATP levels, maintain the mitochondrial membrane potential at a normal level, maintain normal mitochondrial functioning, and prevent apoptosis. Discussion: Taken together, Cyanidin-3-O-glucoside showed dose-dependent preventive and therapeutic effects against Aβ1–42-induced apoptosis of SH-SY5Y cells. Conclusions: Cyanidin 3-O-glucoside showed a better preventive effect than therapeutic effect against Aβ1–42-induced apoptosis in SH-SY5Y cells. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antioxidant Activities of Phytochemicals in Fruits and Vegetables)
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30 pages, 1623 KiB  
Article
The Role of Extracts of Edible Parts and Production Wastes of Globe Artichoke (Cynara cardunculus L. var. scolymus (L.)) in Counteracting Oxidative Stress
by Valentina Laghezza Masci, Irene Mezzani, Enrica Alicandri, William Tomassi, Anna Rita Paolacci, Stefano Covino, Vittorio Vinciguerra, Elisabetta Catalani, Davide Cervia, Mario Ciaffi, Stefania Garzoli and Elisa Ovidi
Antioxidants 2025, 14(1), 116; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox14010116 - 20 Jan 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1011
Abstract
In addition to the immature edible flower heads, the cultivation of globe artichoke (Cynara cardunculus L. var. scolymus (L.) Fiori) generates substantial quantities of by-products, including leaves, stems, and roots, which constitute potential sources of bioactive compounds and prebiotic dietary fiber. Preserving [...] Read more.
In addition to the immature edible flower heads, the cultivation of globe artichoke (Cynara cardunculus L. var. scolymus (L.) Fiori) generates substantial quantities of by-products, including leaves, stems, and roots, which constitute potential sources of bioactive compounds and prebiotic dietary fiber. Preserving agricultural biodiversity and promoting socioeconomic development are essential for enhancing domestic production and fostering innovation. In the search for new biomolecules with antioxidant properties, this research focused on a globe artichoke landrace at risk of genetic erosion, still cultivated in the northern part of the Lazio region, known as the “Carciofo Ortano”. To investigate the antioxidant properties of various globe artichoke tissues from the “Carciofo Ortano” landrace, methanolic extracts were prepared from the immature main and secondary flower heads, stems, and leaves of representative genotypes of this landrace. Additionally, extracts were obtained from the same tissues of four landraces/clones included in the varietal platform of the PGI “Carciofo Romanesco del Lazio”, which served as reference genotypes: Campagnano, Castellammare, C3, and Grato 1. The antioxidant properties of these extracts were assessed using FRAP, ABTS, DPPH assays, and total phenolic content (TPC). The stem and secondary flower head extracts of two representative “Carciofo Ortano” genotypes and the Grato 1 clone, which have higher phenolic content, demonstrated the highest antioxidant activity. These extracts were therefore studied for their chemical profile using HPLC-DAD and SPME-GC/MS analysis. Additionally, the same extracts were investigated in vitro for their antioxidant capacity in differentiated SH-SY5Y cells, assessing their effects on ROS levels and the restoration of GSH levels. Furthermore, the in vivo beneficial effects of counteracting oxidative stress were evaluated in high sucrose-fed Drosophila melanogaster, as oxidative stress is a typical hallmark of hyperglycemic status. Overall, the results indicated that the edible immature inflorescences of the “Carciofo Ortano” landrace, along with the byproducts of its cultivation, are sources of raw materials containing biomolecules whose properties can be exploited for further applications in the pharmaceutical and medical sectors. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antioxidant Activities of Phytochemicals in Fruits and Vegetables)
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15 pages, 3345 KiB  
Article
Extraction, Characterization, and In Vitro Biological Activity of Polyphenols from Discarded Young Fig Fruits Based on Deep Eutectic Solvents
by Qinqiu Zhang, Yue Peng, Yi Xu, Fan Li, Shuxiang Liu, Danka Bukvicki, Qing Zhang, Shang Lin, Miaomiao Wang, Tianyi Zhang, Dingtao Wu and Wen Qin
Antioxidants 2024, 13(9), 1084; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox13091084 - 4 Sep 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1383
Abstract
(1) Background: Discarded young fig fruits (DYFFs) result in a waste of resources, such as sparse fruits and residual fruits, and there has been no research on the relationship between phenolic compounds and biological activity in DYFFs (2) Methods: Different deep eutectic solvents [...] Read more.
(1) Background: Discarded young fig fruits (DYFFs) result in a waste of resources, such as sparse fruits and residual fruits, and there has been no research on the relationship between phenolic compounds and biological activity in DYFFs (2) Methods: Different deep eutectic solvents (DESs) and 80% ethanol were used to prepare DYFF extracts, and polyphenol extraction efficiency and bioactivities in the DYFFs extracts were compared. (3) Results: More than 1700 phytochemicals were identified in DYFFs, and thirteen of these typical phenolic compounds were analyzed quantitatively; chlorogenic acid, rutin, luteolin 8-C-glucoside, and epicatechin are the main polyphenols in DYFFs, especially chlorogenic acid with 2720–7980 mg/kg. Ferulic acid, caffeic acid, epicatechin, (+)-catechin, luteolin 8-C-glucoside, rutin, hesperetin, and chlorogenic acid showed different degrees of correlation with in vitro antioxidant activity. Moreover, the highest total phenol content found in the extracts of ChCl-Ethylene glycol (Choline chloride:Ethylene glycol = 1:2) was 8.88 mg GAE/g DW, and all quantitatively analyzed phenolic compounds had high levels in various DESs and 80% ethanol. The 80% ethanol and Choline chloride (ChCl) solvent system showed the greatest antioxidant properties, and the Choline chloride-Urea (Choline chloride: Urea = 1:2) extract of DYFFs exhibited the highest inhibitory activity. (4) Conclusions: DESs have demonstrated potential as promising green solvents, especially the ChCl solvent system, which facilitates the extraction of polyphenols. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antioxidant Activities of Phytochemicals in Fruits and Vegetables)
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