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Plant-Based Diets and Their Antioxidant Role in Human Health

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A special issue of Antioxidants (ISSN 2076-3921). This special issue belongs to the section "Health Outcomes of Antioxidants and Oxidative Stress".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 December 2022) | Viewed by 63962

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Gianluca Rizzo

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Guest Editor

Independent Researcher, Via Venezuela 66, 98121 Messina, Italy
Interests: vegetarian diet; vegan diet; plant-based diet; soy; soy foods; phytoestrogens; isoflavones; vitamin B12; cobalamins; homocysteine; B vitamins; polyunsaturated fatty acids; vitamin D; dietary supplements; oxidative stress; antioxidants
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Mauro Lombardo

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Guest Editor

Department of Human Sciences and Promotion of the Quality of Life, San Raffaele Roma Open University, 00166 Rome, Italy
Interests: obesity; sports nutrition; bariatric surgery; body composition; mediterranean diet; clinical nutrition
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

A common feature of dietary guidelines is the advice to choose mainly plant foods. These are the source of numerous beneficial substances for human health, including macronutrients, vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals. Many of these are bioactive substances produced by plants to cope with the oxidative stress to which they are constantly subjected. Humans take advantage of the health benefits of these exogenous antioxidant molecules through nutrition. The more plant foods are represented in diet, the more these substances are conveyed by diet, offering their health benefits. The antioxidant role of diet may act with multiple mechanisms by offering a source of bioactive molecules with quenching properties or by stimulating endogenous antioxidant defense systems. Plant-based diets are patterns mainly focused on plant foods, excluding animal foods in a more or less evident way, including vegetarian diet and Mediterranean diet. The purpose of this Special Issue is to provide the current scientific evidence available in the literature on the role of plant-based diets on human health, with particular regard to multiple molecules with an antioxidant effect. These aspects are very relevant if we consider that oxidative stress represents a common feature of various chronic non-communicable diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and some types of cancer.

Accepted article types are human-based original research, reviews, perspectives, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses. We encourage the submission of human clinical studies or reviews based on them, avoiding preclinical and in vitro studies, with a margin of tolerance of studies on human cells.

Dr. Gianluca Rizzo
Dr. Mauro Lombardo
Guest Editors

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

Antioxidants
Reactive oxigen species
Phytochemicals
Plant-based
Mediterranean
Vegetarian
Vegan
Non-communicable diseases
Cancer
Cardiovascular diseases
Diabetes

Published Papers (10 papers)

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Research

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14 pages, 511 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Effect of the Consumption of Powdered Concentrate of Sechium edule var. nigrum spinosum in Mexican Older Adults with Metabolic Syndrome

by Taide Laurita Arista-Ugalde, Edelmiro Santiago-Osorio, Alberto Monroy-García, Juana Rosado-Pérez, Itzen Aguiñiga-Sánchez, Jorge Cadena-Iñiguez, Graciela Gavia-García and Víctor Manuel Mendoza-Núñez

Antioxidants 2022, 11(6), 1076; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox11061076 - 28 May 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2409

Abstract

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) has a high prevalence in older adults and is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and complications of old age. It has also been related to oxidative stress (OxS) and chronic inflammation (CI) and their consequent alterations. Therefore, it is important to propose therapeutic alternatives such as the consumption of Sechium edule (Chayote), since hypoglycemic, hypotensive, and lipogenesis inhibitor properties are attributed to it. We carried out a study in 81 older adults (OA) with MetS to determine the effect of consumption of chayote powder concentrate (500 mg, three times a day) for six months, with a baseline measurement, at three and six months in an experimental group (EG) (n = 41) and a placebo group (PG) (n = 40), all with a diagnosis of MetS according to the criteria of National Adult Treatment Panel of the National Cholesterol Program III (NCEP/ATP III). Anthropometric, biochemical, OxS markers, and inflammation measurements were performed on all participants, basal, three, and six months after. A statistically significant decrease was found in the concentration of lipoperoxides (TBARS), 8-isoprostanes, 8-OHdG, oxidative stress score (OSS), HbA1c, blood pressure, and in the number of MetS diagnostic criteria, as well as an increase in total antioxidant status (TAS), antioxidant gap (GAP), superoxide dismutase (SOD), interleukin 10 (IL-10), and HDL-cholesterol in EG. The results suggest that the consumption of Sechium edule powder has a hypotensive, hypoglycemic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effect in OA with MetS and reduced the percentage of patients with MetS. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant-Based Diets and Their Antioxidant Role in Human Health)

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21 pages, 10186 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Brown Algae-Derived Fucoidan Exerts Oxidative Stress-Dependent Antiproliferation on Oral Cancer Cells

by Jun-Ping Shiau, Ya-Ting Chuang, Kun-Han Yang, Fang-Rong Chang, Jyh-Horng Sheu, Ming-Feng Hou, Jiiang-Huei Jeng, Jen-Yang Tang and Hsueh-Wei Chang

Antioxidants 2022, 11(5), 841; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/antiox11050841 - 26 Apr 2022

Cited by 28 | Viewed by 2847

Abstract

Fucoidan is a dietary brown algae-derived fucose-rich polysaccharide. However, the anticancer effects of fucoidan for oral cancer treatment remain unclear, particularly in terms of its preferential antiproliferation ability and oxidative-stress-associated responses. This study first evaluated the effects and mechanisms of the preferential antiproliferation of fucoidan between oral cancer and non-malignant oral cells (S–G). In a 48 h MTS assay, fucoidan showed higher antiproliferation in response to five types of oral cancer cells, but not S–G cells, demonstrating preferential antiproliferation of oral cancer cells. Oral cancer cells (Ca9-22 and CAL 27) showing high sensitivity to fucoidan were selected to explore the antiproliferation mechanism compared to S–G cells. Fucoidan showed subG1 accumulation and an annexin V increase in apoptosis, accompanied by caspase 8, 9, and 3 activations in oral cancer cells, but not in S–G cells. Fucoidan increased reactive oxygen species and mitochondrial superoxide levels and decreased cellular glutathione in oral cancer cells compared with S–G cells. These oxidative stress effects were attributed to the downregulation of antioxidant signaling genes (NRF2, TXN, and HMOX1) in oral cancer cells rather than S–G cells. Fucoidan showed DNA damage-inducible effects (γH2AX and 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine) in oral cancer cells but not in S–G cells. Accordingly, these preferential changes in oral cancer but not in non-malignant cells contribute to the preferential antiproliferation mechanism of fucoidan. Furthermore, these changes were reverted by pretreatment with the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine. Therefore, for the first time, this study provides a detailed understanding of the preferential antiproliferation effects and mechanisms of fucoidan in oral cancer cells. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant-Based Diets and Their Antioxidant Role in Human Health)

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15 pages, 2601 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Mediterranean Diet and Physical Activity Decrease the Initiation of Cardiovascular Drug Use in High Cardiovascular Risk Individuals: A Cohort Study

by Margarita Ribó-Coll, Sara Castro-Barquero, Camille Lassale, Emilio Sacanella, Emilio Ros, Estefanía Toledo, José V. Sorlí, Andrés Díaz-López, José Lapetra, Carlos Muñoz-Bravo, Fernando Arós, Miquel Fiol, Lluis Serra-Majem, Xavier Pinto, Olga Castañer, César I. Fernández-Lázaro, Olga Portolés, Nancy Babio, Ramón Estruch and Álvaro Hernáez

Antioxidants 2021, 10(3), 397; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/antiox10030397 - 05 Mar 2021

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3310

Abstract

Our aim was to assess whether long-term adherence to a Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) and leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) were associated with a lower initiation of cardiovascular drug use. We studied the association between cumulative average of MedDiet adherence and LTPA and the risk of cardiovascular drug initiation in older adults at high cardiovascular risk (PREvención con DIeta MEDiterránea trial participants) non-medicated at baseline: glucose-lowering drugs (n = 4437), antihypertensives (n = 2145), statins (n = 3977), fibrates (n = 6391), antiplatelets (n = 5760), vitamin K antagonists (n = 6877), antianginal drugs (n = 6837), and cardiac glycosides (n = 6954). One-point increases in MedDiet adherence were linearly associated with a decreased initiation of glucose-lowering (HR: 0.76 [0.71–0.80]), antihypertensive (HR: 0.79 [0.75–0.82]), statin (HR: 0.82 [0.78–0.85]), fibrate (HR: 0.78 [0.68–0.89]), antiplatelet (HR: 0.79 [0.75–0.83]), vitamin K antagonist (HR: 0.83 [0.74; 0.93]), antianginal (HR: 0.84 [0.74–0.96]), and cardiac glycoside therapy (HR: 0.69 [0.56–0.84]). LTPA was non-linearly related to a delayed initiation of glucose-lowering, antihypertensive, statin, fibrate, antiplatelet, antianginal, and cardiac glycoside therapy (minimum risk: 180–360 metabolic equivalents of task-min/day). Both combined were synergistically associated with a decreased onset of glucose-lowering drugs (p-interaction = 0.04), antihypertensive drugs (p-interaction < 0.001), vitamin K antagonists (p-interaction = 0.04), and cardiac glycosides (p-interaction = 0.01). Summarizing, sustained adherence to a MedDiet and LTPA were associated with lower risk of initiating cardiovascular-related medications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant-Based Diets and Their Antioxidant Role in Human Health)

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13 pages, 1442 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Health Potential of Aloe vera against Oxidative Stress Induced Corneal Damage: An “In Vitro” Study

by Ida Ceravolo, Federica Mannino, Natasha Irrera, Francesco Squadrito, Domenica Altavilla, Giorgia Ceravolo, Giovanni Pallio and Letteria Minutoli

Antioxidants 2021, 10(2), 318; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/antiox10020318 - 20 Feb 2021

Cited by 20 | Viewed by 2979

Abstract

Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) is characterized by the gradual deterioration of corneal endothelial cells (CECs) and is the most common cause of corneal transplantation worldwide. CECs apoptosis caused by oxidative stress plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of FECD. Antioxidant compounds have been of considerable significance as a candidate treatment in the management of corneal diseases. Based on these findings, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of an aloe extract with antioxidant properties, in an “in vitro” model of FECD. Human corneal epithelial (HCE) cells were preincubated with aloe extract 100 μg/mL, two hours before hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) stimulus. H₂O₂ challenge significantly reduced the cell viability, increased the generation of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) and malondialdehyde levels. Moreover, m-RNA expression and activity of Nrf-2, Catalase and Superoxide dismutase (SOD) were reduced together with an enhanced expression of IL-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), IL-6, and cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2). Furthermore, Bcl-2, Caspase-3 and Caspase-8 expression were down-regulated while Bax was up-regulated by H₂O₂ stimulus. Aloe extract blunted the oxidative stress-induced inflammatory cascade triggered by H₂O₂ and modulated apoptosis. Aloe extract defends HCE cells from H₂O₂-induced injury possibly due its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, indicating that eye drops containing aloe extract may be used as an adjunctive treatment for FECD. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant-Based Diets and Their Antioxidant Role in Human Health)

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Review

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23 pages, 1282 KiB

Open AccessReview

Chocolate and Cocoa-Derived Biomolecules for Brain Cognition during Ageing

by Corinna Zeli, Mauro Lombardo, Maximilian Andreas Storz, Morena Ottaviani and Gianluca Rizzo

Antioxidants 2022, 11(7), 1353; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/antiox11071353 - 12 Jul 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 6811

Abstract

Cognitive decline is a common problem in older individuals, often exacerbated by neurocognitive conditions, such as vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, which heavily affect people’s lives and exert a substantial toll on healthcare systems. Currently, no cure is available, and commonly used treatments are aimed at limiting the progressive loss of cognitive functions. The absence of effective pharmacological treatments for the cognitive decline has led to the search for lifestyle interventions, such as diet and the use of nutraceuticals that can prevent and limit the loss of cognition. Cocoa and chocolate are foods derived from cocoa beans, commonly used in the population and with good acceptability. The purpose of this review was to collect current experimental evidence regarding the neuroprotective effect of chocolate and cocoa (or derived molecules) in the elderly. From a systematic review of the literature, 9 observational studies and 10 interventional studies were selected, suggesting that the biomolecules contained in cocoa may offer promising tools for managing cognitive decline, if provided in adequate dosages and duration of treatment. However, the molecular mechanisms of cocoa action on the central nervous system are not completely understood. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant-Based Diets and Their Antioxidant Role in Human Health)

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37 pages, 1158 KiB

Open AccessReview

Recent Advances in Drumstick (Moringa oleifera) Leaves Bioactive Compounds: Composition, Health Benefits, Bioaccessibility, and Dietary Applications

by Piyush Kashyap, Shiv Kumar, Charanjit Singh Riar, Navdeep Jindal, Poonam Baniwal, Raquel P. F. Guiné, Paula M. R. Correia, Rahul Mehra and Harish Kumar

Antioxidants 2022, 11(2), 402; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/antiox11020402 - 16 Feb 2022

Cited by 59 | Viewed by 16139

Abstract

Based on the availability of many nutrients, Moringa oleifera tree leaves have been widely employed as nutrients and nutraceuticals in recent years. The leaves contain a small amount of anti-nutritional factors and are abundant in innumerable bioactive compounds. Recently, in several in vivo and in vitro investigations, moringa leaves’ bioactive components and functionality are highlighted. Moringa leaves provide several health advantages, including anti-diabetic, antibacterial, anti-cancer, and anti-inflammatory properties. The high content of phytochemicals, carotenoids, and glucosinolates is responsible for the majority of these activities as reported in the literature. Furthermore, there is growing interest in using moringa as a value-added ingredient in the development of functional foods. Despite substantial study into identifying and measuring these beneficial components from moringa leaves, bioaccessibility and bioavailability studies are lacking. This review emphasizes recent scientific evidence on the dietary and bioactive profiles of moringa leaves, bioavailability, health benefits, and applications in various food products. This study highlights new scientific data on the moringa leaves containing nutrient and bioactive profiles, bioavailability, health benefits, and uses in various food items. Moringa has been extensively used as a health-promoting food additive because of its potent protection against various diseases and the widespread presence of environmental toxins. More research is needed for utilization as well as to study medicinal effects and bioaccesibility of these leaves for development of various drugs and functional foods. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant-Based Diets and Their Antioxidant Role in Human Health)

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19 pages, 1584 KiB

Open AccessReview

The Relevance of Plant-Derived Se Compounds to Human Health in the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Pandemic Era

by Leonardo Warzea Lima, Serenella Nardi, Veronica Santoro and Michela Schiavon

Antioxidants 2021, 10(7), 1031; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/antiox10071031 - 25 Jun 2021

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 3470

Abstract

Dietary selenium (Se)-compounds accumulated in plants are essential for human metabolism and normal physiological processes. Inorganic and organic Se species can be readily absorbed by the human body, but are metabolized differently and thus exhibit distinct mechanisms of action. They can act as antioxidants or serve as a source of Se for the synthesis of selenoproteins. Selenocysteine, in particular, is incorporated at the catalytic center of these proteins through a specific insertion mechanism and, due to its electronic features, enhances their catalytic activity against biological oxidants. Selenite and other Se-organic compounds may also act as direct antioxidants in cells due to their strong nucleophilic properties. In addition, Se-amino acids are more easily subjected to oxidation than the corresponding thiols/thioethers and can bind redox-active metal ions. Adequate Se intake aids in preventing several metabolic disorders and affords protection against viral infections. At present, an epidemic caused by a novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) threatens human health across several countries and impacts the global economy. Therefore, Se-supplementation could be a complementary treatment to vaccines and pharmacological drugs to reduce the viral load, mutation frequency, and enhance the immune system of populations with low Se intake in the diet. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant-Based Diets and Their Antioxidant Role in Human Health)

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25 pages, 796 KiB

Open AccessReview

Plant Foods Rich in Antioxidants and Human Cognition: A Systematic Review

by Luciana Baroni, Anna Rita Sarni and Cristina Zuliani

Antioxidants 2021, 10(5), 714; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/antiox10050714 - 30 Apr 2021

Cited by 31 | Viewed by 7411

Abstract

Oxidative stress can compromise central nervous system integrity, thereby affecting cognitive ability. Consumption of plant foods rich in antioxidants could thereby protect cognition. We systematically reviewed the literature exploring the effects of antioxidant-rich plant foods on cognition. Thirty-one studies were included: 21 intervention, 4 cross-sectional (one with a cohort in prospective observation as well), and 6 prospective studies. Subjects belonged to various age classes (young, adult, and elderly). Some subjects examined were healthy, some had mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and some others were demented. Despite the different plant foods and the cognitive assessments used, the results can be summarized as follows: 7 studies reported a significant improvement in all cognitive domains examined; 19 found significant improvements only in some cognitive areas, or only for some food subsets; and 5 showed no significant improvement or no effectiveness. The impact of dietary plant antioxidants on cognition appears promising: most of the examined studies showed associations with significant beneficial effects on cognitive functions—in some cases global or only in some specific domains. There was typically an acute, preventive, or therapeutic effect in young, adult, and elderly people, whether they were healthy, demented, or affected by MCI. Their effects, however, are not attributable only to anti-oxidation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant-Based Diets and Their Antioxidant Role in Human Health)

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22 pages, 1788 KiB

Open AccessReview

Diet-Derived Antioxidants and Their Role in Inflammation, Obesity and Gut Microbiota Modulation

by Andrea Deledda, Giuseppe Annunziata, Gian Carlo Tenore, Vanessa Palmas, Aldo Manzin and Fernanda Velluzzi

Antioxidants 2021, 10(5), 708; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/antiox10050708 - 29 Apr 2021

Cited by 51 | Viewed by 8475

Abstract

It is generally accepted that gut microbiota, inflammation and obesity are linked to the development of cardiovascular diseases and other chronic/non-communicable pathological conditions, including cancer, neurodegenerative diseases and ageing-related disorders. In this scenario, oxidative stress plays a pivotal role. Evidence suggests that the global dietary patterns may represent a tool in counteracting oxidative stress, thus preventing the onset of diseases related to oxidative stress. More specifically, dietary patterns based on the regular consumption of fruits and vegetables (i.e., Mediterranean diet) have been licensed by various national nutritional guidelines in many countries for their health-promoting effects. Such patterns, indeed, result in being rich in specific components, such as fiber, minerals, vitamins and antioxidants, whose beneficial effects on human health have been widely reported. This suggests a potential nutraceutical power of specific dietary components. In this manuscript, we summarize the most relevant evidence reporting the impact of dietary antioxidants on gut microbiota composition, inflammation and obesity, and we underline that antioxidants are implicated in a complex interplay between gut microbiota, inflammation and obesity, thus suggesting their possible role in the development and modulation of chronic diseases related to oxidative stress and in the maintenance of wellness. Do all roads lead to Rome? Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant-Based Diets and Their Antioxidant Role in Human Health)

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16 pages, 658 KiB

Open AccessReview

The Impact of a Plant-Based Diet on Gestational Diabetes: A Review

by Antonio Schiattarella, Mauro Lombardo, Maddalena Morlando and Gianluca Rizzo

Antioxidants 2021, 10(4), 557; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/antiox10040557 - 02 Apr 2021

Cited by 26 | Viewed by 7464

Abstract

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) represents a challenging pregnancy complication in which women present a state of glucose intolerance. GDM has been associated with various obstetric complications, such as polyhydramnios, preterm delivery, and increased cesarean delivery rate. Moreover, the fetus could suffer from congenital malformation, macrosomia, neonatal respiratory distress syndrome, and intrauterine death. It has been speculated that inflammatory markers such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin (IL) 6, and C-reactive protein (CRP) impact on endothelium dysfunction and insulin resistance and contribute to the pathogenesis of GDM. Nutritional patterns enriched with plant-derived foods, such as a low glycemic or Mediterranean diet, might favorably impact on the incidence of GDM. A high intake of vegetables, fibers, and fruits seems to decrease inflammation by enhancing antioxidant compounds. This aspect contributes to improving insulin efficacy and metabolic control and could provide maternal and neonatal health benefits. Our review aims to deepen the understanding of the impact of a plant-based diet on oxidative stress in GDM. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant-Based Diets and Their Antioxidant Role in Human Health)

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