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Flavonoids and Other Polyphenols in Health and Disease

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 June 2022) | Viewed by 16093

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Justyna Godos

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Guest Editor

Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
Interests: flavonoids; polyphenols; polyphenol-rich foods; mental health; nutritional epidemiology; sleep
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Prof. Dr. Fabio Galvano

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Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
Interests: polyphenols; mediterranean diet; coffee; functional foods; cardiovascular diseases; cancer; nutritional epidemiology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In recent years, we observed a rise in the prevalence of non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases underlined by subclinical inflammation and oxidative stress. Many factors might have contributed to this phenomenon, including dietary, social, and environmental factors. Certainly, a transition from traditional dietary patterns (i.e., Mediterranean diet) characterized by a high intake of polyphenol-rich foods to Western-like dietary patterns characterized by a high intake of processed foods deprived from healthy nutrients like polyphenols played a role in the higher prevalence of chronic diseases.

Therefore, the aim of this Special Issue is to increase evidence on the effects of polyphenols and polyphenol-rich foods on non-communicable diseases by improving our understanding of their beneficial mechanisms, which in turn may contribute to the development of novel therapies.

We welcome the submission of original contributions, including experimental studies, clinical trials, and observational studies, as well as reviews of published literature exploring and summarizing the effect of polyphenol-rich foods, individual polyphenols, and their metabolites toward non-communicable diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases.

Dr. Justyna Godos
Prof. Dr. Fabio Galvano
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. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. There is an Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal. For details about the APC please see here. 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

flavonoids
polyphenols
polyphenol-rich foods
polyphenol-rich beverages
nutrition
diet
chronic diseases
cardiovascular diseases
neurodegenerative diseases
cancer

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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15 pages, 4682 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Novel Sprague-Dawley Rat Model Presents Improved NASH/NAFLD Symptoms with PEG Coated Vitexin Liposomes

by Adil Farooq, Arfa Iqbal, Nosheen Fatima Rana, Misha Fatima, Tuba Maryam, Farhat Batool, Zahra Rehman, Farid Menaa, Shabia Azhar, Afrah Nawaz, Faheem Amin, Zuhair M. Mohammedsaleh and Salma Saleh Alrdahe

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(6), 3131; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijms23063131 - 15 Mar 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2739

Abstract

Chronic liver disease (CLD) is a global threat to the human population, with manifestations resulting from alcohol-related liver disease (ALD) and non-alcohol fatty liver disease (NAFLD). NAFLD, if not treated, may progress to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Furthermore, inflammation leads to liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Vitexin, a natural flavonoid, has been recently reported for inhibiting NAFLD. It is a lipogenesis inhibitor and activates lipolysis and fatty acid oxidation. In addition, owing to its antioxidant properties, it appeared as a hepatoprotective candidate. However, it exhibits low bioavailability and low efficacy due to its hydrophobic nature. A novel rat model for liver cirrhosis was developed by CCL4/Urethane co-administration. Vitexin encapsulated liposomes were synthesized by the ‘thin-film hydration’ method. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) was coated on liposomes to enhance stability and stealth effect. The diseased rats were then treated with vitexin and PEGylated vitexin liposomes, administered intravenously and orally. Results ascertained the liposomal encapsulation of vitexin and subsequent PEG coating to be a substantial strategy for treating liver cirrhosis through oral drug delivery. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Flavonoids and Other Polyphenols in Health and Disease)

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15 pages, 6798 KiB

Open AccessArticle

S-Equol Protects Chondrocytes against Sodium Nitroprusside-Caused Matrix Loss and Apoptosis through Activating PI₃K/Akt Pathway

by Li-Wen Huang, Tzu-Ching Huang, Yu-Chen Hu, Bau-Shan Hsieh, Hsiao-Ling Cheng, Pu-Rong Chiu and Kee-Lung Chang

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(13), 7054; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijms22137054 - 30 Jun 2021

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2291

Abstract

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common chronic disease with increasing prevalence in societies with more aging populations, therefore, it is causing more concern. S-Equol, a kind of isoflavones, was reported to be bioavailable and beneficial to humans in many aspects, such as improving menopausal symptoms, osteoporosis and prevention of cardiovascular disease. This study investigated the effects of S-Equol on OA progress in which rat primary chondrocytes were treated with sodium nitroprusside (SNP) to mimic OA progress with or without the co-addition of S-Equol for the evaluation of S-Equol’s efficacy on OA. Results showed treatment of 0.8 mM SNP caused cell death, and increased oxidative stress (NO and H₂O₂), apoptosis, and proteoglycan loss. Furthermore, the expressions of MMPs of MMP-2, MMP-3, MMP-9, and MMP-13 and p53 were increased. The addition of 30 μM S-Equol could lessen those caused by SNP. Moreover, S-Equol activates the PI₃K/Akt pathway, which is an upstream regulation of p53 and NO production and is associated with apoptosis and matrix degradation. As a pretreatment of phosphoinositide ₃-kinases (PI₃K) inhibitor, all S-Equol protective functions against SNP decrease or disappear. In conclusion, through PI₃K/Akt activation, S-Equol can protect chondrocytes against SNP-induced matrix degradation and apoptosis, which are commonly found in OA, suggesting S-Equol is a potential for OA prevention. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Flavonoids and Other Polyphenols in Health and Disease)

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12 pages, 22241 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Rutin Modulates MAPK Pathway Differently from Quercetin in Angiotensin II-Induced H9c2 Cardiomyocyte Hypertrophy

by Hawa Nordin Siti, Juriyati Jalil, Ahmad Yusof Asmadi and Yusof Kamisah

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(10), 5063; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijms22105063 - 11 May 2021

Cited by 20 | Viewed by 2891

Abstract

Rutin is a flavonoid with antioxidant property. It has been shown to exert cardioprotection against cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. However, studies regarding its antihypertrophic property are still lacking, whether it demonstrates similar antihypertrophic effect to its metabolite, quercetin. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the effects of both flavonoids on oxidative stress and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway in H9c2 cardiomyocytes that were exposed to angiotensin II (Ang II) to induce hypertrophy. Cardiomyocytes were exposed to Ang II (600 nM) with or without quercetin (331 μM) or rutin (50 μM) for 24 h. A group given vehicle served as the control. The concentration of the flavonoids was chosen based on the reported effective concentration to reduce cell hypertrophy or cardiac injury in H9c2 cells. Exposure to Ang II increased cell surface area, intracellular superoxide anion level, NADPH oxidase and inducible nitric oxide synthase activities, and reduced cellular superoxide dismutase activity and nitrite level, which were similarly reversed by both rutin and quercetin. Rutin had no significant effects on phosphorylated proteins of extracellular signal-related kinases (ERK1/2) and p38 but downregulated phosphorylated c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNK1/2), which were induced by Ang II. Quercetin, on the other hand, had significantly downregulated the phosphorylated proteins of ERK1/2, p38, and JNK1/2. The quercetin inhibitory effect on JNK1/2 was stronger than the rutin. In conclusion, both flavonoids afford similar protective effects against Ang II-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, but they differently modulate MAPK pathway. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Flavonoids and Other Polyphenols in Health and Disease)

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Review

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18 pages, 1831 KiB

Open AccessReview

Insights into the Pharmacological Effects of Flavonoids: The Systematic Review of Computer Modeling

by Amir Taldaev, Roman Terekhov, Ilya Nikitin, Anastasiya Zhevlakova and Irina Selivanova

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(11), 6023; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijms23116023 - 27 May 2022

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 2988

Abstract

Computer modeling is a method that is widely used in scientific investigations to predict the biological activity, toxicity, pharmacokinetics, and synthesis strategy of compounds based on the structure of the molecule. This work is a systematic review of articles performed in accordance with the recommendations of PRISMA and contains information on computer modeling of the interaction of classical flavonoids with different biological targets. The review of used computational approaches is presented. Furthermore, the affinities of flavonoids to different targets that are associated with the infection, cardiovascular, and oncological diseases are discussed. Additionally, the methodology of bias risks in molecular docking research based on principles of evidentiary medicine was suggested and discussed. Based on this data, the most active groups of flavonoids and lead compounds for different targets were determined. It was concluded that flavonoids are a promising object for drug development and further research of pharmacology by in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo models is required. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Flavonoids and Other Polyphenols in Health and Disease)

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26 pages, 1847 KiB

Open AccessReview

Protective Role of Polyphenols in Heart Failure: Molecular Targets and Cellular Mechanisms Underlying Their Therapeutic Potential

by Rami S. Najjar and Rafaela G. Feresin

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(4), 1668; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijms22041668 - 07 Feb 2021

Cited by 21 | Viewed by 3866

Abstract

Heart failure (HF) is a leading cause of death in the United States, with a 5-year mortality rate of 50% despite modern pharmacological therapies. Plant-based diets are comprised of a diverse polyphenol profile, which lends to their association with reduced cardiovascular disease risk. Whether a polyphenol-rich diet can slow the progression of or reverse HF in humans is not known. To date, in vitro and in vivo studies have reported on the protective role of polyphenols in HF. In this review, we will discuss the major mechanisms by which polyphenols mitigate HF in vitro and in vivo, including (1) reduced cardiac inflammation and oxidative stress, (2) reduced mitochondrial dysfunction, (3) improved Ca²⁺ homeostasis, (4) increased survival signaling, and (5) increased sirtuin 1 activity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Flavonoids and Other Polyphenols in Health and Disease)

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