Natural Compounds in Metabolic Health: Mechanisms and Applications

Submission Deadline: 15 July 2025 View: 12 Submit to Special Issue

Guest Editors

Prof. Dr. José Cláudio Fonseca Moreira

Email: 00006866@ufrgs.br

Affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Center for Oxidative Stress Studies, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul - Porto Alegre (RS), Brazil

Homepage:

Research Interests: systems biology, reactive species signalling, antioxidants, microbiome, neurodegenerative and metabolic diseases cross-talk, Vitamin A

Prof. Dr. Matheus Augusto de Bittencourt Pasquali

Email: matheus.augusto@professor.ufcg.edu.br

Affiliation: Engineering and Management of Natural Resources Department, Federal University of Campina Grande, Campina Grande-PB, Brazil

Research Interests: natural compound characterization, antioxidant potential, redox active properties, cell culture models, nutraceutical and phytoterapic development

Prof. Dr. Karla Suzana Moresco

Email: karlamoresco@gmail.com

Affiliation: Department of Food Engineering, Federal University of Technology-Paraná, Francisco Beltrão, Brazil

Research Interests: food technology and development, bioactive compounds, food biodiversity, bioactive substitutes for food processing; metabolic and nutritional biochemistry

Dr. Henrique Mautone Gomes

Email: hm.gomes93@gmail.com

Affiliation: Center of Oxidative Stress Studies, Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Basic Health Sciences - Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul - UFRGS, Brazil

Research Interests: polypharmacology, antioxidant therapy, oxidative stress and signalling, metabolic diseases, diabetes, neurodegenerative diseases

Summary

Recently, Natural Compounds have shown significant therapeutic potential, especially in addressing multifactorial metabolic health challenges, usually aiding early in the prevention or later as adjuvants for traditional therapy. These bioactive molecules play a crucial role in modulating oxidative stress, inflammation, and other molecular pathways, thereby controlling chronic conditions such as Metabolic Syndrome, hepatic stress, and microbiome-related alterations. These chronic conditions shall influence the establishment of more problematic conditions and diseases, like type-2 Diabetes, liver and kidney disease and failure, and dysbiosis related inflammatory bowel diseases. This special issue aims to explore the underlying molecular mechanisms through which natural compounds exert these protective effects, with a particular focus on their antioxidant capacity and their impact on these metabolic related disorders. By bringing together leading and high-quality research on the interplay between natural compounds and metabolic health, this issue seeks to provide insights into novel therapeutic applications and intervention strategies.

Key areas of focus include but are not limited to:

1. Natural Compounds and Oxidative Stress in Metabolic Syndrome  

Investigate the antioxidant mechanisms by which natural compounds reduce oxidative stress associated with Metabolic Syndrome.  

Explore cellular signalling pathways affected by these compounds to mitigate chronic metabolic dysfunction.

2. Hepatic Stress and Natural Therapeutics  

Examine molecular pathways through which natural compounds protect against liver stress and/or enhance hepatic function.  

Understand the role of natural antioxidants in reducing liver damage linked to metabolic disturbances, such as increased circulation of fatty-acids and pro-inflammatory molecules.

3. Natural Compounds and Gut Microbiome Modulation  

Track and determine the influence of natural compounds on gut microbiome composition and function as possible intervention therapy to support metabolic health.  

Investigate downstream effects of changes on microbiome composition, diversity, and of specific genera or species, on systemic health and metabolic regulation.

4. Therapeutic Applications in Metabolic Disorders  

Assess the potential of natural compounds to regulate lipid metabolism, enhance insulin sensitivity, and reduce inflammation in obesity and related disorders.  

Understand cellular mechanisms by which these compounds combat metabolic dysfunction.

5. Mechanisms of Action and Emerging Compounds  

Identify emerging natural compounds with promising effects on metabolic health, with a focus on cellular targets and mechanisms of action.  

Explore the long-term impact of natural compounds on cellular resilience and tissue health in chronic metabolic conditions.

6. Food technology and Natural Compounds as Substitutes for the Industry

Explore Natural Compounds with bioactive value that could present potential to act as substitutes for other molecules in food processing, maintaining their nutritional/therapeutic potential.

Track and identify social and biodiverse compounds that possess both nutritional value as well as additional therapeutic properties.

We welcome original research articles, in-depth reviews, and perspectives that investigate the role of both novel natural compounds and new applications of natural compounds in promoting metabolic health through molecular and cellular mechanisms. By showcasing the latest advancements and identifying current challenges in the field, this issue aims to pave the way for innovative therapeutic strategies using natural compounds to address metabolic health and associated multifactorial disorders.

Research exploring commercially available products, or products with a known history of therapeutic effects, must provide a clear novel methodological or experimental approach. While research exploring novel compounds, or extraction of a novel compound together with animal or cell culture treatment, must preferably provide characterization of these natural compounds or at least in vitro validation of its antioxidant or antiinflammatory effect to justify its use.

Keywords