TITLE:
Research Progress of Polyphenolic Antioxidants in Disease Therapy: Molecular Mechanisms and Clinical Applications
AUTHORS:
Luhong Yang, Yaqi Guo, Wenhui Cheng, Yuchong Li, Hongwei Bai, Wei Chen, Huafeng Wang
KEYWORDS:
Antioxidants, Cancer, Cardiovascular Diseases, Neurodegenerative Diseases, Polyphenols
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Access Library Journal,
Vol.13 No.5,
May
22,
2026
ABSTRACT: Polyphenolic antioxidants are a diverse class of plant-derived secondary metabolites ubiquitously found in plant-based foods, highly promising for therapeutic intervention of various diseases. This review systematically covers dietary polyphenols from common food sources, purified compounds, polyphenol-rich plant extracts, and emerging delivery systems for bioavailability enhancement, with a core focus on their molecular mechanisms of action and therapeutic potential in neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and malignancies. The review details diverse molecular mechanisms underpinning polyphenol efficacy, extending beyond direct antioxidant activity to include modulation of signaling pathways, enzyme inhibition, and gene expression regulation. Evidence demonstrates their potential in mitigating oxidative stress, inflammation, and specific pathological processes characteristic of Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, atherosclerosis, hypertension, and various cancers. However, significant challenges in pharmacokinetics, particularly poor bioavailability and extensive metabolism, hinder clinical translation. While preclinical evidence is compelling, overcoming bioavailability limitations via novel delivery systems or structural optimization is crucial for clinical advancement.