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Background Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra, resulting in dopamine deficiency and motor dysfunction. While levodopa (L‐DOPA) remains the gold standard for symptomatic treatment, its long‐term administration is associated with complications such as motor fluctuations, dyskinesia, and oxidative stress. Given these limitations, interest has grown in plant‐derived bioactive compounds for their potential neuroprotective and disease‐modifying effects. Methods A systematic literature review was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Web of Science, focusing on peer‐reviewed studies published between 2023 and March 2025. The inclusion criteria targeted in vitro and in vivo preclinical studies as well as clinical trials that directly compared levodopa with plant‐derived compounds in the context of PD. Key search terms included “Parkinson's disease,” “levodopa,” “phytochemicals,” and “plant‐based neuroprotection”. Results Recent studies have highlighted several classes of plant‐based compounds—including polyphenols (resveratrol, curcumin, EGCG), flavonoids (quercetin, apigenin, naringenin), alkaloids (berberine, caffeine, L‐DOPA derived from Mucuna pruriens), and terpenoids (ginkgolide B, celastrol)—as potential neuroprotective agents. These compounds exert multiple actions, such as reducing oxidative stress, blocking neuroinflammation, preventing α‐synuclein aggregation, and protecting mitochondria. Although levodopa effectively addresses motor symptoms, these phytochemicals may complement conventional therapy by targeting underlying disease processes. Conclusions Although levodopa is indispensable for the symptomatic management of PD, emerging evidence supports the integration of plant‐derived bioactive compounds as adjunct therapies with disease‐modifying potential. Future research should prioritize improving bioavailability, developing standardized formulations, and conducting long‐term clinical trials to evaluate the translational applicability of these natural agents in Parkinson's disease therapy. Plant‐derived compounds such as polyphenols, flavonoids, alkaloids, and terpenoids exhibit neuroprotective, antioxidant, and anti‐inflammatory activities in Parkinson's disease models. Unlike levodopa, they provide disease‐modifying benefits by targeting α‐synuclein aggregation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and neuroinflammation.

The misuse and abuse of antibiotics in livestock and poultry seriously endanger both human health and the continuously healthy development of the livestock and poultry breeding industry. Plant-derived bioactive compounds (curcumin, capsaicin, quercetin, resveratrol, catechin, lignans, etc.) have been widely studied in recent years, due to their extensive pharmacological functions and biological activities, such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antistress, antitumor, antiviral, lowering blood glucose and lipids, and improving insulin sensitivity. Numerous studies have demonstrated that plant-derived bioactive compounds are able to enhance the host’s ability to resist or diminish diseases by regulating the abundance of its gut microbiota, achieving great potential as a substitute for antibiotics. Recent developments in both humans and animals have also highlighted the major contribution of gut microbiota to the host’s nutrition, metabolism, immunity, and neurological functions. Changes in gut microbiota composition are closely related to the development of obesity and can lead to numerous metabolic diseases. Mounting evidence has also demonstrated that plant-derived bioactive compounds, especially curcumin, can improve intestinal barrier function by regulating intestinal flora. Furthermore, bioactive constituents can be also directly metabolized by intestinal flora and further produce bioactive metabolites by the interaction between the host and intestinal flora. This largely enhances the protective effect of bioactive compounds on the host intestinal and whole body health, indicating that the bidirectional regulation between bioactive compounds and intestinal flora has great application potential in maintaining the host’s intestinal health and preventing or treating various diseases. This review mainly summarizes the latest research progress in the bioregulation between gut microbiota and plant-derived bioactive compounds, together with its application potential in humans and animals, so as to provide theoretical support for the application of plant-derived bioactive compounds as new feed additives and potential substitutes for antibiotics in the livestock and poultry breeding industry. Overall, based on this review, it can be concluded that plant-derived bioactive compounds, by modulating gut microbiota, hold great promise toward the healthy development of both humans and animal husbandry.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain a leading global cause of morbidity and mortality. These diseases have a multifaceted nature being influenced by a multitude of biochemical, genetic, environmental, and behavioral factors. Epigenetic modifications have a crucial role in the onset and progression of CVD. Epigenetics, which regulates gene activity without altering the DNA’s primary structure, can modulate cardiovascular homeostasis through DNA methylation, histone modification, and non-coding RNA regulation. The effects of environmental stimuli on CVD are mediated by epigenetic changes, which can be reversible and, hence, are susceptible to pharmacological interventions. This represents an opportunity to prevent diseases by targeting harmful epigenetic modifications. Factors such as high-fat diets or nutrient deficiencies can influence epigenetic enzymes, affecting fetal growth, metabolism, oxidative stress, inflammation, and atherosclerosis. Recent studies have shown that plant-derived bioactive compounds can modulate epigenetic regulators and inflammatory responses, contributing to the cardioprotective effects of diets. Understanding these nutriepigenetic effects and their reversibility is crucial for developing effective interventions to combat CVD. This review delves into the general mechanisms of epigenetics, its regulatory roles in CVD, and the potential of epigenetics as a CVD therapeutic strategy. It also examines the role of epigenetic natural compounds (ENCs) in CVD and their potential as intervention tools for prevention and therapy.

Plant-derived bioactive compounds represent a major foundation of modern anticancer therapy and remain a prolific source of molecules with clinically relevant activity. This review provides an integrated classification of plant-derived anticancer compounds based on their clinical development status and predominant molecular mechanisms of action. Established chemotherapeutic agents, including taxanes, vinca alkaloids, and camptothecin derivatives, are distinguished from investigational phytochemicals such as polyphenols, flavonoids, terpenoids, and alkaloids that are under preclinical or clinical evaluation. These compounds target key hallmarks of cancer through modulation of microtubule dynamics, inhibition of topoisomerases, regulation of oncogenic signaling and epigenetic processes, and suppression of angiogenesis, invasion, and metastasis. Particular emphasis is placed on multitarget phytochemicals that interfere with PI3K/Akt, NF-κB, JAK/STAT, and MAPK pathways, induce apoptosis, and promote epigenetic reprogramming. In addition, major translational challenges, especially limited bioavailability, are discussed alongside advances in nano-enabled delivery systems designed to enhance therapeutic efficacy and reduce systemic toxicity. Collectively, this framework highlights the continuing relevance of plant-derived compounds in oncology and supports their rational integration into precision cancer therapy.

Methane (CH4) emission from enteric fermentation of ruminant livestock is a source of greenhouse gases (GHG) and has become a significant concern for global warming. Enteric methane emission is also associated with poor feed efficiency. Therefore, research has focused on identifying dietary mitigation strategies to decrease CH4 emissions from ruminants. In recent years, plant-derived bioactive compounds have been investigated for their potential to reduce CH4 emissions from ruminant livestock. The organosulphur compounds of garlic have been observed to decrease CH4 emission and increase propionate concentration in anaerobic fermentations (in vitro) and in the rumen (in vivo). However, the mode of action of CH4 reduction is not completely clear, and the response in vivo is inconsistent. It might be affected by variations in the concentration and effect of individual substances in garlic. The composition of the diet that is being fed to the animal may also contribute to these differences. This review provides a summary of the effect of garlic and its bioactive compounds on CH4 emissions by ruminants. Additionally, this review aims to provide insight into garlic and its bioactive compounds in terms of enteric CH4 mitigation efficacy, consistency in afficacy, possible mode of action, and safety deriving data from both in vivo and in vitro studies.

The brain’s sensitivity to oxidative stress and neuronal cell death requires effective pharmacotherapy approaches. Current pharmacological therapies are frequently ineffective and display negative side effects. Bioactive chemicals found in plants may provide a potential alternative due to their antioxidant and neuroprotective properties and can be used in therapy and the management of a variety of neuropsychiatric, neurodevelopmental, and neurodegenerative illnesses. Several natural products, including vitamin C, Cammelia sinensis polyphenols, Hypericum perforatum, and Crocus sativus have shown promise in lowering oxidative stress and treating symptoms of major depressive disorder (MDD). Similarly, bioactive compounds such as curcumin, luteolin, resveratrol, quercetin, and plants like Acorus gramineus, Rhodiola rosea, and Ginkgo biloba are associated with neuroprotective effects and symptom improvement in neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Furthermore, in neurodegenerative diseases, natural compounds from Rhodiola rosea, Morinda lucida, and Glutinous rehmannia provide neurological improvement. Further study in clinical samples is required to thoroughly investigate the therapeutic advantages of these bioactive substances for persons suffering from these illnesses.

This study presents plant-assisted synthesis of chitosan nanoparticles (CNPs) using extract via ionic gelation, demonstrating their dual role as antimicrobial agents and enhancers of seed germination under polyethylene glycol (PEG)-induced osmotic stress, a model for drought conditions. The CNPs were characterized by ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and evaluated against methicillin-resistant (MRSA). Seed germination assays involved soaking seeds in a one mg/mL CNP solution for 12 hours. Results revealed that CNPs were efficiently produced via ionic gelation of chitosan with TPP in the presence of extract, resulting in spherical particles with a peak absorption at 339 nm and an average size of 13.06 ± 0.05 nm. The nanoparticles exhibited strong antibacterial activity, particularly against , and significantly enhanced seed germination and growth under both normal and water-limited conditions. These findings highlight that integrating plant-derived bioactive compounds into chitosan nanoparticles not only boosts antimicrobial properties but also improves plant resilience to osmotic stress. This dual functionality positions plant-based CNPs as a sustainable strategy to address drought and pathogen-related challenges in agriculture.

Persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with distinct ion channel abnormalities and their regulatory mechanisms. This review explores the potential of plant‐derived bioactive compounds to correct these dysfunctions. As a prevalent cardiac arrhythmia, AF involves a complex pathogenesis featuring dysregulated activity in potassium, sodium, and calcium channels. Such ionic disturbances foster electrophysiological instability in cardiomyocytes, which contributes to AF initiation and sustenance. Plant‐based compounds have attracted considerable attention for their multitargeted actions, low toxicity, and biocompatibility. Emerging evidence indicates that specific phytochemicals can modulate ion channel function and improve myocardial electrical stability, offering potential avenues for AF therapy. However, the precise mechanisms and clinical translational potential of these compounds require further elucidation. By systematically synthesizing current knowledge, this review assesses the value of plant‐derived compounds in rectifying ionic imbalances, with the aim of informing the development of novel antiarrhythmic therapies and future research directions.

Oxidative stress arises from an imbalance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidant defense mechanisms and disrupts the structural integrity of macromolecules such as lipids, proteins, and DNA. This biochemical imbalance triggers the pathogenesis of cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases and leads to lipid oxidation and quality degradation in food systems. Plant-derived bioactive compounds (BACs) such as polyphenols and terpenes develop versatile molecular strategies to mitigate this oxidative damage. In addition to their direct radical scavenging effects, polyphenols stimulate the synthesis of endogenous antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) by activating the Nrf2–Keap1 signaling pathway. Terpenes, on the other hand, create a specialized protective shield in lipid-based matrices through “chain-breaking” reactions and a “slingshot” mechanism that externally halts the oxidation of γ-terpinene. In food engineering applications, these compounds meet the demand for “clean-label” products by providing alternatives to synthetic antioxidants such as BHA and BHT. Specific terpenes, such as carnosic acid, demonstrate higher performance in inhibiting lipid oxidation compared to their synthetic counterparts. Although BAC use extends the shelf life of products while maintaining color and flavor stability, potential interactions with protein digestibility necessitate dosage management. From a clinical perspective, these compounds suppress inflammatory responses by inhibiting the NF-κB pathway and contribute to the prevention of chronic diseases by modulating the gut microbiota. This review evaluates the capacity of BACs to manage oxidative stress in food preservation technologies and human health through a mechanistic and application-based approach.

Cytokinins are key plant growth regulators that play an important role not only in morphogenesis but also in the regulation of plant-derived bioactive compound production in plant tissue culture systems. In this study, the effects of two cytokinins, 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and zeatin (ZEA), applied at four concentrations (0.1, 0.25, 0.5, and 1.0 mg L−1), were compared in terms of biomass production and phenolic compound accumulation in shoot cultures of Hypericum amblysepalum Hochst. Both cytokinins significantly enhanced plant growth compared to the control, with the highest dry weight (26.5 ± 8.6 mg DW) and shoot number (11.2 ± 4.4 shoots per explant) recorded in cultures supplemented with 0.1 mg L−1 BAP. In contrast, ZEA was more effective in stimulating the accumulation of secondary metabolites. LC–MS/MS analysis revealed that 0.1 mg L−1 ZEA markedly increased the accumulation of major plant-derived bioactive phenolic compounds, including hypericin, pseudohypericin, chlorogenic acid, rutin, luteolin, hesperidin, luteolin-7-glucoside, and hyperoside, compared to the control. Consistent with these findings, total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) were significantly higher in ZEA-treated cultures, which also exhibited stronger DPPH radical scavenging activity, indicating enhanced antioxidant potential. Overall, these results demonstrate that BAP is more suitable for biomass enhancement, whereas ZEA is more effective in improving the production of bioactive phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity in H. amblysepalum shoot cultures, highlighting their potential as a sustainable source of valuable plant-derived bioactive metabolites for pharmaceutical applications.