Mitochondria are cytoplasmic double-membraned organelles that are involved in a myriad of key cellular regulatory processes. The loss of mitochondrial function is related to the pathogenesis of several human diseases. Over the last decades, an increasing number of studies have shown that dietary polyphenols can regulate mitochondrial redox status, and in some cases, prevent or delay disease progression. This paper aims to review the role of four dietary polyphenols – resveratrol, curcumin, epigallocatechin-3-gallate nd quercetin – in molecular pathways regulated by mitochondria and their potential impact on human health. Cumulative evidence showed that the aforementioned polyphenols improve mitochondrial functions in different in vitro and in vivo experiments. The mechanisms underlying the polyphenols’ beneficial effects include, among others, the attenuation of oxidative stress, the regulation of mitochondrial metabolism and biogenesis and the modulation of cell-death signaling cascades, among other mitochondrial-independent effects. The understanding of the chemicalbiological interactions of dietary polyphenols, namely with mitochondria, may have a huge impact on the treatment of mitochondrial dysfunction-related disorders.

Introduction: Piperine is a simple and pungent alkaloid found in the seeds of black pepper (Piper nigrum). Following its isolation and full characterization, the biological properties of piperine have been extensively studied and piperine-like derivatives have shown an interesting range of pharmacological activities. In this context, significant advances have been made in the discovery of new chemical entities, based on the piperine scaffold, endowed with therapeutic potential.Areas covered: The aim of this review is to provide a thorough inquiry on the therapeutic potential of piperine and related derivatives. It provides an overview of recent developments in patented processes and applications thereof between 2000 and 2015.Expert opinion: Cumulative evidence shows that piperine is currently paving its way to become a privileged scaffold for the development of bioactive compounds with therapeutic application in multiple human diseases. In particular, piperine derivatives were shown to modulate th...