Polyphenols are an important group of biologically active compounds present in almost all food sources of plant origin and are primarily known for their anti-inflammatory and antioxidative capabilities. Numerous studies have indicated their broad spectrum of pharmacological properties and correlations between their increased supply in the human diet and lower prevalence of various disorders. The positive effects of polyphenols application are mostly discussed in terms of cardiovascular system well-being. However, in recent years, they have also increasingly mentioned as prophylactic and therapeutic factors in the context of neurological diseases, being able to suppress the progression of such disorders and soothe accompanying symptoms. Among over 8000 various compounds, that have been identified, the most widely examined comprise resveratrol, curcumin, luteolin and quercetin. This review focuses on in vitro assessments, animal models and clinical trials, reflecting the most actual state of knowledge, of mentioned polyphenols’ medicinal capabilities in epilepsy, demyelinating and neurodegenerative diseases of the central nervous system.

Polyphenols are a group of plant-derived compounds that possess a wide range of possible industrial and pharmaceutical applications. Their mechanisms of action are often enabled by their multifaceted anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. As a result of their promising biological profile, they have been the focus of extensive research, which has examined their potential in the treatment of various diseases. These studies have observed that polyphenols may be associated with decreased neoplastic cellular growth, therefore offering valuable potential in oncological therapies. Quercetin, luteolin, and apigenin belong to the group of polyphenols with the most documented efficacy in this regard, particularly against tumors of glial origin. This review gathers information from a multitude of in vitro investigations and animal-model-based research that explore the molecular pathways and biochemical mechanisms engaged by polyphenols which enable their anti-tumoral activity in the central nervous system. Ultimately, this article aims to summarize this research and use this data to comment on the influence of polyphenols on glioma-affected subjects, in addition to exploring methods for increasing their bioavailability for the purposes of clinical application.

Plant-derived polyphenols have become a subject of scientific interest in recent decades due to their widespread occurrence in dietary sources and multi-faceted biological activity, with many of these compounds being recognized as antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents. Several of these chemicals have, moreover, attracted further interest as their anti-tumoral capabilities were discovered, promising potential implementation in the treatment of proliferative diseases, including various cancers. Malignancies of the central nervous system, the most prevalent of which are glioblastomas, are noted for their aggressiveness, dismal prognosis and low survival rates. This review focuses on two polyphenols with the most expansive body of research on this topic, namely resveratrol and curcumin. It covers recent developments in the research, including in vitro findings, animal model studies and clinical trials on these compounds’ effects on the growth and progression of glial tumors of the central nervous system. Its aim is to present the latest findings on the subject of the mechanisms of action of these phytochemicals and their synergistic activity with conventional therapies, as well as strategies to improve their efficacy for future therapeutic applications.

Polyphenols are a complex class of plant secondary metabolites that exert numerous beneficial effects on human health. The content of individual polyphenolic compounds varies considerably among plant species. Over the past few decades, polyphenols have attracted increasing interest because of their antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. They have also demonstrated beneficial effects in the prevention and treatment of various diseases, including cardiovascular and nervous system disorders, as well as different types of neoplasms. Because polyphenols have been shown to regulate plasma lipid levels and exhibit neuroprotective potential, they have gained attention as possible therapeutic and prophylactic agents for stroke, a neurological condition with a strong cardiovascular component. Quercetin is one of the most extensively studied plant-derived compounds in this context. A growing body of preclinical evidence suggests that it may contribute to stroke prevention and significantly support post-stroke recovery. This review compiles findings from in vitro studies, animal models, and clinical trials and presents the current state of knowledge regarding the biochemical and molecular mechanisms through which quercetin protects against cerebral ischemia.

Double-J ureteral stents are widely used in contemporary urological practice to maintain urinary drainage and protect renal function in patients with obstructive, postoperative, benign, and malignant ureteral conditions. Despite their clinical utility, these devices are frequently associated with pain, lower urinary tract symptoms, sexual discomfort, reduced physical activity, impaired work performance, and deterioration of quality of life. This narrative review summarizes current evidence on determinants of Double-J stent intolerance. Available data indicate that stent-related symptoms are not determined solely by the presence of a foreign body in the urinary tract, but rather by a multidimensional interaction between individual pain susceptibility, psychological phenotype, baseline urinary and pain symptoms, clinical context, microbiological factors, stent material, device geometry, indwelling time, and pharmacological management. Chronic pain conditions, depressive symptoms, anxiety, pain catastrophizing, central sensitization, younger age, higher body mass index, pre-existing urinary symptoms, stone burden, and bilateral disease may increase the risk of poor tolerance. Modifiable device-related factors include excessive intravesical stent length, distal coil crossing the bladder midline, incomplete distal curl, larger diameter, greater stiffness, and conventional designs with substantial bladder material. Softer and smaller-diameter stents, optimized stent positioning, complete intraureteral designs, pigtail-suture stents, and antireflux stents may reduce selected symptom domains. Pharmacological strategies, including alpha-blockers, antimuscarinics, beta-3 agonists, and pregabalin, should be tailored to the dominant symptom profile. A personalized approach integrating preoperative risk stratification, careful device selection, optimized dwell time, and targeted pharmacotherapy may improve stent tolerance and support better clinical decision-making.

Stroke remains one of the leading causes of death and long-term neurological disability worldwide, while currently available therapeutic strategies are limited by narrow treatment windows and incomplete neuroprotection. In this context, plant-derived polyphenols have attracted increasing attention as potential adjunctive agents because of their multimodal biological activity. This review focuses on resveratrol and curcumin, two of the most extensively investigated polyphenols, and evaluates their potential role in the prevention and treatment of ischaemic and haemorrhagic stroke. Evidence from in vitro studies, animal models, and early clinical trials indicates that both compounds may attenuate key mechanisms involved in stroke-related brain injury, including oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, apoptosis, autophagy dysregulation, blood–brain barrier disruption, and microglial activation. Emerging evidence further suggests that interactions with the gut microbiota and modulation of the gut–brain axis may contribute to their biological effects by influencing intestinal barrier integrity, microbial metabolite production, systemic inflammation, and vascular risk. Preclinical studies show that resveratrol and curcumin can reduce infarct volume, limit cerebral oedema, preserve neuronal viability, promote angiogenesis and neurogenesis, and improve neurological and cognitive outcomes. Their beneficial effects have been reported both when administered before stroke onset and after cerebral injury, suggesting potential relevance for both prevention and post-stroke therapy. However, interpretation of these findings requires consideration of the translational limitations of experimental stroke models, which do not fully reproduce the heterogeneity, comorbidities, age profile, and variable reperfusion patterns characteristic of human stroke. Although commonly used models such as middle cerebral artery occlusion provide important mechanistic and therapeutic insights, preclinical efficacy should therefore not be regarded as a direct predictor of clinical benefit. Resveratrol and curcumin may also complement established and emerging treatment strategies, including thrombolysis, endovascular interventions, antihypertensive therapy, and stem cell-based approaches. Nevertheless, their clinical translation remains limited by poor solubility, low bioavailability, rapid metabolism, and insufficient clinical evidence. Novel formulations, including nanoparticles, exosome-based delivery systems, and structurally modified analogues, may help overcome these barriers by improving brain targeting and therapeutic efficacy. Overall, resveratrol and curcumin represent promising but still investigational candidates for adjunctive stroke therapy, requiring further well-designed clinical trials to define their optimal dosing, timing, safety, and clinical value.