Aleksandra Szychowska

Ms. Aleksandra Szychowska

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

3Years (2024-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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7 November 2024 in Antioxidants
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
MGMikolaj Grabarczyk
Mikolaj Grabarczyk
WSWeronika Szczepańska
Weronika Szczepańska
JCJoanna Czpakowska
Joanna Czpakowska
ESEwa Maria Smolińska
Ewa Maria Smolińska
ASAleksandra Szychowska
Aleksandra Szychowska
PSPiotr Szpakowski
Piotr Szpakowski
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.

1 July 2025 in Nutrients
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
WSWeronika Szczepańska
Weronika Szczepańska
MGMikolaj Grabarczyk
Mikolaj Grabarczyk
ESEwa Maria Smolińska
Ewa Maria Smolińska
ASAleksandra Szychowska
Aleksandra Szychowska
AGAndrzej Glabinski
Andrzej Glabinski
PSPiotr Szpakowski
Piotr Szpakowski
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.

Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
ESEwa Maria Smolińska
Ewa Maria Smolińska
MGMikolaj Grabarczyk
Mikolaj Grabarczyk
WSWeronika Szczepańska
Weronika Szczepańska
ASAleksandra Szychowska
Aleksandra Szychowska
AGAndrzej Glabinski
Andrzej Glabinski
PSPiotr Szpakowski
Piotr Szpakowski
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.

17 October 2025 in Scientia Pharmaceutica
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
MGMikolaj Grabarczyk
Mikolaj Grabarczyk
ASAleksandra Szychowska
Aleksandra Szychowska
SKSebastian Kozłowski
Sebastian Kozłowski
Kasper SipowiczKasper Sipowicz
Kasper Sipowicz
TPTadeusz Pietras
Tadeusz Pietras
Monika Różycka-KosmalskaMonika Różycka-Kosmalska
Monika Różycka-Kosmalska
As a metabolism-controlling peptide, insulin affects activity of almost all tissues in human organisms, including the ones located in the central nervous system. By modifying glucose uptake and processing, as well as inducing anabolic effects, insulin alters functions of various nerve centers. Data from numerous clinical trials prove that such actions can have positive influence on cognitive processes or might be utilized as measures to control appetite, mood, and blood flow, or to prevent unfavorable mental states associated with diminished ability to maintain homeostasis. The intranasal route of administration provides an efficient and targeted delivery method, allowing insulin to be applied directly to different brain regions via the nasal mucosa. Such an approach can also reduce the risk of potential adverse effects associated with this medication, including drops in plasma glucose levels. This review gathers clinical studies’ findings on intranasal insulin’s neuromodulatory properties and its efficacy as additional treatment measure in several neuropsychiatric disease entities.

27 August 2026 in Molecules
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
ASAleksandra Szychowska
Aleksandra Szychowska
MGMikolaj Grabarczyk
Mikolaj Grabarczyk
WSWeronika Szczepańska
Weronika Szczepańska
ESEwa Maria Smolińska
Ewa Maria Smolińska
AGAndrzej Glabinski
Andrzej Glabinski
PSPiotr Szpakowski
Piotr Szpakowski
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.

9 July 2026 in Quality in Sport
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
MGMikolaj Grabarczyk
Mikolaj Grabarczyk
SKSebastian Kozłowski
Sebastian Kozłowski
BBBartosz Błaszczyk
Bartosz Błaszczyk
WSWeronika Szczepańska
Weronika Szczepańska
ASAleksandra Szychowska
Aleksandra Szychowska
ESEwa Maria Smolińska
Ewa Maria Smolińska
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.