Ferroptosis, an iron-dependent and lipid peroxidation-driven mode of regulated cell death, holds significant pathological significance. Its dysregulation manifests in dual facets: inhibition promotes tumorigenesis, whereas overactivation aggravates neurological disorders and organ injury. This paper systematically reviews the core molecular mechanisms of ferroptosis and provides a comprehensive summary of recent advances in its modulators: inducers classified by targets (GPX4 axis, iron metabolism, lipid metabolism, and GPX4-independent antioxidant pathways) and inhibitors classified by source (synthetic and natural). It places a particular focus on summarizing and analyzing the optimization strategies, mechanisms of action, existing limitations, and future directions for novel ferroptosis modulators, to offer valuable insights for future drug development targeting ferroptosis.

With the intensification of the population aging worldwide, neurological disorders (NDs) are seriously threatening human society. Mulberry, a traditional economic crop, is a significant medicinal plant. Increasing evidence suggests that phytochemicals from mulberry play critical roles in the prevention and treatment of NDs. This paper reviews the recently reported phytochemicals from mulberry with neuroprotective effects and systematically summarizes neuroprotective mechanisms and their classifications. Based on their origins from different parts of mulberry, the extracts with neuroprotective effects are classified into mulberry fruit extract and mulberry leaf extract. According to the compound structures, the compounds are divided into flavonoids, Diels–Alder-type adducts (DAAs), benzofurans, quinones, stilbenes, and alkaloids. This aims to provide a future reference for their pharmaceutical development and utilization.