Aging, a progressive and time-dependent decline in physiological functions, is driven by interconnected hallmarks, among which mitochondrial dysfunction plays a central role. Mitochondria not only regulate energy production but also play key roles in other cellular processes, including ROS generation, apoptosis, and metabolic signaling—all of which decline with aging. Polyphenols are a diverse group of natural compounds found in fruits, vegetables, tea, and wine; they emerged as promising anti-aging agents due to their ability to modulate several hallmarks of aging, particularly mitochondrial dysfunction. This review explores how various polyphenolic classes influence mitochondrial function and mitigate aging-related decline. These natural compounds have been shown to reduce oxidative stress, increase energy production, and help maintain normal mitochondrial structure. Moreover, in vitro and in vivo studies suggest that polyphenols can delay signs of aging and improve physical and cognitive functions. Overall, polyphenols show great potential to promote healthy aging and even delay the decline in physiological functions by protecting and enhancing mitochondrial health.

Cancer is still the world’s most prevalent cause of death, and the limited efficacy of current treatments highlights the requirement for new therapeutic approaches. In this study, neodymium (Nd)-doped cobalt ferrite (CoFe_2₋zNd_zO₄, z = 0; 0.01; 0.02; 0.03; 0.05; 0.1) nanoparticles (Nd0-Nd5) were synthesized via the combustion method. The structural, morphological, and magnetic properties were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM), and scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) analysis. The synthesized compounds demonstrated single-phase spinel structures, with morphological differences observed between undoped and Nd-doped samples. The biological activity of the nanoparticles was evaluated on immortalized human keratinocytes (HaCaT) and on cancer cell lines: melanoma (A375), breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7), and pancreatic carcinoma (PANC-1). The cytotoxic effects of Nd0-Nd5 (50–1000 μg∙mL⁻¹) were assessed through Alamar Blue and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release assays. The results indicated a dose-dependent cytotoxic effect in cancer cell lines. Changes in cell morphology, suggesting the induction of the apoptotic processes, were observed through immunofluorescence staining of F-actin and nuclei. These findings highlight the potential of Nd-doped cobalt ferrite nanoparticles as selective anticancer agents, warranting further investigation to fully elucidate their mechanisms of action and therapeutic applicability.

The cone berries of Juniperus communis L. are rich in bioactive compounds, but biological properties of extracts are strongly influenced by the solvents used to obtain them. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of solvent fractionation on the targeted polyphenolic profile and associated antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anticancer activities of pseudo-fruit extracts. The crude ethanolic extract was subjected to liquid–liquid partitioning to obtain ethyl acetate and n-butanol-soluble fractions, which were characterized by HPLC–MS and FTIR, while total polyphenol content was determined using the Folin–Ciocâlteu method and biological activities were assessed through DPPH, antimicrobial assays, and in vitro cytotoxicity on A375 melanoma and HaCaT keratinocyte cell lines. The ethyl acetate-soluble fraction showed the highest polyphenol content (361.08 ± 17.72 mg chlorogenic acid equivalents/g extract) and was enriched in hyperoside, whereas the n-butanol-soluble fraction contained lower phenolic levels and higher rutoside content; both fractions exhibited antioxidant activity correlated with phenolic content and weak-to-moderate antimicrobial activity, particularly against Streptococcus pyogenes. Cytotoxicity assays revealed a dose-dependent antiproliferative effect, with the ethyl acetate fraction displaying higher activity and greater selectivity toward melanoma cells, confirmed by apoptosis-related morphological changes. These findings demonstrate that solvent polarity plays a critical role in enriching bioactive phytochemicals and support the potential of J. communis fractions as sources of antioxidant and selective anticancer compounds.

Fatty acids (FAs) have drawn attention in the field of oncology due to their multifaceted role, not only as structural components of lipid-based delivery systems but also as functional moieties that can enhance the pharmacokinetic and biological behavior of anticancer drugs and, subsequently, their therapeutic performance. Due to their biocompatibility, structural diversity, high affinity for biological membranes, and albumin-binding capacity, FAs can increase drug lipophilicity, membrane permeability, systemic distribution, tissue distribution, and enable controlled enzymatic release. All these properties endorse the development of nanocarriers containing FAs, such as liposomes, lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery systems (SNEDDS), and self-assembling lipidic prodrugs (LAPs). In addition, several FAs, especially polyunsaturated FAs, seem to have a direct anticancer activity by modulating lipid metabolism, oxidative stress, membrane organization, and regulating cell death pathways. This review summarizes the FA conjugation chemistry, the influence of FA on the pharmacokinetics and tumor-targeting capacity of anticancer agents, and the current developments in FA-based cancer treatment strategies, while also covering the biological functions of FA in cell death pathways and cancer metabolism. By integrating medicinal chemistry, nanocarrier design, pharmacokinetic modulation, and tumor lipid biology, this review positions FA-based strategies as a relevant and evolving platform for improving anticancer drug delivery, tumor selectivity, and therapeutic performance.

Epilobium parviflorum Schreb. is a medicinal plant used traditionally against inflammatory disorders whose cytotoxic potential is still incompletely revealed. The current study investigates the phytochemical composition and in vitro cytotoxic activity of four hydroalcoholic extracts prepared from the aerial parts of E. parviflorum by using maceration and Soxhlet extraction. The extracts were characterized in terms of total phenolic, flavonoid and tannins composition and LC-MS was used to identify its individual polyphenols. Their biological effects were assessed against four cancer cell lines (A375 melanoma, HT-29 colorectal adenocarcinoma, PANC-1 pancreatic carcinoma and SK-OV-3 ovarian adenocarcinoma cells), while using HaCaT keratinocytes as healthy cells in order to assess selectivity. Cell viability, cytoskeletal and nuclear morphology, mitochondrial respiration and network pharmacology were further investigated. A complex phenolic profile was revealed, with hyperoside being identified as the main component in all extracts while the extraction parameters strongly influenced the recovery of various phenolic compounds. All extracts reduced cancer cell viability in a dose-dependent manner after 24 h exposure, with the most pronounced effects observed at 720 and 1000 μg/mL, while HaCaT cells were left relatively unaffected. The morphological assessment indicated nuclear condensation, fragmentation and cytoskeletal disruption following the application of extracts. Moreover, high-resolution respirometry showed reduced oxidative phosphorylation and electron transfer system capacity thus indicating that early mitochondrial dysfunction may contribute to the cytotoxic effects. Network pharmacology revealed that ERBB2, CTNNB1, HSP90AA1 and HDAC6 might act as molecular targets in melanoma. Thus, these findings support the hypothesis that E. parviflorum hydroalcoholic extracts, particularly the 40% ethanol Soxhlet extract, may serve as important sources of bioactive phytocompounds with antiproliferative and apoptotic properties.

Modern research on medicinal plants aims to expand their applications beyond traditional usage. Juniper (Juniperus communis L.) cone berries have a background in the phytotherapy of skin diseases. The present study investigated a diethyl ether fraction (JC-DEE) obtained by sequential solvent partitioning of an ethanolic extract from Juniperus communis L. cone berries. Phytochemical characterization was performed using Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, HPLC–MS, and total phenolic content determination. The antimicrobial activity of JC-DEE and its effects on cell viability and morphology in HaCaT keratinocytes and A375 melanoma cells were evaluated, alongside an exploratory DPPH spectrophotometric assessment. Targeted HPLC–MS analysis identified eleven selected constituents, seven of which were quantified within the validated calibration range, with apigenin (1.971 ± 0.150 µg/mL), protocatechuic acid (1.070 ± 0.049 µg/mL), and luteolin (0.560 ± 0.046 µg/mL) showing the highest concentrations in the analyzed solution. The antimicrobial assay revealed limited inhibitory effects against the tested microorganisms, with inhibition zones ranging from 7 to 10 mm. Exploratory DPPH measurements revealed time- and concentration-associated variations in apparent absorbance reduction. In the cellular assays, JC-DEE produced a concentration-dependent reduction in viability in both human A375 melanoma cells and HaCaT keratinocytes, with estimated IC₅₀ values of 102.7 μg/mL and 129.3 μg/mL, respectively. Phase-contrast microscopy revealed concentration-related morphological alterations, while immunofluorescence analysis at 100 μg/mL demonstrated cytoskeletal and nuclear changes, including nuclear condensation and fragmentation, with apoptotic body-like structures particularly evident in A375 cells. Overall, JC-DEE represents a phytochemically characterized fraction exhibiting limited antimicrobial effects and concentration-dependent cytotoxicity in the investigated cellular models, while its antioxidant potential remains to be validated. Further studies are required to identify the constituents responsible for these effects, clarify the mechanisms of cell death, and assess selectivity and safety in additional non-malignant cellular models.