Functional foods are a central paradigm in modern nutrition science, acting as effective vehicles for the delivery of bioactive compounds that link conventional nutrition and preventive medicine. Beyond their basic nutritional role, these foods are specifically designed or naturally enriched to convey biologically active constituents capable of modulating physiological functions and reducing the risk of chronic diseases, thereby supporting long-term health maintenance. The chemical composition of functional foods—including polyphenols, phytosterols, vitamins and dietary fibers—underlies their capacity to act as matrices that protect, transport, and enhance the bioavailability of bioactive molecules. This review provides an integrated nutritional perspective on functional foods, with particular emphasis on their role as delivery systems for health-promoting compounds. The molecular mechanisms by which food bioactives interact with cellular and molecular targets, regulate oxidative stress and inflammation, and modulate metabolic and immune pathways are critically discussed. Special attention is devoted to redox-active bioactives, the structural diversity and bioavailability of polyphenols, the cholesterol-lowering properties of phytosterols, the physiological relevance of fat- and water-soluble vitamins, and the complex interactions between functional foods, gut microbiota, prebiotics, probiotics, and dietary fibers. Overall, this review aims to provide a comprehensive scientific framework for understanding how functional foods can be strategically engineered and utilized as bioactive compound vehicles in health promotion and disease prevention.

Micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) are increasingly recognized as pervasive environmental contaminants with profound implications for ecosystems and human health. Their small size, compositional diversity, and occurrence across complex matrices—including water, soil, food, and biological samples—pose substantial analytical challenges. Conventional techniques such as vibrational spectroscopy, chromatographic analysis, and electron microscopy have yielded critical insights into MNP composition, morphology, and distribution; however, these methods often face limitations in sensitivity, throughput, and adaptability to real-world samples. Recent advances in nanotechnology have catalyzed the emergence of nanodevices—encompassing nanosensors, nanopore systems, integrated lab-on-a-chip platforms and nanostructured capture materials—that promise enhanced sensitivity, specificity, and the capacity for real-time, in situ detection. These innovations not only facilitate high-throughput analysis but also provide novel opportunities for integrated characterization of MNPs across diverse matrices. This review synthesizes the current state of nanodevice-based MNP detection, critically examining their principles, performance, and limitations relative to conventional approaches, and outlining the key needs for standardization, matrix-specific adaptation, and regulatory harmonization.

Botanical extracts represent a rich and sustainable source of polyphenolic compounds with significant potential in anticancer research. Among these, hesperidin, naringenin, hydroxytyrosol, oleuropein, and quercetin have attracted considerable attention due to their abundance in widely consumed plants such as citrus fruits, olive derivatives, and various fruits and vegetables. However, their clinical translation is hindered by intrinsic limitations including poor solubility, low stability, and limited bioavailability. In this context, nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems have emerged as a promising strategy to enhance the therapeutic performance of these bioactive compounds. This review provides an overview of polyphenol-rich botanical matrices and focuses on recent advances in their nanoformulation. Various nanocarriers, including polymeric nanoparticles, liposomes, solid lipid nanoparticles, and nanoemulsions, are discussed in terms of their ability to improve physicochemical properties, protect against degradation, and enhance delivery efficiency. Special attention is given to the challenges associated with the encapsulation of complex botanical extracts and the need to preserve their compositional integrity and synergistic effects. Overall, nanoformulation represents a powerful approach to overcome current limitations and unlock the full potential of plant-derived polyphenols in anticancer applications.

Cancer remains one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with lung, breast, and colorectal cancers among the most prevalent and lethal malignancies. In recent years, extracellular vesicles (EVs) have emerged as important mediators of intercellular communication and promising tools in oncology. EVs are membrane-bound vesicles released by most cell types and carry diverse biomolecules, including nucleic acids, proteins, lipids, and metabolites derived from their parent cells. Their presence in biological fluids makes them attractive candidates for liquid biopsy applications and minimally invasive cancer diagnosis. In addition, EVs have gained considerable attention as therapeutic platforms due to their biocompatibility, stability, and ability to deliver functional cargo to recipient cells. Beyond mammalian EVs, plant-derived extracellular vesicles (PDEVs) are increasingly being investigated as scalable and potentially safe nanocarriers for biomedical applications. This review summarizes current advances in the use of EVs for cancer diagnosis and therapy, with particular emphasis on their role as biomarkers, drug-delivery systems, and emerging therapeutic agents. Furthermore, the review discusses current challenges and future perspectives related to EV isolation, characterization, and clinical translation in oncology.

Maclura pomifera (Raf.) C.K. Schneid., commonly known as Osage orange, is an ornamental tree widely distributed in urban and rural environments due to its resilience to abiotic stress, fast growth, and adaptability to marginal soils. However, its fruits and pruning residues are largely underutilized and typically discarded as green waste, despite representing a rich and sustainable source of bioactive phytochemicals, particularly phenolic acids and prenylated flavonoids with recognized antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. The present study aimed to characterize the phytochemical profile and biological activities of aqueous, ethanolic, methanolic, and phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) extracts obtained from M. pomifera leaves. Comprehensive LC-MS/MS analysis was employed to identify and compare the major bioactive constituents across extraction systems. Among the tested solvents, the PBS extract demonstrated the most favorable overall performance, exhibiting the highest extraction efficiency and enhanced total phenolic content (TPC). The PBS extract was therefore selected for further application and incorporated into an experimental zootechnical feed based on Lolium multiflorum (Italian ryegrass), a widely used forage in ruminant nutrition. LC-MS/MS-based evaluation of the functionalized feed confirmed a substantial enrichment in key antioxidant compounds, including flavonoids, flavan-3-ols, and phenolic acids, indicating efficient transfer of bioactive metabolites into the forage matrix. Overall, the results highlight the potential of M. pomifera leaves as a sustainable source of high-value bioactive compounds and demonstrate their applicability in the development of functional feeds aimed at improving the nutritional and oxidative profile of conventional forages.