Heavy metal (HM) pollution, specifically cadmium (Cd) contamination, is a worldwide concern for its consequences for plant health and ecosystem stability. This review sheds light on the intricate mechanisms underlying Cd toxicity in plants and the various strategies employed by these organisms to mitigate its adverse effects. From molecular responses to physiological adaptations, plants have evolved sophisticated defense mechanisms to counteract Cd stress. We highlighted the role of phytochelatins (PC_n) in plant detoxification, which chelate and sequester Cd ions to prevent their accumulation and minimize toxicity. Additionally, we explored the involvement of glutathione (GSH) in mitigating oxidative damage caused by Cd exposure and discussed the regulatory mechanisms governing GSH biosynthesis. We highlighted the role of transporter proteins, such as ATP-binding cassette transporters (ABCs) and heavy metal ATPases (HMAs), in mediating the uptake, sequestration, and detoxification of Cd in plants. Overall, this work offered valuable insights into the physiological, molecular, and biochemical mechanisms underlying plant responses to Cd stress, providing a basis for strategies to alleviate the unfavorable effects of HM pollution on plant health and ecosystem resilience.

Background: Agrifood waste products are often considered rich sources of bioactive compounds that can be conveniently recovered. Due to these peculiar characteristics, the study of these waste products is attracting great interest in nutraceutical research. Olive mill wastewaters (OMWWs) are generated by extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) production, and they pose environmental challenges due to their disposal. This study aimed to characterize the polyphenolic profile and to evaluate the nutraceutical properties of OMWW extracts from two Tuscan olive cultivars, Leccino (CL) and Frantoio (CF), collected during different time points in EVOO production. Method: After a liquid–liquid extraction, the HPLC and LC–MS/MS analysis of OMWW extracts confirmed the presence of 18 polyphenolic compounds. Results: The polyphenol composition varied between the cultivars and during maturation stages. Notably, oleacein was detected at remarkably high levels in CL1 and CF1 extracts (314.628 ± 19.535 and 227.273 ± 3.974 μg/mg, respectively). All samples demonstrated scavenging effects on free radicals (DPPH and ABTS assays) and an anti-inflammatory potential by inhibiting cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes. Conclusions: This study highlights the nutraceutical potential of OMWW extracts, emphasizing their antioxidant, antiradical, and anti-inflammatory activities. The results demonstrate the influence of olive cultivar, maturation stage, and extraction process on the polyphenolic composition and the bioactivity of OMWW extracts. These findings support a more profitable reuse of OMWW as an innovative, renewable, and low-cost source of dietary polyphenols with potential applications as functional ingredients in the development of dietary supplements, as well as in the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries.

This review explores the dual role of skeletal muscle as both a mechanical and endocrine organ, highlighting its contributions to overall health and its adaptability to various inputs such as nutrition, hormones, exercise, and injuries. In addition to its role in metabolism and energy conversion, skeletal muscle secretes signalling molecules called myokines (at rest) and exerkines (during/after physical exercise), which communicate with other organs like the brain, the cardiovascular system, and the immune system. Key molecules such as interleukins, irisin, and myostatin are discussed for their roles in mediating muscle health and inter-organ communication. This work also focuses on the muscle–gut axis, emphasising the bidirectional interaction between skeletal muscle and the gut microbiota, a complex ecosystem influencing immune defence, digestion, and metabolism. Muscle activity, particularly exercise, alters the gut microbial composition, promoting beneficial species, while gut-derived metabolites like short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) impact muscle metabolism, mitochondrial function, and insulin sensitivity. Dysbiosis, or an imbalanced microbiota, can lead to muscle atrophy, inflammation, and metabolic dysfunction. This evidence highlights emerging research into myokines and exerkines as potential therapeutic targets for managing conditions like muscle decline, ageing, and metabolic diseases through muscle–gut interactions.

(1) Background: Autophagy, the major cytoplasmic process of substrate turnover, declines with age, contributing to proteostasis decline, accumulation of harmful protein aggregates, damaged mitochondria and to ROS production. Accordingly, abnormalities in the autophagic flux may contribute to many different pathophysiological conditions associated with ageing, including neurodegeneration. Recent data have shown that extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO) polyphenols stimulate cell defenses against plaque-induced neurodegeneration, mainly, through autophagy induction. (2) Methods: We carried out a set of in vitro experiments on SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells exposed to toxic Aβ_1–42 oligomers to investigate the molecular mechanisms involved in autophagy activation by two olive oil polyphenols, oleuropein aglycone (OleA), arising from the hydrolysis of oleuropein (Ole), the main polyphenol found in olive leaves and drupes and its main metabolite, hydroxytyrosol (HT). (3) Results: Our data show that the mixture of the two polyphenols activates synergistically the autophagic flux preventing cell damage by Aβ_1–42 oligomers., in terms of ROS production, and impairment of mitochondria. (4) Conclusion: Our results support the idea that EVOO polyphenols act synergistically in autophagy modulation against neurodegeneration. These data confirm and provide the rationale to consider these molecules, alone or in combination, as promising candidates to contrast ageing-associated neurodegeneration.

(1) Background: In recent years, numerous studies have highlighted the beneficial effects of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) as an active ingredient against chronic diseases. The properties of EVOO are due to its peculiar composition, mainly to its rich content of polyphenols. In fact, polyphenols may contribute to counteract oxidative stress, which often accompanies chronic diseases. In this work, the antioxidant effects of high-value polyphenol oleocanthal (OC) and its main metabolites, tyrosol (Tyr) and oleocanthalic acid (OA), respectively, have been investigated along with their impact on cell viability. (2) Methods: OC, Tyr, and OA have been evaluated regarding antiradical properties in term of scavenging capacity towards biologically relevant reactive species, including O₂^●−, HOCl, and ROO^●, as well as their antioxidant/antiradical capacity (FRAP, DPPH^●, ABTS^●+). Moreover, the ability to permeate the intestinal membrane was assessed by an intestinal co-culture model composed by Caco-2 and HT29-MTX cell lines. (3) Results: The capacity of OC and Tyr as radical oxygen species (ROS) scavengers, particularly regarding HOCl and O₂^●−, was clearly demonstrated. Furthermore, the ability to permeate the intestinal co-culture model was plainly proved by the good permeations (>50%) achieved by all compounds. (4) Conclusions: OC, OA, and Tyr revealed promising properties against oxidative diseases.