journal article·2025-12-29Open access

Plant-Derived Bioactive Compounds: One Health Perspective

Ana C. Gonçalves, Ana R. Pinto, André Cima, Eva Olo-Fontinha, Joana C. L. Martins, Juliana Garcia, André Lemos, Maria José Saavedra, Maria Manuela Pintado, Maria José Alves

Applied Sciences· Volume 16· Issue 1

Abstract

This review, within the One Health framework, compiles information on plant-derived bioactive compounds and emphasises their multifunctional role in improving environmental, animal, and human health. These compounds support sustainable health and ecological stability by influencing biological and environmental processes. Data from literature research are combined to explain the mechanisms and potential uses of different key bioactive compounds. Mechanistic insights focus on their capacity to regulate oxidative stress, inflammation, and microbial balance, linking these effects to therapeutic benefits in human health, enhanced animal productivity, and environmental sustainability. These compounds show antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and metabolic activities, helping prevent chronic diseases, strengthen immunity, and reduce reliance on antibiotics and pollution. Examples like quercetin, resveratrol, and curcumin demonstrate their roles in modulating inflammatory and metabolic pathways to foster sustainable health and ecological balance. Bioactive compounds are linked to the One Health strategy, providing benefits across biological systems. Nonetheless, challenges such as variability, bioavailability, and standardization remain. Future directions should aim to develop sustainable extraction and formulation methods, leverage omics technologies and artificial intelligence for discovery and characterization, and foster industry partnerships to validate these compounds and secure global regulatory approval.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline

Research context

OpenAlex topics: Curcumin's Biomedical Applications · Bioactive natural compounds · Phytochemicals and Antioxidant Activities

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

AquaValor–Centro de Valorização e Transferência de Tecnologia da Água–Associação, 5400-342 Chaves, Portugal

LiveWell–Research Centre for Active Living & Wellbeing, Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, 5300-253 Bragança, Portugal

Faculty of Law, Vigo University, Ourense Campus, 32004 Ourense, Spain

CITAB–Centre for the Research and Technology of Agroenvironmental and Biological Sciences, CITAB, Inov4Agro, Universidadede Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, UTAD, Quinta de Prados, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal

CBQF–Centro de Biotecnologia e Química Fina–Laboratório Associado, Escola Superior de Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Rua Diogo Botelho 1327, 4169-005 Porto, Portugal

SusTEC–Laboratório Associado para a Sustentabilidade e Tecnologia em Regiões de Montanha, Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Campus de Santa Apolónia, 5300-253 Bragança, Portugal

CECAV–Veterinary and Animal Research Centre and Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Science (AL4AnimalS), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal

AB2Unit–Antimicrobials, Biocides & Biofilms Unit and Veterinary Sciences Department, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), 5001-801 Vila Real, Portugal

Centro de Investigação de Montanha (CIMO), Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Campus de Santa Apolónia, 5300-253 Bragança, Portugal

Funding

FCT–Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology

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