Polyphenols, occurring in fruits and vegetables, wine, tea, extra virgin olive oil, chocolate, and other cocoa products, have been demonstrated to exert beneficial effects on a multitude of disease states, including cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and neurodegenerative disorders. Many of the biological actions of polyphenols have been attributed to their antioxidant properties, either through their reducing capacities per se or through their possible influences on intracellular redox status. However, it has become clear that, in complex biological systems, polyphenols exhibit several additional properties which are yet poorly understood.

As antioxidants, polyphenols may protect cell constituents against oxidative damage. Therefore, they can limit the risk of various degenerative diseases associated with oxidative stress, such as cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, and cancer. However, accumulating evidence indicates that the classical hydrogen-donating antioxidant activity is unlikely to be the sole explanation for cellular effects of polyphenols. It is evident that polyphenols are potent bioactive molecules, and a clear understanding of their precise mechanisms of action as either antioxidants or modulators of cell signaling is crucial to the evaluation of their potential as anticancer agents and inhibitors of neurodegeneration.

We invite investigators to contribute original research articles as well as review articles that will stimulate the continuing efforts to understand the precise effects of polyphenols in vitro and in vivo. We are particularly interested in articles describing the molecular mechanisms of action by which polyphenols exert their beneficial or toxic effects in degenerative diseases. Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

• Role of polyphenols in molecular signaling
• Role of polyphenols in redox modulation
• Effect of polyphenols on apoptosis induction
• Potential effect of polyphenols in cancer
• Potential effect of polyphenols in neurodegenerative diseases
• Potential effect of polyphenols in cardiovascular diseases
• Potential effect of polyphenols in stem cell proliferation and differentiation

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