Modulation of mitochondrial DNA copy number: therapeutic potential of phytochemicals and plant extracts—a comprehensive review
Mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNA-CN) is a critical marker of mitochondrial health and plays a key role in cellular bioenergetics. Alterations in mtDNA-CN have been associated with aging, metabolic disorders and neurodegenerative diseases. Recent studies have revealed that various plant-derived extracts, as well as the secondary metabolites they produce, known as phytochemicals, can modulate mtDNA-CN through mechanisms including the regulation of mitochondrial biogenesis, oxidative stress, and mtDNA repair. This review examines plant-derived extracts and phytochemical compounds from a wide range of plant species- including Ginkgo biloba, Crocus sativus, Curcumin and many others- able to modulate mtDNA dynamics, scavenging oxygen free radicals and improving antioxidant defense systems.
Authors
- Annamaria Cerantonio
- Giancarlo Statti (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4780-452X)
- Maria Grazia Cipriani (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3547-4831)
- Francesco Andreozzi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9375-1513)
- Carolina Averta (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6667-6906)
- Beatrice Marziani (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5098-3293)
- Luigi Citrigno (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7410-7781)
- Maria Rosaria Perri (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0560-4420)
- Anna Aureli (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3533-4265)
- Ida Manna (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4777-7138)
- Gaia Chiara Mannino (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6341-4572)
- Elettra Mancuso (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0562-9196)
- Davide Mainieri
Institutions
- Magna Graecia University (IT)
- Institute of Molecular Bioimaging and Physiology (IT)
- Istituto per il Sistema Produzione Animale in Ambiente Mediterraneo (IT)
- National Research Council (RO)
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation (IT)
- Istituto di Farmacologia Traslazionale (IT)
- Ospedale Sant'Anna (IT)
- St. Anna Hospital (DE)
- University of Calabria (IT)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Archives of Pharmacal Research
- Published
- 2026-05-10
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s12272-026-01620-1
- Primary Topic
- Saffron Plant Research Studies
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche