Plant-Derived Bioactive Metabolites from the Sonoran Desert: Redox Regulation, Nrf2/NF-κB Signaling, and Emerging Therapeutic Applications

Plant-derived bioactive metabolites have emerged as promising modulators of oxidative stress and inflammation, two interconnected processes involved in the pathogenesis of numerous chronic diseases. Arid ecosystems, particularly the Sonoran Desert, constitute an underexplored source of structurally diverse phytochemicals with significant pharmacological potential. This review provides a comprehensive overview of major classes of plant-derived bioactives, including polyphenols, flavonoids, terpenoids, and alkaloids, with emphasis on their molecular mechanisms of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory action. These compounds exert cytoprotective effects through direct reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging and indirect regulation of endogenous defense systems, primarily via activation of the Nrf2/Keap1 pathway and suppression of NF-κB signaling. Additional pathways, including MAPK, PI3K/Akt, AMPK, and mitochondrial regulatory networks, are discussed as critical mediators of redox balance and inflammatory control. Particular attention is given to Sonoran Desert plant species such as Bucida buceras, Phoradendron californicum, Larrea tridentata, Opuntia spp., and Agave deserti, all of which demonstrate promising biological activities associated with enhanced adaptation to environmental stress. Experimental approaches used to evaluate phytochemical bioactivity, including chemical assays, cellular models, omics technologies, and translational strategies, are also examined. Furthermore, this review discusses current limitations related to bioavailability, phytochemical variability, and clinical validation, highlighting emerging nanodelivery systems and precision medicine approaches as potential solutions. Collectively, the evidence supports the therapeutic relevance of Sonoran Desert plant bioactives as multi-target agents for modulating oxidative stress, inflammation, and chronic disease progression