Arsenic Immunotoxicity and Immunomodulation by Phytochemicals: Potential Relations to Develop Chemopreventive Approaches

Abstract

Arsenic (As) contaminates drinking water worldwide, and As exposure, hypersensitivity and deficiency are involved in the immunopathogenesis of various health problems. Its chemoprevention thus has a high health impact. Given its oxidative potential, antioxidant compounds are good candidates to counteract arsenic's deleterious effects on humans. Phytochemicals (e.g., phenolics, carotenoids, etc.) act through free radical chelation activity and regulation of cellular targets. Consequently, they are appropriate for developing anti-As strategies derived from plants, and Argentinean flora is rich in useful species. Several molecular pathways involved in immune regulation are at the same time targets of exogenous agents, and oxidative stress itself is a modulating phenomenon of immunity. Since xenohormesis has been described as the organic enhancement of resistance to stress conditions (e.g., oxidation, pollution, etc.) by consuming xenobiotics, immunoxenohormesis implies also defense improvement. This review focuses on recent patents on the development of vegetable redox-related immunomodulating agents, which might be applied in As-induced dysfunctions, with their scientific basis being reviewed.

Bioavailability of phenolic compounds and redox state of murine liver and kidney as sex-dependent responses to phytoextracts

“…Polyphenols or phenolics are redox-active compounds with health potential (1)(2)(3) . They can be provided as diet phytonutrients, phytodrugs and phytoextract constituents (1) .…”

“…They can be provided as diet phytonutrients, phytodrugs and phytoextract constituents (1) . However, the last source is empirically used worldwide without further confirmation of its efficient role in phenolic delivery.…”

“…(9,10) . Although they have been extensively proposed as xenohormetic agents (1) , their toxicity has been also reported in accordance with dose and user characteristics (11,12) . In this regard, vital conditions can be determinant of phytochemical bioavailability and effects (13) .…”

Modificaciones en el nivel de anión superóxido en leche materna, según la ingesta de flavonoides y carotenoides

“…: luteína y zeaxantina, abundantes en frutas y verduras de color amarillo o naranja, maíz, etc.). 6 Si bien se han reportado los efectos benéficos de los fitoquímicos sobre la salud humana, los niveles óptimos y seguros de su consumo aún no han sido establecidos de manera consistente, 7,8 menos aun en mujeres que amamantan.…”

Bioavailability of phenolic compounds and redox state of murine liver and kidney as sex-dependent responses to phytoextracts

“…Polyphenols or phenolics are redox-active compounds with health potential (1)(2)(3) . They can be provided as diet phytonutrients, phytodrugs and phytoextract constituents (1) . However, the last source is empirically used worldwide without further confirmation of its efficient role in phenolic delivery.…”