Beneficial Effects of Theaflavins on Metabolic Syndrome: From Molecular Evidence to Gut Microbiome

Abstract

In recent years, many natural foods and herbs rich in phytochemicals have been proposed as health supplements for patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS). Theaflavins (TFs) are a polyphenol hydroxyl substance with the structure of diphenol ketone, and they have the potential to prevent and treat a wide range of MetS. However, the stability and bioavailability of TFs are poor. TFs have the marvelous ability to alleviate MetS through antiobesity and lipid-lowering (AMPK-FoxO3A-MnSOD, PPAR, AMPK, PI3K/Akt), hypoglycemic (IRS-1/Akt/GLUT4, Ca2+/CaMKK2-AMPK, SGLT1), and uric-acid-lowering (XO, GLUT9, OAT) effects, and the modulation of the gut microbiota (increasing beneficial gut microbiota such as Akkermansia and Prevotella). This paper summarizes and updates the bioavailability of TFs, and the available signaling pathways and molecular evidence on the functionalities of TFs against metabolic abnormalities in vitro and in vivo, representing a promising opportunity to prevent MetS in the future with the utilization of TFs.

4,4‐Diallyl curcumin bis(2,2‐hydroxymethyl)propanoate ameliorates nonalcoholic steatohepatitis in methionine‐choline‐deficient diet and Western diet mouse models

“…To assess the influence of 35e on mitochondrial function, an in vitro study employing liver HepG2/C3A human cells was performed (Shi et al., 2022). The study examined mitochondrial protein (carnitine palmitoyltransferase I [CPT‐I], carnitine palmitoyltransferase II [CPT‐II], heat shock protein 60 [HSP60], and translocase of the outer mitochondrial membrane 20 [Tom20]) expression within HepG2/C3A cells following a 6‐h treatment with three concentration gradients of 35e .…”

Human gut microbiome: Therapeutic opportunities for metabolic syndrome—Hype or hope?

“…A recent review investigated the potential benefits of theaflavins, found in red wine, on metabolic syndrome, with a focus on the gut microbiome. It was discussed that theaflavins have the potential to positively impact the gut microbiota by increasing the abundance of beneficial gut bacteria such as Lachnoclostridium and Bifidobacterium 54 …”

“…It was discussed that theaflavins have the potential to positively impact the gut microbiota by increasing the abundance of beneficial gut bacteria such as Lachnoclostridium and Bifidobacterium. 54 A diet rich in proteins was shown to have a negative impact on health and is associated with increased mortality. 55 In a randomized clinical trial, patients with MetS received caloric restriction or isocaloric dietary protein restriction; both interventions resulted in positive metabolic outcomes such as weight loss, improved insulin sensitivity, blood glucose, lipid and blood pressure without any significant changes in the microbiome, suggesting that dietary metabolic health may only be indirectly related to the microbiome.…”

Possible Side Effects of Polyphenols and Their Interactions with Medicines

“…Polyphenols, due to their antioxidant, anti-platelet, and anti-inflammatory properties, can prevent or reduce the symptoms of various metabolic diseases, such as metabolic syndrome (which includes type 2 diabetes mellitus, central and abdominal obesity, systemic hypertension, and atherogenic dyslipidaemia) [ 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 ], as well as cardiovascular diseases (e.g., atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, heart failure, and stroke) [ 57 , 58 , 59 , 60 , 61 ]. Polyphenols inhibit LDL oxidation and increase HDL, improving endothelial function [ 62 ], reduce blood pressure [ 63 ], and improve the glucose homeostasis [ 64 ].…”