Biological Activities, Health Benefits, and Therapeutic Properties of Avenanthramides: From Skin Protection to Prevention and Treatment of Cerebrovascular Diseases

Abstract

Oat (Avena sativa) is a cereal known since antiquity as a useful grain with abundant nutritional and health benefits. It contains distinct molecular components with high antioxidant activity, such as tocopherols, tocotrienols, and flavanoids. In addition, it is a unique source of avenanthramides, phenolic amides containing anthranilic acid and hydroxycinnamic acid moieties, and endowed with major beneficial health properties because of their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiproliferative effects. In this review, we report on the biological activities of avenanthramides and their derivatives, including analogs produced in recombinant yeast, with a major focus on the therapeutic potential of these secondary metabolites in the treatment of aging-related human diseases. Moreover, we also present recent advances pointing to avenanthramides as interesting therapeutic candidates for the treatment of cerebral cavernous malformation (CCM) disease, a major cerebrovascular disorder affecting up to 0.5% of the human population. Finally, we highlight the potential of foodomics and redox proteomics approaches in outlining distinctive molecular pathways and redox protein modifications associated with avenanthramide bioactivities in promoting human health and contrasting the onset and progression of various pathologies. The paper is dedicated to the memory of Adelia Frison

<p>Use of formulations for sensitive skin improves the visible signs of aging, including wrinkle size and elasticity</p>

“…Other ingredients present in the test products for their anti-inflammatory properties which help to soothe sensitive skin and for their potential to combat skin aging include Avena sativa (oat) kernel extract, disodium lauriminodipropionate tocopheryl phosphates (a form of vitamin E) and Hamamelis virginiana (witch hazel) water. Oat avenanthramides are known to suppress histamine release at very low doses, helping to plump up the skin, reduce wrinkles, and restore the skin natural barrier 33. They are also the main group of active polyphenolic antioxidants responsible for oat anti-inflammatory, antierythema, antipruritic and antihistaminic properties 33.…”

Hydroponically Grown Sanguisorba minor Scop.: Effects of Cut and Storage on Fresh-Cut Produce

“…Phenolic acids have been shown to exert powerful biological activity [41][42][43]. Among avenanthramides, which are characteristic in oat [41][42][43][44][45][46][47], avenanthramide 2p modulates problematic events in β-catenin mediated transcriptional activation of Wnt target gene (fundamental for the survival of cells), the c-MYC proto-oncogene, and in this way reduces the proliferation of cervical cancer cells in vitro [48]. Concerning artemissifolin, this sesquiterpene is mainly found in the genus Centaurea [49,50], but its biological activity still needs to be clarified.…”

Yeast-Derived Recombinant Avenanthramides Inhibit Proliferation, Migration and Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition of Colon Cancer Cells

“…Among nutraceuticals with potential medicinal benefits, avenanthramides (Avns), phenolic compounds found exclusively in oats, have growingly become promising as potential therapeutic candidates for the treatment of several important human diseases, such as cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases [ 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 ]. Indeed, Avns have been found to be bioavailable in humans, and shown to possess major bioactivities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-proliferative activities, which are related to their capacity to influence multiple molecular mechanisms [ 5 , 6 , 8 , 36 , 37 ]. Besides natural Avns isolated from oats and correspondent synthetic compounds [ 38 , 39 ], novel Avn analogs endowed with important bioactivities have been produced through genetically engineered microorganisms, including Tranilast TM ( N -[3′,4′-dimethoxycinnamoyl]-anthranilic acid), a pharmaceutical drug currently used in Japan and South Korea to treat allergic disorders [ 20 , 40 ].…”

“…In light of this, we previously developed a genetic engineering strategy for producing novel phenolic compounds in Saccharomyces cerevisiae , generating two novel Avn analogs, YAvn I and YAvn II, which showed structural similarity to Avn-A and Avn-C, respectively, and potent antioxidant properties [ 24 ]. Furthermore, they were effective in rescuing major phenotypic hallmarks of Cerebral Cavernous Malformation (CCM) disease, a cerebrovascular disorder of genetic origin that has been linked to oxidative stress [ 25 , 26 , 37 ]. To further characterize the biological properties of the two yeast-derived recombinant Avns, herein we investigated their effects on colon cancer cells, as compared with those of major natural oat Avns, including Avn-A and Avn-C.…”