Dietary Phytochemicals: Natural Swords Combating Inflammation and Oxidation‐Mediated Degenerative Diseases

Abstract

Cumulatively, degenerative disease is one of the most fatal groups of diseases, and it contributes to the mortality and poor quality of life in the world while increasing the economic burden of the sufferers. Oxidative stress and inflammation are the major pathogenic causes of degenerative diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), diabetes mellitus (DM), and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Although a number of synthetic medications are used to treat these diseases, none of the current regimens are completely safe. Phytochemicals (polyphenols, carotenoids, anthocyanins, alkaloids, glycosides, saponins, and terpenes) from natural products such as dietary fruits, vegetables, and spices are potential sources of alternative medications to attenuate the oxidative stress and inflammation associated with degenerative diseases. Based on in vitro, in vivo, and clinical trials, some of these active compounds have shown good promise for development into novel agents for treating RA, DM, and CVD by targeting oxidative stress and inflammation. In this review, phytochemicals from natural products with the potential of ameliorating degenerative disease involving the bone, metabolism, and the heart are described.

Blueberry juice protects osteocytes and bone precursor cells against oxidative stress partly through SIRT1

“…We speculate that the beneficial antioxidant effect of BBs is mainly due to the polyphenolic fraction; in fact, dietary antioxidant polyphenols activate osteoblast function promoting bone growth and inhibiting osteoclast differentiation [1][2][3][4][5]31,32]. Literature data show that ROS might be involved in the pathogenesis of bone loss and that nutritional approaches to antioxidant strategies may prevent this [2,6,12,14]. Indeed, dietary BBs protect against ovariectomized-induced osteoblast death [31] and regulate osteoblast differentiation [2].…”

3‐(3‐Hydroxyphenyl)‐Propionic Acid (PPA) Suppresses Osteoblastic Cell Senescence to Promote Bone Accretion in Mice

“…For reasons and mechanisms not well understood, previous reports on phenolic acids' bone protective, antioxidant, and antiinflammatory effects have been highly variable: different phenolic acids may have different or opposite effects on osteoblast differentiation or on decreasing the formation of osteoclast-like cells. (29) For example, chlorogenic and caffeic acids were previously observed to negatively regulate osteoblast differentiation as shown by dose-dependent impacts on reducing ALP activity. (27) In our current report, we performed cell culture studies demonstrating that PPA enhanced preosteoblast differentiation while inhibiting adipogenesis in common progenitor cells.…”

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.…”