Exploring plant polyphenols as anti-allergic functional products to manage the growing incidence of food allergy

Abstract

The active substances derived from plants have received increasing attention owing to their wide range of pharmacological applications, including anti-tumor, anti-allergic, anti-viral, and anti-oxidative activities. The allergy epidemic is a growing global public health problem that threatens human health and safety. Polyphenols from plants have significant anti-allergic effects and are an important source of anti-allergic drug research and development. Here, we describe recent advances in the anti-allergic efficacy of plant polyphenols, including their comprehensive effects on cellular or animal models. The current issues and directions for future development in this field are discussed to provide a theoretical basis for the development and utilization of these active substances as anti-allergic products.

Dietary Polyphenols—Natural Bioactive Compounds with Potential for Preventing and Treating Some Allergic Conditions

“…In recent years, much attention has been paid to the mechanisms by which polyphenols can exert immunomodulatory actions in allergic diseases. Evidence from in vitro and in vivo studies has highlighted that polyphenols can influence allergic immune response, exhibiting both stimulatory and inhibitory effects at two essential stages, during the sensitization and the effector phase [30][31][32][33][100][101][102][103][104][105][106][107].…”

“…During the effector phase, re-exposure to the same allergen leads to the cross-linking of IgE bound to FcεRI on the surface of mast cells and basophils causing their activation and degranulation with the release of reactive mediators triggering acute systemic allergic reaction [119]. Recently, numerous in vitro and in vivo studies have investigated the mechanisms through which polyphenols may exert a modulatory effect on mast cells as major effector cells of the allergic reaction [30,31,105]. In addition to aforementioned impact on the expression of the FcεRI receptor and the FcεRI-IgE binding, different polyphenols, such as resveratrol, quercetin, procyanidins from cinnamon or apple extract, can suppress mast cells activation via inhibiting the cross-linking of IgE by allergens on the cell surface [106,144,145].…”

“…Numerous studies using animal models of food allergy have considered the impact of various polyphenols on immune response which dictate the sequelae of allergic reaction showing their potential to ameliorate food hypersensitivity and allergy symptoms in sensitized mice [31]. In this respect, Zhang et al indicated that tea catechins such as epigallocatechin (EGC) and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) are effective in inhibiting mast cell activation, specific IgE and Th2 cytokine production and reducing the degree of pathological changes in the intestine in a model of mice sensitized by αs1-casein milk protein [218].…”

“…The safety profile of polyphenols, their widespread distribution in plants, frequent presence in the daily diet, and a broad spectrum of bioactivity, including anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties, make them a valuable and promising dietary intervention in the prevention and treatment of allergic diseases [28][29][30]. Therefore, in recent years, polyphenols have gained great scientific interest and have been subjected to extensive research in response to the growing demand for the development of new preventive and therapeutic alternatives based on natural products [31][32][33].…”

Antioxidant, antibacterial and antiviral effect of the combination of ginger and garlic extracts

“…Phenolic compounds are also known for their antioxidant properties and confer health advantages by sustaining human physiological well-being, bolstering the body's resilience against oxidative harm, and mitigating the risk of ailments like cardiovascular diseases and cancer [ 5 ]. Studies have revealed that phenolic compounds impart various pharmacological effects, including metal ion chelation [ 6 ], antioxidant properties [ 2 ], vasodilation [ 7 ], anti-allergenic [ 8 ] and anti-inflammatory [ 9 ], antimicrobial [ 6 , 9 , 10 , 11 ], and antitumor properties [ 12 ].…”