Role of Phenolic Compounds in Human Disease: Current Knowledge and Future Prospects

Abstract

Inflammation is a natural protective mechanism that occurs when the body’s tissue homeostatic mechanisms are disrupted by biotic, physical, or chemical agents. The immune response generates pro-inflammatory mediators, but excessive output, such as chronic inflammation, contributes to many persistent diseases. Some phenolic compounds work in tandem with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to inhibit pro-inflammatory mediators’ activity or gene expression, including cyclooxygenase (COX). Various phenolic compounds can also act on transcription factors, such as nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) or nuclear factor-erythroid factor 2-related factor 2 (Nrf-2), to up-or downregulate elements within the antioxidant response pathways. Phenolic compounds can inhibit enzymes associated with the development of human diseases and have been used to treat various common human ailments, including hypertension, metabolic problems, incendiary infections, and neurodegenerative diseases. The inhibition of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) by phenolic compounds has been used to treat hypertension. The inhibition of carbohydrate hydrolyzing enzyme represents a type 2 diabetes mellitus therapy, and cholinesterase inhibition has been applied to treat Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Phenolic compounds have also demonstrated anti-inflammatory properties to treat skin diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, and inflammatory bowel disease. Plant extracts and phenolic compounds exert protective effects against oxidative stress and inflammation caused by airborne particulate matter, in addition to a range of anti-inflammatory, anticancer, anti-aging, antibacterial, and antiviral activities. Dietary polyphenols have been used to prevent and treat allergy-related diseases. The chemical and biological contributions of phenolic compounds to cardiovascular disease have also been described. This review summarizes the recent progress delineating the multifunctional roles of phenolic compounds, including their anti-inflammatory properties and the molecular pathways through which they exert anti-inflammatory effects on metabolic disorders. This study also discusses current issues and potential prospects for the therapeutic application of phenolic compounds to various human diseases.

Bioactive Compounds and Their Derivatives: An Insight into Prospective Phytotherapeutic Approach against Alzheimer’s Disease

“…Natural products and their bioactive molecules have been widely shown as successful and promising sources of potential drug leads in the development of medications for the treatment of AD [ 19 , 20 ]. In this respect, mixtures or extracts of natural products contain natural bioactive molecules that could be a potential therapeutic strategy for treating or preventing AD [ 21 – 23 ]. Furthermore, several extracts and natural sources are broadly used in animal models and clinical trials to cure AD [ 24 , 25 ].…”

Astringency Sensitivity to Tannic Acid: Effect of Ageing and Saliva

“…Dietary polyphenols are a class of compounds present in foods and beverages, such as vegetables, nuts, unripe fruits and berries, wine, tea, etc. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ], and they are of great interest for the food industry because of their potential beneficial effects on health, particularly for the ageing population [ 4 , 5 , 6 ]. In food and beverages, polyphenols, especially tannins, can elicit astringency, which is perceived as a quality parameter and desired at balanced levels depending on the food products [ 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 ].…”

Green Metallic Nanoparticles: Biosynthesis to Applications

“…According to the metal bioaccumulation study, nanoparticles (NPs) are the most frequent metal deposit ( Khalaj et al, 2020 ). If you look at extracts from plants and look for compounds like terpenoids and phenolic acids ( Rahman et al, 2021c ) as well as proteins in spectroscopic measurements, you’ll see that metal ions may be reduced to nanostructured forms. Shankar SS et al employed geranium leaf extract to synthesize silver NPs extra-cellularly using the rapid reduction of silver ions in an aqueous silver nitrate solution.…”