The Effect of Plant Derived Bioactive Compounds on Inflammation: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis

Abstract

A growing number of people worldwide are changing their lifestyle leading to an increasing number of overweight and obese individuals with metabolic syndrome (MetS). With obesity and MetS come an elevated inflammatory state resulting in increased risk of Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, among other lifestyle diseases. Fruits and vegetables (FV) contain phytochemicals with health beneficial effects including anti‐oxidative and anti‐inflammatory properties. This systematic review and meta‐analysis aims to investigate the effects of diets high in FV, and plant‐based products on C‐reactive protein (CRP). A systematic search in PUBMED and EMBASE gave rise to 883 articles, 16 of which are included in the meta‐analysis. The effects of plant‐based products and diets are investigated in subgroups including overweight, obese, and diabetes; as wells as the effect of plant‐oils and anthocyanin on CRP. The analysis shows an overall significant reduction in CRP for all articles (p = 0.0006). A significant decrease in diabetic (p = 0.01), overweight (p = 0.005), and obese patients (p = 0.05) is observed, including significant effects of anthocyanins (p = 0.001) and plant‐oils (p < 0.00001) on CRP. These findings strongly support the recommendation for diets high in FV and plant‐oils to help attenuate elevated CRP.

Computerised cognitive training tools and online nutritional group counselling for people with mild cognitive impairment: study protocol of a completely digital, randomised, controlled trial

“… 26 Furthermore, the diets are associated with reductions in various inflammatory markers. 27–29 Since MCI seems to be accompanied by inflammatory processes, 30 and exclusively plant-based foods contain bioactive substances, such as phytochemicals and fibre, which have anti-inflammatory properties, 31 there is an obvious need to further investigate potential neuroprotective effects of plant-based nutrition in the context of clinical MCI studies. Since cardiometabolic diseases are associated with the occurrence of dementia, 32 and weight loss is associated with improved attention and memory performance, 25 it can be hypothesised that a well-planned anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, plant-based diet has the potential to alleviate symptoms of MCI and the progression to dementia.…”

Protective Effects of Gynostemma pentaphyllum (var. Ginpent) against Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Inflammation and Motor Alteration in Mice

“…This extract allows the exploitation of the therapeutic effects of all the components of the GP phytocomplex, such as saponins, polyphenols and phytosterols, identified in this work. In this regard, plant extracts showed remarkable anti-inflammatory properties thanks to the presence of multiple molecules [66,75]. At the same time, other authors highlighted the anti-inflammatory actions of single molecules purified from plant extracts [5,36,38].…”

“…Pre-treatment with GP appears to protect against motor deficits induced by LPS treatment. The different components identified in the GP extract could together contribute to improving the body's response to the inflammatory stimulus [66].…”

The Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Nutrition, Health and Environment in Indonesia: A Qualitative Investigation of Perspectives from Multi-Disciplinary Experts

“…Informants with expertise in environmental research described higher levels of marine pollution due to COVID-19. These were from increased volume of medical and hygienic wastes from masks and personal protective equipment [ 37 ], as well as from plastic packaging from online food orders that get dumped into the seas.…”