Antioxidant And Anti Aging Action Of Plant Polyphenols

Polyphenols are plant non-nutrient natural products, or plant secondary metabolites, found in fruits, vegetables and seeds that we consume daily. Their intakes from fruit, vegetables, seeds, and nuts are associated with lower risks of chronic and age-related degenerative diseases. Aging is a dynamic and complex biological process involving multiple actors and subject to a number of genetic and/or environmental influences. The famous free radical theory of aging proposed by Prof. Harman in 1956 states that free radicals lead to oxidative damage, causing cellular dysfunction and physiological decline, and are responsible for aging, with the appearance of degenerative diseases and eventually death. From this hypothesis, antioxidant molecules are capable of slowing down the aging process through the successful scavenging of radical oxygen and nitrogen species. Polyphenols have been shown to prolong the lifespan of different model species operating through a well-conserved antioxidant mechanism. This collection of research and review articles covers the most recent advances in the use of plant polyphenols, ranging from their biological properties and possible functions as medicines, the importance of traditional medicines as a source of inspiration, the rationalization of new uses of plant extracts which lead to applications in modern medicine, the status of modern green-chemistry extraction methods, to some reflections on future prospects.

Polyphenols are plant non-nutrient natural products, or plant secondary metabolites, found in fruits, vegetables and seeds that we consume daily. Their intakes from fruit, vegetables, seeds, and nuts are associated with lower risks of chronic and age-related degenerative diseases. Aging is a dynamic and complex biological process involving multiple actors and subject to a number of genetic and/or environmental influences. The famous free radical theory of aging proposed by Prof. Harman in 1956 states that free radicals lead to oxidative damage, causing cellular dysfunction and physiological decline, and are responsible for aging, with the appearance of degenerative diseases and eventually death. From this hypothesis, antioxidant molecules are capable of slowing down the aging process through the successful scavenging of radical oxygen and nitrogen species. Polyphenols have been shown to prolong the lifespan of different model species operating through a well-conserved antioxidant mechanism. This collection of research and review articles covers the most recent advances in the use of plant polyphenols, ranging from their biological properties and possible functions as medicines, the importance of traditional medicines as a source of inspiration, the rationalization of new uses of plant extracts which lead to applications in modern medicine, the status of modern green-chemistry extraction methods, to some reflections on future prospects.

Recent Advances in Polyphenol Research Volume 2 Edited by Santos-Buelga, Escribano-Bailon and Lattanzio Plant phenolics are secondary metabolites that constitute one of the most common and widespread groups of substances in plants. Polyphenols have a large and diverse array of beneficial effects on both plants and animals. For example they are famous as antioxidants, hormones, constituents of essential oils and natural neurotransmitters. Sponsored by Groupe Polyphenols, this publication, which is the second volume in this ground-breaking series, is edited by Celestino Santos-Buelga, Maria Teresa Escribano-Bailon, and Vincenzo Lattanzio, who have drawn together an impressive list of internationally respected authors, each providing cutting edge chapters covering some of the major topics of recent research and interest. Information included in this important new addition to the series include the following areas: • Flavonoid chemistry of the leguminosae • Chemistry and biological activity of ellagitannins • Chemistry and function of anthocyanins in plants • An update of chemical pathways leading to new phenolic pigments during wine ageing • Metabolic engineering of the flavonoid pathway • The translation of chemical properties of polyphenols into biological activity with impacts in human health • Plant phenolic compounds controlling leaf movement • Biological activity of phenolics in plants Chemists, biochemists, plant scientists, pharmacognosists and pharmacologists, food scientists and nutritionists will all find this book an invaluable resource. Libraries in all universities and research establishments where these subjects are studied and taught should have copies on their shelves.

This book provides a comprehensive reference guide to plant-derived antioxidants, their beneficial effects, mechanisms of action, and role in disease prevention and improving general health (anti-ageing effect). The content is divided into three main parts, the first of which covers various antioxidants (such as polyphenols, carotenoids, tocopherols, tocotrienols, glutathione, ascorbic acid), their origins, plant biochemistry and industrial utilization. In turn, the book's second, main part focuses on antioxidants' beneficial health effects, explains biochemical fundamentals such as the free radical theory and oxidative stress, and discusses antioxidants' role in e.g. cancer, cardiovascular diseases, inflammation, degenerative diseases and ageing. The third part reviews general laboratory methods for antioxidant screening, preservation and determination. Written by an international team of experts, this highly interdisciplinary book will benefit a broad range of health professionals and researchers working in biochemistry, biotechnology, nutrition, plant science and food chemistry. It offers an indispensable, up-to-date guide for anyone interested in antioxidants and the role of a plant-based diet in disease prevention and control.

Antioxidants and their mechanisms of action; Food factors as antioxidants; Coronary heart disease; Malignant disease; Other diseases; Indicators of oxidative stress; Consumer issues.

Plants produce a vast number of bioactive compounds with different chemical scaffolds, which modulate a diverse range of molecular targets and are used as drugs for treating numerous diseases. Most present-day medicines are derived either from plant compounds or their derivatives, and plant compounds continue to offer limitless reserves for the discovery of new medicines. While different classes of plant compounds, like phenolics, flavonoids, saponins and alkaloids, and their potential pharmacological applications are currently being explored, their curative mechanisms are yet to be understood in detail. This book is divided into 2 volumes and offers detailed information on plant-derived bioactive compounds, including recent research findings. Volume 1, Plant-derived Bioactives: Chemistry and Mode of Action, discusses the chemistry of highly valued plant bioactive compounds and their mode of actions at the molecular level. Volume 2, Plant-derived Bioactives: Production, Properties and Therapeutic Applications, explores the sources, biosynthesis, production, biological properties and therapeutic applications of plant bioactives. Given their scope, these books are valuable resources for members of the scientific community wishing to further explore various medicinal plants and the therapeutic applications of their bioactive compounds. They appeal to scholars, teachers and scientists involved in plant product research, and facilitate the development of innovative new drugs.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) accounts for up to one-third of combat-related injuries in Iraq and Afghanistan, according to some estimates. TBI is also a major problem among civilians, especially those who engage in certain sports. At the request of the Department of Defense, the IOM examined the potential role of nutrition in the treatment of and resilience against TBI.