Dietary Polyphenols In Human Diseases

Diets rich in plant polyphenols or dietary polyphenols are the subject of increasing scientific interest because of their diverse range of health benefits and medicinal uses. This book, Dietary Polyphenols in Human Diseases: Advances and Challenges in Drug Discovery, fills the gap that exists in the current knowledge by presenting the latest information in the area of polyphenol-based drug discovery research. The book focuses on the current understanding of the beneficial effects on human health of diets rich in polyphenols and/or polyphenolic compounds derived from dietary sources (plant-based foods) and their possible preventive role in the management of chronic human diseases. In addition, biochemical mechanisms involved in the antioxidative effect of dietary polyphenols along with their bioavailability, pharmacokinetic, and toxicological considerations are also discussed herein. Key Features Presents health benefits and medicinal importance of dietary polyphenols having antioxidative effects and their possible preventive role against oxidative stress (OS)-induced chronic human diseases. Summarizes the latest understanding of the biochemical mechanism(s) involved in the antioxidative action of dietary polyphenols along with their bioavailability, pharmacokinetic, and toxicological considerations. Highlights novel approaches of drug discovery from dietary polyphenols through computational screening of bioactive phytochemical components. With contributions by a global team of experts (academics, scientists, and researchers), this book is intended to be a useful resource for a wider audience, particularly those working in the area of drug discovery and development research, such as discovery scientists, pharmaceutical scientists (R&D), formulation scientists, medicinal chemists, pharmacologists, toxicologists, phytochemists, biochemists, clinicians, researchers, students, teachers, and many others.

Polyphenols are a heterogeneous group of bioactive compounds mainly found in plant-based foods. Numerous clinical and epidemiological studies have led to the result that polyphenol intake may protect against chronic diseases such as cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, or type 2 diabetes, to name some. Polyphenol intake estimation can be obtained through food frequency questionnaires and nutritional biomarkers, both having their own advantages and disadvantages. Although the association between these bioactive compounds and health seems irrefutable, many questions remain still unanswered. For instance, more studies are needed to identify possible interactions and effect-modulating variables, such as smoking habit, body mass index, sex, alcohol, hormones, other foods, etc. Moreover, intestinal microbiota seems to play an important role in the metabolism of polyphenols, but it is still unclear how.

Polyphenols in Prevention and Treatment of Human Disease, Second Edition authoritatively covers evidence of the powerful health benefits of polyphenols, touching on cardiovascular disease, cancer, obesity, diabetes and osteoporosis. This collection represents the contributions of an international group of experts in polyphenol research who share their expertise in endocrinology, public health, cardiology, pharmacology, agriculture and veterinary science. Researchers from diverse backgrounds will gain insight into how clinical observations and practices can feed back into the research cycle, thus allowing them to develop more targeted insights into the mechanisms of disease. This reference fills a void in research where nutritionists and alternative therapies may be applicable. Describes polyphenol modulation of blood flow and oxygenation as a potential mechanism of protection against vascular atherosclerosis Describes how polyphenols and antioxidants frequently change immune defenses and actions Focuses on the most important areas of research and provides insights into their relationships and translational opportunities

Presents recent research on metabolism and the health effects of polyphenols Consumer interest in the health benefits of many phenolic compounds found in plant foods and derivatives has grown considerably in recent years, giving rise to an increased demand for functional foods. Although preclinical and observational studies have promoted the protective properties of polyphenols for a range of chronic diseases, evidence has shown that most dietary polyphenols have little bioavailability. Once ingested, most of them are metabolized by either the intestinal enzymes or by the gut microbiota and then undergo extensive phase-II metabolism reaching significant concentrations of conjugated metabolites. They remain in the systemic circulation and target systemic tissues where trigger biological effects. The polyphenol-derived metabolites produced in humans are dependent upon the composition of the gut microbiota and the subject genetics. Thus all the metabolites do not show the same biological activity in different individuals. To fully understand the health effects of polyphenols, further clinical investigations are required. Dietary Polyphenols describes the latest findings on the polyphenol metabolism and reviews the current evidence on their health effects and that of their bioavailable metabolites. Emphasizing the importance of interindividual variability and the critical role of gut microbiota, this authoritative volume features contributions from recognized experts in the field, exploring specific families of extractable and non-extractable phenolic compounds that exhibit potential health effects. Topics include structural diversity of polyphenols and distribution in foods, bioavailability and bioaccessibility of phenolics, metabolism, and gastrointestinal absorption of various metabolites and their health effects. This comprehensive volume: Discusses the bioavailability, bioaccessibility, pharmacokinetics studies, and microbial metabolism of different groups of phenolic compounds Examines the interaction between polyphenols and gut microbiota Describes analytical methods for identifying and quantifying polyphenols in foods and biological samples Reviews recent epidemiological and clinical intervention studies showing protective effects of polyphenols Dietary Polyphenols: Metabolism and Health Effects is an important resource for scientists working in the area of dietary polyphenols and health effects, microbiota, and their interaction with other nutritional compounds, and for health professionals, nutritionists, dieticians, and clinical researchers with interest in the role of polyphenols in the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases.

Polyphenols are a heterogeneous group of bioactive compounds mainly found in plant-based foods. Numerous clinical and epidemiological studies have led to the result that polyphenol intake may protect against chronic diseases such as cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, or type 2 diabetes, to name some. Polyphenol intake estimation can be obtained through food frequency questionnaires and nutritional biomarkers, both having their own advantages and disadvantages. Although the association between these bioactive compounds and health seems irrefutable, many questions remain still unanswered. For instance, more studies are needed to identify possible interactions and effect-modulating variables, such as smoking habit, body mass index, sex, alcohol, hormones, other foods, etc. Moreover, intestinal microbiota seems to play an important role in the metabolism of polyphenols, but it is still unclear how.

"Polyphenols are a unique group of phytochemicals that are present in all fruits, vegetables, and other plant products. They are classified according to their chemical structure, which contains multiple linked phenol groups and they have powerful antioxidant properties. There is a great variety of biological systems that can be positively modified by polyphenols in foods and dietary supplements. As the major focus on polyphenols is their biomodification of human physiology the functional mechanisms of action, positive or negative are critical. These can range from being antioxidants that concentrate in specific locations or cell types as protection to bioregulators of enzymes and DNA. Understanding the mechanisms of action, expecially protection from oxidative damage, is essential for researchers and physicians conducting clinical studies on the application of polyphenols to a wide variety of diseases and physiological dysfunctions."--

This book touches upon the subject of diet and health interest to a wide audience. It is a very topical subject and one which is at the forefront of scientific research, not only in universities but also in industry. The exponential increase in the number of scientific reports is a strong indicator of the need for this book that provides an exciting, up-to-date guide to the mechanisms and themes that underlie the applications of polyphenols in health.