Polyphenol-based nutraceuticals for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease: Review of human evidence

Research progress of quercetin in cardiovascular disease

Quercetin is one of the most common flavonoids. More and more studies have found that quercetin has great potential utilization value in cardiovascular diseases (CVD), such as antioxidant, antiplatelet aggregation, antibacterial, cholesterol lowering, endothelial cell protection, etc. However, the medicinal value of quercetin is mostly limited to animal models and preclinical studies. Due to the complexity of the human body and functional structure compared to animals, more research is needed to explore whether quercetin has the same mechanism of action and pharmacological value as animal experiments. In order to systematically understand the clinical application value of quercetin, this article reviews the research progress of quercetin in CVD, including preclinical and clinical studies. We will focus on the relationship between quercetin and common CVD, such as atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, ischemia reperfusion injury, heart failure, hypertension and arrhythmia, etc. By elaborating on the pathophysiological mechanism and clinical application research progress of quercetin's protective effect on CVD, data support is provided for the transformation of quercetin from laboratory to clinical application.

Exploring Microbial Contributions to Nutraceutical Production: From Natural to Designed Foods

For ages, societies throughout the world have used fermentation as a traditional method for food processing and preservation, helping to create a wide range of staple foods and delicacies. Due to its possible health advantages, mostly attributable to the inclusion of bioactive substances known as nutraceuticals, fermented foods have attracted a lot of interest recently. This in-depth analysis examines the wide range of nutraceuticals present in fermented foods, as well as how they are made, what health benefits they may have, and how they may be used in the nutraceutical and functional food businesses. By stressing how important fermented foods are as a source of beneficial bioactive components that support human health and well-being. Numerous bioactive substances found in fermented foods have been the subject of recent scientific studies. These molecules may find use in the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical sectors. Streptococcus thermophilus, Lactobacillus gasseri, Lactobacillus delbrueckii, Lactobacillus bulgaricus, and Lactobacillus johnsonii are just a few examples of the probiotic bacteria that live in fermented foods and formulas. This review elucidates the importance of microorganisms sourced from fermented foods as potent agents for diverse nutraceuticals and their potential role in preventing various diseases whilst serving as functional food supplements.

An overview on medicinal plants used for combating coronavirus: Current potentials and challenges

Worldwide, Severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic crisis, causing many morbidities, mortality, and devastating impact on economies, so the current outbreak of the CoV-2 is a major concern for global health. The infection spread quickly and caused chaos in many countries around the world. The slow discovery of CoV-2 and the limited treatment options are among the main challenges. Therefore, the development of a drug that is safe and effective against CoV-2 is urgently needed. The present overview briefly summarizes CoV-2 drug targets ex: RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), papain-like protease (PLpro), 3-chymotrypsin-like protease (3CLpro), transmembrane serine protease enzymes (TMPRSS2), angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), structural protein (N, S, E, and M), and virulence factors (NSP1, ORF7a, and NSP3c) for which drug design perspective can be considered. In addition, summarize all anti-COVID-19 medicinal plants and phytocompounds and their mechanisms of action to be used as a guide for further studies.

Randomized Double-Blind Controlled Trial of Freeze-Dried Strawberry Powder Supplementation in Adults with Overweight or Obesity and Elevated Cholesterol

OBJECTIVE

Recommended dietary patterns improve cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors such as blood pressure and LDL-C, as well as emerging markers that confer residual risk. Strawberry consumption has been shown to improve CVD risk factors, but further research is needed to better understand these effects using a dose-response model that evaluates a standard serving and a higher (but still achievable) dose.

METHODS

A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded crossover trial was conducted in middle-aged adults with overweight or obesity (n = 40; mean BMI = 29.4 ± 0.2 kg/m²; mean age = 50 ± 1.0 years) and moderately elevated LDL-C (mean LDL-C: 140 ± 3 mg/dL) to investigate the effect of two doses of strawberry supplementation on LDL-C and other CVD risk factors. Study interventions were: 0 g/d (control), 13 g/d (low-dose), and 40 g/d (high-dose) of freeze-dried strawberry powder (4-week supplementation periods separated by a 2-week compliance break).

RESULTS

There was a significant main effect of treatment for the primary outcome of LDL-C, with a 4.9% reduction following the low-dose strawberry supplement compared to the high-dose (P = 0.01), but not compared to the control. There was also a significant effect on total cholesterol (TC), with a 2.8% and 2.4% reduction following the low-dose compared to the control and high-dose, respectively (P ≤ 0.05 in post-hoc analyses). There was a near significant effect for direct LDL-C (P = 0.07). There were no significant treatment effects for other atherogenic lipoprotein characteristics, indices of vascular function, measures of inflammation, or HDL efflux.

CONCLUSION

Low-dose supplementation with freeze-dried strawberry powder, equivalent to ∼1 serving/day of fresh strawberries, improved cholesterol in adults with overweight or obesity, compared to both the high-dose (∼3 servings/day of fresh strawberries) and control, but did not alter other markers of CVD.

Supplemental data for this article is available online at.

Intensification of Biophenols Extraction Yield from Olive Pomace Using Innovative Green Technologies

Olive pomace is the main by-product generated by the olive oil production process. Although toxic to the environment, olive pomace is an important source of natural antioxidants due to its high content of phenolic compounds. The aim of the current study is to maximize the extraction yields of the main phenolic compounds present in olive pomace using innovative green technologies. For this purpose, the present work is divided into two parts. The first part is based on a solubility study of targeted phenolic compounds in various ethanol/water ratios at two different temperatures (20 °C and 50 °C). A computational prediction using COSMO-RS software was applied for the calculation of eventual solubility, which was subsequently confirmed by practical experiments. The determination of the optimal extraction conditions of solvent ratio (EtOH/H2O) (60:40 v/v) and temperature (50 °C) led to the second part of the work, which concerns the intensification of extraction yields. Furthermore, various green extractions using innovative technologies, including accelerated solvent extraction (ASE), ultrasound with its both system (probe (UAE-P) and bath (UAE-B)), bead milling (BM) and microwave (MAE), were carried out and then compared to conventional maceration (CM). Results showed that ASE was the most effective method for extracting phenolic compounds from dried olive pomace powder (5.3 milligrams of tyrosol equivalent (TE) per gram of dried olive pomace powder (DOP)) compared to CM (3.8 mg TE/g DOP).

Science and claims of the arena of food bioactives: comparison of drugs, nutrients, supplements, and nutraceuticals

The scientific community and lay press are participating in a heated debate over the usefulness of food bioactives when used as dietary supplements. This debate often ignores hard scientific evidence and the outcomes of proper research in either direction. Some propose that health claims should be awarded based on classic pharmacological parameters of efficacy and safety. Others suggest that a botanical history of their safe use and basic biological evidence in support of their effects should suffice to allow their marketing. The current regulatory impasse does not help solve this conundrum. It is time for scientists, regulators, and legislators to open an epistemological debate on the appropriateness of using classic pharmacological methods for substances that do not share the usual drug profiles and which are, consequently, difficult to study in humans.

Protection of Erythrocytes and Microvascular Endothelial Cells against Oxidative Damage by Fragaria vesca L. and Rubus idaeus L. Leaves Extracts-The Mechanism of Action

The aim of this work is to determine the biological activity of ellagitannins rich extracts from leaves of raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) and wild strawberry (Fragaria vesca L.) in relation to cells and cell membranes. Detailed qualitative and quantitative analysis of phenolic compounds of the extract was made using chromatographic methods. Cytotoxic and antioxidant activities of tested extracts in relation to erythrocytes and human vascular endothelial cells (HMEC-1) were determined by using fluorimetric and spectrophotometric methods. In order to establish the influence of the extracts on the physical properties of the membrane, such as osmotic resistance and erythrocytes shapes, mobility and/or hydration of polar heads and fluidity of hydrocarbon chains of membrane lipids, microscopic and spectroscopic methods were used. The results showed that the extracts are non-toxic for erythrocytes and HMEC-1 cells (up to concentration of 50 µg/mL), but they effectively protect cells and their membranes against oxidative damage. The increase in osmotic resistance of erythrocytes, formation of echinocytes and changes only in the polar part of the membrane caused by the extracts demonstrate their location mainly in the hydrophilic part of the membrane. The results indicate that tested extracts have high biological activities and may be potentially used in delaying the ageing process of organisms and prevention of many diseases, especially those associated with oxidative stress.

In silico investigation and potential therapeutic approaches of natural products for COVID-19: Computer-aided drug design perspective

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused a substantial number of deaths around the world, making it a serious and pressing public health hazard. Phytochemicals could thus provide a rich source of potent and safer anti-SARS-CoV-2 drugs. The absence of approved treatments or vaccinations continues to be an issue, forcing the creation of new medicines. Computer-aided drug design has helped to speed up the drug research and development process by decreasing costs and time. Natural compounds like terpenoids, alkaloids, polyphenols, and flavonoid derivatives have a perfect impact against viral replication and facilitate future studies in novel drug discovery. This would be more effective if collaboration took place between governments, researchers, clinicians, and traditional medicine practitioners’ safe and effective therapeutic research. Through a computational approach, this study aims to contribute to the development of effective treatment methods by examining the mechanisms relating to the binding and subsequent inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 ribonucleic acid (RNA)-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp). The in silico method has also been employed to determine the most effective drug among the mentioned compound and their aquatic, nonaquatic, and pharmacokinetics’ data have been analyzed. The highest binding energy has been reported -11.4 kcal/mol against SARS-CoV-2 main protease (7MBG) in L05. Besides, all the ligands are non-carcinogenic, excluding L04, and have good water solubility and no AMES toxicity. The discovery of preclinical drug candidate molecules and the structural elucidation of pharmacological therapeutic targets have expedited both structure-based and ligand-based drug design. This review article will assist physicians and researchers in realizing the enormous potential of computer-aided drug design in the design and discovery of therapeutic molecules, and hence in the treatment of deadly diseases.

The Positive Influence of Polyphenols Extracted From Pueraria lobata Root on the Gut Microbiota and Its Antioxidant Capability

Pueraria lobata, an edible food and medicinal plant, is a rich source of bioactive components. In this study, a polyphenol-rich extract was isolated from P. lobata. Puerarin was identified, and the high antioxidant bioactivity of the P. lobata extract was evaluated using the methods of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2′-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonate) (ABTS), and hydroxyl free radical scavenging ratio. Additionally, the IC₅₀ values of DPPH, ABTS, and hydroxyl radical scavenging activities were 50.8, 13.9, and 100.4 μg/ml, respectively. Then, the P. lobata extract was administered to C57Bl/6J mice and confirmed to have a superior effect on enhancing the antioxidant status including improving superoxide dismutase activity, glutathione peroxidase peroxide activity, total antioxidant capacity activity, and malondialdehyde contents in vivo. Furthermore, the P. lobata extract had beneficial and prebiotic effects on the composition and structure of gut microbiota. Results showed that the P. lobata extract significantly increased the abundance of beneficial bacteria, involving Lactobacillaceae and Bacteroidetes, and decreased the abundance of Ruminococcaceae, Prevotellaceae, and Burkholderiaceae. Overall, our results provided a basis for using the P. lobata extract as a promising and potential functional ingredient for the food industry.

The Potential of Microextraction Techniques for the Analysis of Bioactive Compounds in Food

For a long time, the importance of sample preparation and extraction in the analytical performance of the most diverse methodologies have been neglected. Cumbersome techniques, involving high sample and solvent volumes have been gradually miniaturized from solid-phase and liquid-liquid extractions formats and microextractions approaches are becoming the standard in different fields of research. In this context, this review is devoted to the analysis of bioactive compounds in foods using different microextraction approaches reported in the literature since 2015. But microextraction also represents an opportunity to mitigate the environmental impact of organic solvents usage, as well as lab equipment. For this reason, in the recent literature, phenolics and alkaloids extraction from fruits, medicinal herbs, juices, and coffee using different miniaturized formats of solid-phase extraction and liquid-liquid microextraction are the most popular applications. However, more ambitious analytical limits are continuously being reported and emergent sorbents based on carbon nanotubes and magnetic nanoparticles will certainly contribute to this trend. Additionally, ionic liquids and deep eutectic solvents constitute already the most recent forefront of innovation, substituting organic solvents and further improving the current microextraction approaches.

Bacteriological Quality of Locally Prepared Fresh Fruit Juice Sold in Juice Houses of Eastern Ethiopia

BACKGROUND

Currently, fresh fruit juices are widely consumed as a drink worldwide due to their nutritional values and health benefits. Fresh fruit juices are an important source of nutrients, vitamins, and fibers that are important for human health. Fruit juices are nutritious and perishable food that can serve as an ideal medium for the growth and multiplication of pathogenic microorganisms. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the bacteriological quality of locally prepared fresh fruit juices sold in juice houses of eastern Ethiopia from 4 April to 12 June 2020.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was used that included administrative questionnaires and laboratory-based investigations. A total of 78 fruit juice samples that include mango, avocado, papaya, and mixed juices were collected aseptically from the juice houses. The most probable number method was used to determine the total coliform, fecal coliform and Escherichia coli. The pour plate count method was used to determine the total viable bacteria count. Finally, data were analyzed using descriptive statistical tests that included analysis of variance, Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests. A P-value of .05 was considered as a cut-off point for statistical significance.

RESULTS

Among the 78 juice samples analyzed, 85.9% of the samples had total viable bacterial count, 64.1% had total coliform count, 60.3% had fecal coliform, and 33.3% of the samples had Escherichia coli higher than the maximum permitted level of Gulf standard 2000. The study found a significant association between bacterial contamination and educational status (χ2 = 31.663), training in food hygiene and safety (χ2 = 23.04), method of fruit preservation (χ2 = 17.98), place to keep the juice (χ2 = 13.7), action done with the juice gone bad (χ2 = 12.78), frequency of cleaning materials used to keep the juice (χ2 = 12.78), type of dish washing (χ2 = 19.75), availability of hand washing equipment (χ2 = 12.78), and types of waste receptacles (χ2 = 26.25) (P-value <.05) (Table 5).

CONCLUSION

In general, majority of fruit juice samples were contaminated with one or more different bacteria species higher than the maximum permitted level. Furthermore, the study found the association between bacterial contamination and other variables such as hygienic and safety conditions. Therefore, the implementation of adequate hygiene and safety practices is very important to prevent the consumption of contaminated fruit juices, which leads to foodborne illness.

Target-Specific Drug Discovery of Natural Products against SARS-CoV-2 Life Cycle and Cytokine Storm in COVID-19

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is currently a worldwide pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Currently, there are no drugs that can specifically combat SARS-CoV-2. Besides, multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants are circulating globally. These variants may lead to immune escape or drug resistance. Natural products may be appropriate for this need due to their cost efficiency, fewer side effects, and antiviral activities. Considering these circumstances, there is a need to develop or discover more compounds that have potential to target SARS-CoV-2. Therefore, we searched for articles on natural products describing anti-SARS-CoV-2 activities by targeting the SARS-CoV-2 life cycle and the cytokine storm in COVID-19 from academic databases. We reviewed anti-SARS-CoV-2 activities of natural products, especially those that target the SARS-CoV-2 life cycle (angiotensin-converting enzyme 2, transmembrane serine protease 2, cathepsin L, 3CL protease, PL protease, RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, and helicase) and cytokine storm in COVID-19. This review may provide a repurposed approach for the discovery of specific medications using natural products to treat COVID-19 through targeting the SARS-CoV-2 life cycle and the cytokine storm in COVID-19.

Prevention and Treatment of Atherosclerosis: The Use of Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods

Nutritional interventions are effective and - in theory - easy to implement primary and secondary prevention strategies that reduce several risk factors of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Yet, because of (a) the severe impact of CVD in terms of mortality, morbidity, quality of life, and economy, (b) the proved role of LDL plasma concentrations as the most critical risk factor, and (c) the obstacles found both in terms of biological effects and compliance of the patient by an exclusively dietary intervention, food supplements or nutraceuticals are now valuable resources for physicians. As regards cholesterol control, several preparations are available in the market, and we will critically review them in this chapter.

Vasorelaxant-Mediated Antihypertensive Effect of the Leaf Aqueous Extract from Stephania abyssinica (Dillon & A. Rich) Walp (Menispermaceae) in Rat

Stephania abyssinica is a medicinal plant used in Cameroon alternative medicine to treat arterial hypertension (AHT). Previous in vitro studies demonstrated the endothelium nitric oxide-independent vasorelaxant property of the aqueous extract from Stephania abyssinica (AESA). But its effect on AHT is unknown. The present study was undertaken to explore other vasorelaxant mechanisms and to determine the antihypertensive effects of AESA in male Wistar rats. Phytochemical analysis of AESA was carried out using the liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) method. The vasorelaxant effects of AESA (1-1000 μg/mL) were studied on rat isolated thoracic aorta rings, in the absence or presence of indomethacin (10 μM) or methylene blue (10 μM). The inhibitory effect of AESA on phenylephrine (PE, 10 μM) or KCl- (60 mM) induced contraction as well as the intracellular calcium release was also evaluated. The in vivo antihypertensive activity of AESA (43, 86, or 172 mg/kg/day) or captopril (20 mg/kg/day) administered orally was assessed in L-NAME- (40 mg/kg/day) treated rats. Blood pressure and heart rate (HR) were measured at the end of each week while serum or urinary nitric oxide (NO), creatinine, and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) were determined at the end of the 6 weeks of treatment, as well as histological analysis of the heart and the kidney. The LC-MS profiling of AESA identified 9 compounds including 7 alkaloids. AESA produced a concentration-dependent relaxation on contraction induced either by PE and KCl, which was significantly reduced in endothelium-denuded vessels, as well as in vessels pretreated with indomethacin and methylene blue. Moreover, AESA inhibited the intracellular Ca²⁺ release-induced contraction. In vivo, AESA reduced the AHT, heart rate (HR), and ventricular hypertrophy and increased serum NO, urine creatinine, and GFR. AESA also ameliorated heart and kidney lesions as compared to the L-NAME group. These findings supported the use of AESA as a potential antihypertensive drug.

Analytical Methods for Exploring Nutraceuticals Based on Phenolic Acids and Polyphenols

Phenolic compounds such as phenolic acids, flavonoids, and stilbenes comprise an enormous family of bioactive molecules with a range of positive properties, including antioxidant, antimicrobial, or anti-inflammatory effects. As a result, plant extracts are often purified to recover phenolic compound-enriched fractions to be used to develop nutraceutical products or dietary supplements. In this article, we review the properties of some remarkable plant-based nutraceuticals in which the active molecules are mainly polyphenols and related compounds. Methods for the characterization of these extracts, the chemical determination of the bioactivities of key molecules, and the principal applications of the resulting products are discussed in detail.

Consumption of Phenolic-Rich Food and Dietary Supplements as a Key Tool in SARS-CoV-19 Infection

The first cases of COVID-19, which is caused by the SARS-CoV-2, were reported in December 2019. The vertiginous worldwide expansion of SARS-CoV-2 caused the collapse of health systems in several countries due to the high severity of the COVID-19. In addition to the vaccines, the search for active compounds capable of preventing and/or fighting the infection has been the main direction of research. Since the beginning of this pandemic, some evidence has highlighted the importance of a phenolic-rich diet as a strategy to reduce the progression of this disease, including the severity of the symptoms. Some of these compounds (e.g., curcumin, gallic acid or quercetin) already showed capacity to limit the infection of viruses by inhibiting entry into the cell through its binding to protein Spike, regulating the expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2, disrupting the replication in cells by inhibition of viral proteases, and/or suppressing and modulating the host's immune response. Therefore, this review intends to discuss the most recent findings on the potential of phenolics to prevent SARS-CoV-2.

Phenolic Bioactives as Antiplatelet Aggregation Factors: The Pivotal Ingredients in Maintaining Cardiovascular Health

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are one of the main causes of mortality in the world. The development of these diseases has a specific factor-alteration in blood platelet activation. It has been shown that phenolic compounds have antiplatelet aggregation abilities and a positive impact in the management of CVD, exerting prominent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, cardioprotective, antihyperglycemic, and antimicrobial effects. Thus, this review is intended to address the antiplatelet activity of phenolic compounds with special emphasis in preventing CVD, along with the mechanisms of action through which they are able to prevent and treat CVD. In vitro and in vivo studies have shown beneficial effects of phenolic compound-rich plant extracts and isolated compounds against CVD, despite that the scientific literature available on the antiplatelet aggregation ability of phenolic compounds in vivo is scarce. Thus, despite the current advances, further studies are needed to confirm the cardioprotective potential of phenolic compounds towards their use alone or in combination with conventional drugs for effective therapeutic interventions.

Preclinical Evaluation of the Antihypertensive Effect of an Aqueous Extract of Anogeissus leiocarpa (DC) Guill et Perr. Bark of Trunk in L-NAME-Induced Hypertensive Rat

BACKGROUND

The present study investigates the effect of an aqueous extract of Anogeissus leiocarpa (AEAL) on normotensive Wistar rats and its chronic antihypertensive effects in L-NAME-induced hypertensive rats by using a non-invasive tail-cuff model.

METHODS

The effects of AEAL (50mg/kg) and NaCl 0.9% on blood pressure were investigated by daily oral administration in normotensive Wistar rats over four weeks. L-NAME-induced hypertensive rats were produced by L-NAME (40mg/kg) daily oral administration for two weeks. For chronic antihypertensive effects, induced hypertensive rats have received L-NAME in combination with AEAL (10 or 50mg/kg/day) for two following weeks.

RESULTS

In normotensive rats, daily administration of AEAL (50mg/kg) has no significant effect on their blood pressure, which was similar to that of the control group. L-NAME's daily oral administration induces a progressive increase in systolic blood pressure (SBP) from 115.8 ± 7.9mmHg to 153.5 ± 4.6mmHg after two weeks, which was maintained to the end of the treatment. In L-NAME-induced hypertensive rats, AEAL (50mg/kg/day) significantly decreases the SPB from 160.0 ± 5.8 mmHg to 108.8 ± 2.7mmHg after only four days of administration. However, the lower dose of AEAL (10mg/kg) also normalized the SBP of L-NAME-induced hypertensive rats but only evident after seven days of administration. Moreover, AEAL does not effect on the serum biochemical parameters (ALAT, ASAT, CREAT, etc.) and any macroscopic adverse effect was detected on the sensible organs involved during hypertension. In the aorta rings from treated rats, AEAL (50mg/kg/day) alone or in combination with L-NAME has enhanced the vasodilation effect of acetylcholine. However, the vasodilation effect of AEAL alone or in association with L-NAME has enhanced the sodium nitroprusside effect in treated rat aorta rings after autopsy.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that AEAL affords significant antihypertensive effects against L-NAME-induced hypertensive rats without modification of serum parameters and deleterious effects.

A Narrative Review of Dietary Approaches for Kidney Transplant Patients

A healthy eating pattern has proven to lower the risk of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. However, there are sparse dietary recommendations for kidney transplant recipients, and the ones available focus only on single nutrients intake, such as sodium, potassium, and proteins, and not on the overall eating pattern. Considering that individuals do not typically consume nutrients in isolation, but as part of a complete dietary pattern, it is challenging for the average transplanted patient to understand and implement specific dietary recommendations. Also, single-nutrient interventions demonstrate largely inconclusive effects, and it seems improbable that they could have a strong enough impact on transplant outcomes. Dietary trends such as plant-based diets, intermittent fasting, low-carb diet/keto-diet, and juicing, have gained major attention from the media. Herein, we review the potential risks and benefits of these diets in kidney transplant recipients and provide an updated dietary recommendation for this population with consideration of current nutritional trends. Overall, the Mediterranean and DASH diets have demonstrated to be the most beneficial dietary patterns to the post kidney transplant population by focusing on less meat and processed foods, while increasing the intake of fresh foods and plant-based choices. We believe that to maintain a healthy lifestyle posttransplant, patients should be educated about the scientific evidence of different diets and choose a dietary pattern that is sustainable long-term.

Isolating an active and inactive CACTA transposon from lettuce color mutants and characterizing their family

Dietary flavonoids play an important role in human nutrition and health. Flavonoid biosynthesis genes have recently been identified in lettuce (Lactuca sativa); however, few mutants have been characterized. We now report the causative mutations in Green Super Lettuce (GSL), a natural light green mutant derived from red cultivar NAR; and GSL-Dark Green (GSL-DG), an olive-green natural derivative of GSL. GSL harbors CACTA 1 (LsC1), a 3.9-kb active nonautonomous CACTA superfamily transposon inserted in the 5' untranslated region of anthocyanidin synthase (ANS), a gene coding for a key enzyme in anthocyanin biosynthesis. Both terminal inverted repeats (TIRs) of this transposon were intact, enabling somatic excision of the mobile element, which led to the restoration of ANS expression and the accumulation of red anthocyanins in sectors on otherwise green leaves. GSL-DG harbors CACTA 2 (LsC2), a 1.1-kb truncated copy of LsC1 that lacks one of the TIRs, rendering the transposon inactive. RNA-sequencing and reverse transcription quantitative PCR of NAR, GSL, and GSL-DG indicated the relative expression level of ANS was strongly influenced by the transposon insertions. Analysis of flavonoid content indicated leaf cyanidin levels correlated positively with ANS expression. Bioinformatic analysis of the cv Salinas lettuce reference genome led to the discovery and characterization of an LsC1 transposon family with a putative transposon copy number greater than 1,700. Homologs of tnpA and tnpD, the genes encoding two proteins necessary for activation of transposition of CACTA elements, were also identified in the lettuce genome.

Occurrence and Determination of Carotenoids and Polyphenols in Different Paprika Powders from Organic and Conventional Production

Paprika powder is a good source of different carotenoids and polyphenols, which play a key role in preventing certain diseases (some kinds of cancer and cardiovascular diseases). They can also be used as natural food colorants. Organic production is characterized by strict rules, but products obtained in this way contain more bioactive compounds, such as carotenoids and polyphenols. The aim of this study was to measure and identify carotenoids and polyphenols in different paprika samples (sweet, hot, smoked, and chili) obtained by organic and conventional production. Quantitative and qualitative carotenoid and polyphenols analysis showed that the experimental samples contained different concentrations of these compounds.

Molecular scaffolds from mother nature as possible lead compounds in drug design and discovery against coronaviruses: A landscape analysis of published literature and molecular docking studies

The recent outbreak of viral infection and its transmission has highlighted the importance of its slowdown for the safeguard of public health, globally. The identification of novel drugs and efficient therapies against these infectious viruses is need of the hour. The eruption of COVID-19 is caused by a novel acute respiratory syndrome virus SARS-CoV-2 which has taken the whole world by storm as it has transformed into a global pandemic. This lethal syndrome is a global health threat to general public which has already affected millions of people. Despite the development of some potential vaccines and repurposed drugs by some Pharma companies, this health emergency needs more attention due to the less efficacy of these vaccines coupled with the emergence of novel and resistant strains of SARS-CoV-2. Due to enormous structural diversity and biological applications, natural products are considered as a wonderful source of drugs for such diseases. Natural product based drugs constitute a substantial proportion of the pharmaceutical market particularly in the therapeutic areas of infectious diseases and oncology. The naturally occurring bioactive antiviral phytochemicals including alkaloids, flavonoids and peptides have been subjected to virtual screening against COVID-19. Since there is no specific medicine available for the treatment of Covid-19, designing new drugs using in silico methods plays an all important role to find that magic bullet which can target this lethal virus. The in silico method is not only quick but economical also when compared to the other conventional methods which are hit and trial methods. Based on this in silico approach, various natural products have been recently identified which might have a potential to inhibit COVID-19 outbreak. These natural products have been shown by these docking studies to interact with the spike protein of the novel coronavirus. This spike protein has been shown to bind to a transmembrane protein called Angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), this protein acts as a receptor for the viral spike protein. This comprehensive review article anticipates providing a summary of the authentic and peer reviewed published literature about the potential of natural metabolites that can be developed into possible lead compounds against this new threat of Covid-19. Main focus of the article will be to highlight natural sources of potential anti-coronavirus molecules, mechanism of action, docking studies and the target proteins as well as their toxicity profiles. This review article intends to provide a starting point for the research endeavors that are needed for the design and development of drugs based on pure natural products, their synthetic or semi-synthetic derivatives and standardized plant extracts. This review article will be highly helpful for scientists who are working or intend to work on antiviral drugs from natural sources.

Epigenetic targeting of cancer stem cells by polyphenols (cancer stem cells targeting)

Epigenetic alterations are one of the main factors that disrupt the expression of genes and consequently, they have an important role in the carcinogenicity and the progression of different cancers. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are accountable for the recurrence, metastasis, and therapeutic failure of cancer. The noticeable and specific pathways in CSCs can be organized by epigenetic mechanisms such as DNA methylation, chromatin remodeling, regulatory RNAs, among others. Since epigenetics modifications can be changed and reversed, it is a possible tool for cancer control and treatment. Epigenetic therapies against CSCs are emerging as a very new strategy with a good future expectation to treat cancer patients. Phenolic compounds are a vast group of substances with anticarcinogenic functions, antiinflammatory, and antioxidative activities. It seems these characteristics are related to neutralizing CSCs development, their microenvironment, and metabolism through epigenetic mechanisms. In the current work, the types of epigenetic changes known in these cells are introduced. In addition, some studies about the use of polyphenols acting through a variety of epigenetic mechanisms to counteract these cells will be reviewed. The reported results seem to indicate that the use of these phenolic compounds may be useful for CSCs defeat.

Effects of quercetin supplementation on inflammatory factors and quality of life in post-myocardial infarction patients: A double blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial

Myocardial infarction (MI) is one of the leading causes of death in the world. Epidemiological studies have shown that dietary flavonoids are inversely related to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The study aimed to determine whether quercetin supplementation can improve inflammatory factors, total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and quality of life (QOL) in patients following MI. This randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted on 88 post-MI patients. Participants were randomly assigned into quercetin (n = 44) and placebo groups (n = 44) receiving 500 mg/day quercetin or placebo tablets for 8 weeks. Quercetin supplementation significantly increased serum TAC compared to placebo (Difference: 0.24 (0.01) mmol/L and 0.00 (0.00) mmol/L respectively; p < .001). TNF-α levels significantly decreased in the quercetin group (p = .009); this was not, however, significant compared to the placebo group. As for QOL dimensions, quercetin significantly lowered the scores of insecurity (Difference: -0.66 (12.5) and 0.00 (5.55) respectively; p < .001). No significant changes in IL-6, hs-CRP, blood pressure and other QOL dimensions were observed between the two groups. Quercetin supplementation (500 mg/day) in post-MI patients for 8 weeks significantly elevated TAC and improved the insecurity dimension of QOL, but failed to show any significant effect on inflammatory factors, blood pressure and other QOL dimensions.

Phytogenic Products and Phytochemicals as a Candidate Strategy to Improve Tolerance to Coronavirus

Coronaviruses are the causative agents of many infectious diseases in human and animals. These included severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), avian infectious bronchitis (IBV) in poultry, Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in humans. These results had considerable death burdens and negative influences on social-economic life. Since the appearance of the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, continuous investigations have been carried out by researchers to find active compounds, mainly from plants, as natural sources, that could inhibit or stop the proliferation of the causative agent of COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2). The most common symptoms caused by infections with COVID-19 can include cough, fever, and sore throat. Nevertheless, there is a shortage of active antiviral compounds for treating different strains of coronavirus. Herbal medicine is a class of medication that originates from nature and is aimed at decreasing the use of preservatives, excipients, or other additives and, consequently, lesser side effects. The rapid spread of COVID-19 infection besides the lack of knowledge about any treatments and the growing concern of the public from the virus directed us toward writing this review article in an aim to provide alternatives to the allopathic medicine use. There is a wealth of chemical diversity in the naturally existing compounds, including their antiviral activities, which may encourage their utilization as therapeutics against viral infections, including coronaviruses. The majority of publications on the herbal remedies of coronavirus, MERS, or SARS focused primarily on the use of polar compounds. These substances displayed encouraging inhibitory influences on coronavirus in humans. These include psoralidin, scutellarein, silvestrol, tryptanthrin, caffeic acid, quercetin, myricetin, saikosaponin B2, griffithsin (lectins), and isobavachalcone. Some other agents like lycorine may be useful, if the antiviral activity is obtained by concentrations below the toxic plasma levels. According to the available literatures, the most promising inhibitors of coronaviruses are polyphenolic compounds, which are small molecules with conjugated fused ring structures.

A role for quercetin in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)

Several months ago, an outbreak of pneumonia of unknown aetiology was detected in Wuhan City (China) and the aetiological agent of the atypical pneumonia was isolated by the Chinese authorities as novel coronavirus (2019‐nCoV or SARS‐CoV‐2). The WHO announced this new disease was to be known as “COVID‐19.” When looking for new antiviral compounds, knowledge of the main viral proteins is fundamental. The major druggable targets of SARS‐CoV‐2 include 3‐chymotrypsin‐like protease (3CLpro), papain‐like protease (PLpro), RNA‐dependent RNA polymerase, and spike (S) protein. Quercetin inhibits 3CLpro and PLpro with a docking binding energy corresponding to −6.25 and −4.62 kcal/mol, respectively. Quercetin has a theoretical, but significant, capability to interfere with SARS‐CoV‐2 replication, with the results showing this to be the fifth best compound out of 18 candidates. On the basis of the clinical COVID‐19 manifestations, the multifaceted aspect of quercetin as both antiinflammatory and thrombin‐inhibitory actions, should be taken into consideration.

Wine's Phenolic Compounds and Health: A Pythagorean View

In support of the J curve that describes the association between wine consumption and all-cause mortality, researchers and the lay press often advocate the health benefits of (poly)phenol consumption via red wine intake and cite the vast amount of in vitro literature that would corroborate the hypothesis. Other researchers dismiss such evidence and call for total abstention. In this review, we take a skeptical, Pythagorean stance and we critically try to move the debate forward by pointing the readers to the many pitfalls of red wine (poly)phenol research, which we arbitrarily treat as if they were pharmacological agents. We conclude that, after 30 years of dedicated research and despite the considerable expenditure, we still lack solid, "pharmacological", human evidence to confirm wine (poly)phenols' biological actions. Future research will eventually clarify their activities and will back the current recommendations of responsibly drinking moderate amounts of wine with meals.

Protective Effects of Polyphenols against Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury

Myocardial infarction (MI) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality across the world. It manifests as an imbalance between blood demand and blood delivery in the myocardium, which leads to cardiac ischemia and myocardial necrosis. While it is not easy to identify the first pathogenic cause of MI, the consequences are characterized by ischemia, chronic inflammation, and tissue degeneration. A poor MI prognosis is associated with extensive cardiac remodeling. A loss of viable cardiomyocytes is replaced with fibrosis, which reduces heart contractility and heart function. Recent advances have given rise to the concept of natural polyphenols. These bioactive compounds have been studied for their pharmacological properties and have proven successful in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Studies have focused on their various bioactivities, such as their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects and free radical scavenging. In this review, we summarized the effects and benefits of polyphenols on the cardiovascular injury, particularly on the treatment of myocardial infarction in animal and human studies.

Covid-19 and the Subsequent Lockdown Modified Dietary Habits of Almost Half the Population in an Italian Sample

The Covid-19 pandemic led to lockdowns in several parts of the world and, hence, changed some daily habits, including social interactions, the ability to perform sports, and—possibly—diet. The Italian government established and promulgated lockdown policies on 9 March 2020. We aim at assessing the effects of Covid-19-induced confinement policies on self-reported food consumption of self-selected Italians by means of a questionnaire that was created and diffused by the Internet. Nearly half, i.e., 49.6% of responders did not substantially modify their diet during the lockdown; however, 46.1% of them reported that they were eating more during confinement, and 19.5% gained weight. In particular, we report an increase in “comfort food” consumption, notably chocolate, ice-cream, and desserts (42.5%) and salty snacks (23.5%). In addition, 42.7% percent of this cohort attributed this increase to higher anxiety levels. Related to this, 36.8% of responders reported a decrease in alcohol consumption, even though 10.1% of them reported an increase. Interestingly, 21.2% of responders increased their consumption of fresh fruit and vegetables. Only 33.5% of those who declared decreased consumption attributed this change of diet to lower availability and ease of purchasing such items. Equally interesting, over half of responders, i.e., 56.2%, admitted that fruit and vegetables did not appeal to them while in lockdown. Purchases of ready-made meals were reduced by nearly 50%. Future large-scale similar studies should be undertaken worldwide and will help public health authorities shape their reactions to future, unavoidable pandemics.

Impact of Crocus Sativus L. on Metabolic Profile in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus or Metabolic Syndrome: A Systematic Review

Background: Experimental studies demonstrated a positive effect of administration of Crocus sativus L. (saffron) and its bioactive ingredients on metabolic profile through their antioxidant capacity. Purpose: To determine if the use of saffron in humans is beneficial to patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) or metabolic syndrome (MS). Methods: This systematic review includes 14 randomized control trials that investigated the impact of saffron administration and its bioactive ingredient crocin on the metabolic profile of patients with DM, MS, prediabetes, and coronary artery disease. We documented the following clinical outcomes: fasting blood glucose (FBG), glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, triglycerides, systolic, and diastolic blood pressure. Results: Eight studies examined the efficacy of saffron in patients with DM, four with the metabolic syndrome, one with prediabetes and one with coronary artery disease. A favorable effect on FBG was observed. The results regarding blood lipids and blood pressure were inconclusive in the current review. Conclusions: According to the available limited evidence, saffron may have a favorable effect on FBG. Many of the studies in the reviewed literature are of poor quality, and more research is needed in this direction to confirm and establish the above findings.

Natural product-derived phytochemicals as potential agents against coronaviruses: A review

Coronaviruses are responsible for a growing economic, social and mortality burden, as the causative agent of diseases such as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), avian infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) and COVID-19. However, there is a lack of effective antiviral agents for many coronavirus strains. Naturally existing compounds provide a wealth of chemical diversity, including antiviral activity, and thus may have utility as therapeutic agents against coronaviral infections. The PubMed database was searched for papers including the keywords coronavirus, SARS or MERS, as well as traditional medicine, herbal, remedy or plants, with 55 primary research articles identified. The overwhelming majority of publications focussed on polar compounds. Compounds that show promise for the inhibition of coronavirus in humans include scutellarein, silvestrol, tryptanthrin, saikosaponin B₂, quercetin, myricetin, caffeic acid, psoralidin, isobavachalcone, and lectins such as griffithsin. Other compounds such as lycorine may be suitable if a therapeutic level of antiviral activity can be achieved without exceeding toxic plasma concentrations. It was noted that the most promising small molecules identified as coronavirus inhibitors contained a conjugated fused ring structure with the majority being classified as being polyphenols.

Recent advances in extracting phenolic compounds from food and their use in disease prevention and as cosmetics

Phenolic compounds in plants are essential components of human nutrition, which provide various health benefits. However, some missing links became the research in phenolic compounds structures and potential applications in a challenging work. Despite universal extraction methods with mixtures of different organic solvents are generally adopted in the analysis of phenolic compounds, a need for establish a specific procedure is still open. The great heterogeneity in food and food by-products matrices and the lack of standardized methods which combine chromatographic with spectrophotometric techniques to calculate the amount of phenolic compounds joined with the absence of specific standards hamper to accurate know the real amount of phenolic compounds. Indeed, the high complexity in nature and chemistry of phenolic compounds clearly difficult to establish a daily intake to obtain certain healthy outcomes. Hence, despite the potential of phenolic compounds to use them in cosmetic and healthy applications have been widely analyzed, some concerns must be considered. The chemical complexity, the interactions between phenolic compounds and other food components and the structural changes induced by food processing joined with the lack in the understanding of phenolic compounds metabolism and bioavailability undergo the need to conduct a comprehensive review of each factors influencing the final activity of phenolic compounds. This paper summarizes the potential of phenolic compounds for disease prevention and cosmetics production, as well as their many other uses derived from their antioxidant activity. This paper illustrates the potential of phenolic compounds for disease prevention and cosmetics production, as well as their many other uses derived from their antioxidant activity.

Flaxseed (Linum Usitatissimum L.) Supplementation in Patients Undergoing Lipoprotein Apheresis for Severe Hyperlipidemia-A Pilot Study

Being rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids, flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) is thought to be able to decrease lipid levels and dampen inflammation. In this pilot study, we aimed to determine whether flaxseed supplementation could improve the profiles of lipids and inflammatory mediators in patients with severe hyperlipidemia resistant to conventional lipid-lowering pharmacotherapy and requiring lipoprotein apheresis. To this end, six patients received, blindly—in addition to their normal lipoprotein apheresis regimen—a 10-week dietary supplementation with flaxseed (28 g/d) administered in biscuits. This was followed by a 10-week washed out-period and a 10-week supplementation phase with whole wheat placebo. Blood samples were collected at the end of each phase, before the lipoprotein apheresis session. The primary endpoint was the lipid profile and the secondary endpoints were the concentrations of inflammatory mediators and tolerability. Flaxseed supplementation was well-tolerated and resulted in a consistent and significant decrease in total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels. The median (and range) percentage decrease was 11.5% (0–18.8) and 7.3% (4.4–26.6), for cholesterol (p = 0.015) and LDL-C (p = 0.003), respectively. On the other hand, there was no significant effect of flaxseed on lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)), C-reactive protein (CRP), and interleukin 6 (IL-6) concentrations. These observations indicate that flaxseed can produce a cholesterol- and LDL-lowering effect in patients treated with lipoprotein apheresis. Thus, flaxseed supplementation may help to control cholesterol in this patient population. The flaxseed supplementation protocol applied may be of use for further adequately-powered studies to validate and extend our findings.

Diet, Lifestyle and Cardiovascular Diseases: Linking Pathophysiology to Cardioprotective Effects of Natural Bioactive Compounds

Heart and blood vessels disorders comprise one of the main causes of death worldwide. Pharmacologically active natural compounds have been used as a complementary therapy in cardiovascular disease around the world in a traditional way. Dietary, natural bioactive compounds, as well as healthy lifestyles, are considered to prevent coronary artery diseases. Pre-clinical and clinical studies reported that consumption of plant-food bioactive derivatives including polyphenolic compounds, peptides, oligosaccharides, vitamins, unsaturated fatty acids possess protective effects on cardiovascular diseases. This review aims to summarize the cardiovascular risk factors, pre-clinical studies and clinical trials related to cardioprotective properties of the plant-food-derived bioactive compounds. Molecular mechanisms by the natural bioactive compounds exert their cardiovascular protective properties have also been highlighted.

Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Activates Unfolded Protein Response Signaling and Mediates Inflammation, Obesity, and Cardiac Dysfunction: Therapeutic and Molecular Approach

Obesity has been implicated as a risk factor for insulin resistance and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Although the association between obesity and CVD is a well-established phenomenon, the precise mechanisms remain incompletely understood. This has led to a relative paucity of therapeutic measures for the prevention and treatment of CVD and associated metabolic disorders. Recent studies have shed light on the pivotal role of prolonged endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS)-initiated activation of the unfolded protein response (UPR), the ensuing chronic low-grade inflammation, and altered insulin signaling in promoting obesity-compromised cardiovascular system (CVS). In this aspect, potential ways of attenuating ERS-initiated UPR signaling seem a promising avenue for therapeutic interventions. We review intersecting role of obesity-induced ERS, chronic inflammation, insulin resistance, and oxidative stress in the discovery of targeted therapy. Moreover, this review highlights the current progress and strategies on therapeutics being explored in preclinical and clinical research to modulate ERS and UPR signaling.

Dietary flaxseed and turmeric is a novel strategy to enrich chicken meat with long chain ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids with better oxidative stability and functional properties

The purpose of the present study was to elucidate the effects of feeding flaxseed meal (FSM) and turmeric rhizome powder (TRP) supplementation on tissue lipid profile, lipid metabolism, health indices, oxidative stability, and physical properties of broiler chicken meat. The 100 g FSM along with 10.0 g TRP supplementation significantly increased the ω-3 PUFA, particularly ALA, EPA, DPA, and DHA of broiler chicken meat due to the corresponding increase ∆⁹ and Δ⁵ + Δ⁶ desaturase activities. The increased activities of the desaturases resulted in significantly better health indices of the broiler chicken meat. The feeding of 100 g FSM along with 10.0 g TRP supplementation reduced the atherogenic and thrombogenic indices of broiler chicken meat. The 100 g FSM feeding reduced the oxidative stability, water holding capacity, extract release volume of broiler chicken meat and increased drip loss, whereas, 10.0 g TRP supplementation reversed these negative effects of FSM.

Turmeric Extract: Potential Use as a Prebiotic and Anti-Inflammatory Compound?

Prebiotics are regarded as the non-digestible food constituents that are selectively consumed by health-promoting bacteria (probiotics). In fact, a number of active metabolites is released due to intensive interaction between prebiotics and probiotics in the gut which exert local and systemic beneficial effects including regulation of intestinal disorders and modulation of host immunity. Turmeric is one of the most important medicinal herbaceous that is derived from Curcuma longa rhizome. Curcumin is a well-recognized component of turmeric which contributes to the prevention of multiple inflammatory diseases. Despite curcumin as a well-known compound, few researches have focused on the turmeric extract (TE) and its potential as prebiotic and anti-inflammatory compound. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prebiotic potential and some functional-structural properties of TE. The Fourier-transform-infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectrum of TE showed identical peaks that belonged to β configuration in pyranose and glycosidic bonds. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis revealed the presence of potent phenolic and flavonoid anti-oxidants and curcuminoids, and some functional monosaccharides. TE demonstrated excellent resistance to artificial human gastric and intestine juice compared to the standard prebiotic (inulin) (p ≤ 0.05). Interestingly, our time course experiment showed that TE not only is digested by probiotics including Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) and Bifidobacterium animalis BB12, but also supports the growth of these bacteria even after 72 h (p ≤ 0.05). To our knowledge, this is the first report evaluating prebiotic potential of TE and exploring its suppressive effects on LPS induced IL-8 production in HT29-19A cell line.

The Nutraceutical Value of Olive Oil and Its Bioactive Constituents on the Cardiovascular System. Focusing on Main Strategies to Slow Down Its Quality Decay during Production and Storage

Cardiovascular diseases represent the principal cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. It is well-known that oxidative stress and inflammatory processes are strongly implicated in their pathogenesis; therefore, anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory agents can represent effective tools. In recent years a large number of scientific reports have pointed out the nutraceutical and nutritional value of extra virgin olive oils (EVOO), strongholds of the Mediterranean diet, endowed with a high nutritional quality and defined as functional foods. In regard to EVOO, it is a food composed of a major saponifiable fraction, represented by oleic acid, and a minor unsaponifiable fraction, including a high number of vitamins, polyphenols, and squalene. Several reports suggest that the beneficial effects of EVOO are linked to the minor components, but recently, further studies have shed light on the health effects of the fatty fraction and the other constituents of the unsaponifiable fraction. In the first part of this review, an analysis of the clinical and preclinical evidence of the cardiovascular beneficial effects of each constituent is carried out. The second part of this review is dedicated to the main operating conditions during production and/or storage that can directly influence the shelf life of olive oil in terms of both nutraceutical properties and sensory quality.

Hydroxytyrosol, Tyrosol and Derivatives and Their Potential Effects on Human Health

The Mediterranean diet and olive oil as its quintessential part are almost synonymous with a healthy way of eating and living nowadays. This kind of diet has been highly appreciated and is widely recognized for being associated with many favorable effects, such as reduced incidence of different chronic diseases and prolonged longevity. Although olive oil polyphenols present a minor fraction in the composition of olive oil, they seem to be of great importance when it comes to the health benefits, and interest in their biological and potential therapeutic effects is huge. There is a growing body of in vitro and in vivo studies, as well as intervention-based clinical trials, revealing new aspects of already known and many new, previously unknown activities and health effects of these compounds. This review summarizes recent findings regarding biological activities, metabolism and bioavailability of the major olive oil phenolic compounds—hydroxytyrosol, tyrosol, oleuropein, oleocanthal and oleacein—the most important being their antiatherogenic, cardioprotective, anticancer, neuroprotective and endocrine effects. The evidence presented in the review concludes that these phenolic compounds have great pharmacological potential, however, further studies are still required.