scholarly journals Cocoa Polyphenols and Their Potential Benefits for Human Health

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Andújar ◽  
M. C. Recio ◽  
R. M. Giner ◽  
J. L. Ríos

This paper compiles the beneficial effects of cocoa polyphenols on human health, especially with regard to cardiovascular and inflammatory diseases, metabolic disorders, and cancer prevention. Their antioxidant properties may be responsible for many of their pharmacological effects, including the inhibition of lipid peroxidation and the protection of LDL-cholesterol against oxidation, and increase resistance to oxidative stress. The phenolics from cocoa also modify the glycemic response and the lipid profile, decreasing platelet function and inflammation along with diastolic and systolic arterial pressures, which, taken together, may reduce the risk of cardiovascular mortality. Cocoa polyphenols can also modulate intestinal inflammation through the reduction of neutrophil infiltration and expression of different transcription factors, which leads to decreases in the production of proinflammatory enzymes and cytokines. The phenolics from cocoa may thus protect against diseases in which oxidative stress is implicated as a causal or contributing factor, such as cancer. They also have antiproliferative, antimutagenic, and chemoprotective effects, in addition to their anticariogenic effects.

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Subhadeep Chakrabarti ◽  
Forough Jahandideh ◽  
Jianping Wu

Chronic diseases such as atherosclerosis and cancer are now the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Inflammatory processes and oxidative stress underlie the pathogenesis of these pathological conditions. Bioactive peptides derived from food proteins have been evaluated for various beneficial effects, including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. In this review, we summarize the roles of various food-derived bioactive peptides in inflammation and oxidative stress and discuss the potential benefits and limitations of using these compounds against the burden of chronic diseases.


Antioxidants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 160
Author(s):  
Vladana Domazetovic ◽  
Irene Falsetti ◽  
Caterina Viglianisi ◽  
Kristian Vasa ◽  
Cinzia Aurilia ◽  
...  

Vitamin E, a fat-soluble compound, possesses both antioxidant and non-antioxidant properties. In this study we evaluated, in intestinal HT29 cells, the role of natural tocopherols, α-Toc and δ-Toc, and two semi-synthetic derivatives, namely bis-δ-Toc sulfide (δ-Toc)2S and bis-δ-Toc disulfide (δ-Toc)2S2, on TNFα-induced oxidative stress, and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and claudin-2 (Cl-2) expression. The role of tocopherols was compared to that of N-acetylcysteine (NAC), an antioxidant precursor of glutathione synthesis. The results show that all tocopherol containing derivatives used, prevented TNFα-induced oxidative stress and the increase of ICAM-1 and Cl-2 expression, and that (δ-Toc)2S and (δ-Toc)2S2 are more effective than δ-Toc and α-Toc. The beneficial effects demonstrated were due to tocopherol antioxidant properties, but suppression of TNFα-induced Cl-2 expression seems not only to be related with antioxidant ability. Indeed, while ICAM-1 expression is strongly related to the intracellular redox state, Cl-2 expression is TNFα-up-regulated by both redox and non-redox dependent mechanisms. Since ICAM-1 and Cl-2 increase intestinal bowel diseases, and cause excessive recruitment of immune cells and alteration of the intestinal barrier, natural and, above all, semi-synthetic tocopherols may have a potential role as a therapeutic support against intestinal chronic inflammation, in which TNFα represents an important proinflammatory mediator.


Drug Research ◽  
2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tina Didari ◽  
Shokoufeh Hassani ◽  
Maryam Baeeri ◽  
Mona Navaei-Nigjeh ◽  
Mahban Rahimifard ◽  
...  

Abstract Aim of the study Sepsis has well-documented inflammatory effects on cardiovascular and blood cells. This study is designed to investigate potential anti-inflammatory effects of metformin on cardiac and blood cells 12 and 24 h following cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-induced sepsis. Methods For the purpose of this study, 36 male Wistar rats were divided into six groups: two groups underwent CLP, two groups underwent CLP and received metformin, and two groups only received sham operations. 12 h later, 18 rats (half of rats in each of the three aforementioned groups) were sacrificed and cardiac and blood cells were harvested. Subsequently, 12 h later, the rest of the rats were euthanatized. In all harvested blood and cardiac cells, oxidative stress indicators, antioxidant properties, count of blood cells, neutrophil infiltration, percentage of weight loss and pathological assessment were conducted. Results In our experiment, metformin elevated antioxidant levels, improved function of blood cells and percentage of weight loss. Moreover, in the groups which received metformin, oxidative stress and neutrophil infiltration markers were decreased significantly. Moreover, pathological investigations of cardiac cell injury were reduced in the metformin group. Conclusions Our findings suggest that in CLP induced sepsis model, metformin can improve the function of blood and cardiac cells through alleviating inflammation, improvement of anti-inflammation properties, and enhancement of blood profile, and all these effects are more pronounced after 24 h in comparison with 12 h after induction of sepsis.


Molecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (10) ◽  
pp. 2351 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Cervantes-García ◽  
Armida I. Bahena-Delgado ◽  
Mariela Jiménez ◽  
Laura E. Córdova-Dávalos ◽  
Vanessa Ruiz-Esparza Palacios ◽  
...  

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)-induced enteropathy is considered a serious and increasing clinical problem without available treatment. Glycomacropeptide (GMP) is a 64-amino acid peptide derived from milk κ-casein with numerous biological activities. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effect of GMP on NSAID enteropathy in rats. Enteropathy was induced by seven days oral indomethacin administration. Rats were orally GMP treated from seven days previous and during the establishment of the enteropathy model. Changes in metabolism, hematological and biochemical blood alterations, intestinal inflammation and oxidative damage were analyzed. Integrity barrier markers, macroscopic intestinal damage and survival rate were also evaluated. GMP treatment prevented anorexia and weight loss in animals. Furthermore, prophylaxis with GMP ameliorated the decline in hemoglobin, hematocrit, albumin and total protein levels. The treatment had no therapeutic efficacy on the decrease of occludin and mucin (MUC)-2 expression in intestinal tissue. However, GMP markedly decreased neutrophil infiltration, and CXCL1, interleukin-1β and inducible nitric oxide synthase expression. Nitric oxide production and lipid hydroperoxide level in the small intestine were also diminished. These beneficial effects were mirrored by preventing ulcer development and increasing animal survival. These results suggest that GMP may protect against NSAID enteropathy through anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.


Author(s):  
Fatma Esra Güneş

Bioactive peptides (BP) are specific protein fragments that can affect biological processes or substrates that have a positive impact on functions and conditions on body health. Plant and animal sources that contain physiologically active food proteins, native or processed, are rich sources of bioactive peptides. Bioactive peptides derived from food proteins have been demostrated to have variety of beneficial effects, such as anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. BP are accepted the new generation of biologically active regulators; they can prevent oxidation and microbial degradation in foods and furthermore improve quality of life by treating various diseases and disorders. The present review highlights the recent findings on the roles of various food-derived bioactive peptides in inflammation and oxidative stress and discuss the potential benefits and limitations of using these compounds against the burden of chronic diseases.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (9) ◽  
pp. 1413
Author(s):  
Meng Yang ◽  
Shambhunath Bose ◽  
Sookyoung Lim ◽  
JaeGu Seo ◽  
JooHyun Shin ◽  
...  

The identification of new probiotics with anti-obesity properties has attracted considerable interest. In the present study, the anti-obesity activities of Akkermansia muciniphila (A. muciniphila) strains isolated from human stool samples and their relationship with the gut microbiota were evaluated using a high fat-diet (HFD)-fed mice model. Three strains of A. muciniphila were chosen from 27 isolates selected based on their anti-lipogenic activity in 3T3-L1 cells. The anti-lipogenic, anti-adipogenic and anti-obesity properties of these three strains were evaluated further in HFD-induced obese mice. The animals were administered these strains six times per week for 12 weeks. The treatment improved the HFD-induced metabolic disorders in mice in terms of the prevention of body weight gain, caloric intake and reduction in the weights of the major adipose tissues and total fat. In addition, it improved glucose homeostasis and insulin sensitivity. These effects were also associated with the inhibition of low-grade intestinal inflammation and restoration of damaged gut integrity, prevention of liver steatosis and improvement of hepatic function. These results revealed a difference in the distribution pattern of the gut microbial communities between groups. Therefore, the gut microbial population modulation, at least in part, might contribute to the beneficial impact of the selected A. muciniphila strains against metabolic disorders.


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (12) ◽  
pp. 4489
Author(s):  
Adriana R. Silva ◽  
Bianca P. T. Moraes ◽  
Cassiano F. Gonçalves-de-Albuquerque

The Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) consists of consumption of vegetables and healthy oils and have beneficial effects on metabolic and inflammatory diseases. Our goal here is to discuss the role of fatty acid content in MedDiet, mostly omega-3, omega-6, and omega-9 on malaria. Malaria affects millions of people around the globe. The parasite Plasmodium causes the disease. The metabolic and inflammatory alterations in the severe forms have damaging consequences to the host. The lipid content in the MedDiet holds anti-inflammatory and pro-resolutive features in the host and have detrimental effects on the Plasmodium. The lipids from the diet impact the balance of pro- and anti-inflammation, thus, lipids intake from the diet is critical to parasite elimination and host tissue damage caused by an immune response. Herein, we go into the cellular and molecular mechanisms and targets of the MedDiet fatty acids in the host and the parasite, reviewing potential benefits of the MedDiet, on inflammation, malaria infection progression, and clinical outcome.


2011 ◽  
Vol 55 (2) ◽  
pp. 121-126 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aline Margioti Zanella ◽  
Marcelo Arruda Nakazone ◽  
Marcela Augusta Souza Pinhel ◽  
Dorotéia Rossi Silva Souza

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether lipid profile (LP), apolipoprotein A-1 (apo A-I) and malondialdehyde (MDA) have any relationship with physical exercise by comparing the groups of footballers (FG) with sedentary individuals (CG) and their relatives (RFG and RCG). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Twenty individuals from FG and CG, 60 from RFG, and 57 from RCG were studied. RESULTS: FG showed lower levels of total cholesterol (119.5 ± 37.9 mg/dL), LDL-cholesterol fraction (53.6 ± 30.3), apo A-I (116.7 ± 11.9), and higher level of HDL-cholesterol fraction (HDLc) (49.7 ± 8.5) compared to RFG (148.3 ± 36.9, P = 0.02; 82.4 ± 37.7, P < 0.01; 124.6 ± 10.2, P = 0.03; and 42.7 ± 7.7, P < 0.01; respectively). Moreover, FG had reduced levels of MDA (101.0 ± 77.0 ng/mL) compared to CG (290.0 ± 341.0, P = 0.03) and RFG (209.9 ± 197.5, P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest an association between physical exercise and lower levels of MDA in FG. Physical activity seems to promote beneficial effects on the LP regardless of the genetic influence considering HDLc levels.


2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saeed Samarghandian ◽  
Mohsen Azimi-Nezhad ◽  
Fariborz Samini

Diabetic encephalopathy is one of the severe complications in patients with diabetes mellitus. Findings indicate that saffron extract has antioxidant properties but its underlying beneficial effects on diabetic encephalopathy were unclear. In the present study, the protective activities of saffron were evaluated in diabetic encephalopathy. Saffron at 40 and 80 mg/kg significantly increased body weight and serum TNF-αand decreased blood glucose levels, glycosylated serum proteins, and serum advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs) levels. Furthermore, significant increase in HDL and decrease (P<0.05) in cholesterol, triglyceride, and LDL were observed after 28 days of treatment. At the end of experiments, the hippocampus tissue was used for determination of glutathione content (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) activities. Furthermore, saffron significantly increased GSH, SOD, and CAT but remarkably decreased cognitive deficit, serum TNF-α, and induced nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) activity in hippocampus tissue. Our findings indicated that saffron extract may reduce hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia risk and also reduce the oxidative stress in diabetic encephalopathy rats. This study suggested that saffron extract might be a promising candidate for the improvement of chemically induced diabetes and its complications.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vadim Dubinsky ◽  
Leah Reshef ◽  
Keren Rabinowitz ◽  
Karin Yadgar ◽  
Lihi Godny ◽  
...  

Background: Crohn's disease (CD), ulcerative colitis (UC) and pouchitis are multifactorial and chronic inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, termed together as inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Pouchitis develops in former patients with UC after total proctocolectomy and ileal pouch-anal anastomosis ("pouch surgery") and is characterized by inflammation of the previously normal small intestine comprising the pouch. It has been extensively shown that broad taxonomic and functional alterations ("dysbiosis") occur in the gut microbiome of patients with IBD. However, the extent to which microbial dysbiosis in pouchitis resembles that of CD or UC has not been investigated in-depth, and the pathogenesis of pouchitis largely remains unknown. Results: In this study we collected 250 fecal metagenomes from 75 patients with a pouch, including both non-inflamed (normal pouch) and inflamed (pouchitis) phenotypes, and compared them to publicly available metagenomes of patients with CD (n=88), and UC (n=76), as well as healthy controls (n=56). Patients with pouchitis presented the highest level of dysbiosis compared to other IBD phenotypes based on species, metabolic pathways and enzyme profiles, and their level of dysbiosis was correlated with intestinal inflammation. In patients with pouchitis, the microbiome mucin degradation potential was lower, but was accompanied by an enrichment of Ruminococcus gnavus strains encoding specific mucin-degrading glycoside hydrolases, which might be pro-inflammatory. Butyrate and secondary bile acids producers were decreased in all IBD phenotypes and were especially low in pouchitis. Butyrate synthesis genes were positively correlated with total dietary fiber intake. Patients with pouchitis harbored more facultative anaerobic bacteria encoding enzymes involved in oxidative stress response, suggesting high oxidative stress during pouch inflammation. Finally, we have developed enzymes-based classifiers that can distinguish between patients with a normal pouch and pouchitis with an area under the curve of 0.91. Conclusions: We propose that the non-inflamed pouch is already dysbiotic (function- and species-wise) and microbially is more similar to CD than to UC. Our study reveals microbial functions that underlie the pathogenesis of pouchitis and suggests bacterial groups and functions that could be targeted for nutritional intervention to attenuate or prevent small intestinal inflammation present in pouchitis and CD.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document