scholarly journals Isoflavonoids — an overview of their biological activities and potential health benefits

2009 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 211-218 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eva Miadoková
Keyword(s):  
Secondary Metabolites ◽  
Skin Diseases ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
Health Benefits ◽  
Plant Secondary Metabolites ◽  
Epidemiologic Studies ◽  
Biological Functions ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Health Promoting

Isoflavonoids — an overview of their biological activities and potential health benefitsThere are many biological activities attributed to isoflavonoids. The majority of them could be beneficial and some of them may be detrimental, depending on specific circumstances. Isoflavonoids play an important role in human nutrition as health promoting natural chemicals. They belong to plant secondary metabolites that mediate diverse biological functions through numerous pathways. They are structurally similar to estrogens, exerting both estrogenic and antiestrogenic properties in various tissues. The results of epidemiologic studies exploring the role of isoflavonoids in human health have been inconclusive. Some studies support the notion of a protective effect of their consumption in immunomodulation, cognition, risk reduction of certain cancers, cardiovascular and skin diseases, osteoporosis and obesity, as well as relief of menopausal symptoms. Other studies failed to demonstrate any effects.

scholarly journals Polyphenols and Human Health: The Role of Bioavailability

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 273 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chiara Di Lorenzo ◽  
Francesca Colombo ◽  
Simone Biella ◽  
Creina Stockley ◽  
Patrizia Restani
Keyword(s):  
Biological Activities ◽  
Biological Effects ◽  
Food Sources ◽  
Food Matrix ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Health Promoting ◽  
Phase I And Ii

Polyphenols are a group of phytochemicals with potential health-promoting effects. They are classified as flavonoid (flavonols, flavanols, flavones, flavanones, isoflavones, and anthocyanins) and non-flavonoid molecules (phenolic acids, hydroxycinnamic acids, lignans, stilbenes, and tannins). Although an increasing number of trials have shown a correlation among polyphenol consumption and a reduction in risk factors for chronic diseases, discrepancies in explaining their positive effects have been found in terms of the bioavailability. In fact, polyphenols show a low bioavailability due to several factors: interaction with the food matrix, the metabolic processes mediated by the liver (phase I and II metabolism), intestine and microbiota. On the other hand, the biological activities of phenol compounds may be mediated by their metabolites, which are produced in vivo, and recent studies have confirmed that these molecules may have antioxidant and anti-phlogistic properties. This review discusses the studies performed in vivo, which consider the polyphenol bioavailability and their different food sources. Factors influencing the biological effects of the main classes of polyphenols are also considered.

Role of Stress and Defense in Plant Secondary Metabolites Production

2020 ◽  
pp. 151-195
Author(s):  
Humberto Aguirre-Becerra ◽  
Ma Cristina Vazquez-Hernandez ◽  
Diana Saenz de la O ◽  
Aurora Alvarado-Mariana ◽  
Ramon G. Guevara-Gonzalez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Secondary Metabolites ◽  
Plant Secondary Metabolites ◽  
Metabolites Production

Phytoremediation of Electronic Waste: A Mechanistic Overview and Role of Plant Secondary Metabolites

2019 ◽  
pp. 233-252 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mubarak Ali Khan ◽  
Nazif Ullah ◽  
Tariq Khan ◽  
Muhsin Jamal ◽  
Naseer Ali Shah ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Secondary Metabolites ◽  
Electronic Waste ◽  
Plant Secondary Metabolites

scholarly journals Hunting Bioactive Molecules from the Agave Genus: An Update on Extraction and Biological Potential

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (22) ◽  
pp. 6789
Author(s):  
Misael Bermúdez-Bazán ◽  
Gustavo Adolfo Castillo-Herrera ◽  
Judith Esmeralda Urias-Silvas ◽  
Antonio Escobedo-Reyes ◽  
Mirna Estarrón-Espinosa
Keyword(s):  
Secondary Metabolites ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
Waste Product ◽  
Bioactive Molecules ◽  
Alcoholic Beverages ◽  
Therapeutic Benefits ◽  
Biological Potential ◽  
Novel Drugs ◽  
Ancient Times

Agaves are plants used in the production of alcoholic beverages and fibers. Ever since ancient times, pre-Hispanic cultures in Mexico have used them in traditional medicine to cure different ailments. Over the years, studies of the active principles responsible for the therapeutic benefits of agaves have increased. Leaves and fibers are the main agro-wastes generated in tequila and mezcal production, while fibers are the main waste product in the textile sector. Different investigations have referred to the agro-waste from agave processing as a source of bioactive molecules called secondary metabolites (SM). Among them, phenols, flavonoids, phytosterols, and saponins have been extracted, identified, and isolated from these plants. The role of these molecules in pest control and the prospect of metabolites with the biological potential to develop novel drugs for chronic and acute diseases represent new opportunities to add value to these agro-wastes. This review aims to update the biological activities and recent applications of the secondary metabolites of the genus Agave.

scholarly journals Mushroom Biomass: Some Clinical Implications of β-Glucans and Enzymes

2016 ◽  
Vol 4 (Special-Issue-October) ◽  
pp. 37-47
Author(s):  
Ana Barros ◽  
Vitoria Bell ◽  
Jorge Ferrão ◽  
Vittorio Calabrese ◽  
Tito Fernandes
Keyword(s):  
Secondary Metabolites ◽  
Dietary Supplement ◽  
Biological Response ◽  
Cellular Growth ◽  
Health Promoting ◽  
The Rich ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Cytochrome P 450

Mushrooms have attracted market attention because they are a potential source of bioactive compounds able to perform several functions in organisms with benefits for the health of the consumer. Cultivation processes vary according a) industrial fermentation - in large vats to produce extracted form of mushrooms or b) closed cultivation system - individually grown in jars on an aseptic “substrate” with controlled lighting and irrigation to produce a biomass form of mushrooms. Biomass is the mycelium with primordia (young fruiting body - before the mushroom blooms) containing all the nutrients and active compounds, including β-glucans, enzymes and secondary metabolites. The classification of mushroom biomass varies according to the presentation; the biomass can be classified as a “food” if in powder form or, classified as a “dietary supplement” in tablet form. While tablet mushroom biomass is considered a dietary supplement, mushroom extracts are designated pharmaceutical compounds, pharmanutrients or nutraceuticals. Here we illustrate the difference between mushrooms in the biomass and extract forms, the similarities and differences on its content on enzymes, secondary metabolites and on β-glucans, as a soluble and fermentable fibre. Of particular note is the rich enzyme activity in the biomass form of mushrooms. Such activity includes enzymes that prevent oxidative stress (superoxide dismutase), enzymes that prevent cellular growth (protease, glucoamylase) and enzymes that promote detoxification (cytochrome P-450, peroxidase, glucose-2-oxidase). β-glucans have been proposed to act as “biological response modifiers” based on their effects on the immune system, and its role in the prevention and treatment of various metabolic syndrome-linked diseases. This review focuses also on some described health-promoting potential of mushroom biomass, all through immunomodulation. The role of intestinal microbiota is enhanced.

scholarly journals Title Page Title: The role of DNA methylation in the accumulation of iridoid glycosides in Rehmannia glutinosa

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tianyu Dong ◽  
Xiaoyan Wei ◽  
Qianting Qi ◽  
Peilei Chen ◽  
Yanqing Zhou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Dna Methylation ◽  
Secondary Metabolites ◽  
Iridoid Glycosides ◽  
Methylation Status ◽  
Plant Secondary Metabolites ◽  
Dna Demethylation ◽  
Terpene Biosynthesis ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Background: Epigenetic regulation plays a significant role in the accumulation of plant secondary metabolites. The terpenoids are the most abundant in the secondary metabolites of plants, iridoid glycosides belong to monoterpenoids which is one of the main medicinal components of R.glutinosa. At present, study on iridoid glycosides mainly focuses on its pharmacology, accumulation and distribution, while the mechanism of its biosynthesis and the relationship between DNA methylation and plant terpene biosynthesis are seldom reports. Results: The research showed that the expression of DXS, DXR, 10HGO, G10H, GPPS and accumulation of iridoid glycosides increased at first and then decreased with the maturity of R.glutinosa, and under different concentrations of 5-azaC, the expression of DXS, DXR, 10HGO, G10H, GPPS and the accumulation of total iridoid glycosides were promoted, the promotion effect of low concentration (15μM-50μM) was more significant, the content of genomic DNA 5mC decreased significantly, the DNA methylation status of R.glutinosa genomes was also changed. DNA demethylation promoted gene expression and increased the accumulation of iridoid glycosides, but excessive demethylation inhibited gene expression and decreased the accumulation of iridoid glycosides. Conclusion: The analysis of DNA methylation, gene expression, and accumulation of iridoid glycoside provides insights into accumulation of terpenoids in R.glutinosa and lays a foundation for future studies on the effects of epigenetics on the synthesis of secondary metabolites.

scholarly journals Plant secondary metabolites: antiparasitic effects and their role in ruminant production systems

2004 ◽  
Vol 63 (4) ◽  
pp. 631-639 ◽  
Author(s):  
Spiridoula Athanasiadou ◽  
Ilias Kyriazakis
Keyword(s):  
Secondary Metabolites ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Plant Secondary Metabolites ◽  
Antiparasitic Activity ◽  
Excessive Consumption ◽  
Therapeutic Properties ◽  
Nutritional Effects

The purported antiparasitic properties of plant secondary metabolites (PSM) have been the cause of controversy amongst the scientific community. Despite long-standing knowledge of the prophylactic and therapeutic properties of PSM-rich extracts, which comes mainly from ethnoveterinary sources, the scientific evidence of the antiparasitic effects of PSM is inconsistent. In the first part of the present paper the causes of this controversy are addressed, and the evidence available on the antiparasitic effects of PSM is critically examined. The focus is on examples of the antiparasitic activity of PSM against helminth nematodes. The conclusion is that PSM can have antiparasitic properties, which depend on their structure, level of ingestion and availability within the gastrointestinal tract of the animal. The second part is an appraisal of the potential role of PSM for parasite control in ruminant production systems. Despite their antiparasitic properties, PSM consumption does not necessarily have positive consequences in parasitised herbivores, as excessive consumption of PSM can adversely affect herbivore fitness and survival, through their anti-nutritional properties. For this reason it is suggested that the antiparasitic properties of PSM should be assessed at the same time as their anti-nutritional effects. The same measure, e.g. the performance of parasitised hosts, should be used when assessing these properties. The assessment of the costs and benefits suggests that parasitised herbivores can benefit from the long-term consumption of PSM only if the antiparasitic benefits outweigh the anti-nutritional costs of PSM. In addition, it is proposed that parasitised animals might be able to benefit from PSM consumption even if their performance is impaired, as long as the latter is a short-term compromise that leads to long-term benefits.

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