Abstract
Polyphenolic compounds are widely distributed in higher plants and are an integral part of the human diet. Recent interest in these substances has been stimulated by their potential health benefits, which are believed to arise mainly from their antioxidant activity. In the past years, the antioxidant activity of flavonoids has been studied in detail. An important but often overlooked group of polyphenols is that of the proanthocyanidins. Therefore, the present review is focused mainly on the antioxidant activity of proanthocyanidins and its relevancy in vivo. The three most important mechanisms of their antioxidant action will be discussed, i.e. free radical scavenging activity, chelation of transition metals, and inhibition of enzymes. In addition, the protective role of proanthocyanidins against lipid peroxidation and peroxynitrite, as well as their antimicrobial properties will be discussed. To study the in vivo relevancy of the proanthocyanidin activities, the knowledge of their pharmacokinetic parameters is crucial. Although bioavailability and metabolism data on polyphenols in general and proanthocyanidins in particular are still largely unavailable, the first reports indicate that at least monomers and smaller oligomeric procyanidins are absorbed. There is also considerable scientific and public interest in the important role that antioxidants may play in health care, e.g. by acting as cancer chemopreventive and antiinflammatory agents and by reducing risk of cardiovascular mortality. Each of these aspects will be discussed, with special attention to the role of proanthocyanidins on apoptosis, gene expression and transcription factors, such as NF-kappa B.
Keywords: proanthocyanidins, polyphenols, condensed tannins, antioxidant, free radicals, bioavailability, cardiovascular diseases, cancer
Current Medicinal Chemistry
Title: Proanthocyanidins in Health Care: Current and New Trends
Volume: 11 Issue: 10
Author(s): P. Cos, T. De Bruyne, N. Hermans, S. Apers, D. Vanden Berghe and A. J. Vlietinck
Affiliation:
Keywords: proanthocyanidins, polyphenols, condensed tannins, antioxidant, free radicals, bioavailability, cardiovascular diseases, cancer
Abstract: Polyphenolic compounds are widely distributed in higher plants and are an integral part of the human diet. Recent interest in these substances has been stimulated by their potential health benefits, which are believed to arise mainly from their antioxidant activity. In the past years, the antioxidant activity of flavonoids has been studied in detail. An important but often overlooked group of polyphenols is that of the proanthocyanidins. Therefore, the present review is focused mainly on the antioxidant activity of proanthocyanidins and its relevancy in vivo. The three most important mechanisms of their antioxidant action will be discussed, i.e. free radical scavenging activity, chelation of transition metals, and inhibition of enzymes. In addition, the protective role of proanthocyanidins against lipid peroxidation and peroxynitrite, as well as their antimicrobial properties will be discussed. To study the in vivo relevancy of the proanthocyanidin activities, the knowledge of their pharmacokinetic parameters is crucial. Although bioavailability and metabolism data on polyphenols in general and proanthocyanidins in particular are still largely unavailable, the first reports indicate that at least monomers and smaller oligomeric procyanidins are absorbed. There is also considerable scientific and public interest in the important role that antioxidants may play in health care, e.g. by acting as cancer chemopreventive and antiinflammatory agents and by reducing risk of cardiovascular mortality. Each of these aspects will be discussed, with special attention to the role of proanthocyanidins on apoptosis, gene expression and transcription factors, such as NF-kappa B.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Cos P., Bruyne De T., Hermans N., Apers S., Berghe Vanden D. and Vlietinck J. A., Proanthocyanidins in Health Care: Current and New Trends, Current Medicinal Chemistry 2004; 11 (10) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/0929867043365288
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/0929867043365288 |
Print ISSN 0929-8673 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-533X |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Advances in Medicinal Chemistry: From Cancer to Chronic Diseases.
The broad spectrum of the issue will provide a comprehensive overview of emerging trends, novel therapeutic interventions, and translational insights that impact modern medicine. The primary focus will be diseases of global concern, including cancer, chronic pain, metabolic disorders, and autoimmune conditions, providing a broad overview of the advancements in ...read more
Approaches to the treatment of chronic inflammation
Chronic inflammation is a hallmark of numerous diseases, significantly impacting global health. Although chronic inflammation is a hot topic, not much has been written about approaches to its treatment. This thematic issue aims to showcase the latest advancements in chronic inflammation treatment and foster discussion on future directions in this ...read more
Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Non-Infectious Inflammatory Diseases: Focus on Clinical Implications
The Special Issue covers the results of the studies on cellular and molecular mechanisms of non-infectious inflammatory diseases, in particular, autoimmune rheumatic diseases, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and other age-related disorders such as type II diabetes, cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, etc. Review and research articles as well as methodology papers that summarize ...read more
Chalcogen-modified nucleic acid analogues
Chalcogen-modified nucleosides, nucleotides and oligonucleotides have been of great interest to scientific research for many years. The replacement of oxygen in the nucleobase, sugar or phosphate backbone by chalcogen atoms (sulfur, selenium, tellurium) gives these biomolecules unique properties resulting from their altered physical and chemical properties. The continuing interest in ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Recent Developments in Anti-dotes Against Anthrax
Recent Patents on Anti-Infective Drug Discovery Dietary Prevention of Cancer: Anticancer and Antiangiogenic Properties of Green Tea Polyphenols
Medicinal Chemistry Reviews - Online (Discontinued) Angiogenic Properties of Primary Cells Intended at Bone Regeneration: A Comparison to Differentiated Cells Using the CAM Assay
Current Angiogenesis (Discontinued) The Contribution of Oxazolidinone Frame to The Biological Activity of Pharmaceutical Drugs and Natural Products
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry Cellular Oxidative/Antioxidant Balance in γ-Irradiated Brain: An Update
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry An Overview on 2-arylquinolin-4(1H)-ones and Related Structures as Tubulin Polymerisation Inhibitors
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Taking Cell Culture in Drug Discovery to the Third Dimension - A Patent Review
Recent Patents on Biomedical Engineering (Discontinued) Prostacyclin, Atherothrombosis, and Cardiovascular Disease
Current Medicinal Chemistry The Different Strategies for Designing GPCR and Kinase Targeted Libraries
Combinatorial Chemistry & High Throughput Screening Angiomodulatory and Neurological Effects of Ginsenosides
Current Medicinal Chemistry Natural Products Triggering Biological Targets- A Review of the Anti-Inflammatory Phytochemicals Targeting the Arachidonic Acid Pathway in Allergy Asthma and Rheumatoid Arthritis
Current Drug Targets Dry Emulsions based on Alpha Cyclodextrin and Vegetable Oils for Buccal Delivery of Lipophilic Drugs
Drug Delivery Letters An Update on “Selenium Containing Compounds from Poison to Drug Candidates: A Review on the GPx-like Activity”
Current Chemical Biology Current Advances and Future Challenges in Adenoviral Vector Biology and Targeting
Current Gene Therapy Variability in the Response to Non-pharmacological Treatments in Patients with Cardiovascular Diseases
Current Pharmacogenomics and Personalized Medicine Modulation of Eosinophil Functions by Nitric Oxide: Cyclic GMPdependent and -independent Mechanisms
Anti-Inflammatory & Anti-Allergy Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Generation of Bispecific Antibodies by Fc Heterodimerization and their Application
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Emerging Role of Bone Morphogenetic Proteins as a Context Dependent Pro-Angiogenic Cue
Current Angiogenesis (Discontinued) Bioaccessibility of Bioactive Compounds and Prebiotic Properties of Fruit and Vegetable By-products - A Mini Review
Current Bioactive Compounds Olive Oil and Haemostasis
Current Nutrition & Food Science