Min-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry Journal is one of the extremely important and widely circulated journals of Bentham
Science Publishers. The current thematic issue has been focused on the role of Phenols and Polyphenols on human health. Phenolic
and polyphenolic derivatives constitute an interesting class of synthetic as well as natural organic compounds that possess
miraculous antioxidant properties as such because of their ability to quench or reduce the free radicals which are generated due
to pro-oxidant-induced oxidative stress which, in turn, accelerate numerous associated chronic diseases. Additionally, these
compounds also act as antibiotics and posses a wide range of biological activity such as anti-cancer, anti-tumor, anti-bacterial,
antifungal, anti-septic anti-diarrheal, anti-ulcer, anti-inflammatory activities etc. In spite of great importance, these compounds
also exhibit adverse effects on diverse biological systems particularly when taken in a larger amount. For example, several flavonoid
derivatives inhibit thyroid peroxidase (an enzyme) and thus interfere the biosynthesis of thyroid hormone and ultimately
thyroid function. Tannins, one of the major polyphenol in foodstuff, when consumed in large amount can lead to formation of
tannin-protein complexes, a group of indigestible complexes, inhibit digestive enzymes and affect the utilization of vitamins
and minerals. Among bisphenols, bisphenol A (BPA) is frequently used to make a hard, clear plastic known as polycarbonate,
which has been used in many consumer products including water bottles, baby bottles, metal-based food and beverage cans etc.
FDA also recognized some substantial uncertainties regarding their potential implications for human health effects. A number
of reports have shown their toxicity behavior and disclosed the detrimental face of this class of compounds. Therefore, efforts
have been made to explore the importance of phenolic compounds in human life and some considerable facts associated to human
health through various articles contributed by diverse range of authors. Here is the brief summary of the six contributed
articles:
Arbi et al., observed the antiproliferative effects of some phenolic and non-phenolic aryl butenes against K562 cells. Their
potential to induce skin depigmentation by evaluating their anti-tyrosinase activity has also been explored. In the study, hydroxytamoxifen
and some aryl butenes showed strong antiproliferative effects against K562 cells at 1 μM without showing tyrosinase
inhibition and thus have been identified as candidates for further development against chronic myeloid leukemia
(CML), and are predicted to not induce depigmentation of the skin, a side effect encountered with imatinib [1, 2], a conventionally
used drug for the treatment of CML. Aguilar et al., described the sources, biosynthesis and the purification of ellagitannins
which constitute one of the important classes of water-soluble polyphenolic natural products [3]. Health benefits associated
with these polyphenolic compounds have also been highlighted [4, 5].
Goel et al., presented a holistic outlook on occurrence of various polyphenols and their health benefits. Polyphenols are
considered as “Healing compounds from Nature’s own pharmacy” [6, 7]. The influence of dietary polyphenols on gut microbiota
has also been discussed. Thota reviewed on the development of polyphenols as antitumor agents in recent research studies.
Specially, role of polyphenols derived from plant, red wine, black and green tea has been presented [8-10]. A diversity of nutritional
polyphenolic components in human diet exhibits the great potential of anti inflammatory effects [11]. Some components
derived from plants like Resveratrol, Curcumin, Rutin, and Oleocanthal are clinically approved as herbal medicines for traditional
use and curing inflammatory disorder such as hepatitis, arthritis, and colitis [12-14]. Kinger et al., summarized the antiinflammatory
benefits of plants derived very prominent dietary polyphenolic compounds particularly, Oleocanthal, Curcumin,
Resveratrol and Quercetin. Gallic acid (3, 4, 5-trihydroxybenzoic acid), a low molecular triphenolic compound has arised as an
efficient apoptosis inducing agent. The antimicrobial and other biological properties of gallic acid and its derivatives seemed to
be linked with the hydrolysis of ester linkage between gallic acid and polyols like tannins hydrolyzed after ripening of many
edible fruits [15-18]. Beniwal et al., summarized the diverse roles played by gallic acid, its antioxidant potential, action mechanism
and more importantly the diverse array of applications in therapeutic and pharmaceutical area.
The quality publications by the Journal are the result of a joint effort made by a dedicated editorial team members, reviewers
and authors. The lead guest editors would like to extend their gratitude to editorial team members and authors of this issue
for their valuable scientific contributions. We also thank the valuable comments and suggestions given by the reviewers to improve
the quality and scientific perspective of the articles. In the end, if you have any suggestion to further improve the journal;
please feel free to drop a line to the MRMC.
