Clinical Studies on Bioavailability, Biotransformation, Biokinetics and Bioeffects of Phytochemicals

Dear Colleagues,

The health-promoting effects of phytochemicals strictly depend on their oral bioavailability, which, in turn, relies on i) the individual biotransformation systems; ii) the chemical structure and properties of each compound; and iii) the complexity of the plant matrix consisting of seeds, leaves, roots, stems, flowers, and other plant tissues and organs. After intake, bioactive compounds have to be absorbed, distributed, and metabolized before reaching the target tissues and cells; finally, the metabolites of native compounds are excreted in urine and feces, mainly as water-soluble conjugates (methyl, glucuronide, and sulfate derivatives). The gastrointestinal tract, the systemic circulation, and the urinary system are involved in these complex and coordinated biotransformation processes including enterohepatic circulation, and Phase I (oxidation, reduction and hydrolysis) and Phase II (conjugation) metabolisms in enterocytes and hepatocytes. Finally, phytochemicals not absorbed in the small intestine reach the large intestine where they are biotransformed by the colonic microbiota. Indeed, though phytochemicals are commonly considered “natural” products, i.e., safe and healthy, it is not actually always so: Plant metabolites are recognized as xenobiotics by the human organism, and therefore, they are extensively metabolized.

In this very wide context, we invite investigators to submit both original research and review articles that explore all these aspects.

Prof. Dr. Marcello Iriti
Guest Editor

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