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Natural Polyphenols in Human Health (Volume II)
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Natural Polyphenols in Human Health (Volume II)

A special issue of Molecules (ISSN 1420-3049). This special issue belongs to the section "Natural Products Chemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2024) | Viewed by 18789

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Nour Eddine Es-Safi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Materials Science Center (MSC), Mohammed V University in Rabat, LPCMIO, Ecole Normale Supérieure, Rabat, Morocco
Interests: medicinal plants; natural products; polyphenols; essential oils; extraction; isolation; characterization; biological properties; chromatography; spectroscopy; nuclear magnetic resonance; mass spectrometry
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Elena Gonzalez-Burgos

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Pharmacology, Pharmacognosy and Botany, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
Interests: natural products; health; pharmacology; phenolic compounds
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The first volume of this Special Issue, devoted to Natural polyphenols in Human Health (https://www.mdpi.com/journal/molecules/special_issues/NPHH) was a great success with almost a hundred submitted papers and more than 50 published manuscripts, including original research articles and reviews. This growing interest in polyphenols and their role in human health prompted us to launch a second volume of this Special Issue topic, in order to gather up-to-date knowledge related to cutting-edge research in the broad scientific area of polyphenols, providing an opportunity to show the latest advances in the exploration of polyphenols and their health beneficial effects.

As for the first volume of this Special Issue, covered aspects in volume II include but are not limited to, chemistry, biological activity, in vivo and in vitro bioactivities, toxicity, bioavailability, bioaccessibility, metabolism, gastro-intestinal absorption, ..., etc. Researchers are invited to contribute research articles and comprehensive reviews, reflecting the latest progress in the field of polyphenols and their role and importance for human health. We are confident that this Special Issue of Molecules will be of great interest to the broader research scientific community, and will contribute to the improvement and expansion of knowledge regarding the area of polyphenols, leading to a better understanding of their role in human health.

Prof. Dr. Nour Eddine Es-Safi
Dr. Elena Gonzalez-Burgos
Guest Editors

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Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • polyphenols
  • characterization
  • biological properties
  • beneficial effects
  • bioavailability
  • human health
  • antioxidant
  • chronic disease
  • functional foods

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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15 pages, 1710 KiB  
Article
Profiling and Bioactivity of Polyphenols from the Omani Medicinal Plant Terminalia dhofarica (syn. Anogeissus dhofarica)
by Jonas Kappen, Luay Rashan, Katrin Franke and Ludger A. Wessjohann
Molecules 2025, 30(4), 952; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30040952 - 18 Feb 2025
Viewed by 508
Abstract
Several polyphenol-rich Terminalia species (Combretaceae) are known to accelerate wound healing. Recently, the Omani medicinal plant Anogeissus dhofarica (now Terminalia dhofarica) was attributed to the genus Terminalia based on phylogenetic studies. Leaves, bark, and extracts of T. dhofarica are traditionally used for [...] Read more.
Several polyphenol-rich Terminalia species (Combretaceae) are known to accelerate wound healing. Recently, the Omani medicinal plant Anogeissus dhofarica (now Terminalia dhofarica) was attributed to the genus Terminalia based on phylogenetic studies. Leaves, bark, and extracts of T. dhofarica are traditionally used for various medicinal purposes, including wound treatment and personal hygiene. In the present study, the phytochemical profile of leaves from T. dhofarica was evaluated by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-ESI-HRMS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Simple phenolics, polyphenolics (e.g., flavonoids and tannins) and their glucosides were characterized as major metabolite classes. In addition, 20 phenolics were isolated and structurally identified. Nine of these compounds were never described before for T. dhofarica. For the first time, we provide complete NMR data for 1-O-galloyl-6-O-p-coumaroyl-d-glucose (1). Biological screening demonstrated moderate efficacy against the Gram-negative bacterium Aliivibrio fischeri, the phytopathogenic fungus Septoria tritici, and the oomycete Phytophthora infestans. In summary, the data expand the knowledge of the phytochemistry of the underexplored species T. dhofarica and underscore its potential for therapeutic applications, particularly in the context of traditional medicine. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Polyphenols in Human Health (Volume II))
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16 pages, 4966 KiB  
Article
Quercetin Ameliorates Acute Lethal Sepsis in Mice by Inhibiting Caspase-11 Noncanonical Inflammasome in Macrophages
by Eojin Kim, Deok-Hyeong Choi and Young-Su Yi
Molecules 2024, 29(24), 5900; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29245900 - 13 Dec 2024
Viewed by 915
Abstract
Quercetin is a natural polyphenolic flavonoid widely found in plants, fruits, and vegetables, and has been reported to play pharmacological roles in numerous pathogenic conditions. The anti-inflammatory effects of quercetin in various inflammatory conditions and diseases have been well-documented. However, its regulatory role [...] Read more.
Quercetin is a natural polyphenolic flavonoid widely found in plants, fruits, and vegetables, and has been reported to play pharmacological roles in numerous pathogenic conditions. The anti-inflammatory effects of quercetin in various inflammatory conditions and diseases have been well-documented. However, its regulatory role in noncanonical inflammasome activation has not yet been demonstrated. This study investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of quercetin in caspase-11 noncanonical inflammasome-activated inflammatory responses in macrophages and a mouse model of acute lethal sepsis. Quercetin protected J774A.1 macrophages from lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced cell death and caspase-11 noncanonical inflammasome-induced pyroptosis. It significantly decreased the production and mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-18, and IL-6, but not tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and inflammatory molecules, such as nitric oxide (NO) and inducible NO synthase in caspase-11 noncanonical inflammasome-activated J774A.1 cells. Mechanistically, quercetin strongly suppressed the autoproteolysis and secretion of caspase-11 and the proteolysis of gasdermin D in caspase-11 noncanonical inflammasome-activated J774A.1 cells. However, quercetin did not inhibit the direct binding of caspase-11 to LPS. In vivo, the study revealed that quercetin increased the survival rate of mice with acute lethal sepsis and decreased serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines without causing significant toxicity. In conclusion, this study highlights quercetin-mediated anti-inflammatory action in inflammatory responses and acute lethal sepsis through a novel mechanism that targets the caspase-11 noncanonical inflammasome in macrophages, suggesting quercetin as a promising anti-inflammatory agent in natural medicine. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Polyphenols in Human Health (Volume II))
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18 pages, 1308 KiB  
Article
Protective Effect of Polyphenolic Extracts from Hippophae rhamnoides L. and Reynoutria japonica Houtt. on Erythrocyte Membrane
by Teresa Kaźmierczak, Katarzyna Męczarska, Sabina Lachowicz-Wiśniewska, Sylwia Cyboran-Mikołajczyk, Jan Oszmiański and Dorota Bonarska-Kujawa
Molecules 2024, 29(13), 3090; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29133090 - 28 Jun 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1168
Abstract
Sea buckthorn and Japanese knotweed are known in many traditional medicine systems to be a great source of bioactive substances. This research aims to compare the bioactivity and protective effects of the phenolic extracts of leaves from sea buckthorn and roots and leaves [...] Read more.
Sea buckthorn and Japanese knotweed are known in many traditional medicine systems to be a great source of bioactive substances. This research aims to compare the bioactivity and protective effects of the phenolic extracts of leaves from sea buckthorn and roots and leaves from the Japanese knotweed on erythrocytes. The polyphenol composition of the extract was analyzed using UPLC-PDA-ESI-MS/MS. The extracts’ toxicity and impact on the erythrocytes’ osmotic fragility were measured spectrophotometrically. The antioxidant activity was determined based on the inhibition of oxidation of erythrocytes and their membrane induced by 2,2′-Azobis(2-methylpropionamidine) dihydrochloride (AAPH),measured spectrophotometrically and using fluorimetry. To find the possible mechanism of the extracts’ action, extract-modified cells were observed under a microscope, and the potential localization of the extract’s phytochemical composition was checked using fluorescent probes. The results showed that the used extracts are not toxic to erythrocytes, increase their osmotic resistance, and successfully protect them against free radicals. Extract components localize on the outer part of the membrane, where they can scavenge the free radicals from the environment. Altogether, the presented extracts can greatly protect living organisms against free radicals and can be used to support the treatment of diseases caused by excess free radicals. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Polyphenols in Human Health (Volume II))
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18 pages, 15267 KiB  
Article
Pueraria thomsonii Radix Water Extract Alleviate Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in db/db Mice through Comprehensive Regulation of Metabolism and Gut Microbiota
by Jiarong Li, Hua Zhang, Hui Ouyang, Weixin Xu, Yong Sun, Youbao Zhong, Lifang Wang, Jiaxing Huang, Junchang Chen, Mingyao Li, Weifeng Zhu, Yuhui Liu and Ronghua Liu
Molecules 2023, 28(22), 7471; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28227471 - 7 Nov 2023
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2522
Abstract
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is an increasingly prevalent and serious health problem. Its onset is typically associated with metabolic disorders and disturbances in the gut microbiota. Previous studies have reported the anti-T2DM effects of Pueraria thomsonii Radix as a functional food. However, [...] Read more.
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is an increasingly prevalent and serious health problem. Its onset is typically associated with metabolic disorders and disturbances in the gut microbiota. Previous studies have reported the anti-T2DM effects of Pueraria thomsonii Radix as a functional food. However, the mechanism of action is still unknown. In this study, rich polyphenols and polysaccharides from Pueraria Thomsonii Radix water extract (PTR) were quantitatively determined, and then the effects of PTR on db/db mice were evaluated by pharmacology, metabolomics, and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The results showed that PTR could alleviate pancreatic tissue damage, significantly decrease fasting blood glucose (FBG), fasting serum insulin (FINS), homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), urinary glucose (UGLU), and urinary albumin/creatinine ratio (UACR). Metabolomics showed that the Diabetes Control (DM) group produced 109 differential metabolites, of which 74 could be regulated by PTR. In addition, 16S rRNA sequencing was performed in fecal samples and results showed that PTR could reduce the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes(F/B) ratio and regulate three beneficial bacteria and one harmful bacterium. In conclusion, the results showed that PTR could ameliorate the T2DM symptoms, metabolic disorder, and gut microbiota imbalance of db/db mice, and it was superior to metformin in some aspects. We suggested for the first time that γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) may be involved in the regulation of the microbiota–gut–brain axis (MGB) and thus affects the metabolic disorders associated with T2DM. This study will provide a scientific basis for the development of functional food with PTR. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Polyphenols in Human Health (Volume II))
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20 pages, 2057 KiB  
Article
Multidirectional Effects of Red Clover (Trifolium pratense L.) in Support of Menopause Therapy
by Anna Gościniak, Piotr Szulc, Waldemar Zielewicz, Jarosław Walkowiak and Judyta Cielecka-Piontek
Molecules 2023, 28(13), 5178; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28135178 - 3 Jul 2023
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 4722
Abstract
Red clover is a raw material of interest primarily due to its isoflavone content. However, other groups of compounds may affect the pleiotropic biological effects of this raw material. It is used to alleviate menopausal symptoms, but the fact that there are many [...] Read more.
Red clover is a raw material of interest primarily due to its isoflavone content. However, other groups of compounds may affect the pleiotropic biological effects of this raw material. It is used to alleviate menopausal symptoms, but the fact that there are many varieties of this plant that can be grown makes it necessary to compare the biological activity and phytochemical composition of this plant. Also of interest are the differences between the leaves and flowers of the plant. The aim of this study was to evaluate the properties of the leaves and flowers of six clover varieties—‘Tenia’, ‘Atlantis’, ‘Milena’, ‘Magellan’, ‘Lemmon’ and ‘Lucrum’—with respect to their ability to inhibit α-glucosidase, lipase, collagenase and antioxidant activity. Therefore, the contents of polyphenols and the four main isoflavones—genistein, daidzein, biochanin and formononetin—were assessed. The study was complemented by testing for permeability through a model membrane system (PAMPA). Principal component analysis (PCA) identified a relationship between activity and the content of active compounds. It was concluded that antioxidant activity, inhibition of glucosidase, collagenase and lipase are not correlated with isoflavone content. A higher content of total polyphenols (TPC) was determined in the flowers of red clover while a higher content of isoflavones was determined in the leaves of almost every variety. The exception is the ‘Lemmon’ variety, characterized by high isoflavone content and high activity in the tests conducted. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Polyphenols in Human Health (Volume II))
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Review

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60 pages, 3015 KiB  
Review
Polyphenols of the Inuleae-Inulinae and Their Biological Activities: A Review
by Janusz Malarz, Klaudia Michalska and Anna Stojakowska
Molecules 2024, 29(9), 2014; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29092014 - 27 Apr 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2437
Abstract
Polyphenols are ubiquitous plant metabolites that demonstrate biological activities essential to plant–environment interactions. They are of interest to plant food consumers, as well as to the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry. The class of the plant metabolites comprises both widespread (chlorogenic acids, luteolin, [...] Read more.
Polyphenols are ubiquitous plant metabolites that demonstrate biological activities essential to plant–environment interactions. They are of interest to plant food consumers, as well as to the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry. The class of the plant metabolites comprises both widespread (chlorogenic acids, luteolin, quercetin) and unique compounds of diverse chemical structures but of the common biosynthetic origin. Polyphenols next to sesquiterpenoids are regarded as the major class of the Inuleae-Inulinae metabolites responsible for the pharmacological activity of medicinal plants from the subtribe (Blumea spp., Dittrichia spp., Inula spp., Pulicaria spp. and others). Recent decades have brought a rapid development of molecular and analytical techniques which resulted in better understanding of the taxonomic relationships within the Inuleae tribe and in a plethora of data concerning the chemical constituents of the Inuleae-Inulinae. The current taxonomical classification has introduced changes in the well-established botanical names and rearranged the genera based on molecular plant genetic studies. The newly created chemical data together with the earlier phytochemical studies may provide some complementary information on biochemical relationships within the subtribe. Moreover, they may at least partly explain pharmacological activities of the plant preparations traditionally used in therapy. The current review aimed to systematize the knowledge on the polyphenols of the Inulae-Inulinae. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Polyphenols in Human Health (Volume II))
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24 pages, 1294 KiB  
Review
The Perfect Cup? Coffee-Derived Polyphenols and Their Roles in Mitigating Factors Affecting Type 2 Diabetes Pathogenesis
by Brooke Chapple, Seth Woodfin and William Moore
Molecules 2024, 29(4), 751; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29040751 - 6 Feb 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 4961
Abstract
Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a growing health concern with an estimated 462 million people having been diagnosed worldwide. T2D is characterized by chronically elevated blood glucose and insulin resistance, which culminate in a diminished function of the β-cell mass in its later [...] Read more.
Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a growing health concern with an estimated 462 million people having been diagnosed worldwide. T2D is characterized by chronically elevated blood glucose and insulin resistance, which culminate in a diminished function of the β-cell mass in its later stages. This can be perpetuated by and result in inflammation, excess reactive oxygen species production, obesity, and the dysregulation of multiple cellular pathways. Many naturally occurring small molecules have been investigated in terms of their roles in modulating glucose homeostasis and β-cell function. Many of these compounds can be found in commonly used sources of food and drink. Interestingly, a correlation has been observed between coffee consumption and T2D incidence. However, the specific compounds responsible for this correlation and their mechanisms are still somewhat undetermined. This paper reviews recent research findings on the effects of several polyphenols that are either found in coffee or are metabolites of compounds found in coffee (enterodiol, enterolactone, matairesinol, secoisolariciresinol, kaempferol, quercetin, and chlorogenic acid) on glucose homeostasis and health complications associated with glucose dysregulation, with a special emphasis on their potential anti-diabetic effects. The factors that affect polyphenol content in coffee are also addressed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Polyphenols in Human Health (Volume II))
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