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Recent Advances in Polyphenol Compounds

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 March 2025 | Viewed by 10345

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
1. Higher Institute of Biotechnology of Sfax, University of Sfax, Sfax 3038, Tunisia
2. Laboratory of Electrochemistry and Environment, National Engineering School of Sfax (ENIS), University of Sfax, Sfax 3038, Tunisia
Interests: polyphenols; human diet; polyphenol consumption; biological effect; therapeutic effect; food processing; market polyphenols; industrial application

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Polyphenols are the most common phytochemicals in the human diet and comprise a variety of compounds with a great diversity of structures, from simple molecules to polymers with high molecular weights. A growing body of research indicates that polyphenol consumption may play a vital role in health through the regulation of metabolism, weight, chronic disease, and cell proliferation. Over 8,000 polyphenols have been identified thus far. Animal, human, and epidemiologic studies show that various polyphenols have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that could have preventive and/or therapeutic effects for cardiovascular diseases and neurodegenerative disorders. The long-term consumption of diets rich in polyphenols has been shown to protect against certain cancers and type 2 diabetes. Food processing and storage strongly influence the polyphenol content of foods. Certain compounds are prone to oxidation, and the addition of polyphenols to foods may compromise their shelf stability. Due to the many health benefits that polyphenols have been shown to have, many strategies have emerged to market them as functional foods. The global polyphenols market, which includes applications in food, beverages, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics, was estimated to reach USD 1.1 billion by 2022. Finally, polyphenols are most commonly found in healthful, plant-based foods such as fruits and vegetables; the recommendations for consumption should be tied into existing nutrition education efforts and guidelines to promote healthy diets.

Prof. Dr. Mohamed Bouaziz
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • polyphenols
  • human diet
  • polyphenol consumption
  • biological effect
  • therapeutic effect
  • food processing
  • market polyphenols
  • industrial application

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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19 pages, 1729 KiB  
Article
Biochemical Profiling and Physicochemical and Biological Valorization of Iraqi Honey: A Comprehensive Analysis
by Omar Mohammed Hameed, Ohood Mzahim Shaker, Ahlem Ben Slima and Mohamed Makni
Molecules 2024, 29(3), 671; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29030671 - 31 Jan 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1420
Abstract
Our study aimed to analyze five monovarietal honeys from the Salah Eddine region in Iraq, focusing on physicochemical, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties and polyphenolic compounds. Our objective was to evaluate the strengths and qualities of Iraqi honeys, ensuring compliance with the Codex Alimentarius [...] Read more.
Our study aimed to analyze five monovarietal honeys from the Salah Eddine region in Iraq, focusing on physicochemical, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties and polyphenolic compounds. Our objective was to evaluate the strengths and qualities of Iraqi honeys, ensuring compliance with the Codex Alimentarius standard for honey. The spectrophotometric analysis included assessments of reduced sugar (75.8–77.7%), fructose-to-glucose ratio (0.7–0.9%), sucrose (2.2–2.9%), HMF (17.23–18.87 mg/kg), and melanoidin content (0.25–0.44), which were all determined. The electrical conductivity (0.39–0.46 mS/cm) using a conductivity meter, pH (4.02–4.31), and mineral composition were determined in all samples using atomic absorption spectrometry. Antioxidant activities were spectrophotometrically determined, through DPPH free radical scavenging (7.87–95.62 mg/mL), as was the total antioxidant activity (14.26–22.15 mg AAE/g), with correlations established with biochemical constituents such as the total phenol content, highlighting the significant presence of Coumaric acid (0.38–2.34 µg/mL), Catechin (1.80–2.68 µg/mL), and Quercetin (0.30 µg/mL) using HPLC. The study also observed notable antimicrobial activities using Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans on Mueller–Hinton agar as well as through diffusion technique. In conclusion, our findings, including the antioxidant and antimicrobial strengths, underscore the substantial potential of Iraqi honeys in mitigating damage and preventing the onset of various diseases, affirming their good quality and adherence to international honey standards. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Polyphenol Compounds)
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19 pages, 4873 KiB  
Article
Comprehensive Metabolite Profiling of Chemlali Olive Tree Root Extracts Using LC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS, Their Cytotoxicity, and Antiviral Assessment
by Karim Toumi, Łukasz Świątek, Anastazja Boguszewska, Krystyna Skalicka-Woźniak and Mohamed Bouaziz
Molecules 2023, 28(12), 4829; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28124829 - 17 Jun 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2420
Abstract
The large quantity of olive roots resulting from a large number of old and unfruitful trees encouraged us to look for ways of adding value to these roots. For this reason, the current research work is devoted to the valorization of olive roots [...] Read more.
The large quantity of olive roots resulting from a large number of old and unfruitful trees encouraged us to look for ways of adding value to these roots. For this reason, the current research work is devoted to the valorization of olive roots by identifying active phytochemicals and assessing their biological activities, including the cytotoxicity and antiviral potential of different extracts from the Olea europaea Chemlali cultivar. The extract, obtained by ultrasonic extraction, was analyzed using the liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry technique (LC-MS). The cytotoxicity was evaluated through the use of the microculture tetrazolium assay (MTT) against VERO cells. Subsequently, the antiviral activity was determined for HHV-1 (Human Herpesvirus type 1) and CVB3 (Coxsackievirus B3) replication in the infected VERO cells. LC-MS analysis allowed the identification of 40 compounds, classified as secoiridoids (53%), organic acids (13%), iridoids (10%), lignans (8%), caffeoylphenylethanoid (5%), phenylethanoids (5%),sugars and derivatives (2%), phenolic acids (2%), and flavonoids (2%). It was found that extracts were not toxic to the VERO cells. Moreover, the extracts did not influence the appearance of HHV-1 or CVB3 cytopathic effects in the infected VERO cells and failed to decrease the viral infectious titer. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Polyphenol Compounds)
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17 pages, 2983 KiB  
Article
Effects of Temperature, Metal Ions and Biosurfactants on Interaction Mechanism between Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester and Hemoglobin
by Yutong Li, Zhen Zhao, Xiao Nai, Mingyuan Li, Jing Kong, Yanrong Chen, Min Liu, Qian Zhang, Jie Liu and Hui Yan
Molecules 2023, 28(8), 3440; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28083440 - 13 Apr 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1671
Abstract
Caffeic acid phenylethyl ester (CAPE) is a natural polyphenol extracted from propolis, which is reported to have several pharmacological effects such as antibacterial, antitumor, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Hemoglobin (Hb) is closely related to the transport of drugs, and some drugs, including CAPE, [...] Read more.
Caffeic acid phenylethyl ester (CAPE) is a natural polyphenol extracted from propolis, which is reported to have several pharmacological effects such as antibacterial, antitumor, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Hemoglobin (Hb) is closely related to the transport of drugs, and some drugs, including CAPE, can lead to a change in Hb concentration. Herein, the effects of temperature, metal ions and biosurfactants on the interaction between CAPE and Hb were studied using ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV−Vis), fluorescence spectroscopy, circular dichroism (CD), dynamic light scattering (DLS) and molecular docking analysis. The results showed that the addition of CAPE led to changes in the microenvironment of Hb amino acid residues as well as the secondary structure of Hb. Hydrogen bonding and van der Waals force were found to be the main driving forces for the interaction between CAPE and Hb through fluorescence spectroscopy and thermodynamic parameter data. The results of fluorescence spectroscopy also showed that lowering the temperature, adding biosurfactants (sodium cholate (NaC) and sodium deoxycholate (NaDC)) and the presence of Cu2+ increased the binding force between CAPE and Hb. These results provide useful data for the targeted delivery and absorption of CAPE and other drugs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Polyphenol Compounds)
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Review

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25 pages, 3440 KiB  
Review
Pentagalloyl Glucose: A Review of Anticancer Properties, Molecular Targets, Mechanisms of Action, Pharmacokinetics, and Safety Profile
by Chengli Wen, Nathupakorn Dechsupa, Zehui Yu, Xu Zhang, Sicheng Liang, Xianying Lei, Tao Xu, Xiaolan Gao, Qinxue Hu, Phattarawadee Innuan, Jiraporn Kantapan and Muhan Lü
Molecules 2023, 28(12), 4856; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28124856 - 19 Jun 2023
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3293
Abstract
Pentagalloyl glucose (PGG) is a natural hydrolyzable gallotannin abundant in various plants and herbs. It has a broad range of biological activities, specifically anticancer activities, and numerous molecular targets. Despite multiple studies available on the pharmacological action of PGG, the molecular mechanisms underlying [...] Read more.
Pentagalloyl glucose (PGG) is a natural hydrolyzable gallotannin abundant in various plants and herbs. It has a broad range of biological activities, specifically anticancer activities, and numerous molecular targets. Despite multiple studies available on the pharmacological action of PGG, the molecular mechanisms underlying the anticancer effects of PGG are unclear. Here, we have critically reviewed the natural sources of PGG, its anticancer properties, and underlying mechanisms of action. We found that multiple natural sources of PGG are available, and the existing production technology is sufficient to produce large quantities of the required product. Three plants (or their parts) with maximum PGG content were Rhus chinensis Mill, Bouea macrophylla seed, and Mangifera indica kernel. PGG acts on multiple molecular targets and signaling pathways associated with the hallmarks of cancer to inhibit growth, angiogenesis, and metastasis of several cancers. Moreover, PGG can enhance the efficacy of chemotherapy and radiotherapy by modulating various cancer-associated pathways. Therefore, PGG can be used for treating different human cancers; nevertheless, the data on the pharmacokinetics and safety profile of PGG are limited, and further studies are essential to define the clinical use of PGG in cancer therapies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Polyphenol Compounds)
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