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The Role of Secondary Plant Metabolites in Modern Human Nutrition
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The Role of Secondary Plant Metabolites in Modern Human Nutrition

A special issue of Nutrients (ISSN 2072-6643). This special issue belongs to the section "Phytochemicals and Human Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (10 July 2021) | Viewed by 32337

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Iva Fernandes

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
REQUIMTE/LAQV, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, 4169-007, Porto, Portugal
Interests: The bioavailability, biological activity and metabolism of polyphenols and their putative applications as nutraceuticals. Anthocyanin derivatives for technological applications in the cosmetic industry and for topical photodynamic therapy.
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Nutrition studies have provided unambiguous evidence that a number of human health conditions, such as chronic coronary thrombosis, hypertension, diabetes, osteoporosis, cancer, old age, and lifestyle-related diseases, are associated with the diet. Wide dissemination of such information has greatly helped to raise public awareness regarding the consumption of food promoting good health.

Plant secondary metabolites find applications in nutraceutics or functional foods and their preventive and/or therapeutic effects seem conceivable, but their content and dosage, to ensure minimal side effects, need to be evaluated on a scientific basis.

Indeed, to develop the concept of nutritionally functional food, it is necessary to identify the biologically active molecules to understand the mechanisms of prevention and protection and to demonstrate the efficacy of these molecules by means of in vitro studies and human trials. On the other hand, the identification of possible harmful factors such as allergens and the determination of the bioavailability of an individual bioactive or the original extract, whether provided as a food supplement or as enriched food, is also essential. The original plant phytochemicals as well as those resulting from human metabolism are welcome on this topic.

In addition, the final focus is on preventable nutritional chronic diseases (cardiovascular disease, hypertension, cancer, and diabetes mellitus), and the contribution to healthy aging should also be considered.

Dr. Iva Fernandes
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • Human Nutrition
  • Chronic diseases
  • Bioactive compounds
  • Phytochemicals
  • Diet
  • Bioavailability
  • Metabolism
  • Aging

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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18 pages, 2140 KiB  
Article
The Antidiabetic Effect of Grape Pomace Polysaccharide-Polyphenol Complexes
by Filipa Campos, Andreia F. Peixoto, Pedro A. R. Fernandes, Manuel A. Coimbra, Nuno Mateus, Victor de Freitas, Iva Fernandes and Ana Fernandes
Nutrients 2021, 13(12), 4495; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13124495 - 15 Dec 2021
Cited by 31 | Viewed by 4893
Abstract
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is one of the most prevalent chronic metabolic diseases of the 21st century. Nevertheless, its prevalence might be attenuated by taking advantage of bioactive compounds commonly found in fruits and vegetables. This work is focused on the recovery [...] Read more.
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is one of the most prevalent chronic metabolic diseases of the 21st century. Nevertheless, its prevalence might be attenuated by taking advantage of bioactive compounds commonly found in fruits and vegetables. This work is focused on the recovery of polyphenols and polysaccharide–polyphenol conjugates from grape pomace for T2DM management and prevention. Bioactives were extracted by solid–liquid extraction and by pressurized hot water extraction (PHWE). Polyphenolic fraction recovered by PHWE showed the highest value for total phenolic content (427 μg GAE.mg−1), mainly anthocyanins and proanthocyanidins, and higher antioxidant activity compared to the fraction recovered by solid–liquid extraction. Polysaccharide–polyphenol conjugates comprehended pectic polysaccharides to which approximately 108 μg GAE of phenolic compounds (per mg fraction) were estimated to be bound. Polyphenols and polysaccharide–polyphenol conjugates exhibited distinct antidiabetic effects, depending on the extraction methodologies employed. Extracts were particularly relevant in the inhibition of a-glucosidase activity, with free polyphenols showing an IC50 of 0.47 μg.mL−1 while conjugates showed an IC50 of 2.7, 4.0 and 5.2 μg.mL−1 (solid–liquid extraction, PHWE at 95 and 120 °C, respectively). Antiglycation effect was more pronounced for free polyphenols recovered by PHWE, while the attenuation of glucose uptake by Caco-2 monolayers was more efficient for conjugates obtained by PHWE. The antidiabetic effect of grape pomace bioactives opens new opportunities for the exploitation of these agri-food wastes in food nutrition, the next step towards reaching a circular economy in grape products. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Secondary Plant Metabolites in Modern Human Nutrition)
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21 pages, 5308 KiB  
Article
Effect of Phytopreparations Based on Bioreactor-Grown Cell Biomass of Dioscorea deltoidea, Tribulus terrestris and Panax japonicus on Carbohydrate and Lipid Metabolism in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
by Maria N. Povydysh, Maria V. Titova, Igor M. Ivanov, Andrey G. Klushin, Dmitry V. Kochkin, Boris A. Galishev, Elena V. Popova, Dmitry Yu. Ivkin, Vladimir G. Luzhanin, Marina V. Krasnova, Natalia V. Demakova and Alexander M. Nosov
Nutrients 2021, 13(11), 3811; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13113811 - 26 Oct 2021
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3081
Abstract
In the present study, we explored the therapeutic potential of bioreactor-grown cell cultures of the medicinal plant species Dioscorea deltoidea, Tribulus terrestris and Panax japonicus to treat carbohydrate metabolism disorders (CMDs) in laboratory rats. In the adrenaline model of hyperglycemia, aqueous suspensions [...] Read more.
In the present study, we explored the therapeutic potential of bioreactor-grown cell cultures of the medicinal plant species Dioscorea deltoidea, Tribulus terrestris and Panax japonicus to treat carbohydrate metabolism disorders (CMDs) in laboratory rats. In the adrenaline model of hyperglycemia, aqueous suspensions of cell biomass pre-administered at a dose of 100 mg dry biomass/kg significantly reduced glucose level in animal blood 1–2.5 h (D. deltoidea and T. terrestris) or 1 h (P. japonicus) after adrenaline hydrochloride administration. In a streptozotocin-induced model of type 2 diabetes mellitus, the cell biomass of D. deltoidea and T. terrestris acted towards normalization of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, as evidenced by a significant reduction of daily diuresis (by 39–57%), blood-glucose level (by 46–51%), blood content in urine (by 78–80%) and total cholesterol (25–36%) compared to animals without treatment. Bioactive secondary metabolites identified in the cell cultures and potentially responsible for their actions were deltoside, 25(S)-protodioscin and protodioscin in D. deltoidea; furostanol-type steroidal glycosides and quinic acid derivatives in T. terrestris; and ginsenosides and malonyl-ginsenosides in P. japonicus. These results evidenced for high potential of bioreactor-grown cell suspensions of these species for prevention and treatment of CMD, which requires further investigation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Secondary Plant Metabolites in Modern Human Nutrition)
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16 pages, 2095 KiB  
Article
The Changes in Endogenous Metabolites in Hyperlipidemic Rats Treated with Herbal Mixture Containing Lemon, Apple Cider, Garlic, Ginger, and Honey
by Azliana Abu Bakar Sajak, Azrina Azlan, Faridah Abas and Hazilawati Hamzah
Nutrients 2021, 13(10), 3573; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13103573 - 12 Oct 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3152
Abstract
An herbal mixture composed of lemon, apple cider, garlic, ginger and honey as a polyphenol-rich mixture (PRM) has been reported to contain hypolipidemic activity on human subjects and hyperlipidemic rats. However, the therapeutic effects of PRM on metabolites are not clearly understood. Therefore, [...] Read more.
An herbal mixture composed of lemon, apple cider, garlic, ginger and honey as a polyphenol-rich mixture (PRM) has been reported to contain hypolipidemic activity on human subjects and hyperlipidemic rats. However, the therapeutic effects of PRM on metabolites are not clearly understood. Therefore, this study aimed to provide new information on the causal impact of PRM on the endogenous metabolites, pathways and serum biochemistry. Serum samples of hyperlipidemic rats treated with PRM were subjected to biochemistry (lipid and liver profile) and hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA enzyme reductase (HMG-CoA reductase) analyses. In contrast, the urine samples were subjected to urine metabolomics using 1H NMR. The serum biochemistry revealed that PRM at 500 mg/kg (PRM-H) managed to lower the total cholesterol level and low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C) (p < 0.05) and reduce the HMG-CoA reductase activity. The pathway analysis from urine metabolomics reveals that PRM-H altered 17 pathways, with the TCA cycle having the highest impact (0.26). Results also showed the relationship between the serum biochemistry of LDL-C and HMG-CoA reductase and urine metabolites (trimethylamine-N-oxide, dimethylglycine, allantoin and succinate). The study’s findings demonstrated the potential of PRM at 500 mg/kg as an anti-hyperlipidemic by altering the TCA cycle, inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase and lowering the LDL-C in high cholesterol rats. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Secondary Plant Metabolites in Modern Human Nutrition)
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15 pages, 2461 KiB  
Article
Assessment of the Nutraceutical Effects of Oleuropein and the Cytotoxic Effects of Adriamycin, When Administered Alone and in Combination, in MG-63 Human Osteosarcoma Cells
by Katerina Gioti, Anastasia Papachristodoulou, Dimitra Benaki, Nektarios Aligiannis, Alexios-Leandros Skaltsounis, Emmanuel Mikros and Roxane Tenta
Nutrients 2021, 13(2), 354; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13020354 - 25 Jan 2021
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2623
Abstract
Oleuropein (OLEU) is the most distinguished phenolic compound found in olive fruit and the leaves of Olea europaea L., with several pharmacological properties, including anti-cancer actions. Adriamycin (ADR) is an anthracycline widely used as a chemotherapeutic agent, although it presents significant side effects. [...] Read more.
Oleuropein (OLEU) is the most distinguished phenolic compound found in olive fruit and the leaves of Olea europaea L., with several pharmacological properties, including anti-cancer actions. Adriamycin (ADR) is an anthracycline widely used as a chemotherapeutic agent, although it presents significant side effects. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of oleuropein alone (20 μg/mL) and in co-treatment with ADR (50 nM), in MG-63 human osteosarcoma cells. Therefore, cellular and molecular techniques, such as MTT assay, flow cytometry, real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), western blot and Elisa method, as well as Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, were applied to unveil changes in the signal transduction pathways involved in osteosarcoma cells survival. The observed alterations in gene, protein and metabolite levels denote that OLEU not only inhibits MG-63 cells proliferation and potentiates ADR’s cytotoxicity, but also exerts its action, at least in part, through the induction of autophagy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Secondary Plant Metabolites in Modern Human Nutrition)
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Review

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29 pages, 1806 KiB  
Review
Overview of Beneficial Effects of (Poly)phenol Metabolites in the Context of Neurodegenerative Diseases on Model Organisms
by Diogo Carregosa, Sara Mota, Sofia Ferreira, Beatriz Alves-Dias, Natasa Loncarevic-Vasiljkovic, Carolina Lage Crespo, Regina Menezes, Rita Teodoro and Cláudia Nunes dos Santos
Nutrients 2021, 13(9), 2940; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13092940 - 25 Aug 2021
Cited by 23 | Viewed by 5154
Abstract
The rise of neurodegenerative diseases in an aging population is an increasing problem of health, social and economic consequences. Epidemiological and intervention studies have demonstrated that diets rich in (poly)phenols can have potent health benefits on cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases. Meanwhile, the [...] Read more.
The rise of neurodegenerative diseases in an aging population is an increasing problem of health, social and economic consequences. Epidemiological and intervention studies have demonstrated that diets rich in (poly)phenols can have potent health benefits on cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases. Meanwhile, the role of gut microbiota is ever more evident in modulating the catabolism of (poly)phenols to dozens of low molecular weight (poly)phenol metabolites that have been identified in plasma and urine. These metabolites can reach circulation in higher concentrations than parent (poly)phenols and persist for longer periods of time. However, studies addressing their potential brain effects are still lacking. In this review, we will discuss different model organisms that have been used to study how low molecular weight (poly)phenol metabolites affect neuronal related mechanisms gathering critical insight on their potential to tackle the major hallmarks of neurodegeneration. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Secondary Plant Metabolites in Modern Human Nutrition)
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30 pages, 18583 KiB  
Review
Diversity of Plant Sterols Metabolism: The Impact on Human Health, Sport, and Accumulation of Contaminating Sterols
by Arthur T. Kopylov, Kristina A. Malsagova, Alexander A. Stepanov and Anna L. Kaysheva
Nutrients 2021, 13(5), 1623; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13051623 - 12 May 2021
Cited by 27 | Viewed by 11721
Abstract
The way of plant sterols transformation and their benefits for humans is still a question under the massive continuing revision. In fact, there are no receptors for binding with sterols in mammalians. However, possible biotransformation to steroids that can be catalyzed by gastro-intestinal [...] Read more.
The way of plant sterols transformation and their benefits for humans is still a question under the massive continuing revision. In fact, there are no receptors for binding with sterols in mammalians. However, possible biotransformation to steroids that can be catalyzed by gastro-intestinal microflora, microbial cells in prebiotics or cytochromes system were repeatedly reported. Some products of sterols metabolization are capable to imitate resident human steroids and compete with them for the binding with corresponding receptors, thus affecting endocrine balance and entire physiology condition. There are also tremendous reports about the natural origination of mammalian steroid hormones in plants and corresponding receptors for their binding. Some investigations and reports warn about anabolic effect of sterols, however, there are many researchers who are reluctant to believe in and have strong opposing arguments. We encounter plant sterols everywhere: in food, in pharmacy, in cosmetics, but still know little about their diverse properties and, hence, their exact impact on our life. Most of our knowledge is limited to their cholesterol-lowering influence and protective effect against cardiovascular disease. However, the world of plant sterols is significantly wider if we consider the thousands of publications released over the past 10 years. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Secondary Plant Metabolites in Modern Human Nutrition)
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