Role of Polyphenols and Other Phytochemicals on Molecular Signaling

• Published in: Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity 2015-01, Vol.2015 (2015), p.1-15
• Main Authors: Upadhyay, Swapna, Dixit, Madhulika
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Angiogenesis; Anti-Inflammatory Agents - metabolism; Anti-Inflammatory Agents - pharmacology; Anti-Inflammatory Agents - therapeutic use; Antioxidants - metabolism; Antioxidants - pharmacology; Antioxidants - therapeutic use; Apoptosis; Atherosclerosis; Blood pressure; Cancer; Cardiovascular Diseases - drug therapy; Cardiovascular Diseases - metabolism; Cardiovascular Diseases - pathology; Carotenoids; Cell Differentiation - drug effects; Cell growth; Cell Movement - drug effects; Chemical properties; Chronic diseases; Chronic illnesses; Diet; Disease; Disease prevention; Endothelium; Epidemiology; Flavonoids; Humans; Hypertension; Inflammation; Isoflavones; Kinases; Metabolic Diseases - drug therapy; Metabolic Diseases - metabolism; Metabolic Diseases - pathology; Metabolic disorders; Neoplasms - drug therapy; Neoplasms - metabolism; Neoplasms - pathology; Oxidative stress; Pathogenesis; Physiology; Phytochemicals; Phytochemicals - metabolism; Phytochemicals - pharmacology; Phytochemicals - therapeutic use; Phytosterols; Polyphenols; Polyphenols - metabolism; Polyphenols - pharmacology; Polyphenols - therapeutic use; Prevention; Review; Signal transduction; Signal Transduction - drug effects
• ISSN: 1942-0900; 1942-0994
• DOI: 10.1155/2015/504253

Optimized nutrition through supplementation of diet with plant derived phytochemicals has attracted significant attention to prevent the onset of many chronic diseases including cardiovascular impairments, cancer, and metabolic disorder. These phytonutrients alone or in combination with others are believed to impart beneficial effects and play pivotal role in metabolic abnormalities such as dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, hypertension, glucose intolerance, systemic inflammation, and oxidative stress. Epidemiological and preclinical studies demonstrated that fruits, vegetables, and beverages rich in carotenoids, isoflavones, phytoestrogens, and phytosterols delay the onset of atherosclerosis or act as a chemoprotective agent by interacting with the underlying pathomechanisms. Phytochemicals exert their beneficial effects either by reducing the circulating levels of cholesterol or by inhibiting lipid oxidation, while others exhibit anti-inflammatory and antiplatelet activities. Additionally, they reduce neointimal thickening by inhibiting proliferation of smooth muscle cells and also improve endothelium dependent vasorelaxation by modulating bioavailability of nitric-oxide and voltage-gated ion channels. However, detailed and profound knowledge on specific molecular targets of each phytochemical is very important to ensure safe use of these active compounds as a therapeutic agent. Thus, this paper reviews the active antioxidative, antiproliferative, anti-inflammatory, or antiangiogenesis role of various phytochemicals for prevention of chronic diseases.