Abstract
Polyphenolic compounds are widely distributed in higher plants and are an integral part of the human diet. Recent interest in these substances has been stimulated by their potential health benefits, which are believed to arise mainly from their antioxidant activity. In the past years, the antioxidant activity of flavonoids has been studied in detail. An important but often overlooked group of polyphenols is that of the proanthocyanidins. Therefore, the present review is focused mainly on the antioxidant activity of proanthocyanidins and its relevancy in vivo. The three most important mechanisms of their antioxidant action will be discussed, i.e. free radical scavenging activity, chelation of transition metals, and inhibition of enzymes. In addition, the protective role of proanthocyanidins against lipid peroxidation and peroxynitrite, as well as their antimicrobial properties will be discussed. To study the in vivo relevancy of the proanthocyanidin activities, the knowledge of their pharmacokinetic parameters is crucial. Although bioavailability and metabolism data on polyphenols in general and proanthocyanidins in particular are still largely unavailable, the first reports indicate that at least monomers and smaller oligomeric procyanidins are absorbed. There is also considerable scientific and public interest in the important role that antioxidants may play in health care, e.g. by acting as cancer chemopreventive and antiinflammatory agents and by reducing risk of cardiovascular mortality. Each of these aspects will be discussed, with special attention to the role of proanthocyanidins on apoptosis, gene expression and transcription factors, such as NF-kappa B.
Keywords: proanthocyanidins, polyphenols, condensed tannins, antioxidant, free radicals, bioavailability, cardiovascular diseases, cancer
Current Medicinal Chemistry
Title: Proanthocyanidins in Health Care: Current and New Trends
Volume: 11 Issue: 10
Author(s): P. Cos, T. De Bruyne, N. Hermans, S. Apers, D. Vanden Berghe and A. J. Vlietinck
Affiliation:
Keywords: proanthocyanidins, polyphenols, condensed tannins, antioxidant, free radicals, bioavailability, cardiovascular diseases, cancer
Abstract: Polyphenolic compounds are widely distributed in higher plants and are an integral part of the human diet. Recent interest in these substances has been stimulated by their potential health benefits, which are believed to arise mainly from their antioxidant activity. In the past years, the antioxidant activity of flavonoids has been studied in detail. An important but often overlooked group of polyphenols is that of the proanthocyanidins. Therefore, the present review is focused mainly on the antioxidant activity of proanthocyanidins and its relevancy in vivo. The three most important mechanisms of their antioxidant action will be discussed, i.e. free radical scavenging activity, chelation of transition metals, and inhibition of enzymes. In addition, the protective role of proanthocyanidins against lipid peroxidation and peroxynitrite, as well as their antimicrobial properties will be discussed. To study the in vivo relevancy of the proanthocyanidin activities, the knowledge of their pharmacokinetic parameters is crucial. Although bioavailability and metabolism data on polyphenols in general and proanthocyanidins in particular are still largely unavailable, the first reports indicate that at least monomers and smaller oligomeric procyanidins are absorbed. There is also considerable scientific and public interest in the important role that antioxidants may play in health care, e.g. by acting as cancer chemopreventive and antiinflammatory agents and by reducing risk of cardiovascular mortality. Each of these aspects will be discussed, with special attention to the role of proanthocyanidins on apoptosis, gene expression and transcription factors, such as NF-kappa B.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Cos P., Bruyne De T., Hermans N., Apers S., Berghe Vanden D. and Vlietinck J. A., Proanthocyanidins in Health Care: Current and New Trends, Current Medicinal Chemistry 2004; 11 (10) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/0929867043365288
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/0929867043365288 |
Print ISSN 0929-8673 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-533X |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Advances in Medicinal Chemistry: From Cancer to Chronic Diseases.
The broad spectrum of the issue will provide a comprehensive overview of emerging trends, novel therapeutic interventions, and translational insights that impact modern medicine. The primary focus will be diseases of global concern, including cancer, chronic pain, metabolic disorders, and autoimmune conditions, providing a broad overview of the advancements in ...read more
Approaches to the treatment of chronic inflammation
Chronic inflammation is a hallmark of numerous diseases, significantly impacting global health. Although chronic inflammation is a hot topic, not much has been written about approaches to its treatment. This thematic issue aims to showcase the latest advancements in chronic inflammation treatment and foster discussion on future directions in this ...read more
Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Non-Infectious Inflammatory Diseases: Focus on Clinical Implications
The Special Issue covers the results of the studies on cellular and molecular mechanisms of non-infectious inflammatory diseases, in particular, autoimmune rheumatic diseases, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and other age-related disorders such as type II diabetes, cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, etc. Review and research articles as well as methodology papers that summarize ...read more
Chalcogen-modified nucleic acid analogues
Chalcogen-modified nucleosides, nucleotides and oligonucleotides have been of great interest to scientific research for many years. The replacement of oxygen in the nucleobase, sugar or phosphate backbone by chalcogen atoms (sulfur, selenium, tellurium) gives these biomolecules unique properties resulting from their altered physical and chemical properties. The continuing interest in ...read more
![](/images/wayfinder.jpg)
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Old Drugs for New: Contemporary Immunosuppressant Development
Medicinal Chemistry Reviews - Online (Discontinued) The Multiple Layers of Signaling Selectivity at Protease-Activated Receptors
Current Pharmaceutical Design Imatinib Reduces the Vasculogenic Potential of Plastic Tumor Cells
Current Angiogenesis (Discontinued) Computational and Pathway Analysis of nsSNPs of MED23 Gene Involved in Human Congenital Diseases
Current Biotechnology In Silico Studies towards Enhancing the Anticancer Activity of Phytochemical Phloretin Against Cancer Drug Targets
Current Drug Therapy The Role of Oxytocin in Neuropsychiatric Disorders
Current Medicinal Chemistry Not a Painless Condition: Rheumatological and Musculoskeletal Symptoms in Type 2 Diabetes, and the Implications for Exercise Participation
Current Diabetes Reviews Prodrugs in Genetic Chemoradiotherapy
Current Pharmaceutical Design Recent Advances in the Discovery of α1-Adrenoceptor Agonists
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Nanomedicines for Brain Targeting: A Patent Review
Recent Patents on Nanomedicine Recent Trends of Chalcones Potentialities as Antiproliferative and Antiresistance Agents
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Effects of Elicitors, Viticultural Factors, and Enological Practices on Resveratrol and Stilbenes in Grapevine and Wine
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry Flavonoids Influence Epigenetic-Modifying Enzyme Activity: Structure-Function Relationships and the Therapeutic Potential for Cancer
Current Medicinal Chemistry Polyphenol Supplementation as a Complementary Medicinal Approach to Treating Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Current Medicinal Chemistry Recent Patents on Emerging Therapeutics for the Treatment of Glaucoma, Age Related Macular Degeneration and Uveitis
Recent Patents on Biomedical Engineering (Discontinued) Recent Methods for the Synthesis of Quinoxaline Derivatives and their Biological Activities
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry The Effect of Antihypertensive Agents on Insulin Sensitivity, Lipids and Haemostasis
Current Vascular Pharmacology Targeting the Platelet Integrin GPIIb/IIIa
Current Pharmaceutical Design Synthesis of Bacteriochlorins and Their Potential Utility in Photodynamic Therapy (PDT)
Current Organic Chemistry Multidisciplinary Approach to Patient with Malignant Melanoma
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry