Yonsei Med J.  2005 Oct;46(5):585-596. 10.3349/ymj.2005.46.5.585.

Molecular Targets of Dietary Polyphenols with Anti-inflammatory Properties

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
  • 2The Airway Mucus Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
  • 3Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, USA. SBAEK2@UTK.EDU

Abstract

There is persuasive epidemiological and experimental evidence that dietary polyphenols have anti-inflammatory activity. Aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have long been used to combat inflammation. Recently, cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitors have been developed and recommended for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA). However, two COX inhibitors have been withdrawn from the market due to unexpected side effects. Because conventional therapeutic and surgical approaches have not been able to fully control the incidence and outcome of many inflammatory diseases, there is an urgent need to find safer compounds and to develop mechanism-based approaches for the management of these diseases. Polyphenols are found in many dietary plant products, including fruits, vegetables, beverages, herbs, and spices. Several of these compounds have been found to inhibit the inflammation process as well as tumorigenesis in experimental animals; they can also exhibit potent biological properties. In addition, epidemiological studies have indicated that populations who consume foods rich in specific polyphenols have lower incidences of inflammatory disease. This paper provides an overview of the research approaches that can be used to unravel the biology and health effects of polyphenols. Polyphenols have diverse biological effects, however, this review will focus on some of the pivotal molecular targets that directly affect the inflammation process.

Keyword

Polyphenol; anti-inflammation; COX; LOX; NAG-1; NSAID

MeSH Terms

Phospholipases A/antagonists & inhibitors
Phenols/*pharmacology
Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors/drug effects/physiology
NF-kappa B/metabolism
Lipoxygenase Inhibitors/pharmacology
Humans
Flavonoids/*pharmacology
Cytokines/biosynthesis
Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors/pharmacology
Arachidonic Acid/metabolism
Anti-Inflammatory Agents/*pharmacology
Animals

Figure

  • Fig. 1 Arachidonic acid (AA) pathways. AA can be converted to either prostaglandins or leukotrienes, depending on the enzymes that are present. Each metabolite affects its biological action through receptors.

  • Fig. 2 The structure of four major polyphenols found in the diet.


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