Polyphenols, intracellular signalling and inflammation.
Excessive inflammation is considered as a critical factor in many human diseases, including cancer, obesity, type II diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative diseases and aging. Compounds derived from botanic sources, such as phenolic compounds, have shown anti-inflammatory activity in vitro and in vivo. Recent data suggest that polyphenols can work as modifiers of signal transduction pathways to elicit their beneficial effects. These natural compounds express anti-inflammatory activity by modulation of pro-inflammatory gene expression such as cyclooxygenase, lipoxygenase, nitric oxide synthases and several pivotal cytokines, mainly by acting through nuclear factor-kappa B and mitogen-activated protein kinase signalling. This review will discuss recent data on the control of inflammatory signalling exerted by some dietary polyphenols contained in Mediterranean diet. A clear understanding of the molecular mechanisms of action of phenolic compounds is crucial in the valuation of these potent molecules as potential prophylactic and therapeutic agents.
Santangelo
Carmela
C
Centro Nazionale per la Qualità degli Alimenti e per i Rischi Alimentari, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy. c.santan@iss.it
Varì
Rosaria
R
Scazzocchio
Beatrice
B
Di Benedetto
Roberta
R
Filesi
Carmela
C
Masella
Roberta
R
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D038441:Diet, Mediterranean; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D020929:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000378:metabolism; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000378:metabolism; D010636:Phenols / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000379:methods; D059808:Polyphenols; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects*
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D016207:Cytokines; D005419:Flavonoids; D016328:NF-kappa B; D010636:Phenols; D059808:Polyphenols; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; D020929:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases