title: Benzoxazinoids: Cereal phytochemicals with putative therapeutic and health-protecting properties.
abstract: Benzoxazinoids (BXs) are a group of natural chemical compounds with putative pharmacological and health-protecting properties. BXs were formerly identified in and isolated from selected dicot medicinal plants and young cereal plants. Recently, BXs were found to be present in mature cereal grains and bakery products, such that knowledge about the pharmacological properties of BXs, which until now have unknowingly been consumed through the daily bread and breakfast cereals, has come into new focus. This review discusses published results from in vitro studies and a few human and animal model studies on the health effects and pharmacological responses of various BX compounds. Many of these studies have reported antimicrobial, anticancer, reproductive system stimulatory, central nervous system stimulatory, immunoregulatory, and appetite- and weight-reducing effects of BXs and/or BX derivatives. The health benefits of wholegrain intake may be associated with the solitary and/or overlapping biological effects of fibers, lignans, phenolic acids, alkylresorcinols, BXs, and other bioactive compounds. In the context of BXs as dietary ingredients, further comprehensive investigations are required to understand their biological functions, to elucidate the underlying mechanisms, to explore their potential contribution on the health effects associated with wholegrain consumption, and to examine their potential as functional food ingredients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Agroecology, Aarhus University, Slagelse, Denmark.
authors.forename: Khem B
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Adhikari
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Slagelse, Denmark.
authors.forename: Fariha
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Tanwir
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Slagelse, Denmark.
authors.forename: Per L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Gregersen
authors.affiliation: Department of Agroecology, Aarhus University, Slagelse, Denmark.
authors.forename: Stine K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Steffensen
authors.affiliation: Allergy Clinic, Copenhagen University Hospital, Gentofte, Denmark.
authors.forename: Bettina M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Jensen
authors.affiliation: Allergy Clinic, Copenhagen University Hospital, Gentofte, Denmark.
authors.forename: Lars K
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Poulsen
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Medicine and Rheumatology, University of Copenhagen, Rigshospitalet, Denmark.
authors.forename: Claus H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Nielsen
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Aarhus University Hospital, Skejby, Denmark.
authors.forename: Søren
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Høyer
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Borre
authors.affiliation: Department of Agroecology, Aarhus University, Slagelse, Denmark.
authors.forename: Inge S
authors.initials: IS
authors.lastname: Fomsgaard
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001067:Appetite Depressants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D048588:Benzoxazines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002523:Edible Grain / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000187:drug effects; D015431:Weight Loss
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D001067:Appetite Depressants; D048588:Benzoxazines
keywords: Benzoxazinoids; Cancer; Health effects; Pharmacological properties; Wholegrain