title: Dietary polyphenols against metabolic disorders: How far have we progressed in the understanding of the molecular mechanisms of action of these compounds?
abstract: The aim of this review was to critically assess the evidence supporting the metabolic and anti-inflammatory effects attributed to polyphenols and the potential mechanisms of action underlying these effects. The metabolic and anti-inflammatory properties of polyphenols and polyphenol-rich products have been shown mostly in rodents. These compounds appear to share multiple mechanisms of action at different body sites (gastrointestinal tract, microbiota, host organs) and the responsible molecules may be the original plant compounds, the microbial metabolites and (or) the host derived conjugates. Polyphenols may modify digestion and absorption of nutrients, microbiota composition and metabolism, and host tissue metabolic pathways but none of these mechanisms have been fully demonstrated in vivo and thus, more and better designed studies are needed. Furthermore, human clinical trials show inconsistent evidence of the metabolic and inflammation regulatory properties of polyphenols. Some of the principal limitations of these studies as well as recommendations to further progress in the understanding of the metabolic effects and mechanisms of action of polyphenols are discussed.
authors.affiliation: a Research Group on Quality, Safety and Bioactivity of Plant Foods , Department of Food Science and Technology, Centro de Edafología y Biología Aplicada del Segura (CEBAS), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) , Espinardo , Murcia , Spain.
authors.forename: María-Teresa
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: García-Conesa
mesh_terms: D004032:Diet; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000188:drug therapy; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000517:prevention & control*; D059808:Polyphenols / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D059808:Polyphenols
keywords: Intestine; cytokines; hormones; human clinical trials; metabolites; microbiota