title: Antioxidant and antiplatelet activity by polyphenol-rich nutrients: focus on extra virgin olive oil and cocoa.
abstract: Cardiovascular disease is the most common cause of death in the Western world. In the last decades nutraceutical approaches have been proposed to counteract atherosclerotic complications. In particular, polyphenols, a class of bio-active molecules prevalently contained in foods such as cocoa, fruits, vegetables, wine and tea, have been widely studied for their beneficial properties. Several epidemiological and interventional studies have shown that polyphenol-rich nutrients, as in extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) and cocoa, are associated with a risk reduction of cardiovascular events and/or modulation of cardiovascular risk factors. Definition of the mechanisms accounting for this putative cardio-protective effect is still elusive. This review focuses on the mechanisms that may be implicated in the beneficial effects of EVOO and cocoa, including down-regulation of oxidative stress and platelet aggregation, improvement of endothelial function and cardiovascular risk factor such as blood pressure, serum cholesterol and insulin sensitivity.
authors.affiliation: I Clinica Medica, Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Lorenzo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Loffredo
authors.affiliation: I Clinica Medica, Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Ludovica
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Perri
authors.affiliation: I Clinica Medica, Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Nocella
authors.affiliation: I Clinica Medica, Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Violi
mesh_terms: D000975:Antioxidants / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002099:Cacao / Q000737:chemistry*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D000069463:Olive Oil / Q000737:chemistry*; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D059808:Polyphenols / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D000069463:Olive Oil; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; D059808:Polyphenols
keywords: antioxidant; cocoa; extra virgin olive oil; nutraceutical; oxidative stress; platelets