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Current Drug Targets 2017The evolution of the Green movement in western society has changed attitudes in the general population who now perceive natural compounds as being inherently harmless... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
The evolution of the Green movement in western society has changed attitudes in the general population who now perceive natural compounds as being inherently harmless and more desirable than artificial chemical products.
OBJECTIVE
Considering the growing interest towards introducing naturally emerged medicines, the purpose of this review was to overview the ongoing research into prevention and treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS) lesions.
METHOD
This review was carried out by searching bibliographic databases such as PubMed and Scopus for studies reported between 1st January 2008 to 30th January 2016 on MS patients or animal models of MS, investigating the beneficial effects of natural compounds in MS treatment. In this updated systematic review, the search terms were "multiple sclerosis" or "neurodegeneration" and ("natural compounds" or "medicinal plants", "traditional medicine" or "native medicine").
RESULTS
Studies with vitamins (A, B12, D, H), minerals (selenium and lithium), n-3 PUFAs, lipoic acid, statins, resveratrol, marijuana, EGCG and some probiotics have shown significant helpful effects in MS by preventing or delaying the onset of disease. Other natural compounds such as xanthines, anthocyanins, glucosinolates, isoflavones, organosulfurs, steroid glycosides, and alkaloids have also shown protective effects in the treatment of MS in animal models. Adverse effects were also reported in some of the experiments.
CONCLUSION
Further studies with a focus on the molecular mechanisms of the protective natural compounds are needed to decrease possible side effects and to develop new medicines for MS. Apigenin, chrysin, baicalein, cyanidin, flavone glycoside, daidzein, coumestrol, sulforaphane, bee venom and huperzine A are the candidates for more prospective investigations.
Topics: Animals; Biological Products; Humans; Medicine, Traditional; Multiple Sclerosis; Phytochemicals; Prospective Studies
PubMed: 27829351
DOI: 10.2174/1389450118666161108124414 -
The American Journal of Clinical... Jul 2018Type 2 diabetes is characterized by impaired glucose metabolism. Bioactive compounds in fruits and vegetables such as polyphenols have been suggested to influence... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Type 2 diabetes is characterized by impaired glucose metabolism. Bioactive compounds in fruits and vegetables such as polyphenols have been suggested to influence glucose metabolism.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the current study was to systematically review the literature and conduct dose-response meta-analyses to summarize evidence of polyphenol exposure in association with incident type 2 diabetes.
DESIGN
Prospective epidemiologic studies published before January 2018 were searched through 2 databases. Log-transformed multivariable adjusted hazard and odds ratios were combined in a random-effects model. Meta-analyses comparing extreme quantiles of polyphenol exposure were further explored with the use of linear and nonlinear dose-response meta-analyses.
RESULTS
Eighteen studies investigated the association between polyphenols (51 different compounds in total) and type 2 diabetes. A comparison of extreme quantiles revealed inverse associations for intakes of polyphenols (HR: 0.56; 95% CI: 0.34, 0.93), flavonoids (HR: 0.88; 95% CI: 0.81, 0.96), flavonols (HR: 0.92; 95% CI: 0.85, 0.98), flavan-3-ols (HR: 0.89; 95% CI: 0.81, 0.99), catechins (HR: 0.86; 95% CI: 0.75, 0.97), anthocyanidins (HR: 0.86; 95% CI: 0.81, 0.91), isoflavones (HR: 0.92; 0.86, 0.97), daidzein (HR: 0.89; 95% CI: 0.83, 0.95), genistein (HR: 0.92; 95% CI: 0.86, 0.99), and stilbenes (HR: 0.44; 95% CI: 0.26, 0.72), and biomarkers of daidzein (HR: 0.81; 95% CI: 0.66, 0.99) and genistein (HR: 0.79; 95% CI: 0.62, 0.99). In the dose-response meta-analysis, nonlinear associations were observed for intakes of polyphenols, flavonoids, flavanones, anthocyanidins, anthocyanins, and biomarkers of genistein. A linear dose-response association was observed for phenolic acids.
CONCLUSIONS
This study adds to the evidence showing that diets rich in polyphenols, and particularly flavonoids, play a role in the prevention of type 2 diabetes. For most associations evidence for nonlinearity was found, suggesting a recommendable amount of intake associated with the lowest risk of type 2 diabetes. Therefore, future studies are warranted in which nonlinear associations are further explored.
Topics: Cohort Studies; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Diet; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Food Analysis; Humans; Polyphenols
PubMed: 29931039
DOI: 10.1093/ajcn/nqy083 -
Menopause (New York, N.Y.) 2010The incidence of vasomotor crises during the climacterium varies in women across different populations, and phytoestrogen consumption seems to play an important role in... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVE
The incidence of vasomotor crises during the climacterium varies in women across different populations, and phytoestrogen consumption seems to play an important role in this problem. The aim of this study was to determine whether intervention with soy (dietary, extract, or concentrate), as compared with placebo, reduces the incidence of hot flashes in climacteric women.
METHODS
Only published, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials were selected, with a 12-week duration of intervention, having selected postmenopausal women affected with hot flashes attributed to the climacterium (without cancer background). The intervention to be evaluated was soy, as "soy dietary supplement," "soy extract," or "isoflavone concentrate" (genistein or daidzein). The results were expressed as the number of hot flashes, average score of vasomotor symptoms, or average percent reduction in hot flashes within a time unit (day, week, or month).
RESULTS
Nineteen studies were analyzed. The minimum heterogeneity was observed in the "isoflavone concentrate" group. In the "extract" and "dietary supplement" groups, heterogeneity reached an intermediate level, I(2) = 42% and 59.73%, respectively. The overall result showed a standardized mean difference of -0.39 (95% CI, -0.53 to -0.25) in favor of soy as well as -0.45 (95% CI, -0.64 to -0.25), -0.51 (95% CI, -0.79 to -0.22), and -0.20 (95% CI, -0.46 to -0.06) for the "concentrate," "extract," and "dietary supplement" subgroups, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
Although the overall combined results and the results by subgroups (according to the type of supplement used) showed a significant tendency in favor of soy, it is still difficult to establish conclusive results given the high heterogeneity found in the studies.
Topics: Adult; Confidence Intervals; Dietary Supplements; Female; Hot Flashes; Humans; Isoflavones; Menopause; Middle Aged; Odds Ratio; Phytotherapy; Plant Extracts; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Glycine max; Treatment Outcome; Women's Health
PubMed: 20464785
DOI: No ID Found -
Cytokine Dec 2020Soy products contain several compounds with anti-inflammatory properties like genistein and daidzein which reported to act through different pathways. Present study... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Soy products contain several compounds with anti-inflammatory properties like genistein and daidzein which reported to act through different pathways. Present study conducted considering the inconsistent results and lack of any comprehensive review regarding randomized controlled trials which assess the effect of soy products on inflammatory markers.
METHODS
Following electronic databases were searched up to March 2020: PubMed, Scopus, ISI web of science, and Cochrane Library All randomized trials which assessed the effect of soy product supplementation on c-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were included for last analysis. Treatment effects were expressed as mean difference (MD) and the standard deviation (SD) of outcomes. To estimate the overall effect the random-effects model was employed.
RESULTS
Finally, 51 randomized trial were included for present study. Last analysis showed that soy product supplementation lead to significant reduction in CRP (MD -0.27 mg/L; 95% CI: -0.51, -0.02, p = 0.028) but it did not affect IL-6 (MD 0.0 pg/ml; 95% CI: -0.06, 0.06, p = 0.970) and TNF-α (MD = -0.04 pg/ml; 95% CI: -0.11, 0.03, p = 0.252). Subgroup analysis showed that soy supplementation had a significant impact on decreasing IL-6 and TNF-α levels when studies had a long-term intervention (≥12 weeks) and used low dose isoflavone (<100 mg/day).
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, present systematic review and meta-analysis found a significant reduction in CRP levels after soy supplementation whiles IL-6 and TNF-α did not affect.
Topics: Biomarkers; C-Reactive Protein; Dietary Supplements; Humans; Inflammation; Interleukin-6; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Glycine max; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
PubMed: 32979840
DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2020.155282 -
Thrombosis and Haemostasis Jun 2022Cardiovascular disease, in particular due to arterial thrombosis, is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity, with crucial roles of platelets in thrombus formation....
Cardiovascular disease, in particular due to arterial thrombosis, is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity, with crucial roles of platelets in thrombus formation. For multiple plant-derived phytochemicals found in common dietary components, claims have been made regarding cardiovascular health and antiplatelet activities. Here we present a systematic overview of the published effects of common phytochemicals, applied in vitro or in nutritional intervention studies, on agonist-induced platelet activation properties and platelet signaling pathways. Comparing the phytochemical effects per structural class, we included general phenols: curcuminoids (e.g., curcumin), lignans (honokiol, silybin), phenolic acids (caffeic and chlorogenic acid), derivatives of these (shikimic acid), and stilbenoids (isorhapontigenin, resveratrol). Furthermore, we evaluated the flavonoid polyphenols, including anthocyanidins (delphinidin, malvidin), flavan-3-ols (catechins), flavanones (hesperidin), flavones (apigenin, nobiletin), flavonols (kaempferol, myricetin, quercetin), and isoflavones (daidzein, genistein); and terpenoids including carotenes and limonene; and finally miscellaneous compounds like betalains, indoles, organosulfides (diallyl trisulfide), and phytosterols. We furthermore discuss the implications for selected phytochemicals to interfere in thrombosis and hemostasis, indicating their possible clinical relevance. Lastly, we provide guidance on which compounds are of interest for further platelet-related research.
Topics: Blood Platelets; Flavonoids; Hemostasis; Humans; Phenols; Phytochemicals; Thrombosis
PubMed: 34715717
DOI: 10.1055/a-1683-5599 -
The American Journal of Clinical... Oct 2010To identify associations between polyphenol intake and health and disease outcomes in cohort studies, it is important to identify biomarkers of intake for the various... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
To identify associations between polyphenol intake and health and disease outcomes in cohort studies, it is important to identify biomarkers of intake for the various compounds commonly consumed as part of the diet.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this systematic review was to assess the usefulness of polyphenol metabolites excreted in urine as biomarkers of polyphenol intake in humans.
DESIGN
The method included a structured search strategy for polyphenol intervention studies on Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE (Ovid), and Cochrane databases; formal inclusion and exclusion criteria; data extraction into an Access database; validity assessment; and meta-analysis.
RESULTS
One hundred sixty-two controlled intervention studies with polyphenols were included, and mean recovery yield and correlations with the dose ingested were determined for 40 polyphenols. Polyphenols such as daidzein, genistein, glycitein, enterolactone, and hydroxytyrosol showed both a high recovery yield (12-37%) and a high correlation with the dose (Pearson's correlation coefficients: 0.67-0.87), which showed good sensitivity and robustness as biomarkers of intake throughout the different studies. Weaker recovery for anthocyanins (0.06-0.2%) and weaker correlations with dose [Pearson's correlation coefficients: 0.21-0.52 for hesperidin, naringenin, (-)-epicatechin, (-)-epigallocatechin, quercetin, and 3 microbial metabolites of isoflavones (dihydrodaidzein, equol, and O-desmethylangolensin)] suggest that they are currently less suitable as biomarkers of intake.
CONCLUSIONS
These data confirm the value of certain urinary polyphenols as biomarkers of intake. A validation in populations is now needed to evaluate their specificity, sensitivity, and responsiveness to dose under free-living conditions.
Topics: Anthocyanins; Biomarkers; Eating; Flavanones; Flavonoids; Humans; Phenols; Polyphenols; Review Literature as Topic; Stilbenes
PubMed: 20810980
DOI: 10.3945/ajcn.2010.29924 -
Food Chemistry Jan 2018Translating food intake data into phytochemical outcomes is a crucial step in investigating potential health benefits. The aim of this review was to examine the tools... (Review)
Review
Translating food intake data into phytochemical outcomes is a crucial step in investigating potential health benefits. The aim of this review was to examine the tools for determining dietary-derived polyphenol intakes for estimated intake studies. Published studies from 2004 to 2014 reporting polyphenol food composition information were sourced with 157 studies included. Six polyphenol subclasses were identified. One quarter of studies (n=39) reported total flavonoids intake with 27% reporting individual flavonoid compounds. Assessing multiple compounds was common with approximately 10% of studies assessing seven (n=13), six (n=12) and five (n=14) subclasses of polyphenol. There was no pattern between reported flavonoids compounds and subclass studied. Approximately 60% of studies relied on publicly accessible food composition data to estimate dietary polyphenols intake with 33% using two or more tools. This review highlights the importance of publicly accessible composition databases for estimating polyphenol intake and provides a reference for tools available globally.
Topics: Databases, Factual; Diet; Flavonoids; Food; Humans; Polyphenols
PubMed: 28867085
DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2016.11.010 -
Climacteric : the Journal of the... Dec 2016Menopause is associated with increased bone resorption and decreased bone mineral density (BMD). Phytoestrogens are believed to prevent bone loss. This study reviewed... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Menopause is associated with increased bone resorption and decreased bone mineral density (BMD). Phytoestrogens are believed to prevent bone loss. This study reviewed relevant randomized, controlled trials to determine the effects of phytoestrogens on BMD in postmenopausal women.
METHODS
In order to perform this systematic review, PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, Cochrane Library, ISI Web of Knowledge, and ProQuest databases were searched for articles published during 2005-2016. The main keywords used during the searches were "phytoestrogen" and "bone mineral density" and "menopause". The Cochrane Risk of Bias Assessment Tool was used to evaluate the quality of the selected studies and to assess the risk of bias.
RESULTS
A total of 23 eligible studies were included in this systematic review. Most selected studies used a double-blind, placebo-controlled design. In total, 3494 participants were enrolled in the selected trials. Different types of soy isoflavone extracts, including genistein extracts (either alone or in combination with daidzein), dietary products containing different amounts of phytoestrogens, and red clover extracts were used in the designed interventions. The duration of the interventions ranged from 7 weeks to 3 years. In most studies, the primary outcome was the efficacy of the designed intervention which was assessed through measuring whole body or regional BMD or bone mineral content, T-scores, and biomarkers of bone metabolism.
CONCLUSIONS
Isoflavones probably have beneficial effects on bone health in menopausal women. Nevertheless, there were controversial reports about changes in BMD. Supplementation with a phytoestrogen can probably prevent the reduction in BMD and maintain a healthy bone structure during menopause.
Topics: Bone Density; Diet; Double-Blind Method; Female; Genistein; Humans; Isoflavones; Menopause; Phytoestrogens; Phytotherapy; Placebos; Plant Extracts; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Glycine max
PubMed: 27710141
DOI: 10.1080/13697137.2016.1238451 -
Andrology Jul 2016This study uses current epidemiological data to evaluate whether phytoestrogen intake is associated with a reduced risk of prostate cancer. We performed a random-effect... (Review)
Review
This study uses current epidemiological data to evaluate whether phytoestrogen intake is associated with a reduced risk of prostate cancer. We performed a random-effect meta-analysis of published data retrieved from PubMed, Web of Science, ProQuest, and CNKI, which was supplemented by a manual search of relevant references. Study quality was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). Subgroup analysis and meta-regression were performed to explore the source of heterogeneity. Sensitivity analysis was evaluated to assess the stability of the results. Egger's test and funnel plots were used to detect the existence of publication bias. We retrieved 507 papers, and 29 studies were ultimately confirmed as eligible. The meta-analysis showed that phytoestrogen intake was significantly associated with a reduced risk of prostate cancer, with an odds ratio (OR) of 0.77 (95% CI 0.66-0.88; I(2) = 77.6%). The food/nutritional sources that were significantly associated with a reduced risk of prostate cancer included soy and soy products, tofu, legumes, daidzein, and genistein. Subgroup analysis indicated that the associations were significant among Asians and Caucasians, but not among Africans. Meta-regression revealed that the pooled OR increased with the number of cases in the studies. The results might be affected by publication bias based on the Eggers' test (p = 0.011) and the asymmetry of the funnel plot. Phytoestrogen intake may reduce the risk of prostate cancer in Asians and Caucasians. Regular intake of food that is rich in phytoestrogens, such as soy/soy products or legumes, should be recommended.
Topics: Humans; Incidence; Male; Phytoestrogens; Prostatic Neoplasms; Risk; Risk Reduction Behavior
PubMed: 27260185
DOI: 10.1111/andr.12196 -
Pharmacological Research Dec 2021With the coming of the era of the aging population, hypertension has become a global health burden to be dealt with. Although there are multiple drugs and procedures to...
With the coming of the era of the aging population, hypertension has become a global health burden to be dealt with. Although there are multiple drugs and procedures to control the symptoms of hypertension, the management of it is still a long-term process, and the side effects of conventional drugs pose a burden on patients. Flavonoids, common compounds found in fruits and vegetables as secondary metabolites, are active components in Chinese Herbal Medicine. The flavonoids are proved to have cardiovascular benefits based on a plethora of animal experiments over the last decade. Thus, the flavonoids or flavonoid-rich plant extracts endowed with anti-hypertension activities and probable mechanisms were reviewed. It has been found that flavonoids may affect blood pressure in various ways. Moreover, despite the substantial evidence of the potential for flavonoids in the control of hypertension, it is not sufficient to support the clinical application of flavonoids as an adjuvant or core drug. So the synergistic effects of flavonoids with other drugs, pharmacokinetic studies, clinical trials and the safety of flavonoids are also incorporated in the discussion. It is believed that more breakthrough studies are needed. Overall, this review may shed some new light on the explicit recognition of the mechanisms of anti-hypertension actions of flavonoids, pointing out the limitations of relevant research at the current stage and the aspects that should be strengthened in future researches.
Topics: Animals; Antihypertensive Agents; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Flavonoids; Humans; Medicine, Chinese Traditional; Phytotherapy
PubMed: 34601080
DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2021.105919