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Development of a fast spectroscopic enzyme assay for on-site measurement of total polyphenol content in grapes and wine.

In recent years interest in polyphenols as a nutrient in vegetables and fruits has increased because of polyphenols' positive effects on human health. The interest focuses on the sensory properties of polyphenols and their influence on the taste of fruits and derived products. This article presents the development of a bioanalytical measurement technique enabling the determination of the total polyphenol content (TPC) of fresh grapes within a few minutes. Furthermore this technique allows the control of TPC during production processes, e. g. fermentation of wine.

Enzymes↗

Diet supplementation for 5 weeks with polyphenol-rich cereals improves several functions and the redox state of mouse leucocytes.

BACKGROUND: Cereals naturally contain a great variety of polyphenols, which exert a wide range of physiological effects both in vitro and in vivo. Many of their protective effects, including an improvement of the function and redox state of immune cells in unhealthy or aged subjects come from their properties as powerful antioxidant compounds. However, whether cereal-based dietary supplementation positively affects the immune function and cellular redox state of healthy subjects remains unclear. AIM OF THE STUDY: To investigate the effects of supplementation (20% wt/wt) for 5 weeks with four different cereal fractions on healthy mice. METHODS: Several parameters of function and redox state of peritoneal leukocytes were measured. The cereals, named B (wheat germ), C (buckwheat flour), D (fine rice bran) and E (wheat middlings) contained different amounts of gallic acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, vanillic acid, sinapic acid, p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, quercetin, catechin, rutin and oryzanol as major polyphenols. RESULTS: In general, all cereal fractions caused an improvement of the leukocyte parameters studied such as chemotaxis capacity, microbicidal activity, lymphoproliferative response to mitogens, interleukin-2 (IL-2) and tumor necrosis factor (TNFalpha) release, as well as oxidized glutathione (GSSG), GSSG/GSH ratio, catalase (CAT) activity and lipid oxidative damage. We observed similar effects among the cereal fractions. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that some of these effects may due, at least partially, to the antioxidant activity of the polyphenols naturally present in cereals. Since an appropriate function of the leukocytes has been proposed as marker of the health state, a short-term intake of cereals seems to be sufficient to exert a benefit in the health of the general population. However, further studies are needed to assess the optimal doses and to find out which active polyphenols are able to mediate the observed physiological effects before recommending their regular consumption.

Animals↗

Effect of herbal polyphenols on atherogenic transcriptome.

The ancient Indian system of medicine supports the antiatherogenic properties of some herbs. The crosstalk amongst the genes coding for LDLR, LXRalpha, PPARs (alpha,gamma), CD-36 and c-myc may be important in atherogenesis because these genes control lipid metabolism, cytokine production and cellular activity within the arterial wall. Hence, we attempted for the first time to explore whether or not the polyphenols extracted from medicinal herbs had any effect on the transcription of these genes. Normal human mononuclear cells were cultured in the presence of polyphenols (and their HPLC purified sub-fractions) extracted from Green tea (Camellia sinensis), Neem (Azadirachta indica) and Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum). Transcriptional expression of these genes was measured by using RT-PCR and SCION IMAGE analysis software. These polyphenolic extracts were found to have the inherent capacity to inhibit the transcriptional expression of genes having direct involvement in atherogenic process. On the basis of these results, we propose for the first time that HPLC purified polyphenolic fraction IV of Tulsi may have a profound antiatherogenic effect.

Atherosclerosis↗

Peroral application of water-soluble derivative of propolis (WSDP) and its related polyphenolic compounds and their influence on immunological and antitumour activity.

Polyphenolic compounds are widely distributed in the plant kingdom and display a variety of biological activities, including chemoprevention and growth inhibition of tumours. Propolis contains a conglomerate of polyphenolic compounds. We investigated the effect of propolis and polyphenolic compounds, components of propolis, on the growth and metastatic potential of a transplantable mammary carcinoma (MCa) of the mouse. Metastases in the lung were generated by 2 x 10(5) tumour cells injected intravenously (i.v.). A water-soluble derivative of propolis (WSDP) and the polyphenolic compounds (caffeic acid (CA) and caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE)) were given to mice perorally before or after tumour cell inoculation. WSDP, CA and CAPE reduced the number of metastases in the lung. This implies that the antitumour activities of the compounds used in these studies are mostly related to the immunomodulatory properties of the compounds, their cytotoxicity to tumour cells, and their ability to induce apoptosis and/or necrosis.

Animals↗

Green tea composition, consumption, and polyphenol chemistry.

Tea is grown in about 30 countries but is consumed worldwide, although at greatly varying levels. It is the most widely consumed beverage aside from water with a per capita worldwide consumption of approximately 0.12 liter per year. Tea is manufactured in three basic forms. Green tea is prepared in such a way as to preclude the oxidation of green leaf polyphenols. During black tea production oxidation is promoted so that most of these substances are oxidized. Oolong tea is a partially oxidized product. Of the approximately 2.5 million metric tons of dried tea manufactured, only 20% is green tea and less than 2% is oolong tea. Green tea is consumed primarily in China, Japan, and a few countries in North Africa and the Middle East. Fresh tea leaf is unusually rich in the flavanol group of polyphenols known as catechins which may constitute up to 30% of the dry leaf weight. Other polyphenols include flavanols and their glycosides, and depsides such as chlorogenic acid, coumarylquinic acid, and one unique to tea, theogallin (3-galloylquinic acid). Caffeine is present at an average level of 3% along with very small amounts of the other common methylxanthines, theobromine and theophylline. The amino acid theanine (5-N-ethylglutamine) is also unique to tea. Tea accumulates aluminum and manganese. In addition to the normal complement of plant cell enzymes, tea leaf contains an active polyphenol oxidase which catalyzes the aerobic oxidation of the catechins when the leaf cell structure is disrupted during black tea manufacture. The various quinones produced by the enzymatic oxidations undergo condensation reactions which result in a series of compounds, including bisflavanols, theaflavins, epitheaflavic acids, and thearubigens, which impart the characteristic taste and color properties of black tea. Most of these compounds readily form complexes with caffeine. There is no tannic acid in tea. Thearubigens constitute the largest mass of the extractable matter in black tea but their composition is not well known. Proanthocyanidins make up part of the complex. Tea peroxidase may be involved in their generation. The catechin quinones also initiate the formation of many of the hundreds of volatile compounds found in the black tea aroma fraction. Green tea composition is very similar to that of the fresh leaf except for a few enzymatically catalyzed changes which occur extremely rapidly following plucking. New volatile substances are produced during the drying stage. Oolong tea is intermediate in composition between green and black teas.

Agriculture↗

An amperometric biosensor for polyphenolic compounds in red wine.

In the present work, a biosensor was developed with Laccase Coriolus Versicolor as the biological reconnaissance element immobilized on derivatized polyethersulphone membranes and applied to a Pt-Ag, AgCl US electrode base. Its application to several polyphenols usually found in red wine (caffeic acid, gallic acid, catechin, rutin, trans-resveratrol, quercetin and malvidin) was tested. It was observed that an amperometric response was obtained for catechin at +100 mV (versus Ag, AgCl) and caffeic acid at -50 mV in acetate buffer solutions (pH 4.5) having 12% ethanol. At pH 3.5 and +100 mV the biosensor was sensitive to both substrates and their response was additive. A limit of detection of 1.0 x 10(-6) M, linearity ranging from 2.0 to 14.0 x 10(-6) M, high sensitivity (0.0566 mAM(-1)) and reproducibility (R.S.D. <10%) were achieved for equimolar mixed solutions of catechin and caffeic acid. Under the same experimental conditions the other polyphenols tested individually did not yield any biosensor response. The application of the biosensor to red wine samples required a previous solid phase extraction for polyphenols enrichment. In fact, attempts to apply the biosensor in red wine using the "standard addition" methodology showed that large interferences occurred, as was to be expected. Reduction currents of -0.33 +/- 0.03 nA were obtained when the biosensor was used with the wine extract at +100 mV. This current could be ascribed to catechin and caffeic acid, although some interference by other polyphenols at the matrix level seemed to persist. The present biosensor showed promising applications for the wine analysis in future.

Biosensing Techniques↗

Autoanalyzer for continuous fractionation and quantitation of the polyphenols content in wines.

A simple continuous flow autoanalyzer for the on-line fractionation of the polyphenols content in wines is proposed. The target compounds are isolated from the matrix by solid-phase extraction on an RP-C18 sorbent column, using selective solvents for the sequential elution of each polyphenol family. Moreover, evaporative light scattering detection (ELSD) is used for the first time for the on-line monitorization of the three polyphenol fractions present in the wine samples. Thus, a single sample injection is required to determine the global concentration of the three selected polyphenol fractions and the whole analysis is completed within a few minutes. Three calibration graphs were constructed for quantitative analysis of the global compounds concentration in every fraction and covered the range 5-300 mg l(-1) (expressed as gallic acid). Average repeatability, expressed as relative standard deviation, was 4%. The proposed autonalyzer was applied to the analysis of a variety of commercial wine samples. The results obtained were compared with those provided by the Folin-Ciocalteau method, being similar in all instances.

Anthocyanins↗

Dietary polyphenols decrease glucose uptake by human intestinal Caco-2 cells.

The effect of different classes of dietary polyphenols on intestinal glucose uptake was investigated using polarised Caco-2 intestinal cells. Glucose uptake into cells under sodium-dependent conditions was inhibited by flavonoid glycosides and non-glycosylated polyphenols whereas aglycones and phenolic acids were without effect. Under sodium-free conditions, aglycones and non-glycosylated polyphenols inhibited glucose uptake whereas glycosides and phenolic acids were ineffective. These data suggest that aglycones inhibit facilitated glucose uptake whereas glycosides inhibit the active transport of glucose. The non-glycosylated dietary polyphenols appear to exert their effects via steric hindrance, and (-)-epigallochatechingallate, (-)-epichatechingallate and (-)-epigallochatechin are effective against both transporters.

Biological Transport↗

Plant polyphenols mobilize endogenous copper in human peripheral lymphocytes leading to oxidative DNA breakage: a putative mechanism for anticancer properties.

Plant polyphenols are important components of human diet and a number of them are considered to possess chemopreventive and therapeutic properties against cancer. They are recognized as naturally occurring antioxidants but also act as prooxidants catalyzing DNA degradation in the presence of transition metal ions such as copper. Using human peripheral lymphocytes and Comet assay we have previously confirmed that resveratrol-Cu(II) is indeed capable of causing DNA degradation in cells. In this paper we show that the polyphenols alone (in the absence of added copper) are also capable of causing DNA breakage in cells. Incubation of lymphocytes with neocuproine inhibited the DNA degradation confirming that Cu(I) is an intermediate in the DNA cleavage reaction. Further, we have also shown that polyphenols generate oxidative stress in lymphocytes which is inhibited by scavengers of reactive oxygen species and neocuproine. These results are in further support of our hypothesis that anticancer mechanism of plant polyphenols involves mobilization of endogenous copper, possibly chromatin bound copper, and the consequent prooxidant action.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

Relevance of apple polyphenols as antioxidants in human plasma: contrasting in vitro and in vivo effects.

Apples are a major source of flavonoids in the Western diet, and flavonoid-rich foods may help protect against chronic diseases by antioxidant mechanisms. In the present study we investigated: (1) the antioxidant capacity of representative apple polyphenols and their contribution to the total antioxidant capacity of apple extracts; (2) the effects of adding apple extract to human plasma in vitro on oxidation of endogenous antioxidants and lipids; and (3) the effects of apple consumption by humans on ex vivo oxidation of plasma antioxidants and lipids. We found that the apple-contained flavonols and flavanols, quercetin, rutin, (-)-epicatechin, and (+)-catechin, had a higher antioxidant capacity than the dihydrochalcones, phloridzin and phloretin, and the hydroxycinnamate, chlorogenic acid. However, together these apple polyphenols contributed less than 20% to the total antioxidant capacity of aqueous apple extracts. When human plasma was exposed to a constant flux of aqueous peroxyl radicals, endogenous ascorbate (70.0 +/- 10.3 microM) was oxidized within 45 min of incubation, while endogenous urate (375 +/- 40 microM) and alpha-tocopherol (24.7 +/- 1.2 microM) were oxidized after ascorbate. Addition of 7.1 or 14.3 micrograms/ml total phenols of apple extract did not protect ascorbate from oxidation, but increased the half-life (t1/2) of urate from 136 +/- 15 to 192 +/- 16 and 208 +/- 23 min, respectively (p < 0.05 each), and t1/2 of alpha-tocopherol from 141 +/- 18 to 164 +/- 8 min (p = ns) and 188 +/- 8 min (p < 0.05). Lipid peroxidation started after ascorbate depletion, and addition of apple extract increased the lag time preceding detectable lipid peroxidation from 36.3 +/- 3.7 to 50.9 +/- 2.7 min (p < 0.05) and 70.4 +/- 4.2 min (p < 0.001). However, when six healthy volunteers ate five apples and plasma was obtained up to 4 h after apple consumption, no significant increases in the resistance to oxidation of endogenous urate, alpha-tocopherol, and lipids were found. Thus, despite the high antioxidant capacity of individual apple polyphenols and apple extracts and the significant antioxidant effects of apple extract added to human plasma in vitro, ingestion of large amounts of apples by humans does not appear to result in equivalent in vivo antioxidant effects of apple polyphenols.

Amidines↗

Modulation of pregnane X receptor- and electrophile responsive element-mediated gene expression by dietary polyphenolic compounds.

Based on animal models, dietary polyphenols are predicted to be promising chemopreventive agents in humans. Allspice, clove, and thyme extracts as well as defined dietary polyphenolic compounds were, therefore, tested for their ability to activate mechanisms related to phase 1 enzymes, i.e., the PXR-regulated CYP3A4 promoter, and phase 2 enzymes, i.e. the EpRE-regulated promoters of gastrointestinal glutathione peroxidase (GI-GPx) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), examples of Nrf2-regulated genes. From the compounds tested, clove and thyme extracts as well as curcumin and resveratrol activated the PXR. PXR activation correlated with the activation of the CYP3A4 promoter in the case of thyme extract, curcumin, and resveratrol, but not in the case of clove extract. Allspice extract, EGCG, and quercetin did not activate PXR but enhanced CYP3A4 promoter activity. Thyme extract and quercetin activated the EpRE of HO-1. Both significantly activated the GI-GPx promoter, effects that depended on a functional EpRE. Resveratrol did not activate the isolated EpRE but enhanced the GI-GPx promoter activity, whereas clove extract even inhibited it. It is concluded that individual polyphenols as well as polyphenol-rich plant extracts may affect phase 1 and 2 enzyme expression by distinct mechanisms that must be elucidated, before potential health effects can reliably be predicted.

Catechin↗

Successful storage of peripheral nerves using University of Wisconsin solution with polyphenol.

We have previously reported that green tea polyphenol can preserve peripheral nerve segments for up to 1 month. In this study, we investigated the effect on peripheral nerve preservation of adding polyphenol to the conventional University of Wisconsin solution (UW solution), which has been widely used for organ storage. Twenty millimeter-long sciatic nerve segments, harvested from Lewis rats, were immersed in UW solution containing polyphenol (1 mg/mL) for 1 week and then in UW solution alone at 4 degrees C for 3 additional weeks before transplantation into recipient Lewis rats. Neural cell viability of the preserved nerve segments was confirmed by vital staining (calcein-AM/ethidium homodimer), electron microscopy, and genomic studies. Morphologically, nerve regeneration was similar to that of fresh isografts and superior to that of grafts stored with UW solution alone. Moreover, the electrophysiological results were equal to those of fresh isografts. Polyphenol has the potential to be used for peripheral nerve storage and could be useful for routine peripheral nerve banking.

Actins↗

Neurological mechanisms of green tea polyphenols in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.

Tea consumption is varying its status from a mere ancient beverage and a lifestyle habit, to a nutrient endowed with possible prospective neurobiological-pharmacological actions beneficial to human health. Accumulating evidence suggest that oxidative stress resulting in reactive oxygen species generation and inflammation play a pivotal role in neurodegenerative diseases, supporting the implementation of radical scavengers, transition metal (e.g., iron and copper) chelators, and nonvitamin natural antioxidant polyphenols in the clinic. These observations are in line with the current view that polyphenolic dietary supplementation may have an impact on cognitive deficits in individuals of advanced age. As a consequence, green tea polyphenols are now being considered as therapeutic agents in well controlled epidemiological studies, aimed to alter brain aging processes and to serve as possible neuroprotective agents in progressive neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases. In particular, literature on the putative novel neuroprotective mechanism of the major green tea polyphenol, (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate, are examined and discussed in this review.

Alzheimer Disease↗

Antiangiogenic properties of natural polyphenols from red wine and green tea.

Epidemiological studies have indicated that regular consumption of red wine and green tea is associated with a reduced risk of coronary heart disease and tumor progression. The development of tumors and of atherosclerosis lesions to advanced plaques, which are prone to rupture, is accelerated by the formation of new blood vessels. These new blood vessels provide oxygen and nutrients to neighboring cells. Therefore, recent studies have examined whether red wine polyphenolic compounds (RWPCs) and green tea polyphenols (GTPs) have antiangiogenic properties. In vitro investigations have indicated that RWPCs and GTPs are able to inhibit several key events of the angiogenic process such as proliferation and migration of endothelial cells and vascular smooth muscle cells and the expression of two major proangiogenic factors, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and matrix metalloproteinase-2, by both redox-sensitive and redox-insensitive mechanisms. Antiangiogenic properties of polyphenols have also been observed in the chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane since the local application of RWPCs and GTPs strongly inhibited the formation of new blood vessels. Moreover, intake of resveratrol or green tea has been shown to reduce corneal neovascularization induced by proangiogenic factors such as VEGF and fibroblast growth factor in mice. The ability of RWPCs and GTPs to prevent the formation of new blood vessels contributes, at least in part, to explain their beneficial effect on coronary heart disease and cancer. This review focuses on the antiangiogenic properties of natural polyphenols and examines underlying mechanisms.

Angiogenesis Inhibitors↗

Transcription factor NtELF3 promotes the polyphenol accumulation by targeting NtFLS-1 and NtCHIL-2 genes in tobacco.

Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) is an important economic crop, from which polyphenols are crucial for regulating its growth and development as well as shaping its quality. However, few genes associated with polyphenol accumulation have been cloned from tobacco, and the molecular mechanisms underlying this process remain poorly understood. Here, we found that the tobacco transcription factor EARLY FLOWERING 3 (NtELF3), which is highly expressed in tobacco leaves, positively regulates the accumulation of chlorogenic acid, neochlorogenic acid, cryptochlorogenic acid, rutin, scopoletin, and total polyphenols in tobacco middle leaves. The metabolomic and transcriptomic analyses of middle leaves showed that a total of 177 differentially accumulated metabolites and 7409 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in ntelf3-1 mutant versus wild type, respectively. Further investigation identified that 17 DEGs were involved in phenylpropanoid metabolic and flavonoid metabolic processes. Combined analysis indicated that the phenylpropanoid and flavonoid biosynthesis pathways were also co-enriched in kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes enrichment analysis. Molecular biology experiment demonstrated that NtELF3 directly binds to the promoters of NtFLS-1 and NtCHIL-2 that are both associated with phenylpropanoid and flavonoid biosynthesis, and promotes their expression. Taken together, our results not only provide new theoretical support for in-depth understanding of the regulatory mechanisms underlying polyphenol accumulation in tobacco, but also offer excellent genes and germplasm resources for tobacco quality breeding.

NtCHIL↗

Anthocyanins and colonic metabolites of dietary polyphenols inhibit platelet function.

Maintenance and achievement of an optimal platelet function by dietary solutions might be considered an interesting target to influence cardiovascular health. Polyphenol-rich foods such as vegetables and fruits have been shown to significantly improve platelet function in ex vivo studies in humans. However, until yet, it still remains unclear if polyphenols itself, their metabolites or a mixture of both are responsible for the beneficial effects observed so far. Our study aims to evaluate the effect of anthocyanins, in vivo metabolites of different polyphenols from colonic origin and a representative mixture of both at physiological concentrations on platelet aggregation and activation function. Some anthocyanins [1 microM], colonic metabolites [10 microM] and a mixture (4 phenolic acid [1 microM], 4 anthocyanin [0.1 microM] showed significant platelet sedating and desensitizing effects. Activation of the platelets (P-selectin expression) was significantly reduced by 10-40% in resting platelets, TRAP-activated and hydrogen peroxide-stressed platelets and epinephrine pre-activated platelets relative to controls. The dose-response curve of the weak agonist TRAP was also significantly altered resulting in a >0.8 microM increase of threshold concentration to induce aggregation. The representative mixture was active despite ten times lower concentrations of the individual components, which showed no activity when tested individually at that concentration, indicating synergism of the different components. Platelet reactivity to strong agonists such as collagen and ADP was not influenced. These results show that anthocyanins and in vivo metabolites of polyphenols have anti-thrombotic properties, suggesting themselves as well as their dietary sources and precursors as potential cardiovascular health promoters.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗

Effect of Armagnac fractions on human platelet aggregation in vitro and on rat arteriovenous shunt thrombosis in vivo probably not related only to polyphenols.

UNLABELLED: Previous studies showed that alcohol-free extracts of Armagnac, an oak cask aged spirit rich in polyphenols, inhibit human platelet function in vitro and in vivo, in an experimental rat arteriovenous shunt thrombosis model and in human healthy volunteers. To identify active compounds, we fractionated a freeze-dried extract of a 10-year-old Armagnac using successively chloroform, diethyl ether and ethyl acetate. The 4 resulting fractions were tested on in vitro human platelet aggregation induced by ADP and in vivo on arteriovenous shunt thrombosis after 10 days oral treatment in rats. Active components were found mainly in fractions 1 and 3: at the highest concentration (2.4 10(-2) g/l), in vitro ADP-induced aggregation was inhibited by 62.7+/-2.1% and 51.2+/-3.8% for F1 and F3, respectively, vs 18.9+/-2.4% and 13.9+/-0.4% for fractions 2 and 4 and 33.6+/-1.5% for the crude extract. There was a significant decrease in thrombus weight with the crude extract and all fractions tested after 10 days treatment with 2.5 mg/kg/day orally, greatest with fraction 1. Characterisation of phenol content showed that fraction 1, the most biologically active, was essentially devoid of ellagic acid and ellagitannins, the polyphenols initially thought responsible for the effect, whereas fraction 2 which was mostly inactive, was the richest in polyphenols. CONCLUSION: The antiplatelet and antithrombotic activity of Armagnac seems mostly unrelated to polyphenols.

Alcoholic Beverages↗

Measurement of DNA damage and protein oxidation after the incubation of B14 Chinese hamster cells with chosen polyphenols.

The spectrophotometric method with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH) and the alkaline single-cell gel electrophoresis (comet assay) were used to assess the possibility of three polyphenolic compounds (tannic, ellagic and gallic acid) to induce the changes in proteins and DNA. B14 Chinese hamster cells were exposed to various concentrations of used polyphenols (1-60 microM), hydrogen peroxide (10 and 40 microM) copper ions (50 microM), and the effect of phenols alone and in combination with Cu2+ ions and H2O2 was determined. The results reveal that polyphenolic acids in higher concentrations than 1 microM contribute to the changes in the tested molecules and cause protein and DNA damage. The combined treatment of polyphenols with Cu2+ ions and with H2O2 demonstrates that the lowest dose of phenols (1 microM) can act as an antioxidant agent against used chemicals. The DNA repair process was also studied. The data obtained in this experiment demonstrate that the most effective DNA repair occurs 1h after the removal of phenolic compounds. The used methods and obtained results provide additional information about the potential use of these phenols not only as antioxidants but also as pro-oxidants in biological systems.

Animals↗