Basic biochemical mechanisms behind the health benefits of polyphenols.

FRAGA, C. G.; GALLEANO, M.; VERSTRAETEN, S. V.; OTEIZA, P. I.

MOLECULAR ASPECTS OF MEDICINE

ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV

Lugar: Amsterdam; Año: 2010 vol. 31 p. 435 - 445

0098-2997

Polyphenols and consequently many flavonoids have several beneficial actions on humanhealth. However, the actual molecular interactions of polyphenols with biologicalsystems remain mostly speculative. This review addresses the potential mechanisms ofaction that have been so far identified, as well as the feasibility that they could occurin vivo. Those mechanisms include: i) non specific actions, based on chemical featurescommon to most polyphenols, e.g. the presence of a phenol group to scavenge freeradicals; and ii) specific mechanisms; based on particular structural and conformationalcharacteristics of select polyphenols and the biological target, e.g. proteins, or definedmembrane domains. A better knowledge about the nature and biological consequencesof polyphenol interactions with cell components will certainly contribute to developnutritional and pharmacological strategies oriented to prevent the onset and/or theconsequences of human disease.