The Immunomodulatory and Anti-Inflammatory Role of Polyphenols - PubMed (original) (raw)

Review

The Immunomodulatory and Anti-Inflammatory Role of Polyphenols

Nour Yahfoufi et al. Nutrients. 2018.

Abstract

This review offers a systematic understanding about how polyphenols target multiple inflammatory components and lead to anti-inflammatory mechanisms. It provides a clear understanding of the molecular mechanisms of action of phenolic compounds. Polyphenols regulate immunity by interfering with immune cell regulation, proinflammatory cytokines' synthesis, and gene expression. They inactivate NF-κB (nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells) and modulate mitogen-activated protein Kinase (MAPk) and arachidonic acids pathways. Polyphenolic compounds inhibit phosphatidylinositide 3-kinases/protein kinase B (PI3K/AkT), inhibitor of kappa kinase/c-Jun amino-terminal kinases (IKK/JNK), mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) which is a protein complex that controls protein synthesis, and JAK/STAT. They can suppress toll-like receptor (TLR) and pro-inflammatory genes' expression. Their antioxidant activity and ability to inhibit enzymes involved in the production of eicosanoids contribute as well to their anti-inflammation properties. They inhibit certain enzymes involved in reactive oxygen species ROS production like xanthine oxidase and NADPH oxidase (NOX) while they upregulate other endogenous antioxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, and glutathione (GSH) peroxidase (Px). Furthermore, they inhibit phospholipase A2 (PLA2), cyclooxygenase (COX) and lipoxygenase (LOX) leading to a reduction in the production of prostaglandins (PGs) and leukotrienes (LTs) and inflammation antagonism. The effects of these biologically active compounds on the immune system are associated with extended health benefits for different chronic inflammatory diseases. Studies of plant extracts and compounds show that polyphenols can play a beneficial role in the prevention and the progress of chronic diseases related to inflammation such as diabetes, obesity, neurodegeneration, cancers, and cardiovascular diseases, among other conditions.

Keywords: T helper 1 (Th1); Th17; Treg; anti-inflammation; anti-tumorigenic; arachidonic acid; cancer; chronic inflammatory conditions; cyclooxygenase (COX); cytokines; extra-cellular signal regulated kinases (ERK); immune system; inflammation; inhibitor of kappa kinase (IKK); lipoxygenase (LOX); macrophages; mitogen-activated protein Kinase (MAPK); molecular mechanisms; nitric oxide synthase (NOS); nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB); oxidative stress; polyphenols; reactive oxygen species (ROS); superoxide dismutase (SOD).

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1

Figure 1

Potential points of action of polyphenols within inflammatory cascade. NF-κ B: nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells; IKK: IkB-kinase; ERK: extracellular signal-related kinases; JNK: c-Jun amino-terminal kinases; p38 (or p38-MAPK): p38-mitogen-activated protein kinase; COX: cyclooxygenase; LOX: lipoxygenase; AA: arachidonic acid; PLA2: phospholipase A2; PGs: prostaglandins; LTs: leukotriens. For references see the text.

Figure 2

Figure 2

Key polyphenolic anti-oxidant actions in relation to anti-inflammation. Polyphenols scavenge radicals, chelate metal ions, inhibit ROS production and promote ROS detoxification. On the right panel ROS contribution to inflammation. ROS: reactive oxygen species; RNS: reactive nitrogen species; NOX: NADPH oxidase; SOD: superoxide dismutase; GSH-PX: glutathione peroxidase; ERK: extra-cellular signal regulated kinases; PI3K/AkT: phosphatidylinositide 3-kinases/protein kinase B; EGCG: epigallactocatechine gallate.

Figure 3

Figure 3

Anti-tumorigenic activities of polyphenols. MAPK: mitogen-activated protein kinase; NFκB: nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells; PI3K: phosphatidylinositide 3-kinase; ERK: extracellular signal-related kinases; ROS: reactive oxygen species; COX: cyclooxygenase; EMT: epithelial mesenchymal transition; HIF-1α: hypoxia-inducible factor 1-aplha.

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