Iraqi Journal of Pharmacy

Abstract

Several mechanisms are responsible for regulating the process of aging. A rise in reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative stress is usually linked to the development of age-related diseases. Evidence indicates that prolonged oxidative stress can predispose to frequent diseases such as chronic inflammation, cancer and heart diseases. Polyphenols are naturally occurring substances found in numerous fruits, vegetables, cereals, etc. They considered as one of the most abundant and widely distributed secondary metabolites of the plant kingdom. Long-term consumption of polyphenol-rich diets was confirmed for protection from as shown by earlier. Additionally, polyphenol-rich foods and beverages offer protection against certain chronic diseases, particularly type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Certain polyphenols, such as quercetin, have anti-inflammatory properties and they were also associated with lower levels of biomarkers of muscle injury and inflammation. Flavonoids were shown to slow memory problems and the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. Antioxidants such as plant polyphenols have been proposed for cancer prevention and/or treatment. Dietary benefits are attributed in part to polyphenols, which have antitumor properties in both animal models and humans. Resveratrol (RV), a polyphenol found in blueberries, cranberries, wine almonds, and red grapes, has anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties and was shown to reduce cancer cell glycolytic metabolism and reduce intracellular ROS levels.