Plant-Derived (Poly)phenols and Their Metabolic Outcomes: The Pursuit of a Role for the Gut Microbiota

Abstract

Plant-derived (poly)phenolic compounds have been undoubtedly shown to promote endocrine homeostasis through the improvement of diverse metabolic outcomes. Amongst diverse potential mechanisms, the prebiotic modulatory effects exerted by these compounds on the gut microbiota have supported their nutraceutical application in both experimental and clinical approaches. However, the comprehension of the microbiota modulatory patterns observed upon (poly)phenol-based dietary interventions is still in its infancy, which makes the standardization of the metabolic outcomes in response to a given (poly)phenol a herculean task. Thus, this narrative review sought to gather up-to-date information on the relationship among (poly)phenols intake, their modulatory effect on the gut microbiota diversity, and consequent metabolic outcomes as a supportive tool for the future design of experimental approaches and even clinical trials.

α acid fraction from Hop extract exerts an endothelium-derived hyperpolarization vasorelaxant effect through TRPV4 employing the feedforward mechanism of PKCα

“…[26][27][28] Several studies have described the beneficial effects of various natural extracts and active principles and their potential role in the improvement of the cardiovascular system, reducing oxidative stress, controlling dyslipidemia and glycemia, etc. 29 On this issue, a great deal of interest has been expressed towards natural bioactive compounds as functional ingredients in the hop extract due to their various beneficial health effects reported in the literature. In the in vitro model, H. lupulus hops extract is able to exert an anti-aggregatory action reducing GPIIb/IIIa expression.…”

Dietary oregano aqueous extract improves growth performance and intestinal health of broilers through modulating gut microbial compositions

“…Moreover, the contents of total phenols and flavonoids in aqueous extract are high [52]. Quercetin, apigenin and other flavonoids have low bioavailability and need to be metabolized by hindgut microbiota [53,54]. This suggests that OAE had the potential to improve the growth performance in birds through modulating gut microbiota.…”

Dietary Oregano aqueous extract improves growth performance and intestinal health of broilers through modulating gut microbial compositions

“…Moreover, the contents of total phenols and avonoids in water extract are high [53]. Quercetin, apigenin and other avonoids have low bioavailability and need to be metabolized by hindgut microbiota [54,55]. This suggests that OAE had the potential to improve the growth performance in birds through modulating gut microbiota.…”