Recently there has been much discussion about the possibility that plant derived phytochemical compounds may exert a role as potential anti-microbial substances; however, many issues have to be faced. Results appear quite encouraging but, nevertheless, most of them resulted from in vitro research or using animal models, whilst clinical outcomes following the administration of polyphenolic substances are scarcely reported in literature, due to the many problems related to cultivar variability, chemical extraction and plant content in polyphenols, bioavailability and metabolism in the organism, interaction with gut microflora. Despite to a wide enthusiastic claim about plant polyphenols, many further human trials are requested in order to clarify whether phytochemicals represent really key molecules involved in the anti-microbial potential of plant-derived foods. Further molecular and pharmacological investigation may, in the next future, deserve them a place among other well known anti-bacterial and/or anti-viral chemicals.

Plant polyphenolic compounds as potential anti-microbial drugs

CHIRUMBOLO, Salvatore
2011-01-01

Abstract

Recently there has been much discussion about the possibility that plant derived phytochemical compounds may exert a role as potential anti-microbial substances; however, many issues have to be faced. Results appear quite encouraging but, nevertheless, most of them resulted from in vitro research or using animal models, whilst clinical outcomes following the administration of polyphenolic substances are scarcely reported in literature, due to the many problems related to cultivar variability, chemical extraction and plant content in polyphenols, bioavailability and metabolism in the organism, interaction with gut microflora. Despite to a wide enthusiastic claim about plant polyphenols, many further human trials are requested in order to clarify whether phytochemicals represent really key molecules involved in the anti-microbial potential of plant-derived foods. Further molecular and pharmacological investigation may, in the next future, deserve them a place among other well known anti-bacterial and/or anti-viral chemicals.
2011
Microbiology; phytochemical compounds; plant polyphenols
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11562/355583
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