Tomatoes, tea Grapes, red wine Whole grains, legumes
Soya
Antioxidative effect: () Curcumin, resveratrol, tea polyphenol, and isothiocyanates ↑ the phase II detoxifying and antioxidant enzymes like HO-1, GST by modulation transcription factor Nrf2 [20, 24]. () Curcumin protects against neuronal degeneration by ↓ ROS neutralizing NO induced free radicals. Curcumin ↑ intracellular GSH pool by triggering specific transcription factors (e.g., TPA, EpRE) [44, 45]. () Isoflavones target eNOS and redox sensitive gene expression and regulate vascular reactivity [37, 40]. () Aged rats fed soy protein diet rich in genistein and daidzein, which interact with estrogen receptors, ↑ eNOS and antioxidant enzymes expression [39]. () Resveratrol, anthocyanin, blocking activation of NF-kB, MAPK, and PGE2, protect neuronal disorder [51, 52]. Anti-inflammatory effect: () Procyanidins ↓ expression of iNOS and COX-2 inhibit inflammatory phenomenon. Procyanidins also significantly ↓ expression of TNF-α and IL-1β by blocking NF-kB activity via ↓ of MAPK and P38 pathways [52]. () Tea and/or red wine polyphenol inhibit expression of COX-2, LOX and exert anti-inflammatory effect. Similarly kaempferol, a flavonoid rich in fruits, vegetables (broccoli) ↓ reduce inflammation by inhibiting the generation of PGE2 [64–66]. () Oral supplementation of curcumin (45 mg/kg) in male mice ↓ stemic inflammation by blocking the release of TNF-α and CRP [68]. () Cinnamon bark extract (content TAPP) protects from AHR or asthma by reducing inflammatory mediators like IL-4 and IL-13 [69]. () Cinnamon bark extract protects against systemic inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis by reducing CRP and stimulating autoimmune system by ↓ expression of many inflammatory mediators (prostaglandin E2, NO) in RA rats [69]. Metabolism regulation: () Anthocyanin and myrtillin of blueberry extract show hypoglycemic effect in humans. Supplementation of 3% blueberry enriched diet for 8 weeks and/or 0.5% GSE-supplemented diet significantly reduced the arterial blood pressure in SHRs via endothelium mediated stimulation of NO metabolism and activation of COX-induced product [74, 75]. () TAPP, the main active component of Cinnamon extract, significantly ↓ the blood HbA1c level and improves the insulin signaling in diabetic animal study [73]. () Phenolic compounds, namely, chlorogenic acid and ferulic acid, and a plant alkaloid, berberine, are considered as potent antidiabetic agent, as these phytochemicals enhance the uptake of 2DG in time- and dose-dependent manner and significantly upregulate the expression of GLUT4 and PPAR-γ and PK13K expression [90, 91]. Antiproliferative effect: () Tea polyphenols exert antiproliferative effects by interacting with MMP system. Tea polyphenol ↓ SMC proliferation by blocking cyclin D1 and Cyclin E and/by inhibiting the cell growth markers PCNA [94, 95]. () Resveratrol ↑ apoptosis by upregulation of tumor suppressor genes p21Cip1/WAF1, p53, the proapoptotic protein Bax expression, ↑ caspase apoptotic signals, and ↓ antiapoptotic proteins Bcl-2, Bcl-XL, and survivin expression [103, 104]. () Polyphenols (resveratrol, genistein, curcumin, C-phycocyanin, and quercetin) inhibit proliferation and motility of cells by suppression of cell adhesion molecule CD44 expression [102]. () Ellagic acid, isovitexin ↓ SMC proliferation might be by ↓ ROS generation and ↓ of ERK1/2 and iNOS expression [101]. Antiangiogenic effect: () Ellagic acid significantly ↓ angiogenesis in hamster buccal punch by ↓ PI3K/Akt and MAPK and VEGF signaling pathways, suppressing HDAC6 and hypoxia-inducible HIF-1α responses [105]. () Tephrocia purpurea rich in flavonoids was found to exert wound healing effect by significant ↑ of angiogenesis or blood vessels formation, fibroblast cells, and generation of collagen fibres [106]. () Astaxanthin (non-provitamin A carotenoid) predominantly distributed in microalgae, fungi, plants, and sea foods, inhibits tumor progression by regulating STAT3/JAK-2 [108].
Antioxidative effect: consumption of lycopene (rich in tomato, spinach, etc.) significantly ↑ antioxidant enzymes SOD, GSH-Px, GR, and GSH and ↓ levels of MDA in hypertensive patients. Lycopene ↓ MDA levels and ↑ GSH levels in postmenopausal women and protects from cardiovascular disorder. Anti-inflammatory effect: lycopene ↓ the release of proinflammatory cytokine TNF-α by ↓ NF-kB activation and induces anti-inflammatory effect. Moreover significant inhibition of lipid peroxidation by the combination of ascorbic acid and α-tocopherol is the complementary to the anti-inflammatory effect of lycopene.
Organosulfur
Allicin Allyl sulfide
Garlic, onion
Metabolism regulation: () In vivo antidiabetic effect of garlic is well documented in diabetic rats and mice. Allicin (main active component) induces pancreatic secretion of insulin or its release from bound insulin [80, 81]. () Garlic and garlic protein diet significantly ↓ serum cholesterol, triglyceride, and LDL cholesterol by allicin mediated inhibition of cholesterol synthesis [83–85]. () Gamma-glutamylcysteines component of garlic ↓ blood pressure by inhibiting angiotensin-converting enzyme [14, 80, 85].
