Polyphenols: Phytochemistry and health benefits

Abstract

Phenolic compounds are the phytoconstituents from plants with diverse chemical properties and bioactivities. Since the ancient time polyphenols compounds are widely used in Indian medicine system due to their health benefits. The phenolic compounds are subdivided into five major classes, phenolic acids, flavonoids, tannins, lignans, and coumarins. Phenolic acids are the derivative of esters and glycosides which is associated with flavonoid, alcohols, hydroxy fatty acids, sterols, and glucosides. flavonoids are a group of bioactive compounds which includes flavonols, flavones, flavanones, flavonoid glycosides isoflavones, and anthocyanins. Tannins are the secondary metabolites which have an activity to precipitate protein. Lignans and coumarins are one of the most important groups of plant secondary metabolites. The phenolic compounds show various pharmacological activities such as anti-inflammatory activity (Vanillic acid, and catechin), anti-asthmatic activity (Protocatechuic acids), antidiabetic activity (Cinnamic acid), and cardioprotective activity (Daidzein). This review addresses the introduction of phenolic compounds, their classifications, chemical structure, and pharmacological activities.