Classifications of polyphenols and their potential application in human health and diseases

Abstract

Polyphenols are naturally occurring organic compounds composed of several phenols’ units. The polyphenols are the secondary metabolites produced by the plants which played an imperative role in industrial and therapeutic applications. The polyphenols are composed of the phenolic ring and structural element that bind these phenolic rings to one another. The polyphenols were categorized under different sub-categories according to their nature of action and their structural components. Different polyphenols were categorized under phenolics acids, flavonoids, stilbenes, lignans and other polyphenols together with xanthones, tannins and anthraquinones. Fruits, vegetables, cereals, legumes, herbs and spices are the prime source of polyphenols. The composition of these polyphenols is significantly altered by internal and external conditions like agro-climatic conditions, harvesting time, cultivation, origin and so on. Polyphenols represent pharmaconutrients that can be utilized in the manufacturing of drugs, functional foods, coloring and other human health supplements. With the advancement of scientific knowledge these polyphenols isolated from their natural source via different emerging techniques like ultra-high-pressure extractions, supercritical fluid extraction, ultrasonic and heat reflux. Data from the clinical trials, In-Vitro/Vivo, placebo-control, randomized and animals’ trials suggest that the polyphenols have the potential in the pre-treatment or prevention of numerous chronic ailments including cardiovascular (CVD), degenerative diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's and other immune-related disorder.