Contribution of plant phytochemicals to organic homeostasis: focus on the aging process and opportunistic infections
Conference Paper
Overview
Overview
abstract
Aging process is conceived as a normal stage during human life cycle, but it is also considered a
hot topic among scientists and medical community. Alarming rates of premature aging and
oxidative stress-related diseases have increasingly affect human individuals. Stress, pollution and
exposition to chemical substances are considered the main triggering factors for those conditions;
in addition, they also suppress the immune system and, therefore, improve organic vulnerability
and occurrence of opportunistic infections [I]. Apart from the associated morbidity and mortality,
the increasing rates of antimicrobial resistance improve the severity of the clinical conditions [2].
Botanical preparations possess a multitude of bioactive properties, namely acting as
antimicrobials, antioxidants, and homeostasis modulators. Thus, upcoming alternatives, mainly
based in plant phytochemicals, are necessary to improve the wellbeing as also life expectancy of
individuals.
The present study aims to evaluate and to compare both antioxidant and antimicrobial properties
of plant extracts rich in phenolic compounds. Among the tested plants, Glycyrrhiza glabra L.
(licorice) evidenced the most pronounced free radicals scavenging and antimicrobial effects,
followed by Salvia officina/is L. (sage), Thymus vulgaris L. (thyme) and Origanum vulgare L.
(oregano). Eucalyptus globulus Labill. (blue gum) and Juglans regia L. (walnut) also showed a
high effect, while Pterospartum tridentatum (L.) Willk. (carqueja) and Rubus ulmifolius Schott
(elm leaf blackberry) displayed moderate effects, and lastly, Tabebuia impetigirwsa (Mart. ex
DC) Standley (pau d'arco), Foeniculum vulgare Miller (fennel), Rosa canina L. (rose hips) and
Matricaria recutita L. (chamomile) gave only slight effects. In general, the most pronounced
bioactivities were observed in the plant preparations (infusion>decoction>hydromethanolic
extract) with higher levels of phenolic compounds (both flavonoids and phenolic acids).
The observed synergisms between the phenolic compounds present in the extracts highlight the
use of phytochemicals as future health promoters. However, further studies are necessary to
understand the effective mode of action of individual phenolic constituents as also the existence
of polyvalence relationships between them.
