Phenolics are broadly distributed in the plant kingdom and are the most abundant secondary metabolites of plants. Plant polyphenols have drawn increasing attention due to their potent antioxidant properties and their marked effects in the prevention of various oxidative stress associated diseases such as cancer. In the last few years, the identification and development of phenolic compounds or extracts from different plants has become a major area of health- and medical-related research. This review provides an updated and comprehensive overview on phenolic extraction, purification, analysis and quantification as well as their antioxidant properties. Furthermore, the anticancer effects of phenolics in-vitro and in-vivo animal models are viewed, including recent human intervention studies. Finally, possible mechanisms of action involving antioxidant and pro-oxidant activity as well as interference with cellular functions are discussed.

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Plant phenolics: extraction, analysis and their antioxidant and anticancer properties.

The mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) coordinates eukaryotic cell growth and metabolism with environmental inputs, including nutrients and growth factors. Extensive research over the past two decades has established a central role for mTOR in regulating many fundamental cell processes, from protein synthesis to autophagy, and deregulated mTOR signaling is implicated in the progression of cancer and diabetes, as well as the aging process. Here, we review recent advances in our understanding of mTOR function, regulation, and importance in mammalian physiology. We also highlight how the mTOR signaling network contributes to human disease and discuss the current and future prospects for therapeutically targeting mTOR in the clinic.

mTOR Signaling in Growth, Metabolism, and Disease

Phenolics and polyphenolics in foods, beverages and spices: Antioxidant activity and health effects – A review

Saponins are steroid or triterpenoid glycosides, common in a large number of plants and plant products that are important in human and animal nutrition. Several biological effects have been ascribed to saponins. Extensive research has been carried out into the membrane-permeabilising, immunostimulant, hypocholesterolaemic and anticarcinogenic properties of saponins and they have also been found to significantly affect growth, feed intake and reproduction in animals. These structurally diverse compounds have also been observed to kill protozoans and molluscs, to be antioxidants, to impair the digestion of protein and the uptake of vitamins and minerals in the gut, to cause hypoglycaemia, and to act as antifungal and antiviral agents. These compounds can thus affect animals in a host of different ways both positive and negative.

/pdf/the-biological-action-of-saponins-in-animal-systems-a-review-21yt7p784a.pdf

The biological action of saponins in animal systems: a review

eMedicine创建于1996年，由近万名临床医师作为作者或编辑参与此临床医学知识库的建设，其中编辑均是来自美国哈佛、耶鲁、斯坦福、芝加哥、德克萨斯、加州大学等各分校医学院的教授或副教授。

eMedicine

Pasting, thermal, and functional properties of wheat flour and rice flour formulated with chestnut flour

Hovenia dulcis is one of the earliest developed medicinal plants used in traditional Chinese medicine. It has many profound pharmacological actions, including alcohol detoxification activity. The aim of the present study was to discover the medicinal sites and active constituents of the alcohol detoxification activity of H. dulcis. In this paper, alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) were first measured by a microplate reader to assay the alcohol detoxification effect. The screening results suggested that n-butanol extract of fruits and ethyl acetate extract of stem of H. dulcis have relatively higher ADH activity; also, the n-butanol extract, hot water extract of fruits, and water extract of stem of H. dulcis have relatively higher ALDH activity. The experiments indicate that microplate reader screening is a quick, accurate, and effective method to assay ADH and ALDH in vitro. This method is also suitable for carrying out the screening work of a large numbers of in vitro samples.

A Rapid Screening for Alcohol Detoxification Constituents of Hovenia dulcis by Microplate Reader

The objective of this research was to assess how home cooking methods affect the phytochemical profiles of edible kudzu (Pueraria thomsonii) grown in Zhuhai, China. Phenolic, flavonoids, condensed tannin and isoflavone content and antioxidant capacities of processed kudzu were compared with raw samples by employing colorimetric methods and high-performance liquid chromatography. DPPH free-radical scavenging assay, ferric-reducing antioxidant powder and ABTS radical-scavenging assay were used to analyze the antioxidant activities. Results showed that the frying process largely enhanced the phytochemical content and the antioxidant capacities. Boiling and steaming increased the isoflavone content of kudzu from 0.77 mg/g (in raw kudzu) to 2.12 mg/g (in the boiled kudzu) and 1.03 mg/g (in the steamed kudzu). These results indicated that most of the cooking methods were capable of enhancing phytochemical values of kudzu. It was suggested that frying and/or boiling the edible kudzu might help consumers in obtaining a higher antioxidation effect.



Practical Applications

Presented information will guide home-cooking practice and food industry to retain more health benefit components through selecting cooking methods. The results indicate that thermal processing remarkably affected phytochemical profiles of kudzu and significantly changed the antioxidant capacities of kudzu.

Baojun Xu

Papers

Pasting, thermal, and functional properties of wheat flour and rice flour formulated with chestnut flour

A Rapid Screening for Alcohol Detoxification Constituents of Hovenia dulcis by Microplate Reader

Phytochemical Profiles of Edible Kudzu (Pueraria thomsonii Benth) Grown in China as Affected by Thermal Processing

Effect of unripe banana flour and wheat gluten on physicochemical characteristics and sensory properties of white salted noodles

A systematic study on mycochemical profiles, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities of 30 varieties of Jew’s ear (Auricularia auricula-judae)