Bioactive Phytochemicals Flashcards
Alkoxyglycerols
ether-linked glycerols found in shark liver oil - make activate macrophases and natural killer cells
Allicin
Found in garlic and onions - may reduce serum total cholesterol concentration and blood pressure
Allylic sulfides
found in garlic, onions, leeks, shallots, and chives
- antimutagenic and anticarcinogenic
- activate liver detox enzymes
-inhibit cholesterol synthesis
- reduce blood pressure
- improve immune response,
- increase resistance to infection organism and parasites
Arabinogalactans
long, densely-branched polysaccharides bound to proteins
- found in carrots, radish, pear, maize, wheat, red grapes, tomatoes
- may inhibit tumorigenesis and metastasis
Beta-glucans
linear polymers of monosaccharides
- mushrooms
-stimulate phagocytosis and cytotoxic NK cell activity
- beta-d-glucans from oats are soluble dietary fiber
Biochanin A
water insoluble isoflavone in red clover
- weak estrogenic, antioxidant, anticarcinogenic, and hypolipidemic properties
Carotenoids
more than 600 different tetraterpenes (beta-carotene) and xanthophylls (carotenoid alcohols)
- in plants with bright red, orange, and yellow pigments
-only alpha, beta, and epsilon exhibit vitamin A activity
- tissue specific actions
- enhance immune response
- protect against ultraviolet radiation
-spare glutathione peroxidase
Terpenes = antioxidants (green)
Lutein & zeaxanthine = antioxidant, phytoestrogenic
Carrageenans
polysulfated straight-chain galactans
- red seaweeds that resist digestion
- may be hypocholesterolemic
Catechins
flavonoids
- greatest in grape seeds and green tea leaves
- antioxidant, maybe antimicrobial, antiviral, chemopreventive
- increase basal energy expenditure and rate of beta-oxidation of fatty acids
- fermentation of green tea leaves to black tea creates biologically inert pigments
Cetyl Myristoleate
unsubstantiated claims of effect treatment for arthritis, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, immune disorders
Chlorophyll
green plant photoreceptive pigment
- may be antimutagenic and anticarcinogenic
Colosolic acid
triterpene from leaves of lagerstroemia speciosa
- “botanical insulin” bc it may accelerate glucose clearance from circulation
Curcuminoids
polyphenolic pigments found in rhizomes of tumeric
- antioxidan, anticoagulant, chologenic activities
- may be anticarcinogenic, antiviral, and hypolipidemic
- only half of ingested is absorbed
Isoflavones
act as phytoestrogens (compete w/ estrogen receptors but low biological activity)
- soybeans (genistein), chickpeas, beans, and legume vegetables
Isoprenoids
neutralize free radicals in membrane lipid peroxidation
Lignans
act as phytoestrogens
- falx seed, soybeans, wheat bran, oatmeal
Limonoids
monoterpenes
- garlic, sage, camphor, dill
- increase expression of hepatic Phase 1 and II enzymes for detox
- inhibit neoplastic promotion and progression
Lipoic acid and Ubiquinone
antioxidants that reduce (recycle) oxidized antioxidants
Bioflavonoids (flavonoids and isoflavins)
- citrus fruits, soybeans, legume vegetables, onions, apples, wine, green teas, licorice root, flax seeds
- over 1500 - eg. hesperidin, glycosides, tageretin, quercitin, rutin
- inhibit estrogen synthesis
- potent antioxidants
- inhibit cell proliferation
- strengthen capillary integrity
- enhance effects of vitamin C
Glucomannan
hydrocolloidal polysaccharide
- source of soluble dietary fiber
- laxative activity
- glucose homeostasis and weight mgmt by interfering w/ adsorption of dietary nonfiber carbs
- may cause ab distension and flatulence
Glucosinolates
converted to indoles and isothiocyanates upon chewing
- cruciferous vegetables
- deactivate chemical carcinogens
- activate liver and GI detox enzymes
Indole-3-Carbinol
degradation product
of glucosinolates
- increase ratio of circulating anticarcinogenic to procarcinogenic compounds
- inhibit conversion of estradiol to procarcinogenic metabolite
Lycopenes
acyclic isomers of beta-carotene
- tomatoes and red grapefruit
- antioxidant
- may help prevent prostate cancer
Octacosanol
long-chain saturated primary alcohol
- from wax covering green blades of wheat
- may be hypocholesterolemic
Perilla oil
contains ALA
Phenols
in plants that produce blue, blue-red, and biolet pigments (almost all plants)
- inhibit specific inflammatory enzymes, modifying prostaglandin synthesizing pathways
Phytoestrogens
isoflavones, lignans, coumestrol, zearalenol, zearalenone
- bind to estrogen receptors w/ low biological activity
Phytosterols
found in soybeans and most other plants
- inhibit absorption of dietary cholesterol
- inhibit tumorigenesis in colon, breast, prostate
Policosanols
long-chain primary aliphatic saturated alcohols
- from sugar cane, yams, beeswax
- hypocholesterolemic
Polyphenols
found in garlic, green teas, soybeans, citrus fruits, onions, apples, licorice root, flax seeds, grapes, wine
- inhibit inflammation
- strengthen capillary integrity
- inhibit hormone binding
Protease inhibitors
soybeans and legumes
- inhibit generation of free radicals by radiation and may retard carcinogenesis
Pycnogenol
procyanidins, proanthocyanidins, catechins, phenolic acids (quercitin, gallic, caffeic, ferulic acids)
- from bark of French maritime pine tree (pinus maritima)
- antioxidants
- stimulate increased glutathione synthesis and expression of glutathione reductase and peroxidase
- increases blood flow in brain and heart
Saponins
found in legume vegetables, spinach, tomatoes, potatoes
- inhibit cancer cells
- reduces serum total cholesterol concentration
Sulforaphane
breakdown product of glucoraphanin (sulforaphane glucosinolate)
- cruciferous vegetables
- induces expression of hepatic Phase II detox esp. glutathione S-transferase and quinone reductase
Thiols
sulfur-containing antioxidants found in garlic and cruciferous vegetables
