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Review
. 2022 May 20;27(10):3286.
doi: 10.3390/molecules27103286.

Chemical Compounds of Berry-Derived Polyphenols and Their Effects on Gut Microbiota, Inflammation, and Cancer

Abdelhakim Bouyahya  1 , Nasreddine El Omari  2 , Naoufal El Hachlafi  3 , Meryem El Jemly  4 , Maryam Hakkour  5 , Abdelaali Balahbib  5 , Naoual El Menyiy  6 , Saad Bakrim  7 , Hanae Naceiri Mrabti  8 , Aya Khouchlaa  9 , Mohamad Fawzi Mahomoodally  10 , Michelina Catauro  11 , Domenico Montesano  12 , Gokhan Zengin  13
Affiliations
Review

Chemical Compounds of Berry-Derived Polyphenols and Their Effects on Gut Microbiota, Inflammation, and Cancer

Abdelhakim Bouyahya et al. Molecules. .

Abstract

Berry-derived polyphenols are bioactive compounds synthesized and secreted by several berry fruits. These polyphenols feature a diversity of chemical compounds, including phenolic acids and flavonoids. Here, we report the beneficial health effects of berry-derived polyphenols and their therapeutical application on gut-microbiota-related diseases, including inflammation and cancer. Pharmacokinetic investigations have confirmed the absorption, availability, and metabolism of berry-derived polyphenols. In vitro and in vivo tests, as well as clinical trials, showed that berry-derived polyphenols can positively modulate the gut microbiota, inhibiting inflammation and cancer development. Indeed, these compounds inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria and also promote beneficial bacteria. Moreover, berry-derived polyphenols exhibit therapeutic effects against different gut-microbiota-related disorders such as inflammation, cancer, and metabolic disorders. Moreover, these polyphenols can manage the inflammation via various mechanisms, in particular the inhibition of the transcriptional factor Nf-κB. Berry-derived polyphenols have also shown remarkable effects on different types of cancer, including colorectal, breast, esophageal, and prostate cancer. Moreover, certain metabolic disorders such as diabetes and atherosclerosis were also managed by berry-derived polyphenols through different mechanisms. These data showed that polyphenols from berries are a promising source of bioactive compounds capable of modulating the intestinal microbiota, and therefore managing cancer and associated metabolic diseases. However, further investigations should be carried out to determine the mechanisms of action of berry-derived polyphenol bioactive compounds to validate their safety and examinate their clinical uses.

Keywords: berries; cancer; gut microbiota; metabolic disorders; polyphenols.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Chemical structures of major flavonoids contained in berries.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Chemical structures of phenolic acids contained in berries.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Microbial metabolism of ellagitannins.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Mechanisms of CRC inhibition by berry polyphenols. MDSC: myeloid-derived suppressor cells; RNI: reactive nitrogen intermediates; LOH: loss of heterozygosity; MSI: microsatellite instability. Berry polyphenols target tumor cells by inhibiting NF-kB and related pathways, COX-2, iNOS, and the Bcl-2/Bax ratio. They affect the tumor microenvironment by inhibiting proinflammatory cytokine release (TNF-c, IL-1, IL-6 and IL-10, GM-CSF, and IL-8), T-cell proliferation and MDSC activity, and causing a decrease in macrophage and neutrophils infiltrated. Berry polyphenols also inhibit aneuploidy by reducing LOH and suppressing the expression of DNMT, DNMT, CDKN2A, SFRP2, SFRPS, and WIF1 in the Wnt pathway.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Inhibition mechanisms of esophageal precancerous progression by strawberries.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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