Title:Complexation of Bioelements and Toxic Metals by Polyphenolic Compounds – Implications for Health
Volume: 19
Issue: 14
Author(s): Sylwia Borowska*, Malgorzata Michalina Brzoska*Michal Tomczyk
Affiliation:
- Department of Toxicology, Medical University of Bialystok, Adama Mickiewicza 2 C street, Bialystok 15-222,Poland
- Department of Toxicology, Medical University of Bialystok, Adama Mickiewicza 2 C street, Bialystok 15-222,Poland
Keywords:
Bioelements, complexation, health implications, interactions, polyphenols, toxic metals, plant extracts, protection.
Abstract: Nowadays, growing interest in the possibility of prophylactic and therapeutic use of plant
products rich in biologically active compounds has been observed. Among them, special interest has
been focused on polyphenol-rich products. Owing to the multidirectional favourable action of polyphenols,
products rich in these compounds are recommended as functional food in the case of civilization
diseases. Moreover, data from studies in animal models show that polyphenols may be a promising
preventive/therapeutic strategy for xenobiotics, including toxic heavy metals. The protective impact
of polyphenols against metal toxicity may be explained by the presence of many hydroxyl groups
in the structure of these compounds, which are capable of forming complexes with metals preventing
as a result from their gastrointestinal absorption and accelerating their elimination from the body with
urine. However, it should be taken into account that polyphenols may bind not only ions of toxic metals,
but also bioelements, what makes a risk of their shortage in the organism. This review provides an
overview of implications for humans’ and animals’ health of complexation of bioelements and toxic
metals by polyphenols present in the popular foodstuffs, including phenolic acids, cyanidin derivatives,
delphinidin, quercetin, kaempferol, morin, epigallocatechin-3-gallate, and curcumin. Polyphenolic
compounds capable of binding both necessary and toxic metals occur in commonly consumed
products such as green tea, and some fruit and vegetables, including chokeberries, bilberries, and
black currant fruit, grapes, and apples, as well as onion. The mechanisms of complexation of essential
and toxic metals by polyphenols and possible implications of these for health are discussed.
