Herpesviruses are one of the most contagious DNA viruses that threaten human health, causing severe diseases, including, but not limited to, certain types of cancer and neurological complications. The overuse and misuse of anti-herpesvirus drugs are key factors leading to drug resistance. Therefore, targeting human herpesviruses with natural products is an attractive form of therapy, as it might improve treatment efficacy in therapy-resistant herpesviruses. Plant polyphenols are major players in the health arena as they possess diverse bioactivities. Hence, in this article, we comprehensively summarize the recent advances that have been attained in employing plant non-flavonoid polyphenols, such as phenolic acids, tannins and their derivatives, stilbenes and their derivatives, lignans, neolignans, xanthones, anthraquinones and their derivatives, curcuminoids, coumarins, furanocoumarins, and other polyphenols (phloroglucinol) as promising anti-herpesvirus drugs against various types of herpesvirus such as alpha-herpesviruses (herpes simplex virus type 1 and 2 and varicella-zoster virus), beta-herpesviruses (human cytomegalovirus), and gamma-herpesviruses (Epstein-Barr virus and Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus). The molecular mechanisms of non-flavonoid polyphenols against the reviewed herpesviruses are also documented.

• Klíčová slova
• Epstein–Barr virus (EBV), HSV-1, HSV-2, Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV), antiviral activity, herpes simplex virus, human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), natural products, non-flavonoid polyphenols, polyphenols, varicella-zoster virus (VZV),
• MeSH
• antivirové látky farmakologie   terapeutické užití   MeSH
• herpetické infekce * farmakoterapie   MeSH
• infekce virem Epsteina-Barrové * farmakoterapie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• polyfenoly farmakologie   terapeutické užití   MeSH
• virus Epsteinův-Barrové MeSH
• virus varicella zoster MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• přehledy MeSH
• Názvy látek
• antivirové látky MeSH
• polyfenoly MeSH

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine trend in polyphenol consumption in the Czech Republic during the last three decades. Additionally, it provides a brief overview of the beneficial effects of polyphenols in several body systems. METHODS: Data from the Phenol-Explorer 3.6, a specialized database of polyphenolic substances, were assigned to the resources of the Czech Statistical Office on the consumption of food and beverages in the Czech Republic for the years 1989-2022. The average daily intake of polyphenols was determined by multiplying the average annual consumption of each type of food by the polyphenol content obtained from the database; results were given in milligrams of polyphenols per inhabitant and day. Since the food items in the data sources are not identical, it was necessary to create an extensive model of food categories. RESULTS: The current value of polyphenol intake is 1,673 mg per day per inhabitant; however, this level most likely reflects methodological underestimation. The favourable increase in dietary polyphenol intake in the Czech population - doubling, to be precise - which we observed from 1989 to 2007, has been replaced by the opposite trend in the last 15 years. The current intake of polyphenols corresponds to the level that was already achieved in 2004. Hydroxycinnamic acids (from the group of phenolic acids) are the most prevalent dietary polyphenols, followed by flavanols (from the group of flavonoids). The most frequent source of polyphenols in the Czech population are non-alcoholic beverages such as coffee, tea and juices, followed by fruits, cereals, and vegetables, respectively. CONCLUSION: Current trend of dietary polyphenol intake in the Czech population is slightly decreasing. This tendency, lasting since 2008, is indisputably negative. Plant polyphenols offer opportunities for inexpensive interventions in health promotion.

• Klíčová slova
• dietary habits, non-communicable diseases, phytochemicals, polyphenols, prevention,
• MeSH
• dieta statistika a číselné údaje   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• polyfenoly * aplikace a dávkování   analýza   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika MeSH
• Názvy látek
• polyfenoly * MeSH

Phytochemical investigations of Matricaria chamomilla L. (Asteraceae) stated the presence of several compounds with an established therapeutic and antioxidant potential. The chamomile non-enzymatic antioxidant system includes low molecular mass compounds, mainly polyphenols such as cinnamic, hydroxybenzoic and chlorogenic acids, flavonoids and coumarins. The objective of this work was to evaluate the role of the non-enzymatic antioxidant system after stimulation by ethylene in tetraploid chamomile plants. Seven days of ethylene treatment significantly increased the activity of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, which influenced the biosynthesis of protective polyphenols in the first step of their biosynthetic pathway. Subsequently, considerable enhanced levels of phenolic metabolites with a substantial antioxidant effect (syringic, vanillic and caffeic acid, 1,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid, quercetin, luteolin, daphnin, and herniarin) were determined by HPLC-DAD-MS. The minimal information on the chlorogenic acids function in chamomile led to the isolation and identification of 5-O-feruloylquinic acid. It is accumulated during normal conditions, but after the excessive effect of abiotic stress, its level significantly decreases and levels of other caffeoylquinic acids enhance. Our results suggest that ethephon may act as a stimulant of the production of pharmaceutically important non-enzymatic antioxidants in chamomile leaves and thus, lead to an overall change in phytochemical content and therapeutic effects of chamomile plants, as well.

• Klíčová slova
• antioxidants, chamomile, chlorogenic acids, ethylene,
• MeSH
• antioxidancia metabolismus   MeSH
• biosyntetické dráhy fyziologie   MeSH
• ethyleny metabolismus   MeSH
• fenoly metabolismus   MeSH
• fenylalaninamoniaklyasa metabolismus   MeSH
• fyziologický stres fyziologie   MeSH
• heřmánek, heřmánkovec, rmen, rmenec metabolismus   MeSH
• kyselina chinová analogy a deriváty   metabolismus   MeSH
• kyselina chlorogenová metabolismus   MeSH
• kyseliny kávové metabolismus   MeSH
• listy rostlin metabolismus   MeSH
• Matricaria metabolismus   MeSH
• polyfenoly metabolismus   MeSH
• rostlinné extrakty metabolismus   MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• antioxidancia MeSH
• caffeic acid MeSH Prohlížeč
• caffeoylquinic acid MeSH Prohlížeč
• ethyleny MeSH
• fenoly MeSH
• fenylalaninamoniaklyasa MeSH
• kyselina chinová MeSH
• kyselina chlorogenová MeSH
• kyseliny kávové MeSH
• polyfenoly MeSH
• rostlinné extrakty MeSH

Elevational gradients affect the production of plant secondary metabolites through changes in both biotic and abiotic conditions. Previous studies have suggested both elevational increases and decreases in host-plant chemical defences. We analysed the correlation of alkaloids and polyphenols with elevation in a community of nine Ficus species along a continuously forested elevational gradient in Papua New Guinea. We sampled 204 insect species feeding on the leaves of these hosts and correlated their community structure to the focal compounds. Additionally, we explored species richness of folivorous mammals along the gradient. When we accounted for Ficus species identity, we found a general elevational increase in flavonoids and alkaloids. Elevational trends in non-flavonol polyphenols were less pronounced or showed non-linear correlations with elevation. Polyphenols responded more strongly to changes in temperature and humidity than alkaloids. The abundance of insect herbivores decreased with elevation, while the species richness of folivorous mammals showed an elevational increase. Insect community structure was affected mainly by alkaloid concentration and diversity. Although our results show an elevational increase in several groups of metabolites, the drivers behind these trends likely differ. Flavonoids may provide figs with protection against abiotic stressors. In contrast, alkaloids affect insect herbivores and may provide protection against mammalian herbivores and pathogens. Concurrent analysis of multiple compound groups alongside ecological data is an important approach for understanding the selective landscape that shapes plant defences.

• Klíčová slova
• Coleoptera, Folivorous mammals, Herbivory, Lepidoptera, New Guinea, Phenanthroindolizidine alkaloids, Polyphenols, Possum, Tannins,
• MeSH
• alkaloidy metabolismus   MeSH
• býložravci * MeSH
• feromony analýza   MeSH
• Ficus chemie   MeSH
• flavonoidy metabolismus   MeSH
• hmyz fyziologie   MeSH
• listy rostlin chemie   MeSH
• nadmořská výška * MeSH
• potravní řetězec * MeSH
• savci fyziologie   MeSH
• společenstvo MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Papua Nová Guinea MeSH
• Názvy látek
• alkaloidy MeSH
• feromony MeSH
• flavonoidy MeSH

Quercetin, a flavonoid with multiple proven health benefits to both man and animals, displays a plethora of biological activities, collectively referred to as pleiotropic. The most studied of these are antioxidant and anti-inflammatory but modulation of signalling pathways is important as well. One of the lesser-known and recently discovered roles of quercetin, is modulation of microRNA (miRNA) expression. miRNAs are important posttranscriptional modulators that play a critical role in health and disease and many of these non-coding oligonucleotides are recognized as oncogenic or tumor suppressor miRNAs. This review is an evaluation of the recent relevant literature on the subject, with focus on the ability of quercetin to modulate miRNA expression. It includes a summary of recent knowledge on miRNAs deregulated by quercetin, an overview of quercetin pharmacokinetics and miRNA biogenesis, for the interested reader.

• Klíčová slova
• biogenesis, expression, microRNA, polyphenols,
• MeSH
• exprese genu účinky léků   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mikro RNA účinky léků   genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• quercetin farmakologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• přehledy MeSH
• Názvy látek
• mikro RNA MeSH
• quercetin MeSH

Bilirubin is considered to be one of the most potent endogenous antioxidants in humans. Its serum concentrations are predominantly affected by the activity of hepatic bilirubin UDP-glucuronosyl transferase (UGT1A1). Our objective was to analyze the potential bilirubin-modulating effects of natural polyphenols from milk thistle (Silybum marianum), a hepatoprotective herb. Human hepatoblastoma HepG2 cells were exposed to major polyphenolic compounds isolated from milk thistle. Based on in vitro studies, 2,3-dehydrosilybins A and B were selected as the most efficient compounds and applied either intraperitoneally or orally for seven days to C57BL/6 mice. After, UGT1A1 mRNA expression, serum, intrahepatic bilirubin concentrations, and lipoperoxidation in the liver tissue were analyzed. All natural polyphenols used increased intracellular concentration of bilirubin in HepG2 cells to a similar extent as atazanavir, a known bilirubinemia-enhancing agent. Intraperitoneal application of 2,3-dehydrosilybins A and B (the most efficient flavonoids from in vitro studies) to mice (50 mg/kg) led to a significant downregulation of UGT1A1 mRNA expression (46 ± 3% of controls, p < 0.005) in the liver and also to a significant increase of the intracellular bilirubin concentration (0.98 ± 0.03vs.1.21 ± 0.02 nmol/mg, p < 0.05). Simultaneously, a significant decrease of lipoperoxidation (61 ± 2% of controls, p < 0.005) was detected in the liver tissue of treated animals, and similar results were also observed after oral treatment. Importantly, both application routes also led to a significant elevation of serum bilirubin concentrations (125 ± 3% and 160 ± 22% of the controls after intraperitoneal and oral administration, respectively, p < 0.005 in both cases). In conclusion, polyphenolic compounds contained in silymarin, in particular 2,3-dehydrosilybins A and B, affect hepatic and serum bilirubin concentrations, as well as lipoperoxidation in the liver. This phenomenon might contribute to the hepatoprotective effects of silymarin.

• MeSH
• bilirubin metabolismus   MeSH
• buňky Hep G2 MeSH
• flavonoidy chemie   izolace a purifikace   farmakologie   MeSH
• glukuronosyltransferasa genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• hemoxygenasa-1 genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• intracelulární prostor metabolismus   MeSH
• játra účinky léků   metabolismus   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• messenger RNA genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• myši inbrední C57BL MeSH
• peroxidace lipidů účinky léků   MeSH
• regulace genové exprese enzymů účinky léků   MeSH
• silibinin aplikace a dávkování   farmakologie   MeSH
• silymarin izolace a purifikace   farmakologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• bilirubin MeSH
• flavonoidy MeSH
• glukuronosyltransferasa MeSH
• hemoxygenasa-1 MeSH
• HMOX1 protein, human MeSH Prohlížeč
• messenger RNA MeSH
• silibinin MeSH
• silymarin MeSH
• UGT1A1 enzyme MeSH Prohlížeč

Recent human cohort studies reported positive associations between organic food consumption and a lower incidence of obesity, cancer, and several other diseases. However, there are very few animal and human dietary intervention studies that provide supporting evidence or a mechanistic understanding of these associations. Here we report results from a two-generation, dietary intervention study with male Wistar rats to identify the effects of feeds made from organic and conventional crops on growth, hormonal, and immune system parameters that are known to affect the risk of a number of chronic, non-communicable diseases in animals and humans. A 2 × 2 factorial design was used to separate the effects of contrasting crop protection methods (use or non-use of synthetic chemical pesticides) and fertilizers (mineral nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK) fertilizers vs. manure use) applied in conventional and organic crop production. Conventional, pesticide-based crop protection resulted in significantly lower fiber, polyphenol, flavonoid, and lutein, but higher lipid, aldicarb, and diquat concentrations in animal feeds. Conventional, mineral NPK-based fertilization resulted in significantly lower polyphenol, but higher cadmium and protein concentrations in feeds. Feed composition differences resulting from the use of pesticides and/or mineral NPK-fertilizer had a significant effect on feed intake, weight gain, plasma hormone, and immunoglobulin concentrations, and lymphocyte proliferation in both generations of rats and in the second generation also on the body weight at weaning. Results suggest that relatively small changes in dietary intakes of (a) protein, lipids, and fiber, (b) toxic and/or endocrine-disrupting pesticides and metals, and (c) polyphenols and other antioxidants (resulting from pesticide and/or mineral NPK-fertilizer use) had complex and often interactive effects on endocrine, immune systems and growth parameters in rats. However, the physiological responses to contrasting feed composition/intake profiles differed substantially between the first and second generations of rats. This may indicate epigenetic programming and/or the generation of "adaptive" phenotypes and should be investigated further.

• Klíčová slova
• cadmium, conventional feed, hormonal balance, immune system responsiveness, mineral fertilizer, organic feed, pesticides, rat physiology,
• MeSH
• biopotraviny * MeSH
• dieta * MeSH
• draslík MeSH
• dusík MeSH
• farmy MeSH
• fenotyp MeSH
• fosfor MeSH
• hnůj MeSH
• kadmium MeSH
• krmivo pro zvířata analýza   MeSH
• krysa rodu Rattus MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• pesticidy MeSH
• pěstování plodin * MeSH
• potkani Wistar MeSH
• přijímání potravy MeSH
• průmyslová hnojiva MeSH
• zemědělské plodiny chemie   MeSH
• zemědělství metody   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• krysa rodu Rattus MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Spojené království MeSH
• Názvy látek
• draslík MeSH
• dusík MeSH
• fosfor MeSH
• hnůj MeSH
• kadmium MeSH
• pesticidy MeSH
• průmyslová hnojiva MeSH

The ultraviolet (UV) part of solar radiation can permanently affect skin tissue. UVA photons represent the most abundant UV component and stimulate the formation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), leading to oxidative damage to various biomolecules. Several plant-derived polyphenols are known as effective photoprotective agents. This study evaluated the potential of quercetin (QE) and its structurally related flavonoid taxifolin (TA) to reduce UVA-caused damage to human primary dermal fibroblasts (NHDF) and epidermal keratinocytes (NHEK) obtained from identical donors. Cells pre-treated with QE or TA (1 h) were then exposed to UVA light using a solar simulator. Both flavonoids effectively prevented oxidative damage, such as ROS generation, glutathione depletion, single-strand breaks formation and caspase-3 activation in NHDF. These protective effects were accompanied by stimulation of Nrf2 nuclear translocation, found in non-irradiated and irradiated NHDF and NHEK, and expression of antioxidant proteins, such as heme oxygenase-1, NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 and catalase. For most parameters, QE was more potent than TA. On the other hand, TA demonstrated protection within the whole concentration range, while QE lost its protective ability at the highest concentration tested (75 μM), suggesting its pro-oxidative potential. In summary, QE and TA demonstrated UVA-protective properties in NHEK and NHDF obtained from identical donors. However, due to the in vitro phototoxic potential of QE, published elsewhere and discussed herein, further studies are needed to evaluate QE safety in dermatological application for humans as well as to confirm our results on human skin ex vivo and in clinical trials.

• Klíčová slova
• Flavonoids, Human skin fibroblasts, Human skin keratinocytes, Nuclear factor Nrf2, Oxidative stress, UVA radiation,
• MeSH
• fibroblasty MeSH
• flavonoidy * metabolismus   MeSH
• keratinocyty MeSH
• kůže metabolismus   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• oxidační stres MeSH
• quercetin * analogy a deriváty   farmakologie   MeSH
• ultrafialové záření MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• flavonoidy * MeSH
• quercetin * MeSH
• taxifolin MeSH Prohlížeč

Quercetin is the great representative of polyphenols, flavonoids subgroup, flavonols. Its main natural sources in foods are vegetables such as onions, the most studied quercetin containing foods, and broccoli; fruits (apples, berry crops, and grapes); some herbs; tea; and wine. Quercetin is known for its antioxidant activity in radical scavenging and anti-allergic properties characterized by stimulation of immune system, antiviral activity, inhibition of histamine release, decrease in pro-inflammatory cytokines, leukotrienes creation, and suppresses interleukin IL-4 production. It can improve the Th1/Th2 balance, and restrain antigen-specific IgE antibody formation. It is also effective in the inhibition of enzymes such as lipoxygenase, eosinophil and peroxidase and the suppression of inflammatory mediators. All mentioned mechanisms of action contribute to the anti-inflammatory and immunomodulating properties of quercetin that can be effectively utilized in treatment of late-phase, and late-late-phase bronchial asthma responses, allergic rhinitis and restricted peanut-induced anaphylactic reactions. Plant extract of quercetin is the main ingredient of many potential anti-allergic drugs, supplements and enriched products, which is more competent in inhibiting of IL-8 than cromolyn (anti-allergic drug disodium cromoglycate) and suppresses IL-6 and cytosolic calcium level increase.

• Klíčová slova
• anti-allergic effect, anti-inflammatory properties, flavonoids, immune response, quercetin,
• MeSH
• antioxidancia metabolismus   terapeutické užití   MeSH
• Brassica chemie   MeSH
• česneky chemie   MeSH
• flavonoly imunologie   metabolismus   terapeutické užití   MeSH
• histamin imunologie   metabolismus   MeSH
• imunoglobulin E biosyntéza   MeSH
• interleukin-4 biosyntéza   imunologie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• přirozená imunita účinky léků   MeSH
• quercetin imunologie   metabolismus   terapeutické užití   MeSH
• rovnováha Th1-Th2 účinky léků   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• přehledy MeSH
• Názvy látek
• antioxidancia MeSH
• flavonoly MeSH
• histamin MeSH
• IL4 protein, human MeSH Prohlížeč
• imunoglobulin E MeSH
• interleukin-4 MeSH
• quercetin MeSH

The role of Ophiostoma quercus in oak decline, a significant threat to European oak ecosystems, has been debated for nearly a century. This long-term field experiment assessed the aggressiveness of O. quercus on Quercus petraea and monitored both fungal spread and tree defense responses, combining pathology, microscopy, X-ray tomography, FTIR, HPLC and proteome analyses. Fifty-nine months post-inoculation, 30 % of trees exhibited decline symptoms, while 70 % displayed extensive cankers and lesions, 28.3 times larger than those on controls. Infected trees responded by forming tyloses, blocking water transport around the inoculation site. Following infection, increased deposition of polyphenolic compounds was observed in both barrier and reaction zones. Histopathological observations and FTIR measurements revealed enhanced local deposition of suberin, lignin, lignin-related compounds, and tannins within the lumens of ray parenchyma cells, and the cell walls of both libriform fibers and vessels. Proteomic analyses suggest that host trees are employing a salicylic acid-based defense strategy. At the tissue level, these analyses indicate a shift in metabolic pathways, with downregulation of lignin biosynthesis and upregulation of flavonoid and stilbenoid biosynthesis, as evidenced by increased chalcone synthase abundance. Our groundbreaking use of submicron-computed X-ray tomography on woody tissues could pave the way for the widespread adoption of non-destructive 3D scanning technology in plant-fungal interaction research. The findings of this study demonstrated the aggressiveness of O. quercus towards adult Q. petraea and its contribution to the widespread syndrome of oak decline.

• Klíčová slova
• Ellagic acid, Polyphenolic compounds, Proteomics, Sessile oak, Tracheomycosis, X-ray computed tomography,
• MeSH
• dub (rod) * mikrobiologie   metabolismus   MeSH
• lignin metabolismus   MeSH
• nemoci rostlin * mikrobiologie   MeSH
• Ophiostoma * fyziologie   patogenita   MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• lignin MeSH