396
19.5 Medicinal Properties of Polyphenol
Foods obtained from plants provide essential nutrients that are needed by human for
growth and development and play important role in human health (Akbari et al.
2012; Bøhn et al. 2014; Rasouli et al. 2017). Over the last 16 years, a lot of studies
have been carried out and reported on the importance of secondary metabolites on
their medicinal importance and their ability to improve human health (Valdés et al.
2015). These phytochemicals were reported to have been synthesized by various
plants, some for their protection against herbivores and predators (Tijjani et al.
2018). They have however played beneficial roles in the area of pharmaceutical and
medicinal purposes Yue et al. (2016). Kossel (1891) was the first scientist who
showed the significance comparism between the primary metabolites and secondary
metabolites. Among these secondary metabolites, plant polyphenols are very crucial members and they’ve been identified to play significant role in human medicine
as secondary metabolites. Recently, polyphenols have served as important prophylactic and therapeutic agents against diseases and have shown to have antioxidant
Fig. 19.3 Biosynthesis of polyphenols. (Bohm 1998; Fatland et al. 2004; Tsao and McCallum
2009)
H. Tijjani et al.
19.5 Medicinal Properties of Polyphenol
Foods obtained from plants provide essential nutrients that are needed by human for
growth and development and play important role in human health (Akbari et al.
2012; Bøhn et al. 2014; Rasouli et al. 2017). Over the last 16 years, a lot of studies
have been carried out and reported on the importance of secondary metabolites on
their medicinal importance and their ability to improve human health (Valdés et al.
2015). These phytochemicals were reported to have been synthesized by various
plants, some for their protection against herbivores and predators (Tijjani et al.
2018). They have however played beneficial roles in the area of pharmaceutical and
medicinal purposes Yue et al. (2016). Kossel (1891) was the first scientist who
showed the significance comparism between the primary metabolites and secondary
metabolites. Among these secondary metabolites, plant polyphenols are very crucial members and they’ve been identified to play significant role in human medicine
as secondary metabolites. Recently, polyphenols have served as important prophylactic and therapeutic agents against diseases and have shown to have antioxidant
Fig. 19.3 Biosynthesis of polyphenols. (Bohm 1998; Fatland et al. 2004; Tsao and McCallum
2009)
H. Tijjani et al.