Polyphenols: Anti-Platelet Nutraceutical?
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a disease progressing over many years. Genetic factors, as well as the exposure to risk factors, are continuously leading to endothelial dysfunction, vascular alterations and, eventually, organ damage, major cardiovascular events and deaths. Oxidative stress, platelet hyperactivity and low-grade inflammation are important modulators in this context, contributing to plaque formation. Since platelet activation plays a critical role in the development and progression of atherothrombotic events, the inhibition of platelet hyperactivity may contribute to decreased atherothrombotic risk. The consumption of bioactive foods, and plant-derived polyphenols in particular, might impart anti-thrombotic and cardiovascular protective effects. METHODS: Aim of this work is to focus on the potential of dietary derived polyphenols to reduce platelet hyperactivity or hypercoagulability in addition to discussing their possible complementary anti-platelet therapeutic potential. All the relevant publications on this topic were systematically reviewed. RESULTS: Various studies demonstrated that polyphenol supplementation affects platelet aggregation and function in vitro and in vivo, mainly neutralizing free radicals, inhibiting platelet activation and related signal transduction pathways, blocking thromboxane A2 receptors and enhancing nitric oxide production. Experimental data concerning the effect of dietary polyphenols on platelet aggregation in vivo are poor, and results are often conflicting. Only flavanols clearly mirrored in vivo showed the efficacy in vitro in modulating platelet function. CONCLUSION: Dietary polyphenols, and above all flavanols contained in cocoa and berries, reduce platelet activation and aggregation via multiple pathways. However, more controlled interventional studies are required to establish which doses are required as well as what circulating concentrations are sufficient to induce functional antiplatelet effects.
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Consumption of quercetin and catechin increases nitric monoxide (NO) levels.
“Another described mechanism of action of polyphenols is the increase in nitric monoxide (NO) levels after consumption of quercetin and catechin [62].”
From Mediterranean Diet as an Antioxidant: The Impact on Metabolic Health and Overall Wellbeing (2021) · cites this paper as [62]
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“Another described mechanism of action of polyphenols is the increase in nitric monoxide (NO) levels after consumption of quercetin and catechin [62].”
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- Authors
- Ludovici, V., Barthelmes, J., Nagele, M. P., Flammer, A. J., & Sudano, I.
- Affiliations
- University of Zurich (CH)
- Cardiology, University Heart Center, University Hospital and University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Corresponding author
- Sudano, Isabella
- Venue
- Current Pharmaceutical Design
- Publisher
- Bentham Science Publishers Ltd.
- Published
- 2018-04-05
- Volume
- 24
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 146-157
- ISSN
- 1381-6128 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2767280722
- Cited by
- 24
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 2 · 2019: 2
- FWCI
- 1.37
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Current Pharmaceutical Design (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Zurich Open Repository and Archive (University of Zurich) (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Biochemistry › Phytochemicals and Antioxidant Activities
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Hematology › Platelet Disorders and Treatments
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Nitric Oxide and Endothelin Effects
- Keywords
- dietary polyphenols, flavan-3-ols, platelet hyperreactivity, platelet aggregation, antiplatelet activity, coronary artery disease, atherothrombosis, Theobroma cacao, berries, oxidative stress, nitric oxide, thromboxane A2 receptor, nutraceuticals, endothelial dysfunction
- MeSH terms
- Animals, Humans, Platelet Aggregation, Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors, Platelet Function Tests, Platelet Activation, Dietary Supplements, Polyphenols
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