Anti-aging effect of polyphenols: possibilities and challenges

Polyphenols are a large and diverse group of natural compounds occurring in plants. Polyphenols are chemically characterized by multiple phenol units, including flavonoids, catechins, ellagic acid, and anthocyanins. Most polyphenols can reduce the generation of free radicals, reactive oxygen species, oxidative stress, DNA damage, and inflammation, senescence, and age-related diseases. The antioxidative and anti-inflammatory activities of dietary polyphenols could be capable of extending the lifespan. Polyphenols can inhibit specific cell-signaling factors against chronic inflammation. Many polyphenols can influence gene expression and epigenetic modifications, such as microRNA regulation, histone modification, and DNA methylation. Long-term consumption of dietary polyphenols has the possibility to protect against inflammation and related diseases. Currently, studies have been focused on the future trends of using naturally bioactive compounds, and there is a huge challenge for research on dietary polyphenols as new preventive and therapeutic agents against age-associated diseases.