Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 7
Bioavailability and Metabolism of Ellagic Acid
and Ellagitannins
Francisco A. Tomás-Barberan,
*
Juan C. Espín and
María
T. García-Conesa
Centro de Edafología y Biología Aplicada del Segura (CSIC),
Espinardo, 30100 Murcia, Spain; *corresponding author:
fatomas@cebas.csic.es
7.1 Introduction
Ellagitannins (ETs) are polyphenols that show relevant biological
activities
in vitro
that have been associated with pharmacological (ET-
rich medicinal plants) and nutritional (ET-rich foods) effects
in vivo
.
These are mainly related to the fight and prevention of cardiovascular
diseases and cancer.
In vivo
biological effects may be partially due to the
free-radical scavenging activity that these compounds exert
in vitro
.
However, it is necessary to take into consideration the fate of these ETs
in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, their bioaccessibility, bioavailability,
metabolism and tissue distribution of the corresponding metabolites in
order to understand the actual physiological role of dietary and medicinal
ETs. In this chapter, we review the current knowledge regarding
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