Mediterranean products as promising source of multi-target agents in the treatment of metabolic syndrome

Alteration of nutritional habits play an essential role on the risk of developing Metabolic Syndrome (MetS). Several epidemiological studies have shown that adopting diets rich in foods included in the Mediterranean diet (MetDiet) pattern, such as olive oil, nuts, fruit, fibre, vegetables, wine and grain cereals may have protective effects on the different risk factors characterising the MetS. The beneficial effects of the MetDiet in the MetS are mainly due to the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of the most abundant phytochemical components of such foods as polyphenols like resveratrol and oleuropein, allyl sulfides, ellagic acid, mono- and poly-unsaturated fatty acids (MUFA and PUFA), tocopherols and flavonoids like quercetin, which have shown positive results in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), with related risk factors, like hypertension, hypercholesterolemia and obesity.
In a review published in the European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, the authors highlighted the multi-target activities of the bioactive components contained in some foods typical of the Mediterranean area like olive oil, onion, liquorice, rosemary, oregano, hazelnut, pistachio, “Melannurca” apple, red wine, hot pepper, Citrus sp. fruits, saffron and garlic, with particular focus on their impact on health outcomes in relation to MetS main key factors, such as insulin resistance (IR) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), endothelial dysfunctions, inflammatory response, oxidative stress and dyslipidaemic and hypercholesterolemic effects.
Source: Mediterranean products as promising source of multi-target agents in the treatment of metabolic syndrome. Bagetta D, Maruca A, Lupia A, Mesiti F, Catalano R, Romeo I, Moraca F, Ambrosio FA, Costa G, Artese A, Ortuso F, Alcaro S, Rocca R. Eur J Med Chem. 2020 Jan 15;186:111903.