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Research explore bioactive compounds in plants for disease prevention
Researchers from Brazil and Germany are exploring the health benefits of bioactive compounds in fruits and plants to better understand their mechanisms of action. Their independent but complementary studies were discussed at FAPESP Week Germany at the Free University of Berlin on March 25th.
The medicinal plants contain various phytochemicals that help fight bacterial infections and enhance immune defenses. German researchers have been studying plant extracts’ effects on the immune system and gene regulation, particularly in bladder infections. In collaboration with Brazil’s Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), they found that extracts from Solidago gigantea and Equiseti herba significantly reduced Escherichia coli adhesion in bladder cells.
Meanwhile, researchers in Brazil, associated with the Food Research Center (FoRC), have focused on bioactive polysaccharides like pectins, found in fruits such as papaya and citrus. Pectins have potential benefits for gut health and chronic disease prevention, but their structure changes during fruit ripening, affecting their efficacy. The team developed patented techniques to extract and modify pectins to enhance their biological activity, paving the way for clinical trials on their use in cancer treatment and gut microbiota modulation.
02-04-2025