Polyphenol derivatives – potential regulators of neutrophil activity

The study provides new information on the effect of natural polyphenols (derivatives of stilbene – resveratrol, pterostilbene, pinosylvin and piceatannol and derivatives of ferulic acid – curcumin, N-feruloylserotonin) on the activity of human neutrophils in influencing oxidative burst. All the polyphenols tested were found to reduce markedly the production of reactive oxygen species released by human neutrophils on extra-and intracellular levels as well as in cell free system. Moreover, pinosylvin, curcumin, N-feruloylserotonin and resveratrol decreased protein kinase C activity involved in neutrophil signalling and reactive oxygen species production. Our results suggest that due to their anti-neutrophil activity, the polyphenols tested might be attractive candidates in therapeutic development.