Chapter 31 - Polyphenols in the Prevention of Acute Pancreatitis: Preclinical Observations

Abstract

The prevalence of acute pancreatitis, a disease with variable severity, is increasing, posing new challenges for health care providers. To complicate the condition, currently available therapies are limited to supportive measures and to treating complications. Pharmacological agents like antisecretory agents, protease inhibitors, antioxidants, immunomodulators, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, and prophylactic antibiotics have been used with variable degrees of success. However, regular intake of these agents is unsafe as they can possess long-term damage, and this has necessitated the need for non-toxic agents that are both effective and safe. Almost 25 centuries ago, Hippocrates, the father of medicine, proclaimed “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.” Exploring the association between diet and health continues even today. Preclinical studies carried out in the recent past have shown that the polyphenols of dietary sources like curcumin, resveratrol, quercetin, genistein, ellagic acid, cinnamtannin B-1 and green tea polyphenols protect against chemical-induced acute pancreatitis in laboratory animals. The present review collates the protective effects of these agents and the mechanism of action responsible for the effect.