Abstract
The gastrointestinal tract (GIT) is the first point of contact for ingested substances and thus represents a direct interface with the external environment. Apart from food processing, this interface plays a significant role in immunity and contributes to the wellbeing of individuals through the brain-gut-microbiota axis. The transition of life from the in utero environment, to suckling and subsequent weaning has to be matched by phased development and maturation of the GIT; from an amniotic fluid occupancy during gestation, to the milk in the suckling state and ultimately solid food ingestion at weaning. This phased maturation of the GIT can be affected by intrinsic and extrinsic factors, including diet. Despite the increasing dietary inclusion of medicinal plants and phytochemicals for health benefits, a dearth of studies addresses their impact on gut maturation. In this review we focus on some recent findings mainly on the positive impact of medicinal plants and phytochemicals in inducing precocious maturation of the GIT, not only in humans but in pertinent animals. We also discuss Paneth cells as mediators and potential markers of GIT maturation.
Highlights
The gastrointestinal tract (GIT), functions in the digestion of food, absorption of nutrients, and excretion of waste products (Liao et al, 2009)
The gut microbiota are involved in the regulation of host energy and metabolism, the development and maintenance of host immune function, as well as the synthesis of nutrients and essential vitamins (Wallace, 2020), which in turn influence normal host physiology
The relationship between gut microbiota and phytochemicals is bidirectional; phytochemicals alter the composition of gut microbiota and they in turn digest normally indigestible molecules into bioavailable molecules, increasing nutrient availability (An et al, 2019; Dingeo et al, 2020). This suggests that phytochemical-induced precocious GIT maturation, which promotes nutrient absorption and availability, may predispose the offspring to metabolic diseases later in life
Summary
The gastrointestinal tract (GIT), functions in the digestion of food, absorption of nutrients, and excretion of waste products (Liao et al, 2009). IMPACT OF MEDICINAL PLANTS AND PHYTOCHEMICALS ON THE DEVELOPMENT AND MATURATION OF THE GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT Several studies indicate that a diverse range of medicinal plants and phytochemicals have potential as maturational agents to the developing gut (Supplementary Table 1).
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