What question did this study set out to answer?

This research aims to explore how phenolic compounds travel from the gut to the brain and their interactions in that process.

April 4, 2026Open Access

Phenolic Compound Transport from Gut to Brain: Their Chemical Interactions and Transport Pathways

Key Points

This research aims to explore how phenolic compounds travel from the gut to the brain and their interactions in that process.
Review of existing literature on phenolic compounds and their effects on brain physiology.
Analysis of the chemical interactions between phenolic compounds and transport proteins in the body.
Examination of different transport pathways that facilitate the uptake of phenolic compounds into the brain.
Phenolic compounds are shown to maintain redox homeostasis in brain cells.
The uptake of phenolic compounds is influenced by their physicochemical properties.
Key transporters involved include GLUT, SGLT1, and various ABC transporters.

Abstract

Antioxidants, such as phenolic compounds, are essential for mammal physiology. Significant research made on the gut–brain axis has produced volumes of evidence indicating that some plant-derived phenolic compounds can reach brain cells to exert protective effects on them, mainly by maintaining and/or restoring redox homeostasis. Their systemic uptake and transport might be determined by the phenolic’s physicochemical properties, along with complex interactions with protein transporters and carriers, including GLUT, SGLT1, ABC transporters (P-glycoprotein, breast cancer resistance protein), albumin, fibrinogen, organic anion and cation transporters, and MATE1. The present work focuses on the chemical interactions and transport pathways of some phenolic compounds to reach brain cells.

Phenolic Compound Transport from Gut to Brain: Their Chemical Interactions and Transport Pathways

Key Points

Abstract

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