Plant galls: Bioactive potential in chronic non-communicable diseases, a narrative review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47464/MetroCiencia/vol34/3/2026/60-78Keywords:
Natural products, plant galls, inflammation, oxidative stress, sarcopenia, chronic non-communicable diseasesAbstract
Introduction: Chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are leading causes of morbidity and mortality. Obesity and its associated pathologies share pathophysiological alterations such as gut microbiota abnormalities, chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and sarcopenia. The social and economic cost of controlling these diseases is high, making it necessary to investigate new treatments. Recent studies have shown that galls, abnormal formations in plant tissues generated by interaction with external organisms such as insects, possess high concentrations of phytochemical compounds capable of modulating inflammation, oxidative stress, and sarcopenia present in NCDs. Methodology: A literature review was conducted in the PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar repositories, considering studies published in the last 10 years. Research evaluating the properties of galls and their metabolites in in vitro, in vivo, or in silico models was selected, with an emphasis on their muscle trophic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant potential. Results: Studies indicated that gall extracts contain flavonoids and phenols with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, inhibiting enzymes such as α-glucosidase and phosphodiesterase 1, and improving glycemic and lipid profiles in animal and cellular models. Furthermore, they demonstrated the effects in reducing adiposity and protecting against oxidative stress, associated with improvements in muscle function and reduced systemic inflammation. Conclusions: Gills represent a promising source of bioactive compounds for the prevention and treatment of NCDs. Further pre-clinical and clinical research is needed to validate their safety and efficacy.
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