[Oxylipins - biologically active substances of food]

Oxylipins are biologically active molecules that are formed in all aerobic organisms enzymatically or as a result of the action of free radicals and reactive oxygen species. The value of oxylipins for plants is comparable to the value of eicosanoids for animals and humans. In the human organism, the oxylipins' formation occurs through enzymatic or non-enzymatic oxygenation of various ω-6 and ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) obtained from food. Being "local hormones", oxylipins are involved in the regulation of inflammation, pain response, cell adhesion, migration and proliferation, apoptosis, angiogenesis, regulation of blood pressure, blood coagulation, and blood vessel permeability. There is a hypothesis that the molecular structure of oxylipins allows them to be positioned as adaptogens and justifies the use of plants as potential sources of oxylipins in traditional medicine. The aim of this research is a brief analytical review of publications characterizing the adaptogenic potential and promising sources of oxylipins (plant, cyanobacteria, and algae). Results. The publications of the last decade indicate an increased interest in the oxylipins of plants, cyanobacteria, and algae. In total, about 150 oxylipins and their derivatives are known in plants and fungi. Of the plant sources of oxylipins, Peruvian poppy root (Lepidium meyenii), white bryony (Bryonia alba L.), blackcurrant seed oil (Ribes nigrum), and licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) are of particular interest. Some macroalgae are capable of non-enzymatically or enzymatically synthesizing a variety of oxylipins, including antiinflammatory prostaglandins, resolvins, an d leukotrienes. In addition, to common oxidized derivatives of fatty acids, macroalgae also contain a number of complex and unique oxylipins. Other sour ces of oxylipin producers include macroscopic gelatin colonies of freshwater cyanobacteria Aphanothece sacrum. As the analysis of the presented in the review publications showed, most anti-inflammatory and pro-resolvent oxylipins have antiproliferative properties, have adaptogenic potential, and can protect the body at the system level, contribu ting to the formation of favorable bacterial clearance. Conclusion. The results of numerous studies indicate that plants, algae, and even bacteria can be a promising source of oxylipins, both for their use in their native form and for the targeted isolation of oxylipins from them in order to conduct further studies of their adaptogenic potential, cardio- and geroprotective properties. In the future , establishing the adequate daily intake of these substances and the development on their basis of dietary preventive and specialized products for various purposes will be relevant.