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Published on: January 26, 2024
Nutraceuticals as Modulators of Molecular Placental Pathways: Their Potential to Prevent and Support the Treatment of
Patrycja Bukowska1, Michalina Bralewska1, Tadeusz Pietrucha1
1Department of Medical Biotechnology, Medical University of Lodz, Zeligowskiego 7/9, 90-752 Lodz, Poland.
Insights
Preeclampsia (PE) is a pregnancy complication. This review explores how nutraceuticals may help prevent and treat PE by improving placental function and reducing inflammation.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Maternal-Fetal Medicine
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Preeclampsia (PE) is a major cause of maternal and fetal mortality globally.
- Current understanding of PE pathogenesis is incomplete, limiting effective prevention and treatment.
- Placental insufficiency and maternal microbiome alterations are implicated in PE development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the potential of nutraceuticals in managing preeclampsia.
- To explore how nutraceuticals can address dysregulated placental pathways in PE.
- To assess nutraceuticals as safer alternatives to pharmaceuticals during pregnancy.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on preeclampsia, placental function, maternal microbiome, and nutraceuticals.
- Analysis of molecular mechanisms linking nutraceuticals to placental health.
- Evaluation of safety and efficacy data for nutraceuticals in pregnancy.
Main Results:
- Nutraceuticals, including plant extracts and probiotics, may offer health benefits beyond basic nutrition.
- Evidence suggests nutraceuticals can modulate inflammation and oxidative stress.
- Their historical use indicates a favorable safety profile for pregnant women.
Conclusions:
- Nutraceuticals show promise for enhancing placental pathways affected in preeclampsia.
- They may offer a safer therapeutic strategy for preventing and treating PE.
- Further research is warranted to establish optimal nutraceutical interventions for preeclampsia.
Abstract:
Preeclampsia (PE) is a serious condition characterized by new-onset hypertension and proteinuria or organ dysfunction after the 20th week of gestation, making it a leading cause of maternal and fetal mortality worldwide. Despite extensive research, significant gaps remain in understanding the mechanisms underlying PE, contributing to the ineffectiveness of current prevention and treatment strategies. Consequently, premature cesarean sections often become the primary intervention to safeguard maternal and fetal health. Emerging evidence indicates that placental insufficiency, driven by molecular disturbances, plays a central role in the development of PE. Additionally, the maternal microbiome may be implicated in the pathomechanism of preeclampsia by secreting metabolites that influence maternal inflammation and oxidative stress, thereby affecting placental health. Given the limitations of pharmaceuticals during pregnancy due to potential risks to fetal development and concerns about teratogenic effects, nutraceuticals may provide safer alternatives. Nutraceuticals are food products or dietary supplements that offer health benefits beyond basic nutrition, including plant extracts or probiotics. Their historical use in traditional medicine has provided valuable insights into their safety and efficacy, including for pregnant women. This review will examine how the adoption of nutraceuticals can enhance dysregulated placental pathways, potentially offering benefits in the prevention and treatment of preeclampsia.
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