By: Neelesh Kumar Maurya Maurya, Neeti Kushwaha, and Pratibha Arya
1Assistant Professor, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Allied Health Science, Sharda University, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
2Assistant Professor, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, (INSH), Shri Ramswaroop Memorial University, Deva Lucknow Road, Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh, India
3Assistant Professor, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Institute of Home Science, Bundelkhand University, Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, India
Phytohormones, or plant hormones, are vital organic compounds that regulate plant growth, development, and environmental responses. Recent research has shown that phytohormones like auxins, cytokinin, gibberellins, abscisic acid (ABA), ethylene, brassinosteroids, jasmonates, and salicylic acid may also positively impact human metabolism and overall health. Humans are exposed to these hormones primarily through the consumption of fruits, vegetables, and grains, and emerging studies suggest they may influence human metabolic pathways. This review explores the mechanisms by which each phytohormone functions in plants and examines its potential impact on human health, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, glucose regulatory, and cardiovascular benefits. For instance, ABA improves insulin sensitivity, contributing to diabetes management, while jasmonates and brassinosteroids exhibit anticancer properties by inducing apoptosis in cancer cells. Salicylic acid further contributes to cardiovascular health by attenuating inflammatory responses and inhibiting platelet aggregation, thereby reducing the risk of thrombotic events. Potential therapeutic applications of phytohormones include cancer prevention, diabetes management, cardiovascular support, bone health, and detoxification. However, challenges remain in understanding their bioavailability, optimal dosages, and safety profiles for human use. Furthermore, while initial investigations have yielded promising results, additional large-scale human clinical trials are indispensable to definitively establish efficacy and formulate evidence-based therapeutic protocols. This review emphasizes the potential of phytohormones as natural agents for enhancing metabolic health and provides insights into future research directions needed to integrate these plant-derived compounds into human nutrition and medicine.
Citation:
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