W. Jessie Suneetha ¹, M. Siva Prasad ², S. M. Aradhya ², T. P. Krishnakantha ¹

Affiliations
1 Dept of Biochemistry and Nutrition, Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysore 570 020, IN
2 Dept of Fruits and Vegetable Technology, Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysore 570 020, IN

Abstract

Fruits are undoubtedly man's oldest food. Some of the fruits like date palm and pomegranate have been cultivated from 7000 BC. These fruits are rich sources of vitamins, trace minerals, dietary fiber as well as a wide variety of biologically active compounds. A variety of phytonutrients found are carotenoids, polyphenols, anthocyanins, flavanoids, isothiocyanates, sulfides and phytosterols. All these natural compounds have overlapping and complementary biological functions at cellular level providing protection to body from conditions like cancer, cardiovascular diseases, stroke, osteoporosis, muscular degeneration and cataracts. Also they are rich sources of antioxidants. Consumption of pomegronate juice reduced oxidative stress and showed anti-atherogenic properties by inhibiting platelet aggregation. Phenolic components of olive oil affected platelet aggregation by inhibiting Thromboxane B₂ (TXB₂) and 12-L-hydroperoxyl-5, 8, 10, 14-eicosatetraenoic acid (12-HETE) productions.

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W. Jessie Suneetha ¹, T. P. Krishnakantha ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Biochemistry and Nutrition, Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysore - 570 020, IN

Abstract

Platelets, the nucleus deficient cells participate in physiological and pathological processes like haemostasis, thrombosis and atherosclerosis. These platelets measure about 2 to 4 microns in diameter and are biconvex in shape, Platelet count is 2,5 to 5 lakhs per milliliter of blood. They have a life span of 7-10 days. Platelets circulate passively along the intact monolayer of endothelial cells and respond to endothelial cell injury through a series of exquisitely co-ordinated responses that culminate in the formation of a precisely localised haemostatic plug.

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