Dietary flavonoids: molecular mechanisms of action as anti- inflammatory agents

Recent Pat Inflamm Allergy Drug Discov. 2011 Sep;5(3):200-20. doi: 10.2174/187221311797264937.

Abstract

Flavonoids are a large group of polyphenolic compounds, which are ubiquitously expressed in plants. They are grouped according to their chemical structure and function into flavonols, flavones, flavan-3-ols, anthocyanins, flavanones and isoflavones. Many of flavonoids are found in fruits, vegetables and beverages. Flavonoids have been demonstrated to have advantageous effects on human health because their anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory, anti-platelet aggregation, anti-tumor and anti-oxidant behavior. This report reviews the current knowledge on the molecular mechanisms of action of flavonoids as anti-inflammatory agents and also discusses the relevant patents.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / administration & dosage
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Antioxidants / therapeutic use*
  • Diet
  • Flavonoids / administration & dosage
  • Flavonoids / chemistry
  • Flavonoids / therapeutic use*
  • Fruit / chemistry
  • Humans
  • Hypersensitivity / drug therapy*
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Patents as Topic
  • Plants
  • Vegetables / chemistry

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Antioxidants
  • Flavonoids