Biological Activity of Natural Product Flavonoids
Summary
Flavonoids are polyphenolic natural products ubiquitously found in plants. Their structural diversity arises from variations in hydroxylation, glycosylation and lipophilic side-chain modifications such as prenylation. These compounds exhibit a broad spectrum of biological activities, notably antioxidant effects through free-radical scavenging and metal-ion chelation, anti-inflammatory actions via modulation of cytokine production and enzyme inhibition, antimicrobial properties against Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens, and anticancer activities by inducing apoptosis, cell-cycle arrest and inhibition of tumour proliferation. Additionally, flavonoids have been recognised for their potential in cardioprotection, neuroprotection and glycaemic control, acting on enzyme targets such as α-glucosidase and influencing signalling pathways including mitogen-activated protein kinases and nuclear factor-κB. Variation in substitution patterns, including prenyl side chains, can enhance cellular uptake and target specificity, making flavonoid derivatives promising leads in drug discovery. Recent work has underscored their relevance in combination therapies, nutraceutical development and agricultural applications, emphasising their global significance in health and disease management.
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Biological Activity of Natural Product Flavonoids publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in biological activity of natural product flavonoids across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Flavonoid: A naturally occurring polyphenolic compound characterised by a C6–C3–C6 skeleton found in plants.
Prenylation: The attachment of lipophilic prenyl groups to a flavonoid core, enhancing membrane affinity and bioactivity.
Apoptosis: Programmed cell death involving caspase activation and DNA fragmentation.
Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS): Chemically reactive molecules containing oxygen that can induce oxidative stress.
Cytokines: Signalling proteins secreted by immune cells that regulate inflammation and immune responses.
References
- Prenylated Flavonoids of the Moraceae Family: A Comprehensive Review of Their Biological Activities. Plants (2024).
- Pretreatment of Melanoma Cells with Aqueous Ethanol Extract from Madhuca longifolia Bark Strongly Potentiates the Activity of a Low Dose of Dacarbazine. International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2024).
- Psoralen Isolated from the Roots of Dorstenia psilurus Welw. Modulate Th1/Th2 Cytokines and Inflammatory Enzymes in LPS‐Stimulated RAW 264.7 Macrophages. Mediators of Inflammation (2024).
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