Flavonoids anti-inflammatory property

Citrus fruits provide a diverse range of flavonoids [35] naringenin, a flavonone, has been shown to posses cholesterol-lowering and anticancer properties [36]. The naringin content of lime juice has been estimated to be -100 pg/g [37], and the lime is also a source of limonene, a biologically active terpene (see above). Other bioactive substances in lime (Table 4) include coumarins that possess anticoagulatory and anti-inflammatory properties. 

Widyarini S, Spinks N, Husband AJ, Reeve VE (2001) Isoflavonoid compounds from red clover Trifolium pratense) protect from inflammation and immune suppression induced by UV radiation. Photochem Photobiol 74(3) 465 70 Williams CA, Goldstone F, Greenham J (1996) Flavonoids, cinnamic acids and coumarins from the different tissues and medicinal preparations of Taraxacum officinale. Phytochemistry 42(1) 121-127 Williams CA, Harborne JB, Geiger H, Hoult JR (1999) The flavonoids of Tanacetum parthenium and T. vulgare and their anti-inflammatory properties. Phytochemistry 51(3) 417 23 Wink M (1999) Introduction biochemistry, role and biotechnology of secondary metabolites. In Wink M (ed) Biochemistry of plant secondary metabolism, vol 2, Annual plant reviews. CRC Press, Boca Raton, pp 1-16... 

Chalcones (l,3-diaryl-2-propen-l-ones) are flavonoids lacking a heterocyclic C ring. Also this category of flavonoids displays a broad spectrum of bio activities such as anticancer, antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties (Calliste et al. 2001). Dihydrochalcones, which do not have a P double bond, comprise phloretin [P- (4-hydroxyphenyl) -1 -(2,4,6-trihydroxypropiophenone) and its glucoside, phlo-ridzin (phloretin 2- P-D-glucose). Comparison with structurally related compounds revealed that the antioxidant pharmacophore of phloretin is 2,6-dihydroxyacetophenone (Rezk et al. 2002). The po-... 

Butenko IG, Gladtchenko SV, Galushko SV (1993) Anti-inflammatory properties and inhibition of leukotriene C4 biosynthesis in vitro by flavonoid baiealein from Scutellaria baicalensis Georgy roots. Agents Actions 39 C49-C51... 

Epidemiological studies and intervention trials with food and beverages rich in flavonoids are not conclusive although flavonoids were recognized to display numerous antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumoral, and anti-microbial activities. The antioxidant capacity of flavonoids has been largely reported in numerous in vitro and ex vivo systems. Numerous reviews "" have been published on the antioxidant properties of flavonoids. Degenerative diseases are largely associated with oxidative mechanisms that may be counteracted by flavonoids. 

These structurally diverse compounds exhibit a range of biological activities in vitro that may explain their potential health-promoting properties, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects and the induction of apoptosis (Hooper and others 2008). Most of the recent interest in flavonoids as health-promoting compounds is related to their powerful antioxidant properties. The criteria to establish the antioxidant capacity of these compounds is based on several structural characteristics that include (a) the presence of o-dihydroxyl substituents in the B-ring (b) a double bond between positions 2 and 3 and (c) hydroxyl groups in positions 3 and 5. 

Benavente-Garcia O, CastiUo J (2008) Update on uses and properties of Citrus flavonoids new findings in anticancer, cardiovascular, and anti- inflammatory activity. J Agric Food Chem 56 6185-6205... 

Resveratrol is another type of polyphenol, a stilbene derivative, that has assumed greater relevance in recent years as a constituent of grapes and wine, as well as other food products, with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-platelet, and cancer preventative properties. Coupled with the cardiovascular benefits of moderate amounts of alcohol, and the beneficial antioxidant effects of flavonoids, red wine has now emerged as an unlikely but most acceptable medicinal agent. 

Most flavonoids are potent antioxidant compounds. Several flavonoids possess anti-inflammatory, antihepatotoxic, antimmour, antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Many traditional medicines and medicinal plants contain flavonoids... 

N.A. Hypericin, hyperoside, rutin, quercitin, chlorogenic acid, pseudohypericin, flavonoids.99 100 102 Antidepressant, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, antiseptic and astringent properties. 

Iwli et al [97] have reports based on the evaluation of plant-extract of D. multiradiata for antileishmanial activity using a mechanism-based radiorespirometric micro-technique. Extracts were found to be active at concentrations of 50 pg/ml or less against a visceral leishmania isolate. A number of Dorstenia species used traditionally as anti-snake venom were subjected to a pharmacological screening process and were found to possess analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities [98]. Many of the flavonoids isolated from African Dorstenia show moderate to good antioxidant activities [Croft, unpublished results]. The cytotoxic properties of... 

Eugenol, the primary component of clove s volatile oils, functions as an antiinflammatory substance. In animal studies, the addition of clove extract to diets already high in anti-inflammatory components (like cod liver oil, with its high co-3 fatty acid content) brings a synergistic effect. In some studies, it further reduces inflammatory symptoms by another 15-30%. Clove also contains a variety of flavonoids, including kaempferol and rhamnetin, which also contribute to clove s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Another constituent of clove oil, /J-caryophyllene, also contributes to the anti-inflammatory activity (Ghelardini et al., 2001). 

The gasiroinie.slinal (Gl) aniispasmodic properties of bisaboloi and its oxides are well known. In fact, bisaboloi is said to be as potent as papaverine in tests of muscle spasticity. Besides bisaboloi. the flavone and coumarin components have -antispasmodic activities. The blue compound chamazulene posse.sses both anti-inflammatory and antiallcigenic ac-tivitic.s. as do the water-soluble components (the flavonoids). Apigenin and lutcolin possess anti-inflammatory potencies similar to that of indtimethacin. These flavonoids possess acidic phenolic groups, a. spacer, and an aromatic moiety that could fit into the COX receptor. None of the.se effects has been unequivocally documented in humans. The essential oil posse.s.ses low water. solubility, but teas used over a long period of time provide a cumulative medicinal effect. Typically. I teaspoon (3 g) of flower head is boiled in hot water for IS minutes. 4 times a day. 

---