Bioflavonoids This section was compiled by Frank M. Painter, D.C.
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Flavonoids are found in most plant material. The most important dietary sources are fruits, tea and soybean. Green and black tea contains about 25% percent flavonoids. Flavonoids have powerful antioxidant properties, and are becoming very popular because they have many health promoting effects. Some of the activities attributed to flavonoids include: anti-allergic, anti-cancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-viral. The flavonoids quercetin is known for its ability to relieve hay fever, eszema, sinusitis and asthma, and for reducing the risk for cancer, and protection against osteoporosis. Consumption of red wine, red grape juice, grape skin and grape seeds has been linked to many health benefits. There are mainly two grape phytochemicals responsible for these benefits: proanthocyanidins and resveratrol. Proanthocyanidins are in the first place very strong antioxidants. Studies have shown that proanthocyanidins act as anti-cancer and anti-allergic agents, and that they improve heart health. |
| Table 1. Flavonoid Subclasses and Examples | |
| Subclass | Selected Examples |
| Flavones | Apigenin, Chrysin, Luteolin |
| Flavonols | Kaempferol, Myricetin, Quercetin |
| Flavanones | Hesperidin, Naringenin |
| Flavanols (also called catechins) | Epicatechin, Gallocatechin |
| Anthocyanidins | Cyanidin, Malvidin, Pelargonidin |
| Anthocyanidins | Cyanidin, Malvidin, Pelargonidin |
| Isoflanones | Genistein, Daidzein |
FROM: Quercetin Monograph
Alternative Medicine Review 2011 (Jun); 16 (2): 172–194
Bioflavonoid Articles
What are Bioflavonoids?
A nice review by students from the University of North Carolina School of Pharmacy
Pine bark and grape seed contain the flavonoids OPCs, which offer antioxidant protection against heart disease and cancer In the future, health care providers may hand out proanthocyanidin pills as readily as they recommend aspirin today. A steady stream of animal and in vitro studies supplemented by epidemiological evidence and a smattering of preliminary human studies reveal numerous health benefits associated with these compounds. Chief among the benefits is antioxidant protection against heart disease and cancer.
Eaten in large amounts by primitive humans, anthocyanins are antioxidant flavonoids that protect many body systems. They have some of the strongest physiological effects of any plant compounds, and they are also things of beauty: anthocyanins provide pigment for pansies, petunias, and plums. (Anthocyanins are a separate class of flavonoids from proanthocyanidins, discussed in NSN 2000; 5 (6): 231–234)
A swollen big toe and a hobbled gait—finally, excruciating pain sends your customer to fill a prescription for allopurinol, the standard drug for treating gout. Are there natural remedies you can recommend to ease his suffering in addition to or instead of the pharmaceutical? YES! The enzyme xanthine oxidase catalyzes the last step in the conversion of purines to uric acid. Allopurinol, the medication prescribed for gout prevention, is a xanthine oxidase inhibitor. In vitro, xanthine oxidase is inhibited by the flavonoids luteolin and apigenin nearly as well as it is by allopurinol. [5] The flavonoids chrysin, baicalein, isorhamnetin, and several caffeic acid esters are also effective. [6]
Quercetin, a naturally occurring bioflavonoid found in apples, black tea, and onions, was tested as a treatment for chronic prostatitis in a nonblinded study by researchers at the Institute for Male Urology in Encino, Calif. In the trial, an encouraging 59 percent of the subjects improved.1 In light of these results, Daniel Shoskes, M.D., and Jacob Rajfer, M.D., from the Division of Urology, HarborUCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles, decided to do a proper double-blind test of quercetin vs. placebo.
Bioflavonoid Abstracts
Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
American Journal of Hypertension 2010 (Jan); 23 (1): 97–103
The evidence supporting the antihypertensive effects of cocoa has been building over the last few years, and this systematic review and meta-analysis of 10 randomized controlled trials, comprising 297 individuals confirms the BP-lowering capacity of flavanol-rich cocoa products. The high level of flavanols found in the cocoa plant is believed to be responsible for the lowering of blood pressure.
Recent Pat Anticancer Drug Discov 2010 (Jan 21) [Epub ahead of print]
Flavonoids belong to polyphenolic secondary metabolites with broad-spectrum pharmacological activities and extensive biological effects, and the most prominent activity is their potential role as anticancer agents. In recent years, flavonoids and their synthetic analogues have been intensely investigated in the treatment of ovarian, breast, cervical, pancreatic, and prostate cancer.
and Lymphoma Cells
Anticancer Res 2009 (Nov); 29 (11): 4629–4632
Cyclopamine and quercetin suppress the growth of a number of leukemia and lymphoma cells. This finding suggests the potential use of these compounds in molecularly-targeted therapy for leukemia and lymphoma.
Alternative Medicine Review 2000 (Dec); 5 (6): 546–552 ~ FULL TEXT
Previous research has confirmed that quercetin exhibits antitumor properties, likely due to immune stimulation, free radical scavenging, alteration of the mitotic cycle in tumor cells, gene expression modification, anti-angiogenesis activity, or apoptosis induction, or a combination of these effects. MCP has inhibited metastases in animal studies of prostate cancer and melanoma. To date, no study has demonstrated a reduction in solid tumor growth with MCP, and there is no research into the antitumor effect of QC. This study examines the effects of MCP and QC on the size and weight of colon-25 tumors implanted in balb-c mice.
and Metastatic Potential
Int J Cancer 2000 (Aug); 87 (4): 595–600
In conclusion, quercetin and apigenin inhibit melanoma growth and invasive and metastatic potential; therefore, they may constitute a valuable tool in the combination therapy of metastatic melanoma.
Alternative Medicine Review 2000 (Jun); 5 (3): 196–208 ~ FULL TEXT
Quercetin is a flavonoid molecule ubiquitous in nature. A number of its actions make it a potential anti-cancer agent, including cell cycle regulation, interaction with type II estrogen binding sites, and tyrosine kinase inhibition. Quercetin appears to be associated with little toxicity when administered orally or intravenously. Much in vitro and some preliminary animal and human data indicate quercetin inhibits tumor growth. More research is needed to elucidate the absorption of oral doses and the magnitude of the anti-cancer effect.
and Phytopharmaceutical Applications
Alternative Medicine Review 2000 (Apr); 5 (2): 144–151 ~ FULL TEXT
Considerable recent research has explored therapeutic applications of oligomeric proanthocyanidin complexes (OPCs), naturally occurring plant metabolites widely available in fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, flowers, and bark. OPCs are primarily known for their antioxidant activity. However, these compounds have also been reported to demonstrate antibacterial, antiviral, anticarcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, and vasodilatory actions. In addition, they have been found to inhibit lipid peroxidation, platelet aggregation, capillary permeability and fragility, and to affect enzyme systems including phospholipase A2, cyclooxygenase, and lipoxygenase.
in B16 Melanoma 4A5 Cells
Biosci Biotechnol Biochem 2000 (Sep); 64(9): 1813–20
We investigated the growth inhibitory activity of several flavonoids, including apigenin, luteolin, kaempherol, quercetin, butein, isoliquiritigenin, naringenin, genistein, and daizein against B16 mouse melanoma 4A5 cells.
Natural Medicine Online July 2000
Quercetin is frequently used therapeutically in allergic conditions, including asthma and hayfever, eczema, and hives. Additional clinical uses include treatment of gout, pancreatitis and prostatitis, which are also, in part, inflammatory conditions. The common link is its ability to mediate production and manufacture of pro-inflammatory compounds.
Alternative Medicine Review 1998 (Apr); 3 (2): 140–143 ~ FULL TEXT
Quercetin appears to have many beneficial effects on human health, including cardiovascular protection, anti-cancer activity, anti-ulcer effects, anti-allergy activity, cataract prevention, antiviral activity, and anti-inflammatory effects.
Alternative Medicine Review 1996 (Jul); 1 (2): 103–111 ~ FULL TEXT
Flavonoids have been shown to have anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiallergic, antimutagenic, antiviral, antineoplastic, anti-thrombotic, and vasodilatory activity.
Thanks to Pub Med
for their quality MEDLINE search tool.
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