Flavonoids and Cardiovascular Disease

Abstract

Diets high in flavonoids have long been associated with nutritional recommendations, a healthy lifestyle, and the prevention of chronic diseases. However, identification of specific beneficial effects from specific flavonoids and flavonoid-rich foods has been a challenging area, probably due to a nonessential or conditional role for flavonoids in human nutrition. Nonetheless, recent efforts in the area of high flavonoid-containing foods and cardiovascular disease have begun providing the first demonstrations of specific effects and mechanisms of action in well-controlled studies. The early studies have shown that flavonoids have several anti-atherosclerotic activities including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiproliferative, antiplatelet, and provessel function activities. Cholesterol-lowering and antihypertensive effects of flavonoids have been studied and appear minimal in humans. The studies also demonstrate several possible mechanisms and pleiotropic effects of flavonoids that may be active in reduction in the risk of cardiovascular disease. Several subclasses of flavonoids may contribute toward the apparent beneficial effects and include flavones, flavonols, flavanones, catechins isoflavones, proanthocyanidins, and anthocyanidins. Further studies are necessary for confirmation of the beneficial effects, identification of dose-response relationships, and identification the most bioactive flavonoids.

Quercetin attenuates, indomethacin-induced acute gastric ulcer in rats

“…A diet rich in flavonoids reduces the risk for oxidative-stress related chronic diseases such as asthma [35], diabetes [2], coronary heart disease [28], lung cancer [71], and stroke [49]. Antioxidation could be a result of metal chelation [4], scavenging of radicals [68], enzyme inhibition [56], and/or induction of the expression of protective enzymes [46].…”

Effects of Nitrogen Fertilization on the Phenolic Composition and Antioxidant Properties of Basil (Ocimum basilicumL.)

“…Plant polyphenols can vary widely in their structure and general classification but all share the common feature of containing at least one aromatic ring and one or more hydroxyl groups. Polyphenolic compounds in plants are naturally-occurring antioxidants and their radical scavenging capabilities are thought to play an important function in preventing many chronic illnesses (4)(5)(6). Plant polyphenols have been shown to inhibit angiogenesis, tumorigenesis, and metastasis (7)(8)(9) and many are known to have antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory capabilities (10).…”

Protective Effect Of Aabresham (Bombyx Mori) Against Atherosclerosis

“…Through an inefficient enzymatic process of desaturation (the rate of conversion is less than 1 percent), Alpha linolenic acid (ALA) produces eicosapentaenoic acid (20 carbons) and docosahexaenoic acid (22 carbons), precursors to a group of eicosanoids (prostaglandins, thromboxanes, and leukotrienes) that are anti-inflammatory, antithrombotic, anti-arrhythmic, and vasodilator. 23 The flavonoids found in the cocoon of B. mori comprised of three quercetin glycosides. These quercetin compounds shown to have potent anti oxidant activity as they reduce lipid peroxidation by scavenging free radicals.…”