Kaempferol: Antimicrobial Properties, Sources, Clinical, and Traditional Applications

Abstract

Flavonoids are a category of plant-derived compounds which exhibit a large number of health-related effects. One of the most well-known and studied flavonoids is kaempferol, which can be found in a wide variety of herbs and plant families. Apart from their anticarcinogenic and anti-inflammatory effects, kaempferol and its associated compounds also exhibit antibacterial, antifungal, and antiprotozoal activities. The development of drugs and treatment schemes based on these compounds is becoming increasingly important in the face of emerging resistance of numerous pathogens as well as complex molecular interactions between various drug therapies. In addition, many of the kaempferol-containing plants are used in traditional systems all over the world for centuries to treat numerous conditions. Due to its variety of sources and associated compounds, some molecular mechanisms of kaempferol antimicrobial activity are well known while others are still under analysis. This paper thoroughly documents the vegetal and food sources of kaempferol as well as the most recent and significant studies regarding its antimicrobial applications.

Leonotis nepetifolia Transformed Root Extract Reduces Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines and Promotes Tissue Repair In Vitro

“…The structure of flavonoids plays an important role in anti-inflammatory activity. For example Betulaceae , Fabaceae , Asteraceae and Apiaceae families are rich in quercetin, which extincts free radicals formed during cellular metabolism [ 36 ]; Asphodelaceae and Scrophulariaceae families contain luteolin, which presents anticancer properties and is associated with the induction of apoptosis and inhibition of cell proliferation, metastasis and angiogenesis [ 37 ], while the Fabaceae family is abundant in kaempferol, isoflavones and flavanols, which are known to act as antioxidants and anticancer and anti-inflammatory agents in various contexts [ 38 , 39 ].…”

Construction of engineered bifunctional enzymes to improve the production of kaempferol in an in vitro synthetic biosystem

“…Therefore, the intake of KMF-rich nutraceuticals is also common in the geriatric population who suffer from various age-related ailments such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and cancers. In spite of the growing market demand for KMF in foods and beverages, this small molecule is usually derived from plants, which limits its application in the food industry due to the high production cost (Periferakis et al, 2022).…”

Plant‐derived virulence arresting drugs as novel antimicrobial agents: Discovery, perspective, and challenges in clinical use

“…Kaempferol, as a natural flavonoid, exhibits a host of antivirulence activities (Periferakis et al, 2022). A current study suggested that kaempferol acted as a promising candidate drug against S. pneumoniae by inhibiting the pore formation activity of pneumolysin functioning through binding with catalytic active sites, and consequently reducing the pneumolysin‐mediated hemolytic activity.…”