Phytochemical and Pharmacological Properties of Flavonols

Abstract

Flavonoids are polyphenolic compounds, which are ubiquitous in nature and have been categorised into flavonols, flavones, flavanones, isoflavones, catechins, anthocyanidins and chalcones according to their chemical structure. Currently more than 4000 flavonoids have been identified, which were isolated from fruits, vegetables and beverages (tea, coffee, beer, wine and fruit drinks). The flavonoids have aroused interest recently because of their beneficial effects on human health especially reported to have antiviral, antiallergic, anti‐inflammatory, antitumour and antioxidant activities. Flavonoids may enrich the immunogenic potential against such diseases of human body. Epidemiological studies have shown that flavonoid intake is inversely proportional to mortality rate because of coronary heart disease and heart attacks. However, recent studies have demonstrated that flavonoids found in fruits and vegetables may act as antioxidants. Current article mainly focuses upon the structure–function relationship of flavonols, one of the key components of flavonoids for their potential therapeutic use. Key Concepts Flavonols are phytochemical compounds, which are associated with beneficial health effects. Antioxidants are molecules that inhibit the oxidation of other molecules in living organisms. Enzymes are macromolecules biocatalysts, which accelerate the chemical reactions. Metastasis is a pathogenic agent's spread from an initial position or primary site to a secondary site within the host cell. Angiogenesis is the physiological process in which new blood vessels form from preexisting vessels. Tumour is an abnormal mass of tissue or cell that may be solid or fluid‐filled. Tumours can be benign (not cancerous), premalignant (precancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Apoptosis is a process of programmed cell death, which occurs in multicellular organisms. Astrogliosis or astrocytosis is an abnormal increase in the number of astrocytes because of the destruction of nearby neurons from CNS trauma, infection, ischaemia, stroke, autoimmune responses and neurodegenerative disease.

Dietary Quercetin and Kaempferol: Bioavailability and Potential Cardiovascular-Related Bioactivity in Humans

“…Flavonoids consist of two phenyl rings (ring A and B) connected to a heterocyclic ring (ring C) [25]. Quercetin and kaempferol share the same 3-hydroxy flavone backbone but differ by the presence of an additional hydroxyl group at the R1 position on quercetin [26] (Figure 1). The number of hydroxyl groups influences the chemical reactivity [26] of the compounds.…”

Citrus Flavonoids as Promising Phytochemicals Targeting Diabetes and Related Complications: A Systematic Review of In Vitro and In Vivo Studies

“…This flavonol is one of the most popular citrus flavonoids in the global fruit market, and it is commonly used as a constituent in nutraceuticals and food supplements. A number of products containing this flavonoid have been patented because of its outstanding therapeutic applicability as a disease-fighting antioxidant molecule that can improve the health and well-being of individuals [ 125 ].…”

Preliminary Phytochemical Screenig and High Performance Thin Layer Chromatography[hptlc] Detection of Phenolic Acids in Lanata Camara Leaves Cultivated in Iraq

“…Because L. camara predominates the native types and result in biodiversity loss so considered as a noxious weed 4 , nevertheless it is recognized as one of the important medicinal plants 5 . Lantana camara L is a perennial, struggling, erect, aromatic odor shrub with diverse flower color as orange, red, pink, white and violet, it is growing to a height of about 3 meters and 2.5 meters width 6,7 , this shrub mainly uses as an herbal medicine, but also as a source of firewood and mulch 8 .…”