Structure-Activity Association of Flavonoids in Lung Diseases

Molecules

João Henrique G. Lago²  Alessandra C. Toledo-Arruda¹  Márcia Mernak²  Kaidu H. Barrosa²  Milton A. Martins¹  Iolanda F. L. C. Tibério¹ 

[1] Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo–SP 01246903, Brazil;Instituto de Ciências Ambientais, Químicas e Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Diadema–SP 09972-270, Brazil

关键词: flavonoids;    anti-inflammatory response;    lung disease;   

DOI  :  10.3390/molecules19033570

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

Flavonoids are polyphenolic compounds classified into flavonols, flavones, flavanones, isoflavones, catechins, anthocyanidins, and chalcones according to their chemical structures. They are abundantly found in Nature and over 8,000 flavonoids have from different sources, mainly plant materials, have been described. Recently reports have shown the valuable effects of flavonoids as antiviral, anti-allergic, antiplatelet, antitumor, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory agents and interest in these compounds has been increasing since they can be helpful to human health. Several mechanisms of action are involved in the biological properties of flavonoids such as free radical scavenging, transition metal ion chelation, activation of survival genes and signaling pathways, regulation of mitochondrial function and modulation of inflammatory responses. The anti-inflammatory effects of flavonoids have been described in a number of studies in the literature, but not frequently associated to respiratory disease. Thus, this review aims to discuss the effects of different flavonoids in the control of lung inflammation in some disorders such as asthma, lung emphysema and acute respiratory distress syndrome and the possible mechanisms of action, as well as establish some structure-activity relationships between this biological potential and chemical profile of these compounds.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2014 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.