A Comprehensive Overview of the Chemistry and Biological Activities of Flavonoids
Muthiah Gnana Ruba Priya, Ratan Priya, Jahnavi Mahesh, Pooja Dasappa, Goutham Murali, Manoj Shivanna, Viswas Raja Solomon · Current Drug Therapy · 2025
Flavonoids are a diverse group of naturally occurring compounds that can be found in various foods, including berries, vegetables, cereals, bark, roots, stems, flowers, tea, and wine, which contain polyphenol compounds. These natural compounds are renowned for their positive impact on health, prompting endeavors to isolate these bioactive ingredients known as flavonoids. Today, flavonoids are recognized as indispensable components in various domains, such as nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, medicine, and cosmetics. This recognition stems from their potent characteristics, including astaxanthin, anti-inflammatory, mutagen suppressor, and antineoplastic qualities, and their capability to regulate prerequisite membrane localized enzyme activities. The discovery of the correlation between flavonoid consumption and reduced cardiovascular mortality rates, along with preventing coronary heart disease, has led to further research into their mechanisms of action. Despite centuries of awareness regarding the broad biological activity of plant- derived compounds, the precise working mechanisms of flavonoids remain incompletely understood. In this review, we aim to explore current trends in flavonoid research and development, elucidate their mechanisms of action, discuss their functions and applications, predict their potential as drugs for cancer therapy, and outline potential avenues for future research.