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      The effects of plant flavonoids on mammalian cells: implications for inflammation, heart disease, and cancer.

      1 , ,
      Pharmacological reviews

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          Abstract

          Flavonoids are nearly ubiquitous in plants and are recognized as the pigments responsible for the colors of leaves, especially in autumn. They are rich in seeds, citrus fruits, olive oil, tea, and red wine. They are low molecular weight compounds composed of a three-ring structure with various substitutions. This basic structure is shared by tocopherols (vitamin E). Flavonoids can be subdivided according to the presence of an oxy group at position 4, a double bond between carbon atoms 2 and 3, or a hydroxyl group in position 3 of the C (middle) ring. These characteristics appear to also be required for best activity, especially antioxidant and antiproliferative, in the systems studied. The particular hydroxylation pattern of the B ring of the flavonoles increases their activities, especially in inhibition of mast cell secretion. Certain plants and spices containing flavonoids have been used for thousands of years in traditional Eastern medicine. In spite of the voluminous literature available, however, Western medicine has not yet used flavonoids therapeutically, even though their safety record is exceptional. Suggestions are made where such possibilities may be worth pursuing.

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          Author and article information

          Journal
          Pharmacol Rev
          Pharmacological reviews
          0031-6997
          0031-6997
          Dec 2000
          : 52
          : 4
          Affiliations
          [1 ] Chebeague Island Institute of Natural Product Research, Chebeague Island, Maryland, USA.
          Article
          11121513
          bc43ffe0-8880-44ea-8452-f9d208413975
          History

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