Chemistry and Pharmacology of Flavonoids- A Review

  Several modern and most of the traditional drugs have been developed from natural sources. Flavonoids or bioflavonoids, most ubiquitous polyphenolic compounds, are secondary metabolites of plants and fungal origin. Apart from their biological functions in plants (protection against herbivores, ultraviolet radiation and pathogens), they perform myriads of pharmacological activities in humans as well. Though flavonoids are not acknowledged as nutrients still their intake on regular basis is considered fruitful for human health. Flavonoids are biosynthesized through phenylpropanoid pathway and contain a C6-C3-C6 carbon framework. The present review has reviewed the chemistry, structure and classification of flavonoids. Additionally, their occurrence and chemical properties have also been explored. Moreover, we discuss about the different mechanisms through which flavonoids act like direct radical scavenging, leukocyte immobilization and interaction with different enzymes. Flavonoids own a number of pharmacological activities such as anti-parkinson, anti-ulcer, spasmolytic, anti-depressant, anti-bacterial, anti-hypertensive, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer. This review intent to give healthy information for formation of new flavonoid based pharmaceutical formulation to act against various diseases.