title: Flavonoids: prospective drug candidates.
abstract: The purpose of this review is to discuss the recent developments related to the chemistry and medicinal properties of flavonoids. Major flavonoids that show well categorized structures and well defined structure function-relationships are: flavans, flavanones, flavones, flavanonols, flavonols, catechins, anthocyanidins and isoflavone. The biological properties of flavonoids include antioxidant, anti-inflamatory, antitumoral, antiviral and antibacterial, as well as a direct cytoprotective effect on coronary and vascular systems, the pancreas and the liver. These characteristics place them among the most attractive natural substances available to enrich the current therapy options.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Bioquímica, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Campus Universitário, UFSC, Bairro Trindade, Cx. Postal 5069, CEP: 88040-970, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil.
authors.forename: Luisa Helena
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Cazarolli
authors.forename: Leila
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zanatta
authors.forename: Elga Heloisa
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Alberton
authors.forename: Maria Santos Reis Bonorino
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Figueiredo
authors.forename: Poliane
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Folador
authors.forename: Rosangela Guollo
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Damazio
authors.forename: Moacir Geraldo
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Pizzolatti
authors.forename: Fátima Regina Mena Barreto
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: Silva
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000494:pharmacology; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000737:chemistry / Q000145:classification / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007408:Intestinal Absorption
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D000975:Antioxidants; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D005419:Flavonoids