Abstract

Flavonoids are polyphenolic compounds subdivided into 6 groups: isoflavonoids, flavanones, flavanols, flavonols, flavones and anthocyanidins found in a variety of plants. Fruits, vegetables, plant-derived beverages such as green tea, wine and cocoa-based products are the main dietary sources of flavonoids. Flavonoids have been shown to possess a wide variety of anticancer effects: they modulate reactive oxygen species (ROS)-scavenging enzyme activities, participate in arresting the cell cycle, induce apoptosis, autophagy, and suppress cancer cell proliferation and invasiveness. Flavonoids have dual action regarding ROS homeostasis—they act as antioxidants under normal conditions and are potent pro-oxidants in cancer cells triggering the apoptotic pathways and downregulating pro-inflammatory signaling pathways. This article reviews the biochemical properties and bioavailability of flavonoids, their anticancer activity and its mechanisms of action.

Keywords

FlavonolsFlavonesAnthocyanidinsReactive oxygen speciesPolyphenolChemistryFlavonoidApoptosisIsoflavonesBiochemistryCancer cellCell cyclePharmacologyBiologyCancerAntioxidant

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Publication Info

Year
2020
Type
review
Volume
12
Issue
2
Pages
457-457
Citations
1136
Access
Closed

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Dalia M. Kopustinskienė, Valdas Jakštas, Arūnas Savickas et al. (2020). Flavonoids as Anticancer Agents. Nutrients , 12 (2) , 457-457. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12020457

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DOI
10.3390/nu12020457