Flavonoids: What They Are and Where They Are Found

, the protective action on the microcirculation, the estrogenic-like action and the anti-inflammatory action. In the field of medical-pharmaceutical research, the potential anticancer properties and the preventive / beneficial role that these compounds are able to exert in the presence of diseases of different origin and nature are particularly (but not exclusively) investigated.

produced by plants.

Editorial board Flavonoids - Basic Skeleton of Chemical Structure

From a chemical point of view, most flavonoids consist of a central skeleton composed of 15 carbon atoms (C-15) and, more precisely, of three rings: two benzyl rings - called A and B - and a heterocyclic ring - called C (see figure).

However, to be honest, it should be noted that some groups and subgroups of flavonoids have a slightly different chemical structure from that shown in the figure. More detailed information can be found in the next chapter.

, rutin and kaempferol);

Flavanones (for example, naringerin and hesperetin);

Flavanols, better known as catechins or as flavan-3-oils;

Flavans;

Anthocyanins (for example, cyanidin), well known because they are responsible for the pigmentation of some purple-blue plants, flowers and fruits (for example, blueberry, red grape, black currant, etc.);

Chalcones (for example, "arbutin). Unlike all the other subgroups, chalcones do not have the three rings mentioned in the above chapter in the skeleton of their structure because the" C ring is missing. For this reason, they are also defined as " open-chain flavonoids ".

Isoflavonoids, on the other hand, can be further divided into:

• Isoflavones (for example, genistein and daidzein); well known are, for example, soy isoflavones;
• Isoflavonols;
• Isoflavans;
• Isoflavanols;
• Isoflavanones.

;

They are involved in the symbiotic synthesis of nitrogen;

They can act as chemical messengers and cell cycle regulators;

They protect plants from some microorganisms that are pathogenic to them;

They are involved in the processes of resistance to frost and drought.

In addition to the numerous activities carried out by the flavonoids inside the plant, they have been and still are the subject of numerous studies also for the activities carried out on human health.