Flavonoids: Molecular Mechanism Behind Natural Chemoprotective Behavior-A Mini Review

Abstract

The given review summarizes the various molecular mechanisms responsible for the metabolic action of flavonoids as anticancer agents. Various types of flavonoids have proven to show biological & pharmacological activities like anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, anticancer, anti-allergic, and antidiarrheal activities. The chemoprotective nature of flavonoids is also discussed due to their ability to inhibit topoisomerase enzymes at various stages of cancer, such as tumor initiation, promotion, and progression. The various biomolecular activities which are responsible for their role as the chemopreventive agent may be due to their antioxidative effect, anti-angiogenic properties, induction of protective enzymes, inhibitory action on the cell-like protein kinase activity inhibition, spreading of tumor cells, apoptosis induction, tumor cell invasion to name a few. There has been much-emerging evidence based on the versatility of flavonoids, their complex mechanism of action, lesser side effects, and varied pharmacological properties that make them potential anticancer agents. Challenges associated with their use in extraction, isolation, purification, and checking bioefficacy are also discussed.