Epidemiological studies have revealed that a diet rich in plant-derived foods has a protective effect on human health. Identifying bioactive dietary constituents is an active area of scientific investigation that may lead to new drug discovery. Kaempferol (3,5,7-trihydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one) is a flavonoid found in many edible plants (e.g. tea, broccoli, cabbage, kale, beans, endive, leek, tomato, strawberries and grapes) and in plants or botanical products commonly used in traditional medicine (e.g. Ginkgo biloba, Tilia spp, Equisetum spp, Moringa oleifera, Sophora japonica and propolis). Some epidemiological studies have found a positive association between the consumption of foods containing kaempferol and a reduced risk of developing several disorders such as cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Numerous preclinical studies have shown that kaempferol and some glycosides of kaempferol have a wide range of pharmacological activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anticancer, cardioprotective, neuroprotective, antidiabetic, anti-osteoporotic, estrogenic/antiestrogenic, anxiolytic, analgesic and antiallergic activities. In this article, the distribution of kaempferol in the plant kingdom and its pharmacological properties are reviewed. The pharmacokinetics (e.g. oral bioavailability, metabolism, plasma levels) and safety of kaempferol are also analyzed. This information may help understand the health benefits of kaempferol-containing plants and may contribute to develop this flavonoid as a possible agent for the prevention and treatment of some diseases.

A review on the dietary flavonoid kaempferol.

Epidemiological evidence suggests that flavonoids may play an important role in the decreased risk of chronic diseases associated with a diet rich in plant-derived foods. Flavonoids are also common constituents of plants used in traditional medicine to treat a wide range of diseases. The purpose of this article is to summarize the distribution and biological activities of one of the most common flavonoids: luteolin. This flavonoid and its glycosides are widely distributed in the plant kingdom; they are present in many plant families and have been identified in Bryophyta, Pteridophyta, Pinophyta and Magnoliophyta. Dietary sources of luteolin include, for instance, carrots, peppers, celery, olive oil, peppermint, thyme, rosemary and oregano. Preclinical studies have shown that this flavone possesses a variety of pharmacological activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and anticancer activities. The ability of luteolin to inhibit angiogenesis, to induce apoptosis, to prevent carcinogenesis in animal models, to reduce tumor growth in vivo and to sensitize tumor cells to the cytotoxic effects of some anticancer drugs suggests that this flavonoid has cancer chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic potential. Modulation of ROS levels, inhibition of topoisomerases I and II, reduction of NF-kappaB and AP-1 activity, stabilization of p53, and inhibition of PI3K, STAT3, IGF1R and HER2 are possible mechanisms involved in the biological activities of luteolin.

Distribution and biological activities of the flavonoid luteolin.

Anthocyanins and other flavonoids

The Lycopodium alkaloids

The genus Epimedium: an ethnopharmacological and phytochemical review

Five new prenylflavones, yinyanghuo A (1), yinyanghuo B (2), yinyanghuo C (3), yinyanghuo D (4), and yinyanghuo E (5), along with six known flavonoids, chrysoeriol, quercetin, apigenin, apigenin 7,4'-dimethyl ether, kaempferol, and luteolin, were isolated from the leaves of Epimedium sagittatum. Their structures were determined from spectral analysis. Compounds 1 and 2 showed significant antiplatelet induced by arachidonic acid.

New prenylflavones from the leaves of Epimedium saggitatum.

Secoiridoid glycosides from Jasminum multiflorum

In addition to huperzinine [1], a new alkaloid, N-demethylhuperzinine [2], was isolated from the aerial parts of Lycopodium casuarinoides by bioassay-directed fractionation. The structure of 2 was established by spectral analysis and extensive nOe difference nmr studies as well as spectral comparison with huperzinine. N-Demethylhuperzinine [2] exhibited anticholinesterase activity in pharmacological studies.

Alkaloids from Lycopodium casuarinoides.

On the Ca++-antagonistic principles of the flower buds of Magnolia fargesii.

Four new secoiridoid lactones, jasmolactones A [1], B [2], C [3], and D [4], were isolated from the aerial part of Jasminum multiflorum. The structures of these compounds, which contain a novel bicyclic 2-oxo-oxepano[4,5-c]pyran ring system, were established by spectral analyses and chemical correlations. Pharmacological testing revealed that jasmolactones B and D possess coronary vasodilating and cardiotropic activities.

Chung-Hsiung Chen

Papers

New prenylflavones from the leaves of Epimedium saggitatum.

Secoiridoid glycosides from Jasminum multiflorum

Alkaloids from Lycopodium casuarinoides.

On the Ca++-antagonistic principles of the flower buds of Magnolia fargesii.

Novel secoiridoid lactones from Jasminum multiflorum.