Flavonoids are a family of polyphenolic compounds which are widespread in nature (vegetables) and are consumed as part of the human diet in significant amounts. There are other types of polyphenols, including, for example, tannins and resveratrol. Flavonoids and related polyphenolic compounds have significant antiinflammatory activity, among others. This short review summarizes the current knowledge on the effects of flavonoids and related polyphenolic compounds on inflammation, with a focus on structural requirements, the mechanisms involved, and pharmacokinetic considerations. Different molecular (cyclooxygenase, lipoxygenase) and cellular targets (macrophages, lymphocytes, epithelial cells, endothelium) have been identified. In addition, many flavonoids display significant antioxidant/radical scavenging properties. There is substantial structural variation in these compounds, which is bound to have an impact on their biological profile, and specifically on their effects on inflammatory conditions. However, in general terms there is substantial consistency in the effects of these compounds despite considerable structural variations. The mechanisms have been studied mainly in myeloid cells, where the predominant effect is an inhibition of NF-κB signaling and the downregulation of the expression of proinflammatory markers. At present there is a gap in knowledge of in vitro and in vivo effects, although the pharmacokinetics of flavonoids has advanced considerably in the last decade. Many flavonoids have been studied for their intestinal antiinflammatory activity which is only logical, since the gastrointestinal tract is naturally exposed to them. However, their potential therapeutic application in inflammation is not restricted to this organ and extends to other sites and conditions, including arthritis, asthma, encephalomyelitis, and atherosclerosis, among others.

Effects of Flavonoids and other Polyphenols on Inflammation

Phenolic compounds constitute a group of secondary metabolites which have important functions in plants. Besides the beneficial effects on the plant host, phenolic metabolites (polyphenols) exhibit a series of biological properties that influence the human in a health-promoting manner. Evidence suggests that people can benefit from plant phenolics obtained either by the diet or through skin application, because they can alleviate symptoms and inhibit the development of various skin disorders. Due to their natural origin and low toxicity, phenolic compounds are a promising tool in eliminating the causes and effects of skin aging, skin diseases, and skin damage, including wounds and burns. Polyphenols also act protectively and help prevent or attenuate the progression of certain skin disorders, both embarrassing minor problems (e.g., wrinkles, acne) or serious, potentially life-threatening diseases such as cancer. This paper reviews the latest reports on the potential therapy of skin disorders through treatment with phenolic compounds, considering mostly a single specific compound or a combination of compounds in a plant extract.

The Potential of Plant Phenolics in Prevention and Therapy of Skin Disorders

A review on the pharmacological effects of vitexin and isovitexin.

Observational studies have suggested that life- style risk factors such as tobacco, alcohol, high- fat diet, radiation, and infections can cause cancer and that a diet consisting of fruits and vegetables can prevent cancer. Evidence from our laboratory and others suggests that agents either causing or preventing cancer are linked through the regula- tion of inflammatory pathways. Genes regulated by the transcription factor NF-κB have been shown to mediate inflammation, cellular trans- formation, tumor cell survival, proliferation, inva- sion, angiogenesis, and metastasis. Whereas vari- ous lifestyle risk factors have been found to acti- vate NF-κB and NF-κB-regulated gene products, flavonoids derived from fruits and vegetables have been found to suppress this pathway. The present review describes various flavones, flava- nones, flavonols, isoflavones, anthocyanins, and chalcones derived from fruits, vegetables, le- gumes, spices, and nuts that can suppress the proinflammatory cell signaling pathways and thus can prevent and even treat the cancer. " cancer l " inflammation l " flavonoids

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Targeting inflammatory pathways by flavonoids for prevention and treatment of cancer

Summary
A comprehensive and large-scale metabolome quantitative trait loci (mQTL) analysis was performed to investigate the genetic backgrounds associated with metabolic phenotypes in rice grains. The metabolome dataset consisted of 759 metabolite signals obtained from the grains of 85 lines of rice (Oryza sativa, Sasanishiki × Habataki back-crossed inbred lines). Metabolome analysis was performed using four mass spectrometry pipelines to enhance detection of different classes of metabolites. This mQTL analysis of a wide range of metabolites highlighted an uneven distribution of 802 mQTLs on the rice genome, as well as different modes of metabolic trait (m-trait) control among various types of metabolites. The levels of most metabolites within rice grains were highly sensitive to environmental factors, but only weakly associated with mQTLs. Coordinated control was observed for several groups of metabolites, such as amino acids linked to the mQTL hotspot on chromosome 3. For flavonoids, m-trait variation among the experimental lines was tightly governed by genetic factors that alter the glycosylation of flavones. Many loci affecting levels of metabolites were detected by QTL analysis, and plausible gene candidates were evaluated by in silico analysis. Several mQTLs profoundly influenced metabolite levels, providing insight into the control of rice metabolism. The genomic region and genes potentially responsible for the biosynthesis of apigenin-6,8-di-C-α-l-arabinoside are presented as an example of a critical mQTL identified by the analysis.

https://www.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/j.1365-313X.2012.04903.x

Dissection of genotype–phenotype associations in rice grains using metabolome quantitative trait loci analysis

Isovitexin, isolated from rice hull of Oryza sativa, has been characterized as a potent antioxidant. Its antioxidant activity, determined on the basis of inhibition of lipid peroxidation by the Fenton reaction, was comparable with that of alpha-tocopherol, a well-established antioxidant. Isovitexin was able to reduce the amount of hydrogen peroxide production induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in mouse macrophage RAW264.7 cells. In this study, we assessed its effects on the production of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in LPS-activated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Isovitexin inhibited the release of TNF-alpha, a proinflammatory cytokine, upon LPS activation with a 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 78.6 microM. Isovitexin markedly reduced LPS-stimulated PGE2 production in a concentration-dependent manner, with an IC50 of 80.0 microM. The expression of COX-2 was also inhibited by isovitexin treatment. Our results suggest that suppression of ROS-mediated COX-2 expression by isovitexin is beneficial in reducing inflammation and carcinogenesis.

Inhibitory Effects of a Rice Hull Constituent on Tumor Necrosis Factor α, Prostaglandin E2, and Cyclooxygenase-2 Production in Lipopolysaccharide-Activated Mouse Macrophages

Hsien Saw Kuo

Papers

Inhibitory Effects of a Rice Hull Constituent on Tumor Necrosis Factor α, Prostaglandin E2, and Cyclooxygenase-2 Production in Lipopolysaccharide-Activated Mouse Macrophages