Flavonoids are nearly ubiquitous in plants and are recognized as the pigments responsible for the colors of leaves, especially in autumn. They are rich in seeds, citrus fruits, olive oil, tea, and red wine. They are low molecular weight compounds composed of a three-ring structure with various substitutions. This basic structure is shared by tocopherols (vitamin E). Flavonoids can be subdivided according to the presence of an oxy group at position 4, a double bond between carbon atoms 2 and 3, or a hydroxyl group in position 3 of the C (middle) ring. These characteristics appear to also be required for best activity, especially antioxidant and antiproliferative, in the systems studied. The particular hydroxylation pattern of the B ring of the flavonoles increases their activities, especially in inhibition of mast cell secretion. Certain plants and spices containing flavonoids have been used for thousands of years in traditional Eastern medicine. In spite of the voluminous literature available, however, Western medicine has not yet used flavonoids therapeutically, even though their safety record is exceptional. Suggestions are made where such possibilities may be worth pursuing.

The Effects of Plant Flavonoids on Mammalian Cells:Implications for Inflammation, Heart Disease, and Cancer

The biochemistry and medical significance of the flavonoids.

Structural aspects of antioxidant activity of flavonoids.

Enantioselective determination by capillary electrophoresis with cyclodextrins as chiral selectors.

Optimization of the separation and detection of the enantiomers of isoproterenol in microdialysis samples by cyclodextrin-modified capillary electrophoresis using electrochemical detection.

Relationship of flavonoid oxidation potential and effect on rat hepatic microsomal metabolism of benzene and phenol

Simultaneous determination of the elimination profiles of the individual enantiomers of racemic isoproterenol using capillary electrophoresis and microdialysis sampling

Michael E. Hadwiger

Papers

Optimization of the separation and detection of the enantiomers of isoproterenol in microdialysis samples by cyclodextrin-modified capillary electrophoresis using electrochemical detection.

Relationship of flavonoid oxidation potential and effect on rat hepatic microsomal metabolism of benzene and phenol

Simultaneous determination of the elimination profiles of the individual enantiomers of racemic isoproterenol using capillary electrophoresis and microdialysis sampling

Liquid chromatographic determination of tacrine and its metabolites in rat bile microdialysates.