ADVANCED JOURNAL OF CHEMISTRY RESEARCH
Integrity Research Journals

ISSN: 3122-0223
Model: Open Access/Peer Reviewed
DOI: 10.31248/AJCR
Start Year: 2022
Email: ajcr@integrityresjournals.org


Chemistry of flavonoids and their therapeutic effects: A Review

https://doi.org/10.31248/AJCR2025.012   |   Article Number: 42D2F48D1   |   Vol.2 (1) - August 2025

Received Date: 10 April 2025   |   Accepted Date: 01 June 2025  |   Published Date: 30 August 2025

Authors:  Faith Obianauju Otukwude , Ahamefula Anslem Ahuchaogu and Pelwiss Adaugo Otukwude

Keywords: flavonoids, therapeutic., pharmacological, medicinal.

One important class of natural compounds is flavonoids.  Flavonoids belong specifically to a group of secondary metabolites from plants with polyphenolic structures.  Fruits, vegetables, tea, wine, grains, bark, and stems are all primary sources of flavonoids.  The general molecular structure of flavonoids is defined by a 15-carbon skeleton composed of two benzene rings (A and B) connected by a heterocyclic ring (C), often a pyran ring.  The structure can be altered by the C ring's oxidation state and substitution patterns, as well as those of the A and B rings.  Methylated, glycoside, and aglycone derivatives are all forms of flavonoids.  The basic flavonoid molecule is aglycone. In addition to these flavonoid groups, there are also other subgroups such as bioflavonoids, flavonolignans, prenylflavonoids, chalcones, glycosidic ester flavonoids, and proanthocyanidins. Flavonoids' medicinal, pharmacological, and therapeutic properties, such as anti-ageing, anti-bacterial, anti-tumour, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, cardiovascular, anti-cancer, neuroprotective, anti-microbial, and anti-diabetic activity have been investigated. The major classifications and replacements of flavonoids, such as hydrogenation, hydroxylation, methylation, malonylation, sulphation, and glycosylation, result in a wide range of structural variations.  Based on the location of the benzenoid substituent, the flavonoid class is divided into flavonoids (2-position) and isoflavonoids (3-position).  Anthocyanidins, flavones, flavonols, flavan-3-ols, flavanones, and isoflavonoids are the different types of flavonoids.

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