The genus Sophora (Fabaceae) has been used in traditional medicine for years. Prenylated flavonoids are one of the constituents of Sophora species that play important roles in their biological properties. Different classes of prenylated flavonoids are produced by Sophora spp. including prenylated flavonol (e.g., sophoflavescenol), prenylated flavanone (e.g., sophoraflavanone G), prenylated flavonostilbene (e.g., alopecurones A and B), and prenylated chalcone (kuraridin). Prenylated flavonoids have a more lipophilic structure, which leads to its high affinity to the cell membranes and enhancement of the biological activity, which includes cytotoxicity, antibacterial, anti‐inflammatory, and estrogenic activities. However, it is reported that prenylation decreases the plasma absorption but increases the tissue accumulation. The presence of the prenyl or lavandulyl groups on C8 position of flavonoids plays an important role in the biological activity. It seems that prenylated flavonoids have the potential to be developed as new drugs or supplements for human health.
Toll‐like receptors (TLRs) have a pivotal role in the activation of innate immune response and inflammation. TLRs can be divided into two subgroups including extracellular TLRs that recognize microbial membrane components (TLR1, 2, 4, 5, 6, and 10), and intracellular TLRs that recognize microbial nucleic acids (TLR3, 7, 8, and 9). Curcumin is a dietary polyphenol from Curcuma longa L. that is reputed to have diverse biological and pharmacological effects. Extensive research has defined the molecular mechanisms through which curcumin mediates its therapeutic effects. One newly defined and important target of curcumin is the TLR, where it exerts an inhibitory effect. In the current study, we focus upon the TLR antagonistic effect of curcumin and curcumin's therapeutic effect as mediated via TLR inhibition. The available evidence indicates that curcumin inhibits the extracellular TLR 2 and 4 and intracellular TLR9 and thereby exerts a therapeutic effect in diseases such as cancer, inflammation, infection, autoimmune, and ischemic disease. Curcumin effectively modulates the TLR response and thereby exerts its potent therapeutic effects.
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