Flavonoids and Cardiovascular Disease

Abstract

Diets high in flavonoids have long been associated with nutritional recommendations, a healthy lifestyle, and the prevention of chronic diseases. However, identification of specific beneficial effects from specific flavonoids and flavonoid-rich foods has been a challenging area, probably due to a nonessential or conditional role for flavonoids in human nutrition. Nonetheless, recent efforts in the area of high flavonoid-containing foods and cardiovascular disease have begun providing the first demonstrations of specific effects and mechanisms of action in well-controlled studies. The early studies have shown that flavonoids have several anti-atherosclerotic activities including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiproliferative, antiplatelet, and provessel function activities. Cholesterol-lowering and antihypertensive effects of flavonoids have been studied and appear minimal in humans. The studies also demonstrate several possible mechanisms and pleiotropic effects of flavonoids that may be active in reduction in the risk of cardiovascular disease. Several subclasses of flavonoids may contribute toward the apparent beneficial effects and include flavones, flavonols, flavanones, catechins isoflavones, proanthocyanidins, and anthocyanidins. Further studies are necessary for confirmation of the beneficial effects, identification of dose-response relationships, and identification the most bioactive flavonoids.

Protective Effect of Components Isolated from Lindera erythrocarpa against Oxidative Stress‐induced Apoptosis of H9c2 Cardiomyocytes

“…Flavonoids are common in plant materials and have been investigated extensively as possible pharmacologic agents from natural sources (Gross, ), but they have not been previously reported to inhibit the BSO‐induced release of LDH from cardiac myocytes. In this study, confocal microscopy was used to assess the effects of L .…”

Extraction of Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) Seeds: Process Optimization and Antioxidant Capacity of the Extracts

“…The normal cell processes produce free radicals as a by-product, and antioxidants serve to neutralize them. Polyphenolic and flavonoid compounds, which are found in many fruits, vegetables, and tea, are believed to be among the main substances responsible for antioxidant activity 1,2 . This work is focused on estimation of polyphenolic and flavonoid content in fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) seeds, which are traditionally used for medicinal purposes and food flavoring 3 .…”

PASTEURIZED BLUEBERRY (VACCINIUM CORYMBOSUM) JUICE INHIBITS GROWTH OF BACTERIAL PATHOGENS IN MILK BUT ALLOWS SURVIVAL OF PROBIOTIC BACTERIA

“…Berry fruits are rich in several phenolic compounds such as phenolic acids, proanthocyanidins, anthocyanins and other flavonoids. Many of these compounds exhibit a wide range of biological effects including antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti‐inflammatory and vasodilatory activities (Gross 2004). The antimicrobial properties of the extracts of many common berries including blueberry, cranberry, cloudberry, raspberry and strawberry have been established (Puupponen‐Pimiä et al .…”