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Review
. 2023 May 25;24(11):9236.
doi: 10.3390/ijms24119236.

Effects of Flavonoids on Cancer, Cardiovascular and Neurodegenerative Diseases: Role of NF-κB Signaling Pathway

Maria Magdalena Barreca  1 , Riccardo Alessandro  1 , Chiara Corrado  1
Affiliations
Review

Effects of Flavonoids on Cancer, Cardiovascular and Neurodegenerative Diseases: Role of NF-κB Signaling Pathway

Maria Magdalena Barreca et al. Int J Mol Sci. .

Abstract

Flavonoids are polyphenolic phytochemical compounds found in many plants, fruits, vegetables, and leaves. They have a multitude of medicinal applications due to their anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, antiviral, and anticarcinogenic properties. Furthermore, they also have neuroprotective and cardioprotective effects. Their biological properties depend on the chemical structure of flavonoids, their mechanism of action, and their bioavailability. The beneficial effects of flavonoids have been proven for a variety of diseases. In the last few years, it is demonstrated that the effects of flavonoids are mediated by inhibiting the NF-κB (Nuclear Factor-κB) pathway. In this review, we have summarized the effects of some flavonoids on the most common diseases, such as cancer, cardiovascular, and human neurodegenerative diseases. Here, we collected all recent studies describing the protective and prevention role of flavonoids derived from plants by specifically focusing their action on the NF-κB signaling pathway.

Keywords: NF-κB (Nuclear Factor-κB); cancer; cardiac diseases; flavonoids; neurodegenerative diseases.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Schematic representation of the chemical structure of flavonoids and its subgroups. The general structure of flavonoids consists of two benzene rings (A and B) linked via a heterocyclic pyrane ring (C).
Figure 2
Figure 2
A schematic illustration of the effects of flavonoids in different human diseases mediated by NF-κB signaling pathway.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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