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Pharmacological Activities of Flavonoids and Its Analogues

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A special issue of Pharmaceuticals (ISSN 1424-8247). This special issue belongs to the section "Natural Products".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (27 July 2023) | Viewed by 43844

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Dr. Fernando Calzada

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Medical Research Unit in Pharmacology. Speciality Hospital. National Medical Center Siglo XXI, Av. Cuauhtémoc 330 Col Doctores, Mexico City CP 06725, Mexico
Interests: pharmacognosy of Mexican medicinal plants: diabetes mellitus; cancer; diarrhea; molecular docking; secondary metabolites
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Dr. Miguel Valdes

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Medical Research Unit in Pharmacology, Speciality Hospital, National Medical Center Siglo XXI, Av. Cuauhtémoc 330 Col Doctores, Mexico City, CP 06725, Mexico
Interests: pharmacology; pharmacognosy; phytochemistry; medicinal plants; diabetes mellitus; cancer; diarrhea; drug development; isolation of natural compounds; terpenoids; flavonoids; molecular docking; molecular mechanism elucidation; pharmacological evaluation of natural compounds isolated from plants used in traditional Mexican medicine
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The development of new drugs continues to be an important point for global society. In recent years, there has been increased interest in the study of polyphenols due to the multiple pharmacological activities that they have demonstrated. Flavonoids are a class of polyphenols that have been widely studied; they are characterized as having a 15-C skeleton with a 2-phenylbenzopyranone core structure. They are classified as flavones, isoflavones, flavonols, anthocyanidins, flavanones, flavanols, chalcones, and aurones. Within the various classes, further differentiation is possible based on the number and nature of substituent groups attached to the rings; moreover, flavonoids can exist as free aglycones or conjugated glycosidic bonds. Flavonoids are present in almost all types of nourishment, and recent studies have focused on their biological, nutritional, pharmacological, and medicinal relevance. These kind of molecules as well as their analogues are of the utmost relevance due to their multiple applications. Considering the above, we invite researchers to publish their findings on the pharmacological applications of flavonoids as well as their analogs while highlighting the importance of using these molecules as a basis for the development of new drugs.

Dr. Fernando Calzada
Dr. Miguel Valdes
Guest Editors

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Keywords

natural products
polyphenols
flavonoids
medicinal chemistry
traditional medicine
flavonoids isolation
flavonoids identification
flavonoids pharmacology
flavonoids as prodrugs
in vivo, in vitro, and in silico studies
molecular modeling studies

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Published Papers (12 papers)

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13 pages, 4362 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Rutin Gel with Bone Graft Accelerates Bone Formation in a Rabbit Model by Inhibiting MMPs and Enhancing Collagen Activities

by Fahad F. Albaqami, Hassan N. Althurwi, Khalid M. Alharthy, Abubaker M. Hamad and Fatin A. Awartani

Pharmaceuticals 2023, 16(5), 774; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph16050774 - 22 May 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1971

Abstract

Bone graft techniques are used to compensate for bone loss in areas with deficient regeneration. However, matrix metalloproteases (MMPs) can limit bone formation by degrading extracellular matrices, which are required for bone regrowth. Noteworthily, rutin is a natural flavonoid compound that inhibits the genetic expression of various MMPs. Therefore, rutin may serve as an inexpensive and stable alternative to the growth factors used to accelerate dental bone graft healing. This study aimed to evaluate the potential of mixing rutin gel with allograft bone to accelerate the healing of bone defects in an in vivo rabbit model. Bone defects were surgically induced in New Zealand rabbits (n = 3 per group) and subsequently treated with bone grafts along with rutin or control gel. Overall, treatment with rutin significantly prevented the expression of several MMPs and increased type III collagen in the gingiva around the surgical site. Additionally, rutin-treated animals showed enhanced bone formation with higher bone marrow content in the jawbone defect area compared with the control group. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that rutin gel, when added to bone grafts, quickly enhances bone formation and may serve as a suitable alternative to expensive growth factors for the same purpose. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pharmacological Activities of Flavonoids and Its Analogues)

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17 pages, 2349 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Annona cherimola Miller and Its Flavonoids, an Important Source of Products for the Treatment of Diabetes Mellitus: In Vivo and In Silico Evaluations

by Fernando Calzada, Miguel Valdes, Jesús Martínez-Solís, Claudia Velázquez and Elizabeth Barbosa

Pharmaceuticals 2023, 16(5), 724; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph16050724 - 10 May 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1810

Abstract

The antihyperglycemic activity of ethanolic extract from Annona cherimola Miller (EEAch) and its products were evaluated using in vivo and in silico assays. An α-glucosidase inhibition was evaluated with oral sucrose tolerance tests (OSTT) and molecular docking studies using acarbose as the control. SGLT1 inhibition was evaluated with an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and molecular docking studies using canagliflozin as the control. Among all products tested, EEAc, the aqueous residual fraction (AcRFr), rutin, and myricetin reduced the hyperglycemia in DM2 mice. During the carbohydrate tolerance tests, all the treatments reduced the postprandial peak such as the control drugs. In the molecular docking studies, rutin showed more affinity in inhibiting α-glucosidase enzymes and myricetin in inhibiting the SGLT1 cotransporter, showing ∆G values of −6.03 and −3.32 kcal/mol⁻¹, respectively, in α-glucosidase enzymes. In the case of the SGLT1 cotransporter, molecular docking showed ∆G values of 22.82 and −7.89 in rutin and myricetin, respectively. This research sorts in vivo and in silico pharmacological studies regarding the use of A. cherimola leaves as a source for the development of new potential antidiabetic agents for T2D control, such as flavonoids rutin and myricetin. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pharmacological Activities of Flavonoids and Its Analogues)

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20 pages, 6268 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Hesperidin Mitigates Cyclophosphamide-Induced Testicular Dysfunction via Altering the Hypothalamic Pituitary Gonadal Axis and Testicular Steroidogenesis, Inflammation, and Apoptosis in Male Rats

by Tarek Khamis, Abdelmonem Awad Hegazy, Samaa Salah Abd El-Fatah, Eman Ramadan Abdelfattah, Marwa Mohamed Mahmoud Abdelfattah, Liana Mihaela Fericean and Ahmed Hamed Arisha

Pharmaceuticals 2023, 16(2), 301; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph16020301 - 15 Feb 2023

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3500

Abstract

Cyclophosphamide (CP) is a cytotoxic, cell cycle, non-specific, and antiproliferative drug. This study aimed to address the toxic effects of CP on male fertility and the possible ameliorative role of hesperidin (HSP). Thirty-two adult albino rats were randomly divided into four groups, namely, the negative control, HSP, CP-treated, and CP+HSP-treated groups. The CP-treated rats showed a significant reduction in the levels of serum LH, FSH, testosterone, prolactin, testicular glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) with an elevation in levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), and p53, and iNOS immune expression, compared to the control group. A significant downregulation in hypothalamic KISS-1, KISS-1r, and GnRH, hypophyseal GnRHr, and testicular mRNA expression of steroidogenesis enzymes, PGC-1α, PPAR-1, IL10, and GLP-1, as well as a significant upregulation in testicular mRNA of P53 and IL1β mRNA expression, were detected in the CP-treated group in comparison to that in the control group. The administration of HSP in CP-treated rats significantly improved the levels of serum LH, FSH, testosterone, prolactin, testicular GPx, and TAC, with a reduction in levels of MDA, and p53, and iNOS immune expression compared to the CP-treated group. A significant upregulation in hypophyseal GnRHr, and testicular mRNA expression of CYP19A1 enzymes, PPAR-1, IL10, and GLP-1, as well as a significant downregulation in testicular mRNA of P53 and IL1β mRNA expression, were detected in the CP+HSP-treated group in comparison to that in the CP-treated group. In conclusion, HSP could be a potential auxiliary agent for protection from the development of male infertility. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pharmacological Activities of Flavonoids and Its Analogues)

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23 pages, 6729 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Phytofabrication and Characterisation of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Using Pure Curcumin

by Batoul Alallam, Abd Almonem Doolaanea, Mulham Alfatama and Vuanghao Lim

Pharmaceuticals 2023, 16(2), 269; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph16020269 - 10 Feb 2023

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3539

Abstract

Zinc oxide and curcumin, on their own and in combination, have the potential as alternatives to conventional anticancer drugs. In this work, zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) were prepared by an eco-friendly method using pure curcumin, and their physicochemical properties were characterised. ATR-FTIR spectra confirmed the role of curcumin in synthesising zinc oxide curcumin nanoparticles (Green-ZnO-NPs). These nanoparticles exhibited a hexagonal wurtzite structure with a size and zeta potential of 27.61 ± 5.18 nm and −16.90 ± 0.26 mV, respectively. Green-ZnO-NPs showed good activity towards studied bacterial strains, including Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. The minimum inhibitory concentration of Green-ZnO-NPs was consistently larger than that of chemically synthesised ZnO NPs (Std-ZnO-NPs) or mere curcumin, advocating an additive effect between the zinc oxide and curcumin. Green-ZnO-NPs demonstrated an efficient inhibitory effect towards MCF-7 cells with IC₅₀ (20.53 ± 5.12 μg/mL) that was significantly lower compared to that of Std-ZnO-NPs (27.08 ± 0.91 μg/mL) after 48 h of treatment. When Green-ZnO-NPs were tested against Artemia larvae, a minimised cytotoxic effect was observed, with LC₅₀ being almost three times lower compared to that of Std-ZnO-NPs (11.96 ± 1.89 μg/mL and 34.60 ± 9.45 μg/mL, respectively). This demonstrates that Green-ZnO-NPs can be a potent, additively enhanced combination delivery/therapeutic agent with the potential for anticancer therapy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pharmacological Activities of Flavonoids and Its Analogues)

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17 pages, 1849 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Antihyperglycemic Effects of Annona cherimola Miller and the Flavonoid Rutin in Combination with Oral Antidiabetic Drugs on Streptozocin-Induced Diabetic Mice

by Miguel Valdes, Fernando Calzada, Jesús Martínez-Solís and Julita Martínez-Rodríguez

Pharmaceuticals 2023, 16(1), 112; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph16010112 - 12 Jan 2023

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2651

Abstract

Ethanolic extract obtained from Annona cherimola Miller (EEAc) and the flavonoid rutin (Rut) were evaluated in this study to determine their antihyperglycemic content, % HbA1c reduction, and antihyperlipidemic activities. Both treatments were evaluated separately and in combination with the oral antidiabetic drugs (OADs) acarbose (Aca), metformin (Met), glibenclamide (Gli), and canagliflozin (Cana) in acute and subchronic assays. The evaluation of the acute assay showed that EEAc and Rut administered separately significantly reduce hyperglycemia in a manner similar to OADs and help to reduce % HbA1c and hyperlipidemia in the subchronic assay. The combination of EEAc + Met showed the best activity by reducing the hyperglycemia content, % HbA1c, Chol, HDL-c, and LDL-c. Rutin in combination with OADs used in all treatments significantly reduced the hyperglycemia content that is reflected in the reduction in % HbA1c. In relation to the lipid profiles, all combinate treatments helped to avoid an increase in the measured parameters. The results show the importance of evaluating the activity of herbal remedies in combination with drugs to determine their activities and possible side effects. Moreover, the combination of rutin with antidiabetic drugs presented considerable activity, and this is the first step for the development of novel DM treatments. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pharmacological Activities of Flavonoids and Its Analogues)

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14 pages, 9983 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Mechanism of Isoorientin-Induced Apoptosis and Migration Inhibition in Gastric Cancer AGS Cells

by Tong Zhang, Yun-Hong Xiu, Hui Xue, Yan-Nan Li, Jing-Long Cao, Wen-Shuang Hou, Jian Liu, Yu-He Cui, Ting Xu, Ying Wang and Cheng-Hao Jin

Pharmaceuticals 2022, 15(12), 1541; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph15121541 - 12 Dec 2022

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 1887

Abstract

Isoorientin (ISO) is a flavonoid compound containing a luteolin structure, which can induce autophagy in some tumor cells. This study investigated the impact of ISO in gastric cancer AGS cells, and performed an experimental analysis on the main signaling pathways and transduction pathways it regulates. CCK–8 assay results showed that ISO reduced the survival rate of gastric cancer AGS cells, but the toxicity to normal cells was minimal. Hoechst 33342/PI double staining assay results showed that ISO induced apoptosis in gastric cancer AGS cells. Further analysis by flow cytometry and Western blot showed that ISO induced apoptosis via a mitochondria-dependent pathway. In addition, the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in gastric cancer AGS cells also increased with the extension of the ISO treatment time. However, cell apoptosis was inhibited by preconditioning cells with N–acetylcysteine (NAC). Moreover, ISO arrested the cell cycle at the G2/M phase by increasing intracellular ROS levels. Cell migration assay results showed that ISO inhibited cell migration by inhibiting the expression of p–AKT, p–GSK–3β, and β–catenin and was also related to the accumulation of ROS. These results suggest that ISO-induced cell apoptosis by ROS–mediated MAPK/STAT3/NF–κB signaling pathways inhibited cell migration by regulating the AKT/GSK–3β/β–catenin signaling pathway in gastric cancer AGS cells. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pharmacological Activities of Flavonoids and Its Analogues)

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14 pages, 1267 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Antimicrobial Quantitative Relationship and Mechanism of Plant Flavonoids to Gram-Positive Bacteria

by Ganjun Yuan, Xuexue Xia, Yingying Guan, Houqin Yi, Shan Lai, Yifei Sun and Seng Cao

Pharmaceuticals 2022, 15(10), 1190; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph15101190 - 27 Sep 2022

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2505

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a serious threat to human health, and new antimicrobial agents are desperately needed. Plant flavonoids are increasingly being paid attention to for their antibacterial activities, for the enhancing of the antibacterial activity of antimicrobials, and for the reversing of AMR. To obtain more scientific and reliable equations, another two regression equations, between the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) (y) and the lipophilicity parameter ACD/LogP or LogD_7.40 (x), were established once again, based on the reported data. Using statistical methods, the best one of the four regression equations, including the two previously reported, with regard to the antimicrobial quantitative relationship of plant flavonoids to Gram-positive bacteria, is y = −0.1285 x⁶ + 0.7944 x⁵ + 51.785 x⁴ − 947.64 x³ + 6638.7 x² − 21,273 x + 26,087; here, x is the LogP value. From this equation, the MICs of most plant flavonoids to Gram-positive bacteria can be calculated, and the minimum MIC was predicted as approximately 0.9644 μM and was probably from 0.24 to 0.96 μM. This more reliable equation further proved that the lipophilicity is a key factor of plant flavonoids against Gram-positive bacteria; this was further confirmed by the more intuitive evidence subsequently provided. Based on the antibacterial mechanism proposed in our previous work, these also confirmed the antibacterial mechanism: the cell membrane is the major site of plant flavonoids acting on the Gram-positive bacteria, and this involves the damage of the phospholipid bilayers. The above will greatly accelerate the discovery and application of plant flavonoids with remarkable antibacterial activity and the thorough research on their antimicrobial mechanism. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pharmacological Activities of Flavonoids and Its Analogues)

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15 pages, 3574 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Molecular Targets of Pinocembrin Underlying Its Regenerative Activities in Human Keratinocytes

by Jirapak Ruttanapattanakul, Nitwara Wikan, Saranyapin Potikanond and Wutigri Nimlamool

Pharmaceuticals 2022, 15(8), 954; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph15080954 - 31 Jul 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2331

Abstract

Pinocembrin is one of the well-known compounds in the group of flavonoids. The pharmacological activities of pinocembrin in association with wound-healing activities have been reported. However, its effects on the aspect of cellular interaction underlying growth and survival are still unidentified in human keratinocytes. Our previous study reported that Boesenbergia rotunda potently stimulated survival and proliferation of a human keratinocyte cell line (HaCaT). On the basis that pinocembrin is revealed to be one of the major constituents of this plant, we aimed to define the survival- and proliferation-enhancing effects of this compound at the cellular level. Results from the current study confirmed that pinocembrin induced an increase in HaCaT cell number. At the signaling perspective, we identified that pinocembrin significantly triggered ERK1/2 and Akt activation. The stimulating effects of pinocembrin were clearly inhibited by MEK and PI3K inhibitors authenticating that proliferation- and survival-promoting activities of pinocembrin were mainly acted on these two signaling cascades. Altogether, we successfully identified that pinocembrin functions to induce keratinocyte proliferation and survival, at least by provoking MAPK and PI3K pathways. Our study encourages the fact that pinocembrin is one of the interesting natural flavonoid compounds to be developed as a wound closure-promoting agent. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pharmacological Activities of Flavonoids and Its Analogues)

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24 pages, 2929 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Phenolic Secondary Metabolites and Antiradical and Antibacterial Activities of Different Extracts of Usnea barbata (L.) Weber ex F.H.Wigg from Călimani Mountains, Romania

by Violeta Popovici, Laura Bucur, Cerasela Elena Gîrd, Antoanela Popescu, Elena Matei, Georgeta Camelia Cozaru, Verginica Schröder, Emma Adriana Ozon, Ancuța Cătălina Fița, Dumitru Lupuliasa, Mariana Aschie, Aureliana Caraiane, Mihaela Botnarciuc and Victoria Badea

Pharmaceuticals 2022, 15(7), 829; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph15070829 - 4 Jul 2022

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 3747

Abstract

Phenolic compounds represent an essential bioactive metabolites group with numerous pharmaceutical applications. Our study aims to identify and quantify phenolic constituents of various liquid and dry extracts of Usnea barbata (L.) Weber ex F.H. Wigg (U. barbata) from Calimani Mountains, Romania, and investigate their bioactivities. The extracts in acetone, 96% ethanol, and water with the same dried lichen/solvent ratio (w/v) were obtained through two conventional techniques: maceration (mUBA, mUBE, and mUBW) and Soxhlet extraction (dUBA, dUBE, and dUBW). High-performance liquid chromatography with diode-array detection (HPLC-DAD) was performed for usnic acid (UA) and different polyphenols quantification. Then, the total phenolic content (TPC) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free-radical scavenging activity (AA) were determined through spectrophotometric methods. Using the disc diffusion method (DDM), the antibacterial activity was evaluated against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria known for their pathogenicity: Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923), Streptococcus pneumoniae (ATCC 49619), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853), and Klebsiella pneumoniae (ATCC 13883). All extracts contain phenolic compounds expressed as TPC values. Five lichen extracts display various UA contents; this significant metabolite was not detected in dUBW. Six polyphenols from the standards mixture were quantified only in ethanol and water extracts; mUBE has all individual polyphenols, while dUBE shows only two. Three polyphenols were detected in mUBW, but none was found in dUBW. All U. barbata extracts had antiradical activity; however, only ethanol and acetone extracts proved inhibitory activity against P. aeruginosa, S. pneumoniae, and S. aureus. In contrast, K. pneumoniae was strongly resistant (IZD = 0). Data analysis evidenced a high positive correlation between the phenolic constituents and bioactivities of each U. barbata extract. Associating these extracts’ properties with both conventional techniques used for their preparation revealed the extraction conditions’ significant influence on lichen extracts metabolites profiling, with a powerful impact on their pharmacological potential. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pharmacological Activities of Flavonoids and Its Analogues)

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21 pages, 10418 KiB

Open AccessReview

Anticancer Potential of Flavonoids: An Overview with an Emphasis on Tangeretin

by Francisco Canindé Ferreira de Luna, Wallax Augusto Silva Ferreira, Samir Mansour Moraes Casseb and Edivaldo Herculano Correa de Oliveira

Pharmaceuticals 2023, 16(9), 1229; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph16091229 - 30 Aug 2023

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 4268

Abstract

Natural compounds with pharmacological activity, flavonoids have been the subject of an exponential increase in studies in the field of scientific research focused on therapeutic purposes due to their bioactive properties, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-aging, antibacterial, antiviral, neuroprotective, radioprotective, and antitumor activities. The biological potential of flavonoids, added to their bioavailability, cost-effectiveness, and minimal side effects, direct them as promising cytotoxic anticancer compounds in the optimization of therapies and the search for new drugs in the treatment of cancer, since some extensively antineoplastic therapeutic approaches have become less effective due to tumor resistance to drugs commonly used in chemotherapy. In this review, we emphasize the antitumor properties of tangeretin, a flavonoid found in citrus fruits that has shown activity against some hallmarks of cancer in several types of cancerous cell lines, such as antiproliferative, apoptotic, anti-inflammatory, anti-metastatic, anti-angiogenic, antioxidant, regulatory expression of tumor-suppressor genes, and epigenetic modulation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pharmacological Activities of Flavonoids and Its Analogues)

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23 pages, 4973 KiB

Open AccessReview

Research Progress of Flavonoids Regulating Endothelial Function

by Hao Li and Qi Zhang

Pharmaceuticals 2023, 16(9), 1201; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph16091201 - 23 Aug 2023

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 2399

Abstract

The endothelium, as the guardian of vascular homeostasis, is closely related to the occurrence and development of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). As an early marker of the development of a series of vascular diseases, endothelial dysfunction is often accompanied by oxidative stress and inflammatory response. Natural flavonoids in fruits, vegetables, and Chinese herbal medicines have been shown to induce and regulate endothelial cells and exert anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative stress, and anti-aging effects in a large number of in vitro models and in vivo experiments so as to achieve the prevention and improvement of cardiovascular disease. Focusing on endothelial mediation, this paper introduces the signaling pathways involved in the improvement of endothelial dysfunction by common dietary and flavonoids in traditional Chinese medicine and describes them based on their metabolism in the human body and their relationship with the intestinal flora. The aim of this paper is to demonstrate the broad pharmacological activity and target development potential of flavonoids as food supplements and drug components in regulating endothelial function and thus in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. This paper also introduces the application of some new nanoparticle carriers in order to improve their bioavailability in the human body and play a broader role in vascular protection. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pharmacological Activities of Flavonoids and Its Analogues)

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15 pages, 4078 KiB

Open AccessReview

Quercetin in the Prevention and Treatment of Coronavirus Infections: A Focus on SARS-CoV-2

by Amin Gasmi, Pavan Kumar Mujawdiya, Roman Lysiuk, Mariia Shanaida, Massimiliano Peana, Asma Gasmi Benahmed, Nataliya Beley, Nadiia Kovalska and Geir Bjørklund

Pharmaceuticals 2022, 15(9), 1049; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph15091049 - 25 Aug 2022

Cited by 56 | Viewed by 11060

Abstract

The COVID-19 outbreak seems to be the most dangerous challenge of the third millennium due to its highly contagious nature. Amongst natural molecules for COVID-19 treatment, the flavonoid molecule quercetin (QR) is currently considered one of the most promising. QR is an active agent against SARS and MERS due to its antimicrobial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and some other beneficial effects. QR may hold therapeutic potential against SARS-CoV-2 due to its inhibitory effects on several stages of the viral life cycle. In fact, QR inhibits viral entry, absorption, and penetration in the SARS-CoV virus, which might be at least partly explained by the ability of QR and its derivatives to inhibit 3-chymotrypsin-like protease (3CLpro) and papain-like protease (PLpro). QR is a potent immunomodulatory molecule due to its direct modulatory effects on several immune cells, cytokines, and other immune molecules. QR-based nanopreparations possess enhanced bioavailability and solubility in water. In this review, we discuss the prospects for the application of QR as a preventive and treatment agent for COVID-19. Given the multifactorial beneficial action of QR, it can be considered a very valid drug as a preventative, mitigating, and therapeutic agent of COVID-19 infection, especially in synergism with zinc, vitamins C, D, and E, and other polyphenols. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pharmacological Activities of Flavonoids and Its Analogues)

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