Flavanones: bioavailability and role in modulation of oxidative stress and inflammation in cancer, type-2 diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases
摘要
Flavanones are flavonoids found mostly in fruits of the Citrus genus and herbs, including oregano. This group of flavonoids has been identified to have health benefits against inflammation and oxidative stress, two linked ailments related to serious non-communicable chronic diseases like cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. These phenolic compounds regulate inflammation and oxidative stress in different ways, including by regulating signaling pathways like the NF-κB and MAPKs, reducing the expression of pro-inflammatory molecules, and regulating oxidative stress by their antioxidant capacity. However, due to pH changes in the gastrointestinal environment, flavanones suffer structural changes by deprotonation, partial hydrolysis, and interaction with digestive enzymes, which reduces their bioaccessibility and bioavailability. Furthermore, as the bioactive properties of flavanones depend on their structure, the loss of –OH groups, xenobiotic metabolisms, and other factors can hinder their potential against cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes. Thus, strategies to protect this important group of compounds are rising.