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Biochemical effects of flavonoids

Biochemische Wirkungen der Flavonoide

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Zusammenfassung

Die Flavonoide gehoren zu einer Klasse von Substanzen, die in allen photosynthetisierenden Pflanzen and Mikroorganismen gefunden werden. Sie sind deshalb in vielen Lebensmitteln, Getränken, Gewürzen und naturlichen Drogen vorhanden. Obwohl die Struktur and chemischen Eigenschaften der Flavonoide seit langem bekannt sind, war ihr ernährungsphysiologischer and medizinischer Wert sowie ihre Bedeutung für den Geschmack, den Duft und die Farbe der Produkte, in denen sie zu finden waren, bislang unbekannt oder zumindest kontrovers. In der letzten Zeit sind aber viele Artikel über spezifische biochemische Wirkungen von isolierten Flavonoiden erschienen. Deshalb wird es jetzt möglich sein, viele Berichte über therapeutische Wirkungen von flavonoidhaltigem Material, wie Pollen, Bienenkittharz (Propolis) und Honig, auf Krankheiten des Menschen zu beurteilen. In diesem übersichtsbericht werden die biochemischen Arbeiten über die Wirkungen von Flavonoiden zusammengefaßt und mögliche Mechanismen für ihre medizinischen Anwendungen diskutiert.

Summary

The flavonoids form a class of substances that are found in all photosynthesizing plants and micro-organisms. They are therefore present in many food products, beverages, spices, and natural drugs. Although the structure and chemical properties of the flavonoids have been known for a long time, their significance to the nutritional and medical value as well as to the flavor, fragrance, and color of the materials in which they are harbored has been unknown until recently or has at least been highly controversial. However, in the last few years a considerable number of articles on specific biochemical effects of isolated flavonoids have appeared. Therefore, it is now possible to evaluate many of the often conflicting reports on the therapeutic effect of flavonoid material, e.g., pollen, bees resin (propolis) and honey on a variety of human diseases. In this article the biochemical effects of the flavonoids are reviewed and possible mechanisms for their medical applications are discussed.

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  1. Institute of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Kiel, D-2300, Kiel, Germany

    Bent Havsteen

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  1. Bent Havsteen
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Havsteen, B. Biochemical effects of flavonoids. Z Lebensm Unters Forch 170, 36–41 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01113465

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01113465

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