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Global Translational Medicine

REVIEW ARTICLE
Effects of flavonoids on vascular activity

Sadettin Demirel * and Dursun Alper Yilmaz 2
1
1 Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Bursa Uludag University, Bursa, Bursa Province,
Türkiye
2 Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Agri Ibrahim Cecen University, Agri, Agri
Province, Türkiye

Abstract

Flavonoids, encompassing various polyphenolic compounds found in plants,
exert significant effects on vascular function. Particularly notable is their role in
inducing vasodilation, a process crucial for regulating blood pressure (BP) and
enhancing cardiovascular health. Through their vasodilatory properties, flavonoids
contribute to improved blood flow and endothelial function. In addition, flavonoids
demonstrate antiplatelet effects, which play a vital role in preventing abnormal blood
clot formation and reducing the risk of thrombotic events. By inhibiting platelet
aggregation, flavonoids help maintain vascular integrity and mitigate the likelihood
of cardiovascular complications. In addition to vasodilation and antiplatelet effects,
flavonoids exhibit potential benefits in managing hypertension. Studies suggest
that flavonoids can help regulate BP by promoting vasorelaxation and modulating
endothelial function. These mechanisms contribute to the overall maintenance of
cardiovascular homeostasis and may offer therapeutic avenues for hypertension
management. This review aims to comprehensively explore the multifaceted effects
of flavonoids on vascular function, with an emphasis on their vasodilatory properties,
antiplatelet effects, and potential implications for hypertension management within
*Corresponding author:
Sadettin Demirel the existing literature.
(sdemirel@uludag.edu.tr)
Citation: Demirel S, Yilmaz, DA. Keywords: Atherosclerosis; Flavonoid; Hypertension; Vascular functions
Effects of flavonoids on vascular
activity. Global Transl Med.
2024;3(2):2458.
doi: 10.36922/gtm.2458
Received: December 17, 2023 1. Introduction
Accepted: March 25, 2024 Flavonoids, a diverse family of approximately 5000 hydroxylated polyphenolic
compounds, play a pivotal role in plants by aiding in resistance to environmental
Published Online: June 19, 2024
challenges and regulating cell growth. These compounds belong to the category of plant
1
Copyright: © 2024 Author(s). secondary metabolites characterized by an aromatic ring with at least one hydroxyl
This is an Open-Access article
distributed under the terms of the group. The plant kingdom boasts over 8000 naturally occurring phenolic compounds, as
Creative Commons Attribution identified in previous studies. 1,2
License, permitting distribution,
and reproduction in any medium, The acetic acid and shikimic acid routes are used in the biosynthesis of these low
provided the original work is molecular weight polyphenolic chemicals. Flavonoids are synthesized when three
properly cited. malonyl-CoA units (C-2) and one p-coumaric acid unit (C-9) condense. Structurally,
Publisher’s Note: AccScience flavonoids are distinguished by a basic core (C6-C3-C6) consisting of two benzene
Publishing remains neutral with rings joined by a three-carbon unit, usually a pyrene ring containing oxygen. Some of
regard to jurisdictional claims in
published maps and institutional their structural characteristics include a 2-phenyl chromone skeleton with different
affiliations. substitution patterns in the A-ring (typically a phloroglucinol or resorcinol hydroxylation

Volume 3 Issue 2 (2024) 1 doi: 10.36922/gtm.2458