Multi-therapeutic potential of flavonoids as an essential component in nutraceuticals for the treatment and management of human diseases

Abstract

Background: Diseases are one of the factors affecting human and national development in all its ramifications. Some of the diseases that affect humans are usually difficult to manage or treat using conventional medications. Fortunately, nature provides man with many plants endowed with medicinal properties. The medicinal properties of plants are due to the presence of active metabolites, including flavonoids, that have been shown to have multi-therapeutic properties. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to provide information on the multi-therapeutic potencies of flavonoids against diseases. Methods: Information within the scope of this study was sourced from scientific databases such as Google Scholar, African Journals Online, Scopus, MEDLINE, and PubMed, as well as non-indexed literature. Results: The biological function of flavonoids against 27 distinct medical conditions—both communicable and non-communicable—was documented. The way flavonoids work against 10 different cancer types, 4 neglected tropical diseases and 14 health conditions was clarified. Flavonoids were also shown to have hepatoprotective and antioxidant properties. Conclusion: Based on the findings, flavonoids have therapeutic use in the treatment and/or management of a wide range of illnesses, such as asthma, cancer, dementia, diabetes, glaucoma, hepatitis, malaria, and several other conditions. Information provided in this paper could help direct future research on the use of flavonoids to treat two or more diseases affecting an individual.

Keywords

• Diseases
• Flavonoids
• Health
• Nutraceuticals
• Phytochemical
• Therapeutics