Flavonoids - A Review on Natural Antioxidants

Abstract

As a result of the modern lifestyle, which includes processed foods, exposure to a large number of toxins and a lack of exercise oxidative stress is induced, due to which free radical production happens continually in all cells as part of normal cellular activity. Excess free radical generation, which can come from a variety of endogenous or exogenous sources, is thought to have a role in the ageing process and the development of illnesses. High levels of reactive oxygen species, on the other hand, destroy lipids, proteins, and DNA by blocking, scavenging, or accelerating their breakdown. Consumer concerns about the safety of their health have prompted the food sector to look for natural alternatives to manufactured equivalents. So now antioxidant capabilities of medicinal plants are being utilised for their capacity to treat or prevent a variety of human illnesses, one of which appears to be oxidative stress. Flavonoids are a class of polyphenol secondary metabolite which serves as a natural antioxidant and is present in a variety of plants and diets. Antiviral, anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective, anti-diabetic, anti-cancer, anti-aging, and other bioactive qualities are known to exist in them. Flavonoids are the topic of this review, including their varieties and sources, structural characteristics, and therapeutic implications.