Antioxidant and prooxidant properties of flavonoids

The interest in possible health benefits of flavonoids has increased owing to their potent antioxidant and free radical scavenging activities observed in vitro. Nevertheless, the antioxidant efficacy of flavonoids in vivo is less documented and their prooxidant properties have been actually described in vivo. Due to their prooxidant properties, they are able to cause oxidative damage by reacting with various biomolecules, such as lipids, proteins and DNA. Hence, the aim of this review is to discuss both the antioxidant and prooxidant effects of flavonoids.

Graphical AbstractFlavonoids are one of the many molecules that are used by cells for the protection against the harmful effects of reactive oxygen species. Nevertheless, the antioxidant efficacy of flavonoids in vivo is less documented and their prooxidant properties have been actually described in vivo.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide