Flavonoids

Marein shows neuroprotective effect on PC12 cell damage induced by methylglyoxal, which is due to a reduction of damage to mitochondria function and activation of the AMPK signal pathway, it may be a potent compound for preventing/counteracting diabetic encephalopathy. Marein can improve insulin resistance induced by high glucose in HepG2 cells through CaMKK/AMPK/GLUT1 to promote glucose uptake, through IRS/Akt/GSK-3β to increase glycogen synthesis, and through Akt/FoxO1 to decrease gluconeogenesis. Marein shows antioxidant activity, it shows Histone deacetylase enzymes (HDACs) inhibitory activity and it also can inhibit TNFα-induced NF-κB activation.

Brazilin, isolated from Caesalpinia sappan has been known as a natural red pigment, exhibits the inhibitory effect on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated NO production in a dose-dependent manner (IC50=24.3 microM), might be associated with the regulation of transcription factors NF-kappaB and AP-1; inducible isoform of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) plays an important role in inflammation and carcinogenesis, suggests that the suppressive effect of iNOS gene expression by brazilin might provide one possible mechanism for its anti-inflammatory and cancer chemopreventive activity.

<p>Cirsilineol, from Artemisia vestita, has immunosuppressive and anti-tumor effects, inducing apoptosis via mitochondria.</p>

Isovitexin, a food phytochemical contained in dietary rice products, it exhibits in vivo α-glucosidase inhibition, it possesses antihyperglycemic, neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant activities. Isovitexin inhibited xanthine oxidase with an IC50 value of 15.2 microM, it may protect cells from oxidative stress. It inhibited JNK, MAPK and NF-κB and activated HO-1/Nrf2 pathways.