Flavanone

Flavanones represent a significant subclass of flavonoids, defined chemically by a saturated C-ring and the absence of a double bond between positions 2 and 3 of the flavan skeleton [10, 15]. They are abundant in citrus fruits, such as oranges and grapefruits, and serve as important dietary phytochemicals with diverse biological activities [2, 3]. Although Flavanones are a class of small molecules rather than a specific therapeutic protein target like a receptor or enzyme, they are of high interest in drug discovery due to their ability to modulate various biological systems [1, 5]. Their primary mechanisms of action include the scavenging of reactive oxygen species and the modulation of key signaling kinases and transcription factors, such as NF-κB, MAPK, and Nrf2 [10, 14, 15]. These interactions contribute to their well-documented anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and potential anti-cancer properties [3, 12, 17]. Clinically, specific flavanones like naringenin and hesperetin are being extensively explored for their roles in managing cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, and neurodegenerative conditions [2, 3, 10]. However, their development as therapeutics is challenged by low oral bioavailability and significant interactions with drug-metabolizing enzymes like Cytochrome P450 and efflux transporters like P-glycoprotein, which can lead to complex drug-drug interactions [10, 16, 18, 19].

Other names

Dihydroflavones2,3-dihydro-2-phenylchromen-4-oneFlavan-4-onesCitrus flavonoids

Scavenging of reactive oxygen species (ROS), inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokines, modulation of MAPK and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways, and interaction with nuclear receptors such as ER, LXR, and FXR [10, 13, 14].