Flavonoids have a wide range of applications due to their various biological activities and pharmacological effects. The following are some of the more widely used flavonoid compounds:
1. Soy Isoflavones
Soy isoflavones are a class of secondary metabolites formed during the growth of soybeans, which is a bioactive substance. It is extracted from plants, and estrogen has a similar structure, so soy isoflavones are also known as phytoestrogens. The estrogenic effect of soy isoflavones affects human hormone secretion, metabolic biological activity, protein synthesis, growth factor activity, and is a natural cancer chemopreventive agent. Soy isoflavones are widely used in the following areas:
Improvement of menstrual and menopausal discomforts: The estrogen-like effect of soy isoflavones can keep estrogen levels in women’s bodies in a balanced state and improve menstrual and menopausal discomforts.
Beauty, anti-aging: the estrogen-like effect of soy isoflavones can make women’s skin smooth, delicate, soft, elastic and youthful. By supplementing estrogen, women can activate the adipose tissue in the breasts, so that free fat can be attracted to the breasts directionally, thus achieving the effect of breast enlargement.
Prevention of osteoporosis: The estrogen-like effect of soy isoflavones can promote bone resorption, promote bone formation and prevent osteoporosis.
Prevention of cardiovascular disease: soy isoflavones can reduce cholesterol and prevent cardiovascular disease.
2. Anthocyanin
Anthocyanin is a kind of water-soluble natural pigment widely existed in plants in nature, which belongs to flavonoids. It has a wide range of applications, including but not limited to:
Food coloring: Anthocyanins, as a kind of natural pigment, can be used for food coloring, such as candy, beverage, pastry and so on.
Health care products: Anthocyanins have a variety of biological activities such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, etc., and can be used to develop health care products.
Cosmetics: Anthocyanins have whitening, anti-wrinkle, moisturizing and other effects, and can be used in the formulation of cosmetics.
3. Proanthocyanidins
Proanthocyanidin is a new type of efficient antioxidant, is the most effective free radical scavenger found so far, with very strong in vivo activity. Its application is mainly reflected in the following aspects:
Antioxidant: Proanthocyanidins can scavenge free radicals in the body and protect cells and tissues from oxidative damage.
Cardiovascular protection: Proanthocyanidins can reduce blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels and prevent cardiovascular diseases.
Protection of vision: Proanthocyanidins can promote the regeneration of retinal cells in the retina, can prevent severe myopia and retinal detachment, and can improve eyesight.
Beauty: Proanthocyanidins have astringent effect, can make the skin taut, reduce wrinkles and pigmentation, make the skin white and delicate.
4. Ginkgo biloba flavonoids
Ginkgo flavonoids are a class of flavonoids extracted from Ginkgo biloba, which have a variety of pharmacological effects, such as dilating blood vessels, lowering blood pressure and improving microcirculation. Its application areas include:
Pharmaceuticals: Ginkgo flavonoids can be used in the treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, respiratory system diseases and so on.
Health care products: Ginkgo flavonoids have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, improve immunity and other effects, can be used to develop health care products.
5. Other Flavonoid Compounds
In addition to the above flavonoid compounds, there are also flavonoid compounds such as quercetin, rutin, kaempferol, etc., which are also widely used in various fields. For example, quercetin has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor effects; rutin has the effect of lowering blood pressure and improving microcirculation; and kaempferol has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effects.