Antiinflammatory Activity of Naturally Occurring Flavone and Flavonol Glycosides

Our previous report demonstrated that certain flavonoid aglycones such as apigenin (flavone), quercetin, morin (flavonols), and biochanin A (isoflavone) showed in vivo antiinflammatory activity via topical and oral routes of adminstation. As a continual study, the various flavonoid glycosides have been evaluated in mouse ear edema assay using archidonic acid or croton-oil as a inflammagen. Flavonoids were orally administered (2 mg/mouse) and ear edema inhibition was measured. Significant antiinflammatory activities were found esepcially in flavone and flavonol glycosides (15-29% inhibition) although the flavonoid derivatives tested showed less antiinflammatory activity than hydrocortisone or indomethacin. Chalcone and flavanone derivatives were not significantly active. And in general, flavonol glycosides of kaempferol-type were found to have a higher oral antiinflammatory activity than that of flavonol glycosides of quercetin-type in mice.