Central Nervous System effects of natural and synthetic flavonoids.

H. VIOLA; M. MARDER,; C. WOLFMAN; C. WASOWSKI; J. H. MEDINA; A. C. PALADINI

Journal of the Argentine Chemical Society

Año: 1998 vol. 86 p. 229 - 236

0365-0375

Flavonoids are naturally occurring molecules present in the human diet. We demonstrate that some flavonoids possess central nervous system effects, acting through the central benzodiazepine receptors. The pharmacological characterization of chrysin (5,7-dihydroxyflavone) and apigenin (4',5,7-trihydroxyflavone), isolated from Passiflora coerulea and Matricaria recutita, respectively, showed their anxiolytic, but not myorelaxant or amnesic effects. Cirsiliol (3',4',5-trihydroxy-6,7-dimethoxyflavone), however, isolated from Salvia guaranitica, had sedative-depressant properties. We were able to increase the biochemical and pharmacological potency of the natural flavonoids by means of the addition of halo and/or nitro groups to their flavone nucleus. Some flavonoids are partial agonists of the benzodiazepine receptors and may become new therapeutic drugs, devoid of the unwanted side effects of classical benzodiazepines