Flavonoids: a natural remedy in the prevention and management of diverse diseases

Abstract

Background: Flavonoids, which fall into the polyphenol family as secondary metabolites, can be widely found in traditional Chinese herbal medicines. Owing to their multi-target characteristics, low toxicity levels, and diverse sources, flavonoids have penetrated into assorted fields of contemporary medicine. Subjects and methods: We conducted a systematic search using databases including PubMed, ScienceDirect, Springer, Wiley, and Web of Science. The search employed keywords such as “flavonoids,” “heart,” “liver,” “lung,” “kidney,” “brain,” and “skin.” Studies on the therapeutic actions of diverse flavonoid compounds on diseases published between 2000 and 2025 were summarized and included in this review. Studies involving repeated flavonoid components that were published earlier, had poor relevance, or with unclear mechanisms of action were excluded. A total of 174 articles were finally selected. Results: The applications of flavonoids in addressing various health issues affecting the digestive, respiratory, integumentary, reproductive, endocrine, urinary, circulatory, and nervous systems highlights their significant role in systemic disease management. Conclusion: The application of traditional Chinese medicine has evolved from simple processing of raw medicinal materials to modern extraction and purification of active ingredients. Although aiming for precise therapeutic effects, acid/alkaline reagents or specialized technologies may disrupt the original structural integrity of these components. Combining the traditional theoretical essence with modern scientific techniques, we found that baicalin exists predominantly in the form of magnesium salt in Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi. This finding is expected to provide a reference for the development and utilization of effective components in traditional Chinese medicine.