What are flavonoids and what are their effects?

When talking about beneficial compounds from cannabis, most people probably think of cannabinoids and terpenes. However, research from recent years indicates that flavonoids also play an important role. In this article, we will focus on where flavonoids can be found, how they can affect our health, and which flavonoids are typical of the cannabis plant.

What are flavonoids?

Division of flavonoids

• Flavones - e.g. apigenin, luteolin 
• Flavanones - e.g. hesperetin, eriodictyol and naringenin
• Flavonols - e.g. quercetin, kaempferol, rutin, resveratrol
• Isoflavonoids - e.g. genistein, daidzein
• Anthocyanins - e.g. delphinidin, peonidin
• Chalcones - e.g. flavocavin, butein

Effects of flavonoids

However, flavonoids are not only useful for plants and fruits, but also have a variety of beneficial effects for humans. Most commonly, flavonoids are associated with antioxidant effects (protection against free radicals), the ability to reduce inflammation and support the body's defences. But flavonoids can do much more, at least according to what some research suggests.

What are the other possible benefits of flavonoids?

• Improving blood vessel permeability
• preventing and helping to treat gout
• preventing neurodegeneration associated with Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease
• lowering blood pressure levels in patients with hypertension
• antibacterial effects
• anticarcinogenic properties (induction of apoptosis of cancer cells)

Flavonoids in cannabis

More than 20 flavonoids have been identified in Cannabis sativa. Specific to the cannabis plant is the canflavin class - these are flavonoids that are found nowhere else. Canflavins A, B and C are distinguished. 

Studies show that canflavins A and B could serve as a promising anti-inflammatory therapeutic agent, as they were about 30 times more effective than aspirin when tested in human rheumatoid cells. Canflavin C is also being investigated for its potential therapeutic benefits.

Canflavins and other flavonoids from the cannabis plant, as well as cannabinoids and terpenes, are involved in the so-called entourage effect - a theory that holds that active substances work better together than separately.

 

Conclusion

Flavonoids have not received much attention for a long time, but in recent years a number of studies have emerged describing their beneficial health effects and possible future clinical applications. For example, it appears that canflavins, flavonoids specific to the cannabis plant, could not only act as antioxidants but could also have the potential to reduce inflammation, pain or neurodegenerative processes in Alzheimer's patients.

The importance of flavonoids is also supported by a theory known as the entourage effect, which assumes that the benefits of cannabis on a range of ailments can be explained by the interaction between cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids. Computer models and cell culture and animal studies are promising, but clinical studies will be necessary to confirm the therapeutic effects in humans. 

Currently, intake of fruits, vegetables and beverages containing flavonoids is recommended, but recommendations on daily intake of flavonoids will have to wait. It is likely that research in the coming years will also reveal what ratios of cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids are beneficial for certain diseases.