Antimicrobial Activity of Flavonoids in Propolis, Honey

Flavonoids Represent Novel Drug Development Leads Because of Antimicrobial Activity
Law & Health Weekly, 1/28/2006

"Flavonoids are ubiquitous in photosynthesising cells and are commonly found in fruit, vegetables, nuts, seeds, stems, flowers, tea, wine, propolis and honey," wrote T.P.T. Cushnie and colleagues, Robert Gordon University.

"For centuries, preparations containing these compounds as the principal physiologically active constituents have been used to treat human diseases," the scientists report in the International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents.

The authors explained, "Increasingly, this class of natural products is becoming the subject of anti-infective research, and many groups have isolated and identified the structures of flavonoids possessing antifungal, antiviral and antibacterial activity.

"Moreover, several groups have demonstrated synergy between active flavonoids as well as between flavonoids and existing chemotherapeutics."

They continued, "Reports of activity in the field of antibacterial flavonoid research are widely conflicting, probably owing to inter-and intra-assay variation in susceptibility testing. However, several high-quality investigations have examined the relationship between flavonoid structure and antibacterial activity and these are in close agreement.

"In addition, numerous research groups have sought to elucidate the antibacterial mechanisms of action of selected flavonoids. The activity of quercetin, for example, has been at least partially attributed to inhibition of DNA gyrase." . . .

Cushnie and colleagues published their study in International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents (Antimicrobial activity of flavonoids. Int J Antimicrob Agents, 2005;26(5):343-356).

For more information, contact A.J. Lamb, Robert Gordon University, School Pharmacy, School Hill, Aberdeen AB10 1FR, Scotland.

Publisher contact information for the International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents is: Elsevier Science BV, PO Box 211, 1000 AE Amsterdam, Netherlands.