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| 3. Stabilization of collagen. The base membrane that surrounds capillaries protects against tumor growth and invasion. Flavonoids, by strengthening this membrane, inhibit collagen breakdown, which can therefore inhibit tumor invasion and metastasis. |
| 4. Binding with laminin. Laminin is a glycoprotein in the extracellular matrix that regulates invasion. Laminin accumulates between invading cells and host tissue and can bind to tissue-type plasminogen activators and reduce tumor activation and tumor invasion. |
| 5. Anti-inflammatory, antiallergenic, and antioxidant. Flavonoids are perhaps the best inhibitors and scavengers of free radicals; they are also the best anti-inflammatory agents. By acting as anti-inflammatory agents, flavonoids regulate eicosanoid-mediated inflammation and reduce tumor-promoting prostaglandin E2. |
| 6. Inducing the production of transforming growth factor (TGF) beta-1. TGF beta-1 is a cytokeine that can regulate or down-regulate some growth factors, particularly in cancer promotion and initiation. |
| 7. Altering gene expression. Flavonoid mechanisms are capable of inhibiting genetic viral and chemically induced damage to cells. |
| 8. Inhibition of angiogenesis. Flavonoids inhibit the transfer of blood supply to the tumor through hyaluronidase inhibition. Hyaluronidase is an enzyme that takes part in the inflammation process; it triggers the release of mast cells and histamines. PCOs contain a group of flavonoids that inhibit this process. 96 |
| Anthocyanidins and Proanthocyanidins |
| These flavonoids give certain plants their dark purple and blue color, such as grapes, hawthorn, bilberry, and cherries. Their free-radical scavenging effects are twenty to fifty times greater than vitamins C or E. They also reinforce the natural cross-linking of collagen that forms the matrix of connective tissue, a very important function during any postsurgical healing. They are also anti-inflammatory, preventing the release and synthesis of compounds that promote inflammation, such as histamines, serine proteases, prostaglandins, and leukotrienes. |
| Oligomeric Proanthocyanidins (OPCs) |
| The bark of conifers is rich in flavonoids called OPCs, particularly the bark of the maritime pine, Pinus maritima. OPCs are also found in grape seeds. OPCs |
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