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Abstract: Flavonoids are well known as antibacterial agents against a wide range of pathogenic microor-
ganism. With increasing prevalence of untreatable infections induced by antibiotic resistance bacteria, fla-
vonoids have attracted much interest because of the potential to be substitutes for antibiotics. In this re-
view, the structure-relationship of flavonoids as antibacterial agents is summarized, and the recent advancements on the
antibacterial mechanisms of flavonoids are also discussed. It is concluded that hydroxyls at special sites on the aromatic
rings of flavonoids improve the activity. However, the methylation of the active hydroxyl groups generally decreases the
activity. Besides, the lipopholicity of the ring A is vital for the activity of chalcones. The hydrophobic substituents such as
prenyl groups, alkylamino chains, alkyl chains, and nitrogen or oxygen containing heterocyclic moieties usually enhance
the activity for all the flavonoids. The proposed antibacterial mechanisms of flavonoids are as follows: inhibition of nu-
cleic acid synthesis, inhibition of cytoplasmic membrane function, inhibition of energy metabolism, inhibition of the at-
tachment and biofilm formation, inhibition of the porin on the cell membrane, alteration of the membrane permeability,
and attenuation of the pathogenicity.
Keywords: Antibacterial activity, flavonoids, mechanism, structure-relationship.
#
Author’s Profile: Xiaoqing Chen is a professor at Central South University, China. She obtained a Ph.D. in applied chemistry
at Central South University in 2003. Her major areas of research expertise and interest are including asymmetric synthesis,
chiral separation, separation of natural products; analytical nanotechnology; polyphenols.
1. INTRODUCTION
Flavonoids are the primary class of polypehols with C6-
The emergence of drug-resistant bacteria has become the C3-C6 skeleton. There have been over 8000 known flavon-
major cause of failure in the treatment of infectious diseases oid molecules until now [14]. Most of them have shown
[1, 2]. It has been recently reported that 23,000 Americans multiple biological activities such as anti-oxidation, anti-
die of an untreatable bacterial infection due to antibiotic re- inflammation, anticancer and cardiovascular protection [15].
sistance each year, and 25,000 deaths for EU per year [3]. Flavonoids can be divided into several subclasses depending
Epidemiologic studies have revealed the elevating morbidity on their oxidative status and substituents. The skeletons of
and mortality rates of infectious diseases due to antibiotics six common flavonoid subclasses with antibacterial activity
resistance [4-6]. The inefficacy of currently available antibi- are shown in Fig. (1). The antibacterial activity of flavonoids
otics urges the searching for new type antibacterial agents can be exerted in three ways: directly kill the bacteria, syner-
against the drug-resistant bacteria. Since the pharmaceutical gistically activate the antibiotics, and attenuate the bacterial
development has historically relied on natural products to pathogenicity [16]. It is worth mentioning that the flavonoids
provide biological active compounds, screening for natural have shown inhibitory activity against the efflux pump of
antibacterial agents have been broadly studied, and even MRSA [17], and also restrained the synthesis of peptidogly-
become new leads for antibacterial drug discovery [7-9]. can and ribosome in the cells of amoxicillin-resistant Es-
Currently, a wide range of phytochemicals have proven to be cherichia coli (AREC) [18]. They have also shown inhibi-
potential antibacterial agents including terpenoids, essential tory activity against different kinds of β-lactamases produced
oils, alkoloids, lectins, polypeptides, phenolics, and poly- by bacteria which are the key enzymes that disable the com-
phenols [10, 11]. Among these compounds, phenolics and mon antibiotics [19-21]. The mechanisms for flavonoids as
polypenols have attracted many interests of researchers for antibacterial agents have been discussed in more detail by
their wide existence, low toxicity, and high activity against Cushnie et al. [16, 22].
drug-resistant bacteria such as methicillin-resistant Staphylo- The antibacterial activity of flavonoids depends on the
coccus aureus (MRSA) [12, 13]. structures, namely on the substitutions on the aromatic rings.
With the plant extract with antibacterial activities increas-
*Address correspondence to these authors at the College of Chemistry and ingly being found, more and more flavonoids have proven to
Chemical Engineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, P R be antibacterial agents, especially the ones with hydrophobic
China; Tel: +86 (731) 8830833; E-mail: xqchen@mail.csu.edu.cn and De- substituents such as prenyl groups [23-26]. Some studies
partment of Burns and Reconstruction Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central
south University, Changsha, 410008, P R China; Tel: +86 (731) 85295888;
have focused on the structure prerequisites for antibacterial
Fax: +86(731)533525; E-mail: renlicheng@sina.com activity of flavonoids, but no reviews have been systemati-
cally documented the developments on the antibacterial
B
O O
O
A C O
A * CH
R
B OH O
O O
Flavone, R=H
Flavonol, R=OH Isoflavone, * as " " Flavan-3-ols (catechin) Aorune
Dihydroisoflavone, * as " "
O
O
O
OH
* O
O O
R
O O
OH
Flavanone, R=H
Chalcone, * as " " R O
Flavanonol, or
Dihydrochalcone, * as " " Proanthocyanidin Bioflavonoid
(Dihydroflavonol), R=OH
OH
HO OH
OH OH OCH3
HO
O O
HO O HO H3CO O
OH O
O
OH O
O OH O
OH O
Corylifol C
Kuwanon C Morusin PF
OH
CH2R
ROCO O HO O R O N
( )n O
H3CO
N,N-Dimethyl amine
OH O OH O
OH O
R=Morpholinyl; R=-N(C2H5)2
R=-NH-C2H5 R=:
1. R=Ph H CN N N O N
2. R=-(3,4,5-trimethoxy)phenyl 3
R: N
3.R=(CH2)16CH3
NH
N-methyl piperazinyl Piperidinyl Morpholinyl
Pyrryl Cyclohexane amine
7-O-acyl derivatives of Oroxylin
R1 Apigenin analogs 7-O-alkylamino derivatives of chrysin
R4
Fig. (2). Chemical structures of hydrocarbonyl substituted flavones.
O
*
COOR
6'
3' C:
6 R2 A: B: OH
HO
HO
prenyl isoprenyl geranyl OH
HO O O
R
Antibacterial Activities of Flavonoids Current Medicinal Chemistry, 2015, Vol. 22, No. 1 135
3
D: E:
OH O
R5 O
lavandulyl lavandulyl in the limonene form
alkyl prunin esters:R=(CH2) 1-16CH3
F:
farnesyl
Flavanols đã được cho rằng là có một số tác dụng có lợi cho sức khỏe
bằng cách hoạt động như chất chống oxy hóa, chống ung thư, phòng
ngừa tim mạch, bảo vệ thần kinh, kháng khuẩn và chống vi-rút [56].
Catechin (flavan-3-ol) và các dẫn xuất của nó là các flavanol đơn phân
chủ yếu được nghiên cứu với hoạt tính sinh học rộng [57]. Catechin
được tìm thấy nhiều trong lá trà và được coi là thành phần chính đóng
vai trò kháng khuẩn của chiết xuất trà [58, 59]. Chất kháng khuẩn
*Flavanol: là một nhóm hợp chất gồm nhiều nhóm nhỏ khác nhau như:
flavan-3-ol, flavan-4-ol, flavan-3,4-diol. Nhưng do nhóm hợp chất
flavan-3-ol thường xuất hiện trong tự nhiên nhiều hơn cả nên thông
thường khi nói đến flavanol người ta thường nghĩ vè flavan-3-ol. Nổi
bật nhất trong các flavan-3-ol là catechin và các đồng phân của nó.
Antibacterial Activities of Flavonoids Current Medicinal Chemistry, 2015, Vol. 22, No. 1 137
OH
HO OH
HO OH
HO O
O O OCH3
HO O
OR1
O OH
O OH
OH O OR2
OH O
OH O OH
A:R =R =a
1 2
HO OR4
R2
H H O OCH3
HO O a: HO C C C
O O
R3 H O OH
R1 OH
b: HO C C C
OH O OH
H
c:
138 Current Medicinal Chemistry, 2015, Vol. 22, No. 1 Xie et al.
Kenusanone C:R1= geranyl, R2= prenyl, H3CO
OH O
H O
R3=OH,R4=CH3
Kushenol X :R1=R3=R4=H,R2= lavandulyl HO C C C Dihydrolanneaflavonol
H
Fig. (4). Antibacterial flavonols and dihydroflavonols.
Antibacterial Activities of Flavonoids Current Medicinal Chemistry, 2015, Vol. 22, No. 1 139
Các hoạt động kháng khuẩn của những loại trà khác nhau và Proanthocyanidins are oligomers and polymers of flavans
những polyphenol của chúng (flavanol) đã được Bansal cùng that are abundantly existed in the grape seed and berry fruits
đồng nghiệp (trong bài báo của ông) giới thiệu gần đây. ]. [64-66]. They have been reported to be effective antibacterial
Bài viết đã kết luận rằng hầu hết các catechin và theaflavin đều agents against both sensitive and multi-drug resistant strains
được chứng minh có khả năng chống lại các vi khuẩn gây bệnh [67, 68]. Proanthoxyanidins are divided into two types ac-
phổ biến như S. aureus, MRSA, E. coli và H. Pylori. Việc thêm cording to the linkage between the flavans: type A refers to
vào một chuỗi bên hydrophobic alkyl có thể làm tăng hoạt tính those where constituent flavanyl moieties are linked via only
kháng vi khuẩn của EGCG (Epigallocatechin gallate) do tăng one bond, while type B posses an second ether linkage to C
cường khả năng thẩm thấu qua màng tế bào. (2) of the terminal flavanyl unit (Fig. 5). Karioti et al. iso-
OH
OH R1
OH O
OH OH
HO OH
O
HO O 2 O 2 HO O
R1 R1 OH
OH
4 O 4 O R2
OH OH HO
7 7 R3 OH
OH OH OH
8 8
(+)-Catechin(C): R1=R2=H, R3=OH A:gallate
O OH O OH
(+)-Catechin-3-gallate(CG): R1=R2=H,R3=A
HO HO OH
(-)-Epicatechin(EC): R1=R3=H, R2=OH
* (-)-Epicatechin-3-gallate(ECG): R1=R3=H, R2=A
OH OH
HO HO (-)-Epigallocatechin(EGC): R1=R2=OH, R3=H
O OH (-)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate(EGCG): R1=OH, R3=H,R2=A
EPA: R1=OH,* = (+)-Gallocatechin(GC): R1=R3=OH, R2=H
HO
ProcyanidinA2: * = (+)-Gallocatechin-3-gallate(GCG): R1=OH, R2=H,R3=A
ProcyanidinA1:* = OH OH
HO
OR2 OH
Cinnamtannin B-1 Theaflavins:
OH OH OH T F1: R1=R2=H
HO O
OH T F2A: R1=H,R2=galloyl
OH OH
2
OH T F2B: R1=galloyl,R2=H
HO O
R1 HO
8
O HO O
TF3: R1=R2=galloyl
4 HO R5 OH
7 2
O A 3
7 OH
OH 4 OR1
O R3
OH 8 R2 R4 O
OH
OH R1 OH
O O HO
OH
HO
ProcyanidinB1: R1=(b-8)-(+)-catechin, R2=R3=R5=H,R4=OH
ProcyanidinB2: R1=(b-8)-(-)-epicatechin, R2=R3=R5=H,R4=OH 7-O 8
OH OH
HO ProcyanidinB3: R1=H,R2=(a-8)-(+)-catechin,R3 =OH,R4=R5=H Annular acyl
ProcyanidinB4: R1=H,R2=(a-8)-(-)-epicatechin,R3 =OH,R4=R5=H
Flavanol trimer:ixoratannin A-2 Epicgallocatechin-(4b-8)-catechin: R1=(b-8)-(-)-epicatechin, R2=R3=H,R4=R5=OH
Epicatechin-(4b-8)-gallocatechin: R1=(b-8)-(+)-gallocatechin, R2=R3=H,R4=R5=OH
Fig. (5). Structures of antibacterial flavanols.
Antibacterial Activities of Flavonoids Current Medicinal Chemistry, 2015, Vol. 22, No. 1 141
2.5. Chalcone
activity. Nevertheless, the methoxylation still shows to
Chalcones, extensively existed in edible plants, are usu- eliminate the activity. Besides, with 4' and 4 dihydroxyl
ally regarded as the open-chain flavonoids, in which the two groups and a substituent of cinnamoyl ester derivate,
aromatic rings are linked by a three-carbon a,β-unsaturated gemichalcone A has been found to be inactive for the activ-
carbonyl system [75]. They have exhibited various biological ity agaisnt both A. baumannii and E. coli[29]. In addition to
activities and been demonstrated to be the compounds re- the alterations on the substitution pattern of the aromatic
sponsible for the antibacterial effects of some medicinal rings, some heterocyclic chalcone analogues were synthe-
plants [76-78]. Nowakowska has summed the anti-infective sized to evaluate their antibacterial activity against MSSA
activity of synthetic and naturally occurring chalcones, and and MRSA. According to the results, it is indicated that re-
discussed the structure requirements of effective antibacterial placement of aromatic ring B by heterocyclic ring containing
chalcones. It has been suggested that hydroxyl groups espe- nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur atoms dose not significantly en-
cially the one at 4' position are likely to induce and enhance hance the antibacterial activity [82]. More over, some
the activity, while the methoxyl group tends to reduce or bischalcone derivatives have also been synthesized and in-
eliminate the activity, and that the lipophilicity of ring A vestigated on their activity against E. coli, P. aeruginosa,
substituents plays important role in modulating the activity and C. albicans. The structure-activity relationship revealed
[79]. In the more recent review by Sahu, the necessary of that the compounds having free hydroxyls were more active
hydroxyl group at 4 position and the importance of lipophilic than those of the compounds having methoxy groups, and
substituents such as prenyl and hexyl groups in the molecular the presence of electron withdrawing groups like chloro in-
structure were inferred, and the presentation of electron- creased the activity [83]. For dihydrochalcones, it has been
attracting groups was also regarded as the positive factor for suggested before that reduction of the double bond exposed
antibacterial activity [80]. Based on the above two reviews, negative effect on the activity [84]. The recent studies have
the newest literatures were discussed here to make an update. showed that both the C-benzylated dihydrochalcone and the
At first, it has been demonstrated that 2',4'- dihydrochalcone dimer were found to be inactive for antibac-
dihydroxychalcone isolated from Muntingia calabura L. terial activity against M. tuberculosis [23]. The structures of
leaves showed antibacterial activity against methicillin- the referred antibacterial chalcones are shown in Fig. (6).
sensitive S. aureus (MSSA) and MRSA with MIC values of
50 and 100 mg mL-1, respectively [77]. The result may tes- 2.6. Aurone
tify the important role of hydroxyl group at 4' position.
However, in another study by Tran and coworkers, a total of Aurones are naturally existed in plants and responsible
30 chalcone analogues was synthesized and screened for for the bright yellow color of some important ornamental
their in vitro antibacterial activity against MSSA and MRSA, flowers [85]. Besides the roles as pigments, aurones exhibit
and only 4 chalcones showed activity [81]. Analyzing the various health beneficial characters such as antiviral, anti-
structure-activity relationships of the chalcons, it is interest- fungal, anticancer and antidiabetic activities [86, 87].
ing to see that chalcones with hydroxyl group at 2 or 4 posi- Aurones have two types of configurations (Z/E) due to the
tions at ring B show antibacterial activity, while the 2'- double bond geometry (Fig. 7). Ferreira et al. isolated a hep-
hydroxyl group at ring A actually is not necessary for the tasubstituted (E)-aurone glucoside (HAG) from Gomphrena
agrestis and found it was active against 5 strains among 22
5 OH OCH3
4
B B
HO 5' 3 HO B
b HO R1
b 2
A 2 A b
a a A
3' R a
R2
OH O OH O O
OH O
R= O
2',4'-dihydroxychalcone
HO
HO OH OCH3 R1=OH
Ar Ar R2=
Gemichalcone A OH
C-benzylated dihydrochalcone
O O
Ar: 2-Furyl O OH
N B
Ar O O Ar R1=OCH3
R R2=
O
HO OH
O
O O
H3CO
Ar: 4-Chlorophenyl S
R1 R2
R2 HO H
R3
O
O
R4
R3 R1
H
OH O
O R5
Z E
1. R1= R2= R3= OCH3
HAG: R2= R5=OH, R2= R3=OCH3,
2. R1= R3= H, R2= R =gulcopranosyl Dunaurone: R = R =H, R =
4 1 2 3
N(CH3)2 R5=OH, R4=rutinosyl Dunaurone alycone: R1=
3. R1= H, R2=R3= OH
R2=H, R3= R5=R4=OH
Fig. (7). Structures of antibacterial aurones.
R3 HO O HO O HO O
R1O O OH OH
OH OH
A C OH
R4
R2 OH O
B OH O OH O
OCH 3 OCH3
OH O OCH3
OH
Genistein derivates:
Lupalbigenin:R1=R3=H, R2=R4=prenyl
Gancaonin G:R1=CH3, R2=prenyl, R3=R4=H
6,8-diprenylgenistein:R1=R4=H, R2=R3=prenyl Erylatissin A Erythrabissin-1 Erystagallin A
HO O
HO O HO O
OCH3
OH HO O
O
OH O OH
O OH O
OCH3
O
OH
OH
OH
HO O
O O
OH HO
OH
HO O HO O
OH O OH O
OH O
OH O
Amentoflavone 5,7,3',5'',7'',4'''-hexahydroxy (4'-O-3''')-biflavone
OH
O O
OH HO
O OH OH O
Remangiflavanones C
Table 2. Active antibacterial prenyl flavanones (A) and active geranyl and lavandulyl flavanones against S. aureus and MRSA (B).
Table 2A.
Table 2B.
S. aureus/4
14 - 3'-OCH3;5,7,4',5'-OH(S) [46]
6, MRSA/4~8
S. aureus/2
16 - 3',5'-OCH3;5,7,4'-OH(S) [46]
6, MRSA/4~8
S. aureus/2
17 - 5,7, 3',5'4'-OH(S) [46]
6, MRSA/2~4
S. aureus/8
18 - 3'-OCH3;5,7 ,4'-OH(S) [46]
6, MRSA/8~16
S. aureus/>64
19 - 3'-OCH3;5,7 ,4'-OH [46]
MRSA/≥64
6,
S. aureus/16
20 - 3'-OCH3;5,7 ,4'-OH(S) [46]
MRSA/16~64
6,
S. aureus/64
21 - 3'-OCH3;5,7 ,4'-OH(S) [46]
6, MRSA/8~64
6,
8,
(Table 3) contd….
CONCLUDING REMARK
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