Antimicrobials


University, US, recently tested the cytotoxicity of Flavobac – a flavonoid-based antimicrobial agent developed by Citrox Biosciences – against SARS-CoV-2.15


Flavobac was tested at various


concentrations – from 1 to 10 per cent – with all concentrations reducing viral titre below the limit of detection.15


These results are certainly


encouraging, and add to the weight of evidence for this formulation’s anti-pathogenic activity and clinical safety.


Conclusions Flavonoids show promise in future novel drug development and various other applications. This article has presented just some of the available data and potential uses. Flavonoids are already being used for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and are being explored as a sustainable source for natural food conservation.16


The benefits of flavonoids


are not only highlighted by their antimicrobial properties, but also their safety profile. CSJ


References 1. Panche AN, Diwan AD, Chandra SR. Flavonoids: an overview. J Nutr Sci. 2016;5:e47. doi:10.1017/ jns.2016.41


2. Solnier J, Fladerer JP. Flavonoids: A complementary approach to conventional therapy of COVID-19? [published online ahead of print, 2020 Sep 18]. Phytochem Rev. 2020;1- 23. doi:10.1007/s11101-020-09720-6


3. Manach C, Scalbert A, Morand C, Rémésy C, Jiménez L. Polyphenols: food sources and bioavailability. Am J Clin Nutr. 2004;79(5):727-747. doi:10.1093/ajcn/79.5.727


4. Cushnie TP, Lamb AJ. Antimicrobial activity of flavonoids [published correction appears in Int J Antimicrob Agents. 2006 Feb;27(2):181]. Int J Antimicrob Agents. 2005;26(5):343-356. doi:10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2005.09.002


5. Afolayan AJ, Meyer JJ. The antimicrobial


treatments: isoflavonoids from Cytisus striatus as antibiotic adjuvants against MRSA. Sci Rep 7, 3777 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017- 03716-7


11. Havsteen BH. The biochemistry and medical significance of the flavonoids. Pharmacol Ther. 2002;96(2-3):67-202. doi:10.1016/s0163- 7258(02)00298-x


12. Kourtesi C, Ball AR, Huang YY, et al. Microbial efflux systems and inhibitors: approaches to drug discovery and the challenge of clinical implementation. Open Microbiol J. 2013;7:34-52. doi:10.2174/1874285801307010034


activity of 3,5,7-trihydroxyflavone isolated from the shoots of Helichrysum aureonitens. J Ethnopharmacol. 1997;57(3):177-181. doi:10.1016/ s0378-8741(97)00065-2


6. Havsteen B. Flavonoids, a class of natural products of high pharmacological potency. Biochem Pharmacol. 1983;32(7):1141-1148. doi:10.1016/0006-2952(83)90262-9


7. Bylka W, Matlawska I, Pilewski NA. Natural flavonoids as antimicrobial agents. JANA 7. 2004;7(2):24-31. https://www.researchgate. net/publication/228800384_Natural_ flavonoids_as_antimicrobial_agents


8. Orhan DD, Özçelik B, Özgen S, Ergun F. Antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral activities of some flavonoids. Microbiological Research. 2010;165(6):496-504. https://doi.org/10.1016/j. micres.2009.09.002


9. Cafarchia C, De Laurentis N, Milillo MA, Losacco V, Puccini V. Antifungal activity of Apulia region propolis. Parassitologia. 1999;41(4):587-590. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10870567/


10. Abreu AC, Coqueiro A, Sultan AR et al. Looking to nature for a new concept in antimicrobial


13. Li BQ, Fu T, Yan YD, Baylor NW, Ruscetti FW, Kung HF. Inhibition of HIV infection by baicalin - a flavonoid compound purified from Chinese herbal medicine. Cell Mol Biol Res. 1993;39(2):119-124. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih. gov/7693133/


14. Alzaabi MM, Hamdy R, Ashmawy NS, et al. Flavonoids are promising safe therapy against COVID-19 [published online ahead of print, 2021 May 22]. Phytochem Rev. 2021;1-22. doi:10.1007/ s11101-021-09759-z


15. Institute for Antiviral research. Utah State University. Virucidal Assay against SARS-CoV-2. In press.


16. Ng K, Lyu X, Mark R, Chen WN. Antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of phenolic metabolites from flavonoid-producing yeast: Potential as natural food preservatives. Food chemistry. 2019;270:123-129. https://doi.org/10.1016/j. foodchem.2018.07.077 -


About the author


Richard Thomas is a creative, results-driven entrepreneur who has successfully launched and grown international businesses in the fields of medical technology and life sciences over the last 30 years. He joined Citrox as Managing Director in 2018 to help expand the company’s products and service offerings, as well as develop its vision and strategy. He has a BA (Hons) in Business Studies and is a Member of the UK Chartered Institute of Marketing.


62 www.clinicalservicesjournal.com I January 2024


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