Pharmacological Activities of Flavonoids (I) -Relationships of Chemical Structure of Flavonoids and their Inhibitory Activity of Hypersensitivities-

Flavonoids의 약리작용(I) -Flavonoids 구조와 과민반응 억제작용과의 상관성-

The activities of twenty-one flavonoids and their related compounds on the hypersensitivity reaction against various antigens were studied in vitro and in vivo. 1. Generally flavonoids inhibited significantly the homologous passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) induced by reaginic antibody as compared as anaphylaxis by compound 48/80-induced mast cell degranulation, and so more strongly active in the IgE-mediated anaphylaxis than non-IgE-mediated anaphylaxis. 2. Flavonids inhibited remarkably Arths reaction, hemolysin titer, delayed hypersensitivity, haemagglutinin titer, rosette forming cells and plague forming cells against sheep red blood cells, and so it exhibited that flavonoids inhibited type 2, 3 and 4 hypersensitivity. 3. Quercetin, kaempferol, hesperetin, disodium cromoglycate, malvin and baicalein were active dose-dependently in the all types of hypersensitivity. Fisetin, daidzein, morin, narigin, flavone, catechin, rutin, hesperidin, neophsperidin, apigenin and chrysin were significantly active in the various types of hypersensitivity, but apigenin, rutin and catechin were less active in the delayed hypersensitivity. Taxifolin was significantly active in PCA and histamine-induced anaphylaxis except other types of hypersensitivity. Rotenone and cyanin also inhibited all types of hypersensitivity, but they are toxic. 4. Based on these results from hypersensitivity, the following flavonoid structure-activity relationships became apparent. 1) Flavonoids with $C_{2-3}$ double bond in C-ring were more active than that of $C_{2-3}$ saturation. 2) Flavonoids with $C_4$ ketone group in C-ring were more active than abscence of them except catechin and malvin. 3) Flavonoids with benzene ring at positions 2 or 3 in C-ring exhibited same activities. 4) Flavonoids with opening of the C-ring does not abolish their activities. 5) The glycosylated flavonoids in position 3 or 7 was less active than their aglycone. 6) Flavonoids with the more hydroxy group in A and B-ring were more active. 7) Flavonoids with or without $C_3-OH$ did not change their activities.