Anti-genotoxicity of galangin as a cancer chemopreventive agent candidate

Flavonoids are polyphenolic compounds that are present in plants. They have been shown to possess a variety of biological activities at non-toxic conc entrations in organisms. Galangin, a member of the flavonol class of flavon oid, is present in high concentrations in medicinal plants (e.g. Alpinia of ficinarum) and propolis, a natural beehive product. Results from in vitro a nd in vivo studies indicate that galangin with anti-oxidative and free radi cal scavenging activities is capable of modulating enzyme activities and su ppressing the genotoxicity of chemicals. These activities will be discussed in this review. Based on our review, galangin may be a promising candidate for cancer chemoprevention. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights rese rved.