Flavonoid and Skin Inflammation

There have been various inflammatory skin disorders in humans including atopic dermatitis, eczema and psoriasis. Although some drugs have been used for these disorders, there is an urgent need for safer and more effective topical anti-inflammatory agents. Plant flavonoids possess anti-inflammatory activity and some of them have multiple pharmacological mechanisms, inhibition of eicosanoid metabolizing enzymes, histamine release and/or down-regulation of pro inflammatory gene expression. These properties of flavonoids may be suitable for treating chronic skin inflammatory disorders. Especially, wogonin, some prenylated flavonoids and biflavonoids have a strong potential as new anti-inflammatory agents by topical application.