[Anti-inflammatory properties of flavonoids].

Flavonoids are widely spread in plant kingdom. Since the works of Rusznyak and Szent-Gyorgyi (1936), they are mainly used as vitamin P like agents. Nevertheless, other properties have been discovered, among these the anti-inflammatory activity. Hypolaetin 8-glucoside and some other anti-inflammatory flavonoids showed protection effects on the gastric mucosa. The combination of both the properties is unusual and of interest. Flavonoids with such properties might represent a new class of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.