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Background: Flavonoids, also called as bioflavonoids, are secondary metabolites of plants. Flavonoids, curcumin and hesperidin, possess various pharmacological activities such as analgesic, anti-ulcer, anti-parkinson, anti-cancer, spasmolytic, anti-bacterial, anti-depressant, anti-hypertensive, anti-arthritic and anti-inflammatory. Aim: The current study investigated the analgesic and anti-allodynic effects of flavonoids (curcumin and hesperidin) and compared their effects with pregabalin against experimentally induced neuropathic pain in Swiss albino rats. Methods: Behavioral parameters were investigated in partial sciatic nerve ligation rat model. Surgery was performed by exposing and ligating the right sciatic nerve. Heat hyperalgesic and cold allodynic tests were assessed using Eddy's hot plate and submerging rat's right hind paw in ice cold water (4 ± 1°C), respectively on days 4,7,10,13,16,19 and 22. Surgery was considered as day 1. Flavonoids and pregabalin (10mg/kg, p.o.) were administered for fifteen days. Results: Partial sciatic nerve ligation of right sciatic nerve significantly induced thermal hyperalgesia and cold allodynia. Administration of hesperidin (100mg/kg, p.o.) and curcumin (100mg/kg, p.o.) showed significant increase in paw withdrawal latency in both the behavioral tests. Results of behavioral tests have shown curcumin to be a little more effective than hesperidin in attenuating the neuropathic pain. Conclusion: It can be concluded that both hesperidin and curcumin attenuate the neuropathic pain induced by partial sciatic nerve ligation in rats. However, curcumin showed more significant results than hesperidin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several modern and most of the traditional drugs have been developed from natural sources. Flavonoids or bioflavonoids, most ubiquitous polyphenolic compounds, are secondary metabolites of plants and fungal origin. Apart from their biological functions in plants (protection against herbivores, ultraviolet radiation and pathogens), they perform myriads of pharmacological activities in humans as well. Though flavonoids are not acknowledged as nutrients still their intake on regular basis is considered fruitful for human health. Flavonoids are biosynthesized through phenylpropanoid pathway and contain a C6-C3-C6 carbon framework. The present review has reviewed the chemistry, structure and classification of flavonoids. Additionally, their occurrence and chemical properties have also been explored. Moreover, we discuss about the different mechanisms through which flavonoids act like direct radical scavenging, leukocyte immobilization and interaction with different enzymes. Flavonoids own a number of pharmacological activities such as anti-parkinson, anti-ulcer, spasmolytic, anti-depressant, anti-bacterial, anti-hypertensive, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer. This review intent to give healthy information for formation of new flavonoid based pharmaceutical formulation to act against various diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]