Natural products identification for the treatment of chronic inflammation

Flavonoids embody the most imperative single cluster of phenolics in food; more than 4,000 different types have been recognized. Gossypin, a flavonoid compound originally isolated from the flowers of Hibiscus vitifolius, has been shown to be effective for cleansing kidneys and having antinociceptive effects in traditional/alternative medicine. A wide range of phenolic substances resulting from edible plants have been reported to have noticeable antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions, which enhance their chemopreventive potential. In this chapter we address the acute and chronic anti-inflammatory properties of gossypin in different in vivo models with inflammation induced by aspirin, carrageenan, formalin, dextran and croton oil. We will also discuss gossypin's antimelanoma properties based on a novel mechanism of action involving the RAF-MEK-ERK pathway. Finally, we will address the possibilities of using gossypin and its rationally designed analogues to develop proprietary drug candidates based on molecular docking studies.