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CM-02

Ancient remedies, modern science: Anti-inflammatory flavonoid-O-

glycosides from Traditional Chinese Medicine

*,1
Huong-Giang Le, #,1 Kuei-Hung Lai

1 PhD Program in Clinical Drug Development of Herbal Medicine, College of Pharmacy,
Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan
* E-mail: kueihunglai@tmu.edu.tw

Abstract
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has long served as a cornerstone in the treatment of
inflammatory conditions, with “heat-clearing” herbs recognized for their efficacy in alleviating
symptoms such as fever, swelling, and redness. Recent research has intensified global interest
in these botanicals as sources of structurally diverse bioactive compounds. Among them,
flavonoid-O-glycosides (FOGs) - a subclass of flavonoids characterized by glycosidic linkages
- have emerged as particularly significant due to their immunomodulatory and anti-
inflammatory properties. This review systematically analyzes 50 FOGs from 79 heat-clearing
herbs based on 372 inflammation-related studies. Structural variations among these compounds,
including differences in glycosylation and aglycone moieties, are closely associated with their
biological activities. Mechanistically, FOGs modulate key inflammatory mediators such as
proinflammatory cytokines (e.g., IL-6, TNF-α), chemokines, prostaglandins, and nitric oxide,
thereby influencing both acute and chronic inflammatory pathways. By integrating
phytochemical diversity with molecular mechanisms, this study highlights the pharmacological
relevance of FOGs in TCM and their potential to inform the development of novel
phytotherapeutics. The findings bridge traditional medicinal practices with contemporary
pharmacological inquiry, reinforcing the value of TCM-derived compounds in modern drug
discovery and providing a foundation for future experimental and clinical validation.

Keywords: Heat-clearing herbs; Flavonoid-O-glycoside; Inflammation; Natural products;
Traditional medicine