Current evidence to support the therapeutic potential of flavonoids in oxidative stress-related dermatoses

BACKGROUND: Skin, as a crucial external defense organ, is more vulnerable to oxidative stress (OS) insult, reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated OS in particular. OS results from a redox imbalance caused by various extrinsic stimuli and occurs once the oxidants production overwhelming the antioxidants capacity, through mediating in DNA damage, lipid peroxidation (LPO), protein oxidation and a serial of signaling pathways activation/inactivation, thereby offering favorable conditions for the occurrence and development of numerous diseases especially some dermatoses, e.g. psoriasis, vitiligo, skin photodamage, skin cancer, systemic sclerosis (SSc), chloasma, atopic dermatitis (AD), pemphigus, etc. Targeting OS molecular mechanism, a variety of anti-OS agents emerge, in which flavonoids, natural plant extracts, stand out. OBJECTIVES: To discuss the possible mechanisms of OS mediating in dermatoses and summarize the properties of flavonoids as well as their applications in OS-related skin disorders. METHODS: Published papers on flavonoids and OS-related skin diseases were collected and reviewed via database searching on PubMed, MEDLINE and Embase, etc. RESULTS: It has been confirmed that flavonoids, belonging to polyphenols, are a class of plant secondary metabolites widely distributed in various plants and possess diverse bioactivities especially their potent antioxidant capacity. Moreover, flavonoids benefit to suppress OS via eliminating free radicals and mediating the corresponding signals, further excellently working in the prevention and management of OS-related skin diseases. CONCLUSION: Flavonoids have the potential therapeutic effects on oxidative stress-related dermatoses. However, more studies on specific mechanism as well as the dosage of flavonoids are needed in future.