Given that consumption of flavonoids in the diet is likely to be 100-1000 mg per day, it is important to find out how flavonoids might influence GABA-A receptors especially in relation to influencing actions of other therapeutic agents that interact with GABA-A receptors in the brain, such as benzodiazepines and ethanol. This may lead to new strategies in the use of herbal medicines and their possible interactions with other medications. These studies will provide information on how key dietary ....Given that consumption of flavonoids in the diet is likely to be 100-1000 mg per day, it is important to find out how flavonoids might influence GABA-A receptors especially in relation to influencing actions of other therapeutic agents that interact with GABA-A receptors in the brain, such as benzodiazepines and ethanol. This may lead to new strategies in the use of herbal medicines and their possible interactions with other medications. These studies will provide information on how key dietary flavonoids and novel structurally related chemicals could influence brain function. This project will probe the chemical characteristics of novel modes of action of flavonoid-related compounds in order to design and develop potentially useful therapeutic agents for CNS disorders involving GABA-A receptors. It is likely that flavonoids act on specific sites on such receptors that represent important new targets for drug development. This research is intended to provide new chemical entities useful as either alternatives to the benzodiazepines, which have a range of undesirable side effects, or as adjuncts to enable reduced doses of benzodiazepines to be used.Read moreRead less
The Vasoprotective Actions Of Flavonoids In Ischaemia And Hypercholesterolaemia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$181,018.00
Summary
Diet has a major influence on the incidence of coronary artery disease. Thus in populations where large amounts of fruits, vegetables and legumes are consumed with a low proportion of food from animal sources there is a relatively lower incidence of coronary artery disease. A possible explanation for the beneficial actions of this diet is that it provides a high level of compounds called flavonoids. Flavonoids have a number of biological actions that may prevent coronary artery disease. Flavonoi ....Diet has a major influence on the incidence of coronary artery disease. Thus in populations where large amounts of fruits, vegetables and legumes are consumed with a low proportion of food from animal sources there is a relatively lower incidence of coronary artery disease. A possible explanation for the beneficial actions of this diet is that it provides a high level of compounds called flavonoids. Flavonoids have a number of biological actions that may prevent coronary artery disease. Flavonoids can relax blood vessels which would improve blood flow to organs. In addition they may lower the level of LDL cholesterol, the bad form of cholesterol that promotes artery narrowing. They may also have actions that prevent damage that normally occurs to organs when there is an interruption to blood flow, such as occurs when someone has a heart attack or stroke. This project will investigate the ability of selected flavonoids to prevent injury to blood vessels that occurs when there is an interruption to blood flow or when cholesterol levels are too high. Understanding the actions of flavonoids may lead to the development of new therapies to prevent or treat heart attacks and stroke.Read moreRead less
Mechanisms Of Endothelial Protection By Dietary Flavonoids
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$518,256.00
Summary
This project will investigate the possibility that specifc compounds found in fruits and vegetables can help protect against cardiovascular disease. Some of these compounds (flavonoids) may directly affect blood vessels to improve their function. Some vegetable are very rich in nitrate and the interaction of flavonoids with nitrate may increase the production of nitric oxide, which improves blood vessel function and can lower blood pressure.
Influence Of Flavonoid Structure And Function On Cardiovascular Protection
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$571,447.00
Summary
The proposed research will further explore the hypothesis that dietary flavonoids can protect against cardiovascular disease. The importance of flavonoid structure for bioactivity needs further study. In addition, metabolic changes to flavonoid structure could have a profound effect on their bioactivity. Therefore, our overall aim is to investigate the effects of individual flavonoids and their metabolites on bioactivity relevant to cardiovascular disease.