Construction of a novel database for flavonoids.

Flavonoids are polyphenolic compounds that exist ubiquitously in foods of plant origin. Flavonoids show various interesting biological activities, such as removal of oxygen radical, anti-cancer action, improvement of high blood pressure, antibacterial, antibiotic and anti-allergy actions. So far, over 4000 structurally unique flavonoids have been isolated from plant sources. Recently, databases of chemicals have been utilized in to help chemical and biological researches, however the comprehensive database of flavonoids with information about structural, biological and physicochemical properties not yet available. We have constructed the integrated database of flavonoids for nutrition research.