They are a kind of phytonutrient that are found in almost all fruits and vegetables. These chemicals are of primary importance as they help fruits and vegetables attain their color. Flavonoids are useful in many aspects of nature. One use they have is aiding flowering plants in drawing pollinators, as well as preventing potentially detrimental dangers such as the sun’s harmful UV rays or pests and illnesses.
Cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids are among the almost 500 distinct substances found in the cannabis plant. While cannabinoids and terpenes have received a lot of attention in recent years, flavonoids have taken a second seat. Consequently, most cannabis users don’t know that much about flavonoids and their properties.
Some flavonoids are relatively unique to the cannabis plant, and they are known as cannflavins or cannaflavins.
Moreover, as well as terpenes, they contribute to aroma and the cannabis plant flavor profile. In addition, cannabis flavonoids’ pain-relief and medical properties remain the subject of much investigation. For instance, research is presently investigating whether or not flavonoids might be synthesized and used.
Flavonoids and their Properties
Some theories suggest they are important compounds with therapeutic properties. In addition, the entourage effect theory claims flavonoids, terpenes and cannabinoids act synergistically. We have covered the entourage effect theory in previous blog posts.
On the basis of available research, cannaflavins are considered to make up no more than 0.15% of the total fresh weight of cannabis. In 1986, Marilyn Barrett, a researcher from University College London, was able to isolate two cannaflavins and discovered that they had exceptionally significant anti-inflammatory properties. More precisely, it is estimated that the anti-inflammatory effects generated by Cannaflavin A and Cannaflavin B have a potency of up to 30 times greater than that of aspirin. Nonetheless, the amount of flavonoids in cannabis is so small that we would need tons of cannabis in order to feel their effects. Furthermore, scientists have begun to metabolically develop cannaflavins apart from the cannabis plant.
Apart from the antioxidative qualities that cannflavins share with many other flavonoids, their anti-inflammatory capabilities are a rather well-studied bioactivity.
Most color in cannabis plants comes from its flavonoids. For instance, it has been shown that the rich purple hue of certain strains of cannabis is due to the flavonoids known as anthocyanins. As with many of the substances discovered through pharmaceutical research, flavonoids (including cannaflavins) may also have a variety of positive medicinal benefits, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, and neuroprotective benefits.
Nonetheless, flavonoids, despite their wide range of properties, have been sadly overlooked in cannabis studies.
Cannabis and Flavonoids: Conclusion
In the last decade, researchers have begun to explore the role that flavonoids play in the medicinal benefits of cannabis, particularly when used by themselves and in combination with other components (the theory known as the entourage effect). Nutritional flavonoids, such as flavonols and flavonones, in vegetables have been shown to operate as antioxidants. At this time, the question of whether cannaflavins may potentially offer health benefits for humans is still under research.
Researchers have begun to isolate and/or genetically alter the cannaflavins. This is important since it has allowed the researchers to isolate the genes responsible for cannaflavins, which means that they can use these genes to synthesize and artificially generate cannabis flavonoids. Moreover, some companies have already begun to investigate their business potential. They may out to be the next big thing in medicinal cannabis research.