Insights Into Amentoflavone: A Natural Multifunctional Biflavonoid

Area of Science:

• Natural Product Chemistry
• Pharmacology
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Amentoflavone is a well-documented phenolic compound isolated from Selaginella tamariscina.
• It exhibits a wide range of biological activities, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial effects.
• Emerging research highlights its potential in neuroprotection, radioprotection, and as an antidepressant.

Purpose of the Study:

• To comprehensively review the chemistry and diverse biological activities of amentoflavone.
• To explore its mechanisms of action, particularly in anti-cancer and anti-SARS-CoV-2 applications.
• To discuss its bioavailability, drug delivery, and in silico studies.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies on amentoflavone's isolation, chemistry, and biological activities.
• Analysis of molecular mechanisms involving signaling pathways (ERK, NF-κB, PI3K/Akt).
• In silico molecular docking simulations against SARS-CoV-2 targets (Mpro, RBD, RdRp).

Main Results:

• Amentoflavone demonstrates potent anti-cancer activity by modulating key cellular signaling pathways.
• It exhibits significant anti-SARS-CoV-2 effects through binding to viral proteins like Mpro, RBD, and RdRp.
• The compound possesses a broad spectrum of other beneficial activities, including anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects.

Conclusions:

• Amentoflavone is a promising therapeutic agent with multifaceted biological activities, especially against cancer and SARS-CoV-2.
• Further clinical research is warranted to explore its therapeutic potential.
• Understanding its molecular mechanisms and optimizing delivery are crucial for its development.