Therapeutic Potential of Flavonoids and Flavonoid-Rich Compounds in Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a group of functional gastrointestinal disorders, characterized by impaired brain-gut axis (BGA) interactions, leading to symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, and discomfort, which significantly affect patients' quality of life. Although individuals with IBS are commonly treated with medications and lifestyle modifications, the side effects of various treatments and their inconsistent efficacy often leads to a recurrence that poses a significant burden for patients. Flavonoids, flavonoid-rich compounds extensively found in plants and known for their low toxicity, have been identified as potentially beneficial for various digestive disorders in recent years; however, clinical trials have not been widely conducted. It was suggested that flavonoids and flavonoid-rich compounds may positively influence IBS symptoms through regulation of low-grade inflammation, oxidative stress in the gut, visceral hypersensitivity (VH), intestinal motility dysfunction, dysbiosis of gut microbiome, and BGA. This article reviews the potential role of flavonoids and their compounds in the therapy of IBS, along with the associated mechanisms. Additionally, we highlight key issues that warrant further investigation and discuss the prospects and challenges of using flavonoids for managing IBS.