*2.2.9 Flavonoids*

One of the highly potential antioxidants which are considered as a part of regular diet and considered as a wide class of plant metabolites having a low molecular weight are Flavanoids. These are considered as the groups of derivatives of benzo-γ- pyrone which are made up of phenolic and the pyrane ring with attached hydroxyl groups are added during normal metabolism. The most important activity of flavanoids is considered as their protective action against that of oxidative or nitrosative stress. The catalytic breakdown of the hydrogen peroxide radicals that is Fentonn chemistry, is resulted due to the scavenging of peroxyl radicals, minimizing lipid peroxidation, chelation of redox active metals. In other certain conditions, flavanoids are reported to indicate the poroxidant activity which is considered to be in direct proportion to the presence of total hydroxyl groups and as per literature also indicated cell signaling modulation [25].

The process called as Oxidation, involves the formation of various intermediates which are reactive and can cause aerobic cell metabolism. Thus it is reported that the cells are having a chance of damage which is protected by this antioxidant systems in the cells. Different pathological conditions such as cancerous conditions, cardiovascular disorders, cataract, diabetes mellitus, gastrointestinal disorders, liver disorders, macular degenerations periodontal disorders, other inflammatory conditions are observed due to loss of balance in the ROS production and defence to antioxidants thus causing oxidative stress as a result of deregulation of the cellular functioning [26].
