Jiaying Cai,1,* Xiyue Tan,2,* Qichao Hu,2,* Huafeng Pan,3 Maoyuan Zhao,4 Cui Guo,4 Jinhao Zeng,1,4,5 Xiao Ma,2 Yanling Zhao6 

1School of Clinical Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, People’s Republic of China; 2State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, People’s Republic of China; 3Science and Technology Innovation Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China; 4TCM Regulating Metabolic Diseases Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, People’s Republic of China; 5Department of Gastroenterology, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, People’s Republic of China; 6Department of Pharmacy, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, People’s Republic of China

*These authors contributed equally to this work

Correspondence: Jinhao Zeng; Yanling Zhao, Email zengjinhao@cdutcm.edu.cn; zhaoyl2855@126.com

Abstract: Gastric cancer (GC) is a prevalent gastrointestinal tumor characterized by high mortality and recurrence rates. Current treatments often have limitations, prompting researchers to explore novel anti-tumor substances and develop new drugs. Flavonoids, natural compounds with diverse biological activities, are gaining increasing attention in this regard. We searched from PubMed, Web of Science, SpringerLink and other databases to find the relevant literature in the last two decades. Using “gastric cancer”, “stomach cancers”, “flavonoid”, “bioflavonoid”, “ 2-Phenyl-Chromene” as keywords, were searched, then analyzed and summarized the mechanism of flavonoids in the treatment of GC. It was revealed that the anti-tumor mechanism of flavonoids involves inhibiting tumor growth, proliferation, invasion, and metastasis, as well as inducing cell death through various processes such as apoptosis, autophagy, ferroptosis, and pyroptosis. Additionally, combining flavonoids with other chemotherapeutic agents like 5-FU and platinum compounds can potentially reduce chemoresistance. Flavonoids have also demonstrated enhanced biological activity when used in combination with other natural products. Consequently, this review proposes innovative perspectives for the development of flavonoids as new anti-GC agents.

Keywords: flavonoid, gastric cancer, apoptosis, angiogenesis