Calderon-Montano, JM; Burgos-Moron, E; Perez-Guerrero, C; Lopez-Lazaro, M
Epidemiological studies have revealed that a diet rich in
plant-derived foods has a protective effect on human health. Identifying bioactive dietary
constituents is an active area of scientific investigation that may lead to new drug discovery.
Kaempferol (3,5,7-trihydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one) is a flavonoid found in
many edible plants (e.g. tea, broccoli, cabbage, kale, beans, endive, leek, tomato, strawberries
and grapes) and in plants or botanical products commonly used in traditional medicine (e.g.
Ginkgo biloba, Tilia spp, Equisetum spp, Moringa oleifera, Sophora japonica and propolis). Some
epidemiological studies have found a positive association between the consumption of foods
containing kaempferol and a reduced risk of developing several disorders such as cancer and
cardiovascular diseases. Numerous preclinical studies have shown that kaempferol and some
glycosides of kaempferol have a wide range of pharmacological activities, including antioxidant,
anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anticancer, cardioprotective, neuroprotective, antidiabetic,
anti-osteoporotic, estrogenic/antiestrogenic, anxiolytic, analgesic and anti-allergic activities.
In this article, the distribution of kaempferol in the plant kingdom and its pharmacological
properties are reviewed. The pharmacokinetics (e.g. oral bioavailability, metabolism, plasma
levels) and safety of kaempferol are also analyzed. This information may help understand the
health benefits of kaempferol-containing plants and may contribute to develop this flavonoid as a
possible agent for the prevention and treatment of some diseases.
