Immunomodulatory Effects of Flavonoids in Colitis-Associated Colorectal Cancer

Flavonoids present in plants and fruits have been used in traditional medicine to reduce inflammation under various inflammatory conditions, including colitis. The pharmacological mechanisms that regulate intestinal inflammation are associated with the colonic microbiota, protection against oxidative stress, preservation of epithelial barrier function, and immune homeostasis. This review describes the main flavonoids present in the diet and examines their role in mitigating colon inflammation, as well as their impact when chronic inflammation progresses to colitis-associated colorectal cancer (CAC), in which flavonoids may promote immune evasion and tumor growth. Understanding the effects of flavonoids on colon physiology offers an opportunity to use these compounds rationally in the treatment of colitis and prevention of the development of colorectal cancer (CRC).