Abstract: Flavonoids,which are polyphenolic phytochemicals generally found in vegetables,fruits,flowers,nuts,seeds,tea,and honey.There is epidemiological data to suggest that consumption of flavonoids can be accompanied by decreased cancer incidence.Flavonoids has therapeutic applications owing to its wide range of pharmacological effects including antioxidant,inhibition of protein kinase,inhibition of topoisomerase,inhibition of angiogenesis,activating the DNA damage response,inducing the autophagy,blocking the cell cycle,and inducing apoptosis.The antitumor effect of flavonoids and its underlying mechanism are related to interactions with protein kinase,topoisomerase,vascular endothelial growth factor,5′-adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase,DNA damage response pathway,apoptotic pathways.This review contributed to clarifying the mechanisms of the actions of flavonoids in anticancer effects.

Key words: flavonoids, anticancer effects, review