Kaempferol: Advances on Resources, Biosynthesis Pathway, Bioavailability, Bioactivity, and Pharmacology

Kaempferol (KFP) is an antioxidant polyphenol found in fruits and vegetables. Many studies have shown that dietary kaempferol can help reduce the risk of chronic diseases, particularly cancer, but there is no available review article that summarizes all the natural sources and biological activities, with a particular focus on the anti-inflammatory effect of kaempferol. In the following chapter we tried to summarize advances on resources, biosynthesis pathway, bioavailability, bioactivity, and pharmacology of kaempferol. Numerous preclinical studies have revealed that kaempferol and some of its glycosides have a diverse range of pharmacological activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anticancer, cardioprotective, neuroprotective, antidiabetic, anti-osteoporotic, estrogenic/antiestrogenic, anxiolytic, analgesic, and antiallergic properties. Despite its broad range of pharmacological properties, KFP’s use in biomedical applications is limited due to its poor water solubility, poor permeability, chemical instability in alkaline water, extensive metabolic processing before entering the systemic circulation, and poor bioavailability following oral administration. These issues can be solved by development of nanoparticles as regulated drug delivery systems for increasing the oral bioavailability of hydrophobic and lipophilic drugs like KFP. All presented biological and protective benefits of KFP open a gate to further clinical research, especially chronic diseases like cancer and those associated with microbial infections.