Flavonoids as Potential Cardioprotective Agents Against Myocarditis

Abstract: Myocarditis is an inflammatory response of the heart muscle caused by impaired cardiac function. In recent years, it has become one of the common causes of sudden death among teenagers, posing a significant threat to public health. Currently, clinical treatment strategies for myocarditis, including antiviral, immunomodulatory, and supportive therapies, still have limitations, such as limited efficacy, side effects, and significant individual differences. Therefore, the development of new, efficient, and safe treatment methods to reduce the risk of death among patients is extremely urgent. Flavonoids are a class of low-molecular-weight secondary metabolites widely present in natural plants and foods such as fruits, vegetables, and tea. Many studies have shown that these compounds possess multiple beneficial biological activities. During myocardial inflammation, flavonoids can exert powerful anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-apoptotic effects on cardiomyocytes by effectively inhibiting key inflammatory markers, reducing oxidative stress damage, and regulating apoptosis-related factors. Their significant cardioprotective effects and potential to improve cardiac function have been confirmed in various experimental models. Additionally, some clinical research suggests that flavonoid intake helps improve overall cardiovascular function. This paper aims to systematically summarize the key signaling pathways involved in the development and progression of myocarditis. On this basis, it reviews the specific therapeutic effects and molecular mechanisms of action of various flavonoids in anti- myocardial inflammation, respectively, according to their chemical structures, providing a theoretical basis for the development of new myocarditis therapies based on flavonoids.