Flavonoids as common components of human food are notoriously known and referred to as potent antioxidants. Their biological activities have been traditionally ascribed to the interactions with reactive oxygen species (ROS). Recently, more data appeared indication that these compounds interact with specific receptors.

This lecture will demonstrate interactions and activities of flavonolignans (silymarin; Silybum marianum) upon estrogenic receptors; anti-aggregation activities in human cells of nervous origin and in nematode (C. elegans) models of Alzheimer's disease, longevity extension of nematodes, interactions with MDR transporters and some others. Some aspects of metabolism (Phase II) in relation to the minute structural alterations (SAR) of flavonoids will be demonstrated.