Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Flavonoids in Otitis Media: A Systematic Review of Pre-Clinical Evidence
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Zahid, Ayesha
Ismail, Hazrat
Ajaz, Misbah
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Abstract
Otitis media (OM), a common infection of the middle ear, remains a leading cause of preventable hearing loss globally. Chronic inflammation underpins its pathophysiology, driving persistent mucosal damage and complications such as cholesteatoma. Key inflammatory mediators contribute to sustained neutrophilic infiltration and mucosal thickening, making them attractive therapeutic targets. Flavonoids, a diverse group of hydroxylated polyphenols with established anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, have shown efficacy in a range of diseases, including cancer, metabolic disorders, and neurodegeneration. However, their potential role in modulating inflammation in OM has not been systematically explored. Here, we conducted a systematic review of rodent models of OM treated with flavonoids, adhering to PRISMA guidelines and searching PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane, MEDLINE, and CINAHL Complete. Outcomes included serum and mRNA expression of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6, and VEGF, as well as neutrophil counts and mucosal thickness. Across studies, flavonoid treatment was associated with downregulation of pro-inflammatory markers, reduced neutrophilic infiltration, and attenuation of mucosal thickening. These findings highlight the potential of flavonoids as adjunctive agents in OM, warranting further investigation into their mechanistic pathways and translational relevance.
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Food Frontiers
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© 2025 The Author(s). Food Frontiers published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd and Nanchang University, Northwest University, Jiangsu University, Zhejiang University, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
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Ajaz, M; Zahid, A; Ismail, H; Ajaz, M, Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Flavonoids in Otitis Media: A Systematic Review of Pre-Clinical Evidence, Food Frontiers, 2025