What Are Cannflavins?
Cannflavins are rare flavonoids found in hemp — distinct from cannabinoids like CBD and THC. They are being studied for their role in antioxidant activity and pathways involved in the body’s inflammatory response.
First characterized in the 1980s, cannflavins are rare flavonoids found in hempthat are chemically and biologically distinct from cannabinoids such as CBD and THC. Early research identified Cannflavin A and B for their ability to inhibit production of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), an important mediator of the inflammatory response. PubMed
Cannflavins are being studied for their distinctive effects on inflammatory pathways. Research has demonstrated activity involving PGE2 and microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 (mPGES-1), with Cannflavin A and B showing potent activity in preclinical models. ScienceDirect
Research into cannflavins extends beyond inflammatory response. Preclinical studies have investigated Cannflavin A, B, C and related compounds in areas including oxidative stress, neuroprotection, parasitic disease and cancer biology—although substantially more human research is needed. ScienceDirect
Unlike CBD and THC, cannflavins are flavonoids—not cannabinoids. They belong to the same broad family of plant compounds as familiar dietary flavonoids, but Cannflavin A and B have specialized prenylated/geranylated structures that distinguish them from common flavonoids. PubMed
Cannflavins occur naturally at low levels, which has historically made them difficult to study and commercialize at meaningful concentrations. In 2019, University of Guelph researchers developed the ability to efficiently extract and enrich rare cannflavins found in hemp. This scientific advancement laid the foundation for our approach to botanical innovation.