Treatment of microglia and C6 cells with rutin or quercetin either in co-cultures or during indirect interactions via conditioned media, reduced proliferation and migration of glioma cells, and directed microglia towards an inflammatory profile, characterized by increased expression of mRNA for IL-1β, IL-6, IL-18, and decreased expression of mRNA for nitric oxide synthase 2 (NOS2) and prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2), arginase and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β). The gene discussed is IL1B; the disease is glioma.