Myricitrin

Myricitrin is a naturally occurring flavonoid found in various plants, including the bark of the wax myrtle tree (Myrica cerifera), from which it derives its name. It is a yellow crystalline solid that is soluble in water and alcohol. Myricitrin has been studied for its potential antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties.

Chemical Structure

Myricitrin is a flavonoid glycoside, which means it is a flavonoid molecule attached to a sugar molecule. The flavonoid part of the molecule is myricetin, and the sugar part is rhamnose. The chemical formula of myricitrin is C21H20O12.

Sources

Myricitrin is found in a variety of plants, including the wax myrtle tree, bayberry, hops, and echinacea. It is also found in certain fruits, such as grapefruit, orange, and lemon.

Health Benefits

Research has suggested that myricitrin may have several potential health benefits. These include:

• Antioxidant properties: Myricitrin has been found to have strong antioxidant activity, which means it can neutralize harmful free radicals in the body.

• Anti-inflammatory properties: Studies have shown that myricitrin can reduce inflammation, which is a key factor in many chronic diseases.

• Anticancer properties: Some research has suggested that myricitrin may have anticancer effects, although more studies are needed to confirm this.

Safety and Side Effects

Myricitrin is generally considered safe when consumed in amounts typically found in foods. However, the safety of myricitrin supplements is not well-studied, and potential side effects are not well-known.

See Also

• Flavonoid
• Antioxidant
• Anti-inflammatory
• Anticancer