Sakuranetin

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Sakuranetin

Sakuranetin is a flavonoid compound, specifically a type of flavanone, which is a subclass of flavonoids. It is a naturally occurring substance found in various plants and is known for its potential biological activities.

Chemical Structure and Properties

Sakuranetin has the chemical formula C16H14O5. It is characterized by a flavanone backbone with a methoxy group at the 7-position and a hydroxyl group at the 4'-position. The IUPAC name for sakuranetin is 5-hydroxy-4'-methoxyflavanone.

Natural Sources

Sakuranetin is found in several plant species, including those in the Rosaceae family. It is particularly abundant in the bark of the Prunus species, such as Prunus yedoensis (Yoshino cherry). It can also be found in other plants like Citrus species.

Biological Activities

Sakuranetin has been studied for its various biological activities, including:

• Antioxidant properties: It helps in scavenging free radicals and protecting cells from oxidative stress.
• Anti-inflammatory effects: It can inhibit the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and enzymes.
• Antimicrobial activity: Sakuranetin has shown effectiveness against certain bacteria and fungi.
• Anticancer potential: Preliminary studies suggest it may have cytotoxic effects on certain cancer cell lines.

Potential Health Benefits

Due to its biological activities, sakuranetin is being researched for potential health benefits, including:

• Reducing inflammation and oxidative stress, which are linked to chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and neurodegenerative diseases.
• Acting as a natural antimicrobial agent in food preservation and medicine.
• Potential use in cancer therapy due to its cytotoxic properties.

Related Compounds

Sakuranetin is related to other flavonoids such as naringenin, which is also a flavanone. These compounds share similar structures and biological activities.

See Also

• Flavonoid
• Flavanone
• Antioxidant
• Anti-inflammatory
• Antimicrobial
• Anticancer