FLAVANONE

China [CN]

II. Main Sources and Extraction

Flavanones are not a single compound, but a general term for a class of structurally similar compounds. Natural sources are primarily concentrated in the plant kingdom. Common extraction materials include:

Citrus fruits: The peel, pulp, and juice of oranges, lemons, grapefruits, and tangerines are the richest natural sources of flavanones (such as hesperidin, naringin, and eriodictyol). Hesperidin is the most abundant flavanone in citrus.

Other plants: Examples include licorice, scutellaria, propolis, hawthorn, apple, and cocoa beans. Some flavanones in these plants possess specific structures (such as liquiritigenin in licorice), which impart unique activity.

Extraction Methods: Solvent extraction (such as aqueous ethanol extraction) is commonly used in industry, combined with separation and purification techniques such as macroporous resin purification, silica gel column chromatography, and high-speed countercurrent chromatography (HSCC) to obtain high-purity flavanone monomers or mixtures. III. Core Biological Activities and Applications

The biological activity of flavanones is closely related to their chemical structure (such as the number and position of hydroxyl groups on the B ring). The main activities and applications are as follows:

1. Food and Health Products

Antioxidant Effect: Flavanones can scavenge free radicals (such as superoxide anions and hydroxyl radicals) in the body, inhibit lipid peroxidation, and protect cells from oxidative damage. They are often added to foods (such as cooking oils and baked goods) or health products as natural antioxidants to delay oxidative deterioration and enhance the body's antioxidant capacity.

Assisting in Metabolic Regulation: Citrus flavanones (such as hesperidin) can promote blood circulation and improve capillary permeability, potentially helping to alleviate vasculitis caused by citrus fruit allergies. Some studies have shown that flavanones may also help regulate blood lipids and blood sugar, making them suitable as ingredients for metabolic health supplements.

Flavor and Function Enhancement: In citrus processed products such as juices and jams, flavanones are components of natural flavor compounds and can enhance the product's functional properties, meeting consumer demand for "natural and healthy" foods. 2. Pharmaceuticals (Potential Applications, Further Clinical Verification Required)

Anti-inflammatory Activity: Flavanones can inhibit the release of inflammatory factors (such as TNF-α and IL-6), reducing inflammatory responses. In vitro and animal models, they have shown potential to alleviate inflammatory diseases such as arthritis and gastroenteritis, making them candidate natural raw materials for the development of anti-inflammatory drugs.

Antibacterial Activity: They exhibit some inhibitory effects against some Gram-positive bacteria (such as Staphylococcus aureus), Gram-negative bacteria (such as Escherichia coli), and fungi (such as Candida albicans). They can be used as natural antimicrobial agents for adjunctive treatment of local infections.

Other Potential Activities: Some flavanones (such as eriodictyol) have shown protective effects on nerve cells and inhibitory effects on tumor cells in research, but these effects are still in the laboratory research stage and have not yet been translated into clinical drugs. 3. Cosmetics

Skin protection: Leveraging its antioxidant properties, flavanones can be added to skincare products (such as creams and serums) to combat UV-induced oxidative damage and slow down skin aging (e.g., reducing fine lines and improving dullness). Furthermore, its anti-inflammatory properties can alleviate skin sensitivity and redness, making it suitable for the development of skincare products for sensitive skin.

High safety: Natural flavanones (such as those from citrus) are low in toxicity and irritation, aligning with the trend toward "natural and mild" cosmetics. They are a superior alternative to synthetic antioxidants (such as BHT).