Flavonoids

Quercetin

The flavone luteolin, with the extra OH at the 3rd position is then modified to Quercetin with positions 3, 5, 7, 3', 4'- pentahydroxy flavone.

Major polyphenolic flavonoid which has shown possibilities as an anticancer, antiviral, treatment for allergic, metabolic and inflammatory disorders, eye and cardiovascular diseases and arthritis.

Pharmacologically it has been examined as a use against microorganism and parasites including pathogenic bacteria, viruses, Plasmodium, Babesia and Theileria parasites.

Quercetin has shown beneficial effects against Alzheimer's Disease (AD) due to its inhibitory effect against acetylcholinesterase.

It has been documented to possess antioxidant, antifungal, anti-carcinogenic, hepatoprotective and cytotoxic activity.

Quercetin has shown to accumulate in the lungs, liver, kidneys and small intestines with lower levels being seen in the brain, heart and spleen. It is extracted through the renal, fecal and respiratory systems.

Found in berries, apples, cauliflower, cabbage, tea, nuts, onions.

Flavonoids are any class of non-nitrogenous biological pigments which are found extensively in plants, fungi and algae. More than 3000 different flavonoids have been identified.

They are water-soluble phenolic compounds (having-- OH [oxygen hydrogen] group attached to an aromatic ring) and are found in the vacuoles of plant cells. Vacuoles are the space within a cell that is empty of cytoplasm, lined with a membrane and filled with fluid.

Potent secondary metabolites such as flavonoids, tannins and other various biological pigments are sequestered in the vacuoles of plants, fungi, algae and certain other organism to protect the cell from self-toxicity.

There are many notable and likely familiar members of flavonoids giving pigment to a great variety of plants. The pigments can be found in flower petals, bulbs, barks, roots, foliage, fruit skins and more. They affect how plants interact with the nitrogen-fixing bacteria in their roots.

Flavonoids and flavonols are typically yellow or ivory-colored pigments. Anthoxanthins are typical for the yellow in flower petals. Anthocyanins are known for producing the red in buds and young shoots as well as the purple and purple-red in autumn leaves and cannabis inflorescence.

The colors flavonoids produce in flowers play an important role in the attraction of pollinators such as bees and butterflies, implementing fertilization. The brightly colored fruits help attract seed dispersing animals to further help with fertilization.

There is a relatively minimal and limited occurrence of flavonoids in animals, which is derived from their consumption of eating pigmented plants and fruits.

Foods rich in flavonoids include:

onions, parsley, blueberries, bananas, dark chocolate, red wine and more. They naturally occur in fruits, vegetables, chocolate, and beverages like tea and wine.

Flavones

Flavones - Flavonoid and ketone group at 4th position (C4).

Flav(onoid) + (ket)one = Flavone

There are four main flavones which are modified to produce different types of flavonoids.

C- chrysin

A- apigenin

L- luteolin

T- tricetin

Flavonoids are made of benzo pyran ring and phenyl ring. When the position of the phenyl ring is changed it produces a different flavonoid.

Flavones - Flavonoid and ketone group at 4th position (C4).

Flav(onoid) + (ket)one = Flavone

There are four main flavones which are modified to produce different types of flavonoids.

C- chrysin

A- apigenin

L- luteolin

T- tricetin

Chrysin position: 5,7 - Dihydroxy Flavone

Apigenin position: 5, 7, 4' - Trihydroxy Flavone

Luteolin position: 5, 7, 3', 4' - Tetrahydroxy Flavone

Tricetin position: 5, 7, 3', 4', 5' - Pentahydroxy Flavone

Flavonol- Ketone is at 4th position (C4) while hydroxy is located at 3rd position (C3). There is an extra OH (oxygen hydrogen) at 3rd position (C3).

Flav(onoid) + (ket)one + OL

The flavone apigenin, with the extra OH at the 3rd position is then modified to Kaempererol with positions 3, 5, 7, 4' - tetrahydroxy flavone.

The flavone luteolin, with the extra OH at the 3rd position is then modified to Quercetin with positions 3, 5, 7, 3', 4'- pentahydroxy flavone.

Chrysin

Chrysin position: 5,7 - Dihydroxy Flavone

Apigenin

Apigenin position: 5, 7, 4' - Trihydroxy Flavone

Luteolin

Luteolin position: 5, 7, 3', 4' - Tetrahydroxy Flavone

Tricetin

Tricetin position: 5, 7, 3', 4', 5' - Pentahydroxy Flavone

Flavonols

Ketone is at 4th position (C4) while hydroxy is located at 3rd position (C3). There is an extra OH (oxygen hydrogen) at 3rd position (C3).

Flav(onoid) + (ket)one + OL

Apigenin >>> Kaempererol

Luteolin >>> Quercetin

Isoflavones- Phenyl ring attached at 3rd position.

Iso + Flav(onoids) + (ket)ones = isoflavones

Two isoflavones Daidzein (D) and Genistein (G).

Daidzein is positions 7, 4' - dihydroxy isoflavone

Genistein is positions 5, 7, 4'- trihydroxy isoflavone

Flavanones- modified by saturation at 2nd (C2) and 3rd (C3) positions.

Flav(onoids)+ ANE (saturated) + (ket)one = Flavanone

With the saturation at 2nd and 3rd positions, apigenin is modified to naringenin and leuteolin is modified to hesperitin.

Naringenin is positions 5, 7, 4' -trihydroxy flavanone

Hesperitin is positions 5, 7, 3'- trihydroxy - 4' methoxy flavanone

Flavan-3-OL- modified by saturation between 2nd (C2) and 3rd (C3) carbon positions and an OH (oxygen hydrogen) at 3rd (C3) position.

Flav(onoids) + ANE (saturation) + 3- OL (third position) = Flavan-3-OL

Quercetin is modified to Catechin with positions 3, 5, 7, 3', 4' - pentahydroxy flavan

Anthocyandins contain a double positive charged oxygen at 1st (C1) position.

Flavyl (ring) + (oxon)ium = flavylium

Cyanidin is at positions 3,5,7, 3', 4' - pentahydroxy flavylium

Kaempererol

Apeginen >>> Kaempererol

The flavone apigenin, with the extra OH at the 3rd position is then modified to Kaempererol with positions 3, 5, 7, 4' - tetrahydroxy flavone.

Isoflavones

Phenyl ring attached at 3rd position.

Iso + Flav(onoids) + (ket)ones = isoflavones

Two isoflavones Daidzein (D) and Genistein (G).

Daidzein

Daidzein is positions 7, 4' - dihydroxy isoflavone

Genistein

Genistein is positions 5, 7, 4'- trihydroxy isoflavone

Flavanones

Modified by saturation at 2nd (C2) and 3rd (C3) positions.

Flav(onoids)+ ANE (saturated) + (ket)one = Flavanone

With the saturation at 2nd and 3rd positions, apigenin is modified to naringenin and luteolin is modified to hesperitin.

Apigenin >>> naringenin

Leteolin >>> hesperitin

Naringenin