Top 4 Examples of Flavanones (With Uses)

This article throws light upon the top four examples of flavanones. The examples are: 1. Hesperetin 2. Naringenin 3. Eriodictyol 4. Homoeriodictyol.

Flavanones Example # 1. Hesperetin:

Hesperetin belongs to the flavanone class of flavonoids. Hesperetin, in the form of its glycoside hesperidin, is the predominant fla­vonoid in lemons and oranges.

Sources:

Number of citrus juices.

Uses:

1. Antioxidant

2. Anti-aromatase activity

3. Cholesterol lowering

4. Anti-allergic

5. Hypolipidemic

6. Vasoprotective

7. Anti-carcinogenic

Vasodilator effects of hesperetin is basically due to the inhibition of PDE1 and PDE4 ac­tivities, which may be useful in hypertension

Flavanones Example # 2. Naringenin:

Naringenin is a flavonone. It is a yellow crystalline powder having melting point: 247-250 C. Naringin is the aglycones of narin­genin. Naringin is known as an antioxidant in the body. Unfortunately, this bioflavonoid is difficult to absorb on oral ingestion.

Sources:

Grapefruit juice.

Functions:

i. Antioxidant

ii. Free radical scavenger

iii. Anti-inflammatory

iv. Carbohydrate metabolism promoter

v. Immunity system modulator

vi. Anti-ulcer agent

vii. Estrogen antagonist, which inhibit the action or biosynthesis of estrogenic compounds

viii. Antihypertensive

ix. In treatment of Alzheimer’s disease

x. Reduce oxidative damage to DNA in vitro

Flavanones Example # 3. Eriodictyol:

A colorless crystalline compound C₁₅H₁₂O₆ derived from flavanone and found es­pecially in the leaves of some resinous shrubs of in the genus Eriodictyon. Eriodictyol is one of the 4 flavanones identified by Symrise in this plant eliciting taste-modifying properties; homoeriodictyol, its sodium salt and sterubin.

Eriodictyol was also found in the twigs of Millettia duchesnei, in Eupatorium arnottianum and one of its glycoside in rose hips (Rosa canina).

Uses:

Bitter-masking.

Flavanones Example # 4. Homoeriodictyol:

Homoeriodictyol is a bitter-masking fla­vanones extracted from Herba Santa (Eriodictyon californicum) a plant growing in America. Homoe­riodictyol (3′-methoxy-4′, 5, 7-trihydroxyflavanone) is one of the 4 flavanones identified by Symrise i n this plant eliciting taste-modifying: homoeriodic­tyol sodium salt, eriodictyol and sterubin.

Uses:

Homoeriodictyol Sodium salt elicited the most po­tent bitter-masking activity by reducing from 10 to 40% the bitterness of salicin, amarogentin, pa­racetamol and quinine. However no bitter-masking activity was detected with bitter linoleic acid emulsions. According to Symrise’s scientists ho­moeriodictyol sodium salt seems to be a taste- modifier with large potential in food applications and pharmaceuticals.