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Myricetin sources, health benefits and uses

Thursday, September 21, 2017 by

Myricetin is a flavonoid which is a beneficial compound found in a lot of food sources such as grapes, onions, walnuts, herbs, berries, wine, and tea. It also available as a dietary supplement in pill form and should be taken with water as it is water-soluble. It is often harvested from a plant called Myrica cerifera, especially the roots, leaves, and bark, for use as a supplement. In its pure form, it is a yellow-beige crystalline powder. It mainly occurs in nature in the form of glycosides.

Medicinal uses for myricetin

Myricetin has several health benefits. One of these is its anti-cancer properties. A study found that piceatannol or myricetin induced apoptosis in HL-60 cells. Apoptosis refers to the death of cells that occurs as a normal and controlled part of an organism’s growth or development.

Another study also found that myricetin inhibited ultraviolet B-induced angiogenesis. It also suppressed the formation of wrinkles.

In a research on myricetin and its protective effect on colon cancer, it was found out that myricetin not only brought about significant decrease in the incidence of number of tumor bearing rats, but also the tumor incidence. Supplementation of myricetin significantly reduced liver thiobarbituric acid reactive substances or TBARS which are by-products of lipid peroxidation.

Myricetin also resulted in tumor regression and decreased metastatic spread in the study on myricetin and its effect on metastatic pancreatic cancer cell lines.

A study showed that myricetin significantly inhibited the proliferation and induced the apoptosis of Hep G2, a liver cancer cell line.

It may also be considered as a potential factor in the association of red wine intake and breast tumors, particularly in postmenopausal women, according to a study.

Body systems supported by myricetin

Myricetin has a wide variety of biological effects in the body. Studies indicated that it has anti-cancer and antimutagenic properties, but it has been shown to promote mutagenesis with the use of the Ames Test.

This flavonoid was also found to be an anti-inflammatory. In some studies, it has been shown to inhibit the expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, a cytokine which promotes the inflammatory response and is involved in inflammatory diseases.

Furthermore, myricetin is good for the heart. Flavonoids like myricetin may improve the health of the heart by preventing LDL oxidation and reducing the uptake of oxidized LDL by macrophages.

Research showed that myricetin inhibited the uptake of methylglucose by adipocytes, reduced the oxidative injury in diabetes related bone diseases, and reduced glucose plasma level in diabetic rats.

Myricetin improves the health of the brain. It may offer benefits to persons who suffer from brain diseases such as Parkinson and Alzheimer’s. It suppresses ROS production caused by glutamate and reduced glutamate-induced activation of caspase-3. In a study, myricetin restored dopamine level in laboratory animals with induced Parkinsonism. It may also inihibit beta-amyloid fibril formation in Alzheimer’s disease patients.

Where to learn more

Summary

Myricetin, a flavonoid, is reputed to have several health benefits such as reducing the risk of different types of cancers and high cholesterol reduction. It also prevents diabetes and inflammation and supports the bones, heart, and the brain.

Sources include:

WiseGeek.com

KyleNorton.HealthBlogs.org

PhytoChemicals.info



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