Myricetin: A Dietary Molecule with Diverse Biological Activities

Abstract

Myricetin is a common plant-derived flavonoid and is well recognised for its nutraceuticals value. It is one of the key ingredients of various foods and beverages. The compound exhibits a wide range of activities that include strong anti-oxidant, anticancer, antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory activities. It displays several activities that are related to the central nervous system and numerous studies have suggested that the compound may be beneficial to protect against diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. The use of myricetin as a preserving agent to extend the shelf life of foods containing oils and fats is attributed to the compound’s ability to protect lipids against oxidation. A detailed search of existing literature revealed that there is currently no comprehensive review available on this important molecule. Hence, the present work includes the history, synthesis, pharmaceutical applications and toxicity studies of myricetin. This report also highlights structure-activity relationships and mechanisms of action for various biological activities.

Regressive Effect of Myricetin on Hepatic Steatosis in Mice Fed a High-Fat Diet

“…Myricetin, (3,5,7,3′,4′,5′-hexahydroxyflavone), a naturally occurring flavonoid, is widely distributed in fruits, vegetables, tea, and medicinal herbs and has been demonstrated to exert many bioactivities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammation, anti-tumor, neuroprotective and cardioprotective properties [11,12]. Myricetin reduced oxidative stress, inhibited hyperglycemia and glucose uptake, decreased hepatic triglyceride and cholesterol contents, and ameliorated liver injury [12,13,14].…”

Chronic Unpredictable Stress-Induced Behavioral and Electrophysiological Alterations and Its Ameliorative Effect by Myricetin Microemulsion

“…Earlier studies reported that polyphenols has a great attention in the recent days, and it has been used to treat for many diseases and disorders including cognitive dysfunction [30]. MYR is one of the key constituents present in the various human foods and has numerous health beneficial activities such as anticancer, antioxidant, antihypertensive, and immunomodulatory [16] though, due its partial polar solubility nature, it is inaccessible to across the BBB, this limits its use to CNS-related problems. Hence, an alternative delivery system used in the present study.…”

“…also from 1 to 5 mg/kg body weight which exerts many biological actions [16]. Earlier studies reported that MYR with 10 mg/kg body weight acted as an analgesic [17] and anxiolytic [18] effect.…”

Flavonoids, Inflammation and Immune System

“…This issue provides an opportunity to update current knowledge about some examples of the six subclasses of the flavonoid compounds and their effects—even at molecular level—on immunity and inflammation, but also in inflammatory-mediated diseases such as insulin-resistance obesity, cardiovascular disease and even in cancer. The Special Issue contains six review papers [13,14,15,16,17,18] and eight research papers [19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26] on the current knowledge in the field. Contributions are from countries in Africa (South Africa), America (Brazil), Asia (China, Korea, Japan and Taiwan) and Europe (Germany, Spain and Switzerland).…”

“…Another flavonol with well-known biological activities is myricetin. Semwal et al [18] provide an extensive review of the studies demonstrating, among others, its anti-oxidant, anti-photoaging, anti-cancer, anti-platelet aggregation, anti-hypertensive, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory and anti-allergic activities and applications. They conclude that, although more toxicity studies should be developed, myricetin may constitute a new agent for these situations in the near future.…”