Important Bioactive From Foods & Botanicals!
Homoisoflavanone belongs to a subgroup of homoisoflavonoids which are notably present in various plant genera, including Caesalpinia sappan, Polygonatum odoratum, Ophiopogon japonicus, and bulbous members of the Hyacinthaceae such as Scilla natalensis, Eucomis montana, and Resnova humifusa.
Among its possible health benefits:
· Antiangiogenic
· Anticancer
· Antioxidant
· Antiinflammatory
· Hypoglycemic
· Antimicrobial
· Immunomodulatory
· Hepatoprotective
· Antiphotodamage
· Skin Protective
· Vasorelaxant
· Antiacne
Research indicates that homoisoflavanones such as brazilin, extracted from Caesalpinia sappan, show promise as natural colorants and functional compounds for food and beverage applications due to their safety profile and bioactive properties. Studies have highlighted brazilin’s use in Southeast Asian herbal beverages, where it provides a vibrant red color and confers antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits alongside aesthetic appeal. Safety evaluations and pharmacological research suggest that these compounds can be incorporated into foods and drinks not only as coloring agents but also for their potential health benefits, positioning them as attractive ingredients for natural product formulations in the food industry.
A recent study investigated the synthetic homoisoflavonoid derivative SH66 for its effects on neuroinflammation in LPS-activated BV2 murine microglial cells. Researchers found that SH66 significantly reduced production of inflammatory mediators like nitric oxide and proinflammatory cytokines by downregulating mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling. Notably, SH66 inhibited activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome and reduced levels of active interleukin-1β, protecting neuronal cells and enhancing neurite length and nerve growth factor in accompanying assays. This suggests homoisoflavonoids such as SH66 could serve as promising agents against neuroinflammation-mediated neurological disorders by modulating key inflammatory pathways in microglia.
Homoisoflavonone-
