Sakuranetin (Flavanone Phytoalexin · Antifungal · Anti-inflammatory)
| Compound | Sakuranetin |
| Chemical class | Polyphenol — Flavanone (Naringenin 7-methyl ether) |
| CAS | 2957-21-3 |
| Primary source | Oryza sativa (rice leaves, phytoalexin), Prunus spp., Conyza canadensis |
| Key applications | Antifungal, anti-inflammatory, insecticidal |
| Claim strength | Emerging |
| Typical form | Research-grade isolate; plant phytoalexin |
Name origin: From Prunus serrulata (Japanese cherry / sakura), from whose bark it was first isolated. Sakuranetin is the 7-O-methyl ether of naringenin — a simple methylation that substantially alters its bioactivity profile relative to the parent compound. Traditional use: Sakuranetin does not have a specific traditional use profile as an isolated compound; however, plants producing it (rice, Conyza species) have ethnomedicinal use for respiratory and anti-inflammatory applications in various traditions. As a phytoalexin, sakuranetin is produced by rice plants in response to pathogen attack. Research trajectory: The evidence base is primarily preclinical, covering antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and insecticidal activities. Interest has grown in sakuranetin as a model compound for understanding plant defence biochemistry and for potential agricultural and pharmaceutical applications. No human clinical data exist. Commercial source: Not available at supplement scale; accessible only as a research-grade standard. Product-pending for Herbuno.
Evidence for Sakuranetin Applications
Antifungal activity: Sakuranetin demonstrates MIC values of 16–64 µg/mL against Candida albicans, Aspergillus, and rice blast pathogen Magnaporthe oryzae. Membrane disruption and ergosterol biosynthesis inhibition are proposed mechanisms. Its role as a rice phytoalexin is well-established in plant pathology literature. Claim strength: Emerging.
Anti-inflammatory activity: Sakuranetin inhibits LPS-induced NF-κB activation and reduces macrophage TNF-α and IL-6 production in cell-based assays. The 7-methyl group relative to naringenin increases lipophilicity and may improve intracellular access. Animal model data are sparse. Claim strength: Emerging.
Insecticidal and plant defence: As a phytoalexin, sakuranetin is toxic to several herbivorous insect species at concentrations encountered in resistant rice cultivars. This activity is of agricultural rather than nutritional relevance but contributes to understanding the compound’s spectrum of bioactivity. Claim strength: Emerging.
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Dosage & Formulator Specification
No established supplement or clinical dose. Sakuranetin is not commercially formulated as a supplement ingredient. Active concentrations in preclinical antifungal and anti-inflammatory assays are typically 10–100 µM; oral bioavailability and human equivalent doses are unstudied.
For research formulation contexts, sakuranetin is available as an analytical standard (≥98% HPLC) from specialist chemical suppliers. Scale-up extraction from plant sources is technically feasible but commercially unestablished at supplement scale.
Formulators interested in methoxylated flavanone bioactivity with better commercial availability should consider naringenin (parent compound) or hesperetin, both of which share partial mechanistic overlap and have established supply chains.
Frequently Asked Questions — Sakuranetin
What is a phytoalexin and why is sakuranetin one?
A phytoalexin is a compound produced by a plant in response to pathogen attack or physical stress — effectively a plant immune response molecule. Sakuranetin is produced in rice leaves following fungal infection or UV stress. Its antifungal and insecticidal properties are directly related to this defensive biological role.
How does sakuranetin differ from naringenin?
Sakuranetin is the 7-O-methyl ether of naringenin — one methyl group replaces a hydroxyl at C-7. This increases lipophilicity (higher logP), reduces hydrogen bonding capacity, and significantly alters receptor and enzyme binding characteristics. The antifungal activity is substantially stronger than naringenin; the anti-inflammatory profile is similar.
Is sakuranetin available as a commercial supplement ingredient?
No. It is a research-grade compound available as an analytical standard. No commercial-scale botanical extraction for supplement use is established. Formulators with a specific mechanistic need for this compound would require custom extraction or synthesis.
What claim-strength applies to sakuranetin in formulation documentation?
Emerging across all applications. All current evidence is in vitro or agricultural/plant science literature. No animal efficacy models or human data have been reported for supplement-relevant applications.
Claim-strength scale – High = multiple human RCTs; Moderate = limited trials or strong preclinical convergence; Emerging = early-stage lab or animal data.
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