Syringetin (Flavonol · Antioxidant · Bone Health)

Compound	Syringetin (3,5,7,4′-Tetrahydroxy-3′,5′-dimethoxyflavone)
Chemical class	Polyphenol — Flavonol (myricetin 3′,5′-dimethyl ether)
CAS	1254-84-8
Primary source	Sambucus nigra (elderberry), Vitis vinifera (grape skin), Prunus spp.
Key applications	Antioxidant; bone health; anti-inflammatory; cardiovascular support
Claim strength	Moderate
Typical form	Elderberry Extract Powder; anthocyanin-standardised elderberry extract (syringetin as minor flavonol co-active)
Buy from Herbuno	Elderberry Extract Powder - Sambucus nigra → Anthocyanins 25% Powder (Elderberry Extract) | Standardized Sambucus nigra →

Name origin: Syringetin is named after Syringa (lilac), from which it was first isolated, though Sambucus nigra (elderberry) is its most commercially relevant botanical source. Structurally, it is the 3′,5′-dimethoxy analogue of laricitrin (3′-methoxy) and the trimethyl ether of myricetin. Traditional use: Sambucus nigra has extensive traditional use across European herbal medicine — from Hippocrates' medicine chest to medieval plague remedies — primarily for immune modulation, fever management, and upper respiratory infections. The berry anthocyanin complex is the most studied fraction; the accompanying flavonol spectrum including syringetin contributes antioxidant capacity. Research trajectory: Syringetin has attracted attention for osteogenic activity in bone marrow stromal cell models — a specific finding not well replicated in other common flavonols — alongside antioxidant and anti-inflammatory characterisation. Commercial source: Elderberry Extract Powder (Sambucus nigra) is available from Herbuno, delivering syringetin as part of the full elderberry polyphenol spectrum alongside anthocyanins and quercetin glycosides.

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Evidence for Syringetin Applications

Bone health support: Syringetin has demonstrated osteogenic activity in bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell models, upregulating RUNX2, BMP-2, and osteocalcin expression — key markers of osteoblastic differentiation. This places syringetin in a class of dimethoxyflavonols with bone-forming activity analogous to myricetin's osteogenic effects. No human clinical data are yet available. Claim strength: Emerging.

Antioxidant activity: Syringetin's trimethoxylation pattern reduces iron-chelating capacity versus myricetin (fewer free catechol hydroxyl groups) but maintains good radical scavenging via the C-ring 3-hydroxyl and B-ring system. In elderberry extract context, syringetin complements the high ORAC anthocyanin fraction. Claim strength: Moderate.

Anti-inflammatory: COX-2 inhibition and NF-κB suppression have been demonstrated in macrophage activation models at 20–50 μM. The dimethoxy B-ring substitution pattern is associated with enhanced COX-2 selectivity relative to myricetin. Claim strength: Emerging.

Immune and cardiovascular: In the context of elderberry extract — where multiple RCTs demonstrate reduced influenza duration and upper respiratory symptom severity — syringetin contributes to the anthocyanin-flavonol synergy. Specific isolated data for syringetin's immune and cardiovascular effects are limited. Claim strength: Moderate (extract); Emerging (isolated).

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Dosage & Formulator Specification

No isolated syringetin human dosing studies exist. Elderberry preparations evaluated in clinical trials for respiratory support use 600–900 mg/day dry elderberry extract (standardised to 12.5–38% anthocyanins) over 5–14 day courses. Syringetin content in elderberry extract is typically 0.01–0.1% dry weight — a minor contributor to the total polyphenol matrix.

Elderberry extract is stable in solid dosage forms (capsule, tablet) and widely used at 500 mg–1 g per serving in immune support products. The anthocyanin content gives strong colour advantageous in gummy and liquid formats. Compatibility with zinc, vitamin C, and echinacea is well established in combination immune formulas.

Elderberry preparations should be used as standardised, heat-processed extracts — raw elderberries contain sambunigrin (a cyanogenic glycoside) destroyed by heating. All commercial Herbuno elderberry extracts are fully processed.

No clinically significant drug interactions are documented for syringetin.

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Frequently Asked Questions — Syringetin

What makes syringetin structurally distinctive among flavonols?
Syringetin is the 3′,5′-dimethoxy analogue of myricetin — carrying two methyl groups on the B-ring that reduce free hydroxyl count from five to three. This increases lipophilicity and reduces metal chelation versus myricetin, while the pattern is associated with enhanced COX-2 selectivity and distinctive osteogenic activity not seen in more hydroxylated flavonols.

Is syringetin present in standard elderberry extracts?
Yes, at 0.01–0.1% dry weight. Elderberry extracts are standardised to anthocyanins (cyanidin-3-glucoside and cyanidin-3-sambubioside), with syringetin, quercetin glycosides, and rutin present as minor flavonol co-actives.

What is the botanical relationship between Sambucus nigra and syringetin?
Sambucus nigra berries are among the richest fruit sources of syringetin alongside Vitis vinifera grape skins and Prunus species. The Sambucus genus consistently yields syringetin in the flavonol fraction across species.

Can elderberry extract be positioned for bone health?
Current elderberry positioning centres on immune and antiviral support — the evidence base is robust (multiple RCTs). Bone health positioning based on syringetin's osteogenic cell culture data remains preclinical and requires further validation before supporting structure-function claims in regulated markets.

Related compounds: Laricitrin, Myricetin, Isorhamnetin-3-Glucoside, Violaxanthin

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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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