Rutin (Quercetin-3-Rutinoside · Capillary Tonic · Venous Support)
| CAS No. | 153-18-4 |
| Class | Polyphenol · Flavonol Glycoside · Flavonoid |
| Source | Fagopyrum esculentum (Buckwheat) aerial parts; Sophora japonica flower buds (primary commercial source); Ruta graveolens (Rue); apples, citrus peel |
| Claim strength | Moderate |
| Buy from Herbuno | Rutin Extract Powder (95%) → · Rutin 98% Powder (Japanese Pagoda Tree) | High-Purity Isolate | Sophora japonica → |
Historical context: Rutin (quercetin-3-O-rutinoside) was first isolated from Ruta graveolens (common rue) in the 1840s — the genus giving the compound its name. Vitamin P legacy: It was one of Albert Szent-Györgyi's original "Vitamin P" compounds in the 1930s, identified for its role in maintaining capillary permeability — a classification since discontinued, though the underlying capillary-protective biology is now clinically validated. European pharmaceutical precedent: Hydroxyethylrutoside derivatives (Venoruton) are licensed venous medicines in several European countries, reflecting a longer clinical precedent in those markets. Commercial source: Most commercial rutin is extracted from Sophora japonica flower buds, where it is the dominant flavonoid constituent, or from buckwheat aerial parts.
Evidence for Venous Insufficiency, Capillary Fragility & Anti-Oedema Activity
Venous insufficiency and capillary strengthening: Multiple European RCTs and systematic reviews document rutin and its derivatives reducing capillary permeability, improving venous tone, and reducing lower-limb oedema in chronic venous insufficiency. Hydroxyethylrutoside preparations (Venoruton) carry European pharmaceutical approval. Claim strength: High (pharmaceutical context); Moderate (dietary supplement context).
Anti-oedema mechanism: Rutin inhibits hyaluronidase — the enzyme degrading capillary basement membrane hyaluronic acid — reducing capillary fragility and fluid extravasation into interstitial tissue. Claim strength: Moderate.
Antioxidant via quercetin delivery: Rutin is hydrolysed in the colon by gut microbiota to quercetin. Its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity is largely attributed to this quercetin release, with rutin serving as a slow-release, colon-targeted quercetin vehicle. Claim strength: Moderate.
Rutin Extract Powder (95%) →
Rutin 98% Powder (Japanese Pagoda Tree) | High-Purity Isolate | Sophora japonica →
Browse Standardised Extract Powders →
Dosage, Pharmacokinetics & Formulator Specification
Clinical dose: 500–1,000 mg/day for venous insufficiency applications. European hydroxyethylrutoside preparations use 1,000–2,000 mg/day. For general antioxidant support: 250–500 mg/day.
Rutin vs quercetin pharmacokinetics: Rutin requires colonic microbiota to cleave the rutinose sugar — producing lower peak plasma concentrations but colonic quercetin delivery. For rapid antioxidant or anti-inflammatory effects, quercetin aglycone or phytosome is preferred. For venous and capillary applications where sustained colonic and systemic delivery is relevant, rutin has stronger clinical precedent.
Specification: Rutin 95% from Sophora japonica is the standard supplement-grade. Confirm HPLC purity and source botanical on the CoA.
Synergistic pairs: Hesperidin (capillary support combination), diosmin (9:1 diosmin:hesperidin for phlebotonic formulations), vitamin C (collagen and capillary wall integrity), horse chestnut/escin (venous tonic stack).
Frequently Asked Questions — Rutin
What is the difference between rutin and quercetin?
Rutin is quercetin's glycoside form — quercetin with the disaccharide rutinose attached at the 3-position. Glycosylation changes pharmacokinetics substantially: rutin requires gut microbiota to cleave the sugar before quercetin is released, producing slower, more sustained delivery. Rutin has stronger clinical precedent for venous and capillary applications; quercetin aglycone has faster antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.
What is chronic venous insufficiency and how does rutin address it?
CVI involves impaired venous valves causing blood pooling in lower-limb veins, oedema, and varicosities. Rutin reduces capillary permeability by inhibiting hyaluronidase and improving venous wall tone, reducing fluid extravasation. Multiple European clinical trials document significant improvements in oedema, symptom scores, and objective venous parameters.
Can rutin be used for haemorrhoid support?
Yes — rutin's capillary-tightening mechanism directly applies to haemorrhoidal venous dilation. It is incorporated in European OTC preparations for haemorrhoid symptom management. Clinical evidence shows reductions in haemorrhoidal bleeding and symptom severity. Position dietary supplements as supporting healthy capillary structure and normal venous tone.
What purity should I specify for supplement-grade rutin?
95% purity from Sophora japonica is the standard. Confirm by HPLC on the CoA. The primary commercial source is Sophora japonica flower buds — confirm source botanical if origin documentation is required for your market.
Claim-strength scale – High = multiple human RCTs; Moderate = limited trials or strong preclinical convergence; Emerging = early-stage lab or animal data.
← HerbIQ Compound Index · HerbIQ P02: Extraction · HerbIQ P03: Delivery