Top 7 Powerful Benefits of Fisetin
What is Fisetin
Fisetin (C₁₅H₁₀O₆) is a natural flavonoid compound. It can be extracted from the lacquer tree and is widely found in vegetables and fruits such as strawberries, apples, onions, and cucumbers. Fisetin is a yellow crystalline powder that is nearly insoluble in water but easily soluble in organic solvents like ethanol, acetone, and acetic acid.
It is also a high-molecular pharmaceutical raw material with diverse uses. It can be utilized in the development of antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer drugs, as well as serving as an antioxidant and immune booster. What’s more, it is used in cosmetics for its anti-aging properties.
Table 1. Physicochemical Properties of Fisetin
| Property | Value |
| Molecular Formula | C₁₅H₁₀O₆ |
| Molecular Weight | 286.24 g/mol |
| Appearance | Yellow crystalline powder |
| Melting Point | Approximately 330°C (decomposition) |
| Solubility | Slightly soluble/insoluble in water; soluble in ethanol, methanol, acetone, DMSO |
| Acidity/Alkalinity | Weakly acidic |
| Stability | Sensitive to light and heat |
| Reactivity | Easily chelates with metal ions; exhibits antioxidant activity |
1. Antioxidant: The Mighty Guardian Against Oxidation
It boasts strong antioxidant capabilities, offering numerous benefits.
–Fisetin Benefits in Antioxidant
Fisetin neutralizes free radicals and reduces oxidative stress-induced cellular damage. Studies show it enhances the activity of antioxidant enzymes in the body, lowering oxidative stress levels and protecting cells from oxidative damage.
–Applications Based on Antioxidant Properties:
Fisetin’s potent antioxidant capacity holds vast potential in pharmaceuticals, health supplements, cosmetics, and the food industry.
- Drug Development: Used in the development of antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and neuroprotective drugs.
- Dietary Supplements: Acts as an antioxidant and immune booster, enhancing immunity and delaying aging.
- Anti-Aging Products: Incorporated into anti-aging and antioxidant skincare products to protect the skin from free radical damage.
- Natural Antioxidant: Used as a food additive to extend shelf life and maintain freshness.
2. Anti-Inflammatory: Relieving Inflammation Troubles
Fisetin exhibits significant anti-inflammatory effects, making it a potential candidate for novel anti-inflammatory drugs.
–How Fisetin Fights Inflammation
Fisetin primarily modulates multiple inflammation-related signaling pathways and molecules:
- Inhibits the production of inflammatory mediators and reduces the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines (e.g., TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6).
- Suppresses NF-κB activation, reducing its translocation to the nucleus and lowering the expression of inflammation-related genes.
- Inhibits MAPK signaling pathways (e.g., ERK, JNK, p38 MAPK), reducing the production and release of inflammatory mediators.
- Suppresses the activation of immune cells like macrophages and neutrophils, decreasing their release of inflammatory mediators.
–Applications Based on Anti-Inflammatory Effects:
Fisetin shows significant value in treating inflammation-related diseases, managing chronic inflammation, and developing anti-inflammatory products. It alleviates inflammatory responses, reducing pain and discomfort. Currently, it is a common ingredient in anti-inflammatory and pain-relief medications and offers potential for treating arthritis, neuroinflammation, and cardiovascular inflammation.[1]
3. Memory Enhancement: The Brain’s Natural Booster
Research shows that fisetin improves memory and cognitive function in aging animals.
–Why Does Fisetin Enhance Memory
Fisetin offers multifaceted benefits for the brain and memory. Its antioxidant properties protect the brain from oxidative damage. Like other flavonoids, it increases glutathione (GSH) levels in brain cells. Glutathione is a critical antioxidant vital for brain cell function and health, and its levels directly impact antioxidant capacity, inflammation response, detoxification, and overall brain health.
Additionally, fisetin promotes the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a substance that supports neuron survival, growth, and synaptic plasticity. Elevated BDNF levels enhance learning and memory. Fisetin also modulates multiple memory-related signaling pathways, such as regulating NMDA receptor activity to promote synaptic plasticity, thereby improving memory. Furthermore, it enhances mitochondrial energy metabolism, ensuring sufficient energy supply for brain cells and supporting normal brain function.
–Applications for Memory Enhancement:
- Neurodegenerative Disease Treatment: Improves memory and cognition, slowing disease progression in conditions like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
- Brain Injury Repair: Promotes neural repair and functional recovery post-injury through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.
- Memory-Boosting Supplements: Dietary supplements to enhance memory and focus in the elderly, students, and professionals.
- Functional Foods: Beverages and snacks that help consumers incorporate fisetin into their daily diet for improved memory.
4. Antibacterial: A Natural Antimicrobial Powerhouse
Fisetin effectively inhibits the growth of various bacteria, disrupts bacterial cell structures, and reduces infection risks.
–Fisetin Benefits in Antimicrobial
Fisetin inhibits multiple bacteria and fungi, including E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. It also prevents bacterial biofilm formation, reducing bacterial attachment and proliferation, thereby lowering infection risks.
Antimicrobial Mechanisms:
- Disrupts bacterial cell membrane integrity, causing cell content leakage and bacterial death.
- Inhibits key bacterial enzyme activity, interfering with metabolic processes and bacterial growth.
- Disrupts bacterial DNA replication, inhibiting bacterial proliferation.
–Applications Based on Antimicrobial Effects:
Fisetin holds vast potential in natural preservatives and anti-infection products.
- Antimicrobial Drug Development: A candidate molecule for novel antibacterial and antifungal drugs.
- Antimicrobial Skincare: Used in skincare products to prevent and treat skin infections like acne and fungal infections.
- Natural Preservative: Extends the shelf life of food products.
5. Anticancer: Inhibiting Tumor Growth and Spread
Fisetin offers multiple benefits in cancer prevention and treatment.
–Benefits of Fisetin in Anticancer
Fisetin reduces cancer risk by scavenging free radicals and inhibiting inflammatory signaling pathways, thereby lowering oxidative damage and inflammation. It activates apoptosis pathways, inducing programmed cell death in cancer cells while sparing normal cells. Fisetin also inhibits VEGF and related signaling pathways, reducing tumor angiogenesis and limiting tumor growth and spread. It synergizes with chemotherapy drugs, enhancing anticancer effects and reducing side effects.
–Applications Based on Anticancer Effects
- Adjuvant Cancer Therapy: Used alongside chemotherapy or radiotherapy to reduce tumor recurrence.
- Cancer Prevention: Daily intake through diet or supplements helps lower cancer risk.
6. Anti-Aging: Revitalizing Youthful Skin
Fisetin helps maintain youthful and healthy skin.
–Fisetin Benefits for Skin
Fisetin delays skin aging through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, collagen synthesis promotion, barrier function enhancement, and cellular repair. It neutralizes free radicals, protects skin cells from damage, reduces pro-inflammatory cytokine release, stimulates collagen production, and enhances skin barrier function to reduce moisture loss.
–Applications Based on Anti-Aging Effects:
Fisetin is widely used in anti-aging skincare, repair products, and sunscreens.
- Anti-Aging Skincare: Reduces fine lines and wrinkles, improving skin elasticity.
- Repair Products: Repairs skin damage caused by UV rays and pollution.
- Sunscreen Additive: Enhances UV protection in sunscreens.
7. Promoting Hair Growth
In vitro and animal studies show that fisetin significantly promotes hair follicle cell proliferation and extends the hair growth phase (Anagen).
–Fisetin Benefits for Hair
Fisetin creates a healthy environment for hair growth through its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. It promotes hair follicle stem cell proliferation and differentiation, extends the Anagen phase, and accelerates hair growth. Additionally, it improves blood circulation to the scalp, enhancing nutrient supply to hair follicles. Fisetin also inhibits 5-α reductase activity, reducing DHT production and preventing androgenetic alopecia.
–Applications Based on Hair Care Effects
- Topical Products: Added to shampoos, conditioners, scalp serums, and hair masks to promote hair growth.
- Oral Supplements: Improves scalp health and promotes hair growth from within.
Stanford Chemical Company (SCC) is a premium supplier of hyaluronic acid and herbal extracts. We offer fisetin and pure hyaluronic acid powder (medical-grade, food-grade, cosmetic-grade, injection-grade, and eye-drop-grade). For more information on these products or specific applications, please contact us and visit our homepage.
[1] Pal HC, Pearlman RL, Afaq F. Fisetin and Its Role in Chronic Diseases. Adv Exp Med Biol. 2016;928:213-244. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-41334-1_10. PMID: 27671819.
