7,8-Dihydroxyflavone (CAS: 38183-03-8)

What is 7,8-Dihydroxyflavone

7,8-Dihydroxyflavone (7,8-DHF) is a natural flavonoid. it can be extracted from various plants, such as Scutellaria baicalensis and so on. chemical formula of C15H10O4 and a CAS Number of 38183-03-8.

7,8-DHF has antioxidant properties, it can remove free radicals in the body, reduce oxidative stress damage to cells and tissues, help maintain cell health and delay aging.

7,8-DHF has a protective effect on the nervous system. It can promote the production of nerve growth factor (NGF), promote the growth and development of nerve cells, and help treat neurodegenerative diseases. And it also has anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, antibacterial and other functions.

7,8-DHF Biological/Chemical Reaction

7,8-Dihydroxyflavone can participate in a variety of biochemical reactions, including redox, esterification, methylation, etc.

Here are some biological and chemical reactions of 7,8-DHF:

1. Oxidation reaction: 7,8-DHF itself is a product of the oxidation reaction, which can be generated by the oxidation of 7,8-Dihydroxyflavanone.
2. Esterification reaction: Since the 7,8-DHF molecule contains a hydroxyl functional group, it can react with an acid compound to form an ester bond, thereby generating an esterified derivative of 7,8-Dihydroxyflavone.
3. Methylation reaction: The hydroxyl functional group in 7,8-DHF can undergo methylation reaction to form 7,8-Dimethoxyflavone.
4. Variation reaction: Due to the presence of multiple functional groups in the 7,8-DHF molecule, structural changes may occur, such as the reduction of oxygen atoms on the ring to hydroxyl groups, or the oxidation of hydrogen atoms to hydroxyl groups
5. Photochemical reaction: Under light conditions, 7,8-Dihydroxyflavone may participate in photochemical reactions to produce different photodegradation products or reaction intermediates.

Applications of 7,8-Dihydroxyflavone

Some of the applications of 7,8-DHF include:

1. Neuroprotection: One of the most well-known and extensively studied applications of 7,8-DHF is its neuroprotective properties. It promotes the survival and growth of neurons and protects them from oxidative stress, inflammation and other neurodegenerative factors.
2. Cognitive Enhancement: 7,8-DHF has cognitive enhancing effects. It regulates synaptic plasticity and improves learning and memory. Therefore, it acts as a cognitive enhancer and memory aid.
3. Antidepressant and Anxiolytic Effects: 7,8-DHF has been shown to have antidepressant and anxiolytic effects in animal models. Therefore, it can be used in the development of new antidepressant drugs.
4. Anti-inflammatory Activity: 7,8-DHF has anti-inflammatory properties. It can regulate inflammatory signaling pathways and cytokine production, thereby reducing inflammation.
5. Antioxidant Properties: 7,8-Dihydroxyflavone acts as an antioxidant, neutralizing free radicals and reactive oxygen species that can damage cells and tissues.
6. Bone Health: 7,8-Dihydroxyflavone has potential effects in promoting bone health. It may affect the activity of osteoblasts and osteoclasts, suggesting that 7,8-dihydroxyflavone can be applied in osteoporosis treatment and bone regeneration therapy.
7. Neurogenesis: 7,8-Dihydroxyflavone can stimulate neurogenesis. Therefore, it can have an effect on brain repair and regeneration in neurological diseases.

7,8-DHF Preparation Method

The preparation method of 7,8-DHF involves several steps and can be achieved through chemical synthesis or extraction from natural sources.

Here’s a general overview of the two main methods:

Chemical Synthesis:

Chemical synthesis involves the step-by-step assembly of the molecule using appropriate starting materials and reaction conditions.

The synthesis of 7,8-Dihydroxyflavone typically involves the following steps:

1. Starting material: The synthesis usually starts with a suitable aromatic compound, such as resorcinol or 2,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde.
2. Condensation: The starting material is subjected to a condensation reaction with an appropriate aromatic aldehyde, such as salicylaldehyde or 2,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde, in the presence of a base catalyst. This step leads to the formation of the flavone backbone.
3. Hydroxylation: The obtained flavone intermediate is then hydroxylated at positions 7 and 8. This step is typically achieved by using oxidizing agents like potassium permanganate or hydrogen peroxide under controlled conditions.
4. Purification: After the reaction, the crude product is purified using various techniques, such as column chromatography or recrystallization, to obtain pure 7,8-DHF.

Extraction from Natural Sources:

7,8-Dihydroxyflavone can also be extracted from certain natural sources, such as plants. Flavonoids, including 7,8-DHF, are commonly found in various plant species.

The extraction process typically involves the following steps:

1. Plant Material Selection: Plants that are known to contain 7,8-Dihydroxyflavone or related flavonoids are selected as the source.
2. Extraction: The plant material is subjected to extraction using suitable solvents, such as ethanol, methanol, or water. The extraction is often done through methods like maceration or percolation.
3. Concentration: The extract obtained from the plant material is concentrated to remove the solvent and obtain a crude extract rich in flavonoids.
4. Purification: The crude extract is further purified using various techniques, such as column chromatography or liquid-liquid extraction, to isolate and obtain pure 7,8-DHF.

7,8-Dihydroxyflavone Safety and Risks

7,8-Dihydroxyflavone has a variety of biological activities and potential medicinal value, but its safety and potential risks need to be evaluated when used. The following are specific points of view.

Safety:

7,8-Dihydroxyflavone is relatively safe in appropriate doses. In vitro and in animal experiments, 7,8-DHF exhibits multiple beneficial biological activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and memory enhancement.

Potential risks:

1. Dose dependence: The effect of 7,8-DHF may be dose-related. When using this compound, the choice of dose is very important, too high a dose may cause adverse reactions.
2. Adverse reactions: Large doses or long-term exposure may cause some adverse reactions, such as gastrointestinal discomfort, headache, dizziness, etc.
3. Drug Interactions: 7,8-Dihydroxyflavone may interact with certain drugs, affecting their efficacy or metabolism.

Research and Future Development of 7,8-DHF

The research and future development potential of 7,8-DHF mainly focuses on the following aspects:

1. Neuroprotection and cognitive improvement: 7,8-Dihydroxyflavone can be used to protect the nervous system, improve learning and memory. Therefore, 7,8-dihydroxyflavone may be used to treat neurodegenerative diseases and improve cognitive function in the future.
2. Antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects: 7,8-Dihydroxyflavone acts as a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent. Therefore, it can be used to develop drugs against diseases such as aging, cardiovascular and inflammation.
3. Nanotechnology and delivery: 7,8-Dihydroxyflavones can be used in the fields of nanotechnology and drug delivery. With the support of nanotechnology carriers or nanoparticles, the stability and drug delivery efficiency of 7,8-dihydroxyflavone can be improved, so as to have a better therapeutic effect.
4. Sustainable development: As a natural product, 7,8-dihydroxyflavone is sustainable and biodegradable. Under the trend of sustainable development, 7,8-dihydroxyflavone can be used to develop applications in biodegradable polymers, sustainable plastics, and environmentally friendly coatings.
5. Pharmaceutical dosage form development: 7,8-Dihydroxyflavone can be used to make tablets, capsules, injections, etc. to meet different therapeutic needs.