What effects does Fisetin have??
Due to its molecular structure, fisetin has the possibility of neutralizing free radicals. This makes it a natural antioxidant, similar to other secondary plant substances. Additionally, the molecule can increase the amount of glutathione, the most powerful antioxidant in many organisms.
In addition, it interacts with some inflammatory signaling pathways and was able to repeatedly produce anti-inflammatory properties in cell studies .
Where is fisetin found in food?
It occurs naturally in a variety of foods. The substance can be found in larger quantities in strawberries, making this fruit one of the best natural sources of this flavonoid. In addition, fisetin is found in other fruits such as apples and mangoes as well as vegetables such as tomatoes, onions and cucumbers included.
It is also found in manageable amounts in nuts and seeds as well as in wine and dark chocolate to be found. Some spices, including turmeric and ginger, also contain fisetin.
Because fisetin levels in foods vary, it is important to consume a variety of foods to ensure you get an adequate amount of this beneficial flavonoid. It's also worth noting that Fisetin is heat sensitive, so raw or minimally processed foods tend to have higher levels of this nutrient.
How much fisetin is contained in food?
Depending on the database, you will get slightly different results on this question. To give you a better overview, we have summarized some of the foods with the highest fisetin content. This study:
provides the basis for the table| Food | Fisetin content (µg/g fresh weight) |
| Strawberries | 160 |
| Apples | 26.9 |
| Grapes | 6.2 |
| Onions | 4.8 |
| Cucumbers | 5.2 |
| Tomatoes | 0.8 |
| Kiwis | 2.0 |
| Peaches | 1.9 |
Fisetin, quercetin and luteolin.
The three molecules, fisetin, quercetin and luteolin all count to the secondary plant substances. So that you can keep a better overview of which fruits and vegetables contain which molecule, we have created another table for you here. The data comes from this study.
| Food | Fisetin (μg/g fresh weight) | Quercetin (μg/g fresh weight) | Luteolin (μg/g fresh weight) |
| Green Bean | not measured | 12.6 | 10,1 |
| Green peppers | not measured | 14.1 | 14.7 |
| Parsley | not measured | 7.0 | 3.1 |
| Onion | 4.8 | 337.0 | 1.9 |
| Lotus Root | 5.8 | 4,4 | 3.6 |
| Salad | not measured | 4.8 | 5,2 |
| Orange | not measured | 17.5 | 1.0 |
| Kaki | 10.5 | not measured | 1.4 |
| Strawberry | 160.0 | 6.9 | not measured |
The current research situation
Currently, research on fisetin is still based on animal studies, but the first studies on humans are already being carried out. We will show you in which areas of science Fisetin is being researched:
Alzheimer's
The Alzheimer's disease is a serious and chronic disease of the brain caused by the deposition of a substance called amyloid -Beta and the excessive phosphorylation of proteins called tau in the brain is characterized. This accumulation leads to problems with brain function, particularly memory and cognition.
In a study on mice, researchers examined the protective effects of Fisetin on the brains of mice, particularly in relation to Alzheimer's disease. They used a model of Alzheimer's disease in which mice were injected with amyloid beta. This injection led to the well-known memory and synapse problems, as well as inflammation in the brain and degeneration of neurons.
The mice were then treated with fisetin, which was injected into the body (not directly into the brain). This treatment began one day after the amyloid beta injection and lasted two weeks. The researchers found that the molecule significantly reduced the accumulation of amyloid beta as well as the hyperphosphorylation of tau proteins in the mouse brain. In addition, it contributed to the improvement of synaptic function, which led to an improvement in the mice's memory performance.
The treatment also activated pathways in the mice's brains that helped counteract the effects of amyloid beta.
Inhibition of inflammatory factors
To find out what properties fisetin has, the scientists carried out cell culture studies . This is fundamental research to better understand the biochemical relationships between molecules. It is important that these studies initially only represent the basics of how molecules are likely to work.
What have the scientists found out about fisetin in the cell culture studies? Fisetin interacts in several ways in the cell culture studies: It can Reduce production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. In addition, fisetin can inhibit the activity of enzymes involved in inflammatory processes, such as cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and lipoxygenase (LOX), which are responsible for the production of inflammatory mediators are responsible.
Another mechanism by which fisetin may exert its anti-inflammatory effects is through modulation of signaling pathways involved in inflammatory responses. In cell cultures, fisetin appears to inhibit the activation of NF-kB (nuclear factor kappa B), an important regulator of the inflammatory response, and the activity of signaling pathway proteins such as MAP kinases and PI3K/ Acts that are involved in inflammatory processes modulate.
In addition, fisetin has shown that it can regulate the activity of inflammatory cells such as macrophages and neutrophils by reducing the release of inflammatory mediators such as nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandins.
Fisetin & Longevity
In mouse studies, administration of fisetin in late life resulted in restoration of tissue homeostasis, reduction of age-related pathologies and extension of mean and maximum lifespan.
Even when given to rodents for the equivalent of 75 human years, fisetin was able to extend lifespan by 10%. These results are likely due to the effect of fisetin on the Hallmarks of Aging. The researchers were able to prove that fisetin has a life-extending effect not only in mice, but also in flies and worms. The life-extending effect in the animal studies is probably due to the activation of the sirtuins . This family of genes, also often referred to as longevity genes, is the focus of aging research. Other molecules that are also sirtuin activators include:b. the David Sinclair researched Resveratrol.
So that you can better understand the molecular background, we will use the example of cellular senescence to show you how fisetin affects longevity in animal experiments.
Senescence
Before we explain the molecular interaction of fisetin, we first explain the concepts of senescence and senolysis. To put it simply, senescence refers to old cells that no longer divide and remain in a kind of intermediate state - not really dead, but not really alive either. Hence the nickname “zombie cells”.
We find these senescent cells in our body at every stage of life and under certain circumstances they can even be useful. As you get older, however, too many of these “zombic cells” probably accumulate and the body can no longer keep up with the elimination, or senolysis, of these cells. This increase in senescent cells leads to an activation of tissue hormones and messenger substances, which are summarized under the name SAPS. Animal studies in particular have shown that eliminating “zombie cells” led to a longer and healthier life. The molecules that can help the body detect and eliminate such “zombie cells” are called senolytics.
Senolytics – the weapon against “zombie cells”
Senolytic therapy, which aims at the selective elimination of senescent cells, has attracted much attention in recent years. Much of this is still theory and has only been tested on animals.
According to this Paper the senolytic potency of fisetin is higher than that of comparable flavonoids. One study showed that fisetin could destroy senescent cells in old mice and improve both their health and lifespan.
One of the molecular mechanisms behind the extension of lifespan in animal experiments is probably the DAF-16-induced stress response and induced autophagy. The altered autophagy is one of the hallmarks of aging and a reversal of this could therefore be one of the molecular reasons for the effects of fisetin in longevity research.
Did you know? By autophagy we mean the body's ability to sort out “old cells”, as happens, for example, when fasting happens.
Quercesome - 20-fold increased bioavailability compared to conventional quercetin powder. Thanks to phospholipids from sunflower and natural vitamin C.
Side effects of Fisetin
Fisetin is generally considered to be well tolerated. As with all dietary supplements, side effects can occur, especially at higher dosages. These include:
- Gastrointestinal problems: Some people may experience gastrointestinal problems such as stomach pain, nausea or diarrhea after taking Fisetin Dietary supplements Gastrointestinal problems experience.
- Allergic reactions: Although rare, it is possible for people to have an allergic reaction to fisetin. Symptoms of an allergic reaction may include rash, itching, difficulty breathing, and swelling of the face or neck.
- Drug Interactions: Fisetin could potentially interact with certain medications, particularly those that affect blood clotting, such as: b Blood thinners (anticoagulants). This could increase the risk of bleeding.
Conclusion
Fisetin is a versatile and exciting molecule from the group of flavonoids. It is being researched for its senolytic properties. There is still mainly basic research on fisetin, but that will certainly change in the near future.
