Polymethoxyflavones (PMFs) are a class of flavonoids, which are plant secondary metabolites. The PMF 5-demethylnobiletin is highly abundant in orange peel and has important anti-inflammatory and anti-tumoral properties. As the metabolism pathway of 5-demethylnobiletin has not been elucidated, the potential biological effects exerted by its metabolites remain unknown.
Jinkai Zheng, University of Massachusetts, USA, and colleagues demonstrated that the oral administration of 5-demethylnobiletin leads to the generation of three urinary metabolites: 5,3′-didemethylnobiletin, 5,4′-didemethylnobiletin, and 5,3′,4′-tridemethylnobiletin. When compared to the parent compound, these metabolites showed superior anti-tumoral properties, as they more powerfully inhibited the growth of colon cancer cells.
The metabolites of 5-demethylnobiletin might, therefore, have an important role in cancer preventive medicine.
- Identification of novel bioactive metabolites of 5-demethylnobiletin in mice,
Jinkai Zheng, Mingyue Song, Ping Dong, Peiju Qiu, Shanshan Guo, Zhimei Zhong, Shiming Li, Chi-Tang Ho, Hang Xiao,
Mol. Nutr. Food Res. 2013.
DOI: 10.1002/mnfr.201300211
