Oxidation of Flavonols in an Electrochemical Flow Cell Coupled Online with ESI‐MS

Flavonols, a class of flavonoids, are jointly responsible for antioxidant activities as free radical acceptors in flowers, fruits and vegetables. Due to their electroactive behaviour, the oxidation of chrysin, flavonol, kaempferol, morin, quercetin and myricetin in methanol was performed in an electrochemical flow cell with glassy carbon as the working electrode. This flow cell was coupled online with electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry to identify the possible oxidation products. Based on these experiments, it was concluded that when certain structural requirement are present, the initial electrode reaction of flavonols involves an electron delivery electrochemical step followed by a chemical step via methanol addition. The redox activity of the selected species explains the number of observed multiple methoxylation. Moreover, we identified a second two‐electron, two‐proton oxidation of the formed oxidation products of quercetin and myricetin for the first time.     

Study of the reaction products of flavonols with 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl using liquid chromatography coupled with negative electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry

The products obtained after the reaction between flavonols and the stable free radical 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH(*)) in both methanol and acetonitrile were characterized using liquid chromatography coupled with negative electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC/ESI-MS/MS) and NMR spectroscopy. The flavonols studied were quercetin, kaempferol and myricetin. In methanol, two reaction products of oxidized quercetin were identified using LC/ESI-MS/MS and NMR. Quercetin was oxidized through a transfer of two H-atoms to DPPH(*) and subsequently incorporated either two CH(3)OH molecules or one CH(3)OH- and one H(2)O molecule giving the products 2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3,5,7-trihydroxy-2,3-dimethoxy-2,3-dihydrochromen-4-one and 2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3,3,5,7-tetrahydroxy-2-methoxy-2,3-dihydrochromen-4-one, respectively. LC/ESI-MS/MS analysis revealed that in methanol, kaempferol and myricetin also gave rise to methoxylated oxidation products similar to that identified for quercetin. Kaempferol, in addition, also exhibited products where a kaempferol radical, obtained by a transfer of one H-atom to DPPH(*), reacted with CH(3)OH through the addition of CH(3)O(*), yielding two isomeric products. When the reaction took place in acetonitrile, LC/ESI-MS/MS analysis showed that both quercetin and myricetin formed stable isomeric quinone products obtained by a transfer of two H-atoms to DPPH(*). In contrast, kaempferol formed two isomeric products where a kaempferol radical reacted with H(2)O through the addition of OH(*), i.e. similar to the reaction of kaempferol radicals with CH(3)OH.     

Inhibition of free radical initiated peroxidation of human erythrocyte ghosts by flavonols and their glycosides

The in vitro peroxidation of human erythrocyte ghosts was used as a model to study the free radical-induced damage of biological membranes and the protective effect of flavonols and their glycosides, i.e., quercetin (Q), quercetin galactopyranoside (QG), quercetin rhamnopyranoside (QR), rutin (R), morin (MO), kaempferol (K) and kaempferol glucoside (KG). The peroxidation was initiated by a water-soluble free radical initiator 2,2'-azobis(2-methylpropionamidine) dihydrochloride (AMPAD) at physiological temperature, and monitored by oxygen uptake. Kinetic analysis of the peroxidation process demonstrates that these flavonols and their glycosides are effective antioxidants against AMPAD-initiated oxidative damage of human erythrocyte ghosts, and that the flavonols bearing ortho-dihydroxyl groups possess significantly higher antioxidant activity than those bearing no such functionalities and the glycosides are less active than their parent aglycones.     

Flavonol Glycosides from the Leaves of Embelia Keniensis

Five new flavonol glycosides characterized as syringetin 3‐O‐α‐rhamnoside‐7‐O‐β‐glucoside, syringetin 3‐O‐α‐rhamnoside‐7,4′‐di‐O‐β‐glucoside, quercetin‐7‐O‐β‐galactosyl (1→3)‐β‐galactoside, myricetin 3‐O‐α‐rhamnosyl (1→4)‐β‐galactoside and myricetin 3‐O‐β‐glucosyl (1→2)‐β‐glucoside‐7‐O‐β‐glucosyl‐(1→4)‐α‐rhamnoside have been isolated from a methanolic extract of Embelia keniensis leaves. Known flavonols isolated from the same extract included myricetin, quercetin, kaempferol, myricetin 3‐O‐α‐rhamnoside, myricetin 3‐O‐β‐glucoside, quercetin 3‐O‐α‐rhamnoside, quercetin 3‐O‐β‐glucoside, quercetin 3‐O‐β‐xyloside, isorhamnetin 3‐O‐α‐rhamnoside and myricetin 3‐O‐rutinoside. Their structures were established from extensive spectroscopic and chemical studies and by comparison with authentic samples.     

Comparative study of the antioxidant properties of selected flavonols and flavanones

The antioxidant properties of morin, myricetin, fisetin, naringenin, and naringin were studied using the initiated oxidation of 1,4-dioxane as the model reaction. The antioxidant activity of these compounds was quantitatively characterized by the apparent rate constant of inhibition, fk _in. Morin, myricetin, and fisetin are comparable with ionol in antioxidant efficiency.     

Molecular imprinted polymer for solid‐phase extraction of flavonol aglycones from Moringa oleifera extracts

Molecular imprinted polymer produced using quercetin as the imprinting compound was applied for the extraction of flavonol aglycones (quercetin and kaempferol) from Moringa oleifera methanolic extracts obtained using heated reflux extraction method. Identification and quantification of these flavonols in the Moringa extracts was achieved using high performance liquid chromatography with ultra violet detection. Breakthrough volume and retention capacity of molecular imprinted polymer SPE was investigated using a mixture of myricetin, quercetin and kaempferol. The calculated theoretical number of plates was found to be 14, 50 and 8 for myricetin, quercetin and kaempferol, respectively. Calculated adsorption capacities were 2.0, 3.4 and 3.7 μmol/g for myricetin, quercetin and kaempferol, respectively. No myricetin was observed in Moringa methanol extracts. Recoveries of quercetin and kaempferol from Moringa methanol extracts of leaves and flowers ranged from 77 to 85% and 75 to 86%, respectively, demonstrating the feasibility of using the developed molecularly imprinted SPE method for quantitative clean‐up of both of these flavonoids. Using heated reflux extraction combined with molecularly imprinted SPE, quercetin concentrations of 975 ± 58 and 845 ± 32 mg/kg were determined in Moringa leaves and flowers, respectively. However, the concentrations of kaempferol found in leaves and flowers were 2100 ± 176 and 2802 ± 157 mg/kg, respectively.     

First Chemical Synthesis of Three Natural Depsides Involved in Flavonol Catabolism and Related to Quercetinase Catalysis

We report here the first chemical synthesis of three depsides related to quercetinase‐catalyzed degradation of kaempferol, quercetin, and myricetin. The three depsides were constructed through the coupling of suitably protected phloroglucinol carboxylic acid and hydroxy‐perbenzylated, derivatives of gallic, protocatechuic, and 4‐hydroxy benzoic acids. The three synthesized target compounds proved to be identical to their natural counterparts, arising from quercetinase action on corresponding flavonols.     

高效液相色谱法测定野葱中黄酮类化合物

建立了测定野葱中芦丁、黄酮醇类化合物的高效液相色谱方法。80%乙醇超声提取,高效液相色谱分析野葱中芦丁和黄酮醇类化合物的含量。芦丁检测条件:V(甲醇)∶V(0.2%磷酸水)=45∶55,检测波长:360nm;槲皮素、山奈酚、异鼠李素检测条件:V(甲醇)∶V(0.2%磷酸水)=40∶60,检测波长:360 nm。结果表明,野葱中芦丁含量0.22%,槲皮素、山奈酚、异鼠李素含量依次为0.42%、0、0.23%,总黄酮醇类化合物含量为1.63%。     

Determination of flavonoid aglycones in several food samples by mixed micellar electrokinetic chromatography

The application of mixed micellar electrokinetic chromatography to the separation of ten flavonoid aglycones (catechin, epicatechin, naringenin, morin, fisetin, quercetin, kaempferol, galangin, apigenin, and chrysin) belonging to four different classes (flavanols, flavanones, flavonols, and flavones), and expected to be prominent in commonly consumed foods, has been developed. A micellar system composed of 25 mM SDS and 25 mM sodium cholate buffered at pH 7.0 provided a simultaneous separation of all compounds in less than 20 min. The procedure could be easily adapted to the determination of some flavonoids from each of these classes in real complex samples (propolis, Ginkgo biloba, etc.). The LODs of these compounds were in the range of 1.2-4 microg/mL, and the peak area and migration time repeatabilities were below 6.0 and 3.1%, respectively.     

Flavonoids of the cotton plant and plants close to it

This review gives information on the distribution of flavonoids (flavonol and anthocyanin glycosides, catechins, and proanthocyanidins in plants of the family Malvaceae, namely the various species of the genera Gossypium, Hibiscus, Altheae, etc. It is shown that the flavonols are represented by glycosides of kaempferol, quercetin, myricetin, herbacetin. gossypetin, and hibiscetin, the most widespread being glycosides of quercetin and kaempferol. Characteristic for the majority of representatives of the families that were studied are flavonols having a hydroxy group in the C-8 position. Anthocyanins are represented by glycosides of cyanidin and of delphinidin. However, together with these, glycosides of methoxylated anthocyanins have also been detected — peonidin, petinidin, and malvidin. Sources of a food dye have been revealed among representatives of the family. Literature sources up to 1991 have been included.A. S. Sadykov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Tashkent, fax 627071. Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 1, pp. 3–19, January–February, 1994.     

Determination of dissociation constants of flavonoids by capillary electrophoresis

Ionization constants of some flavanols (catechin and epicatechin) and flavonols (kaempherol, fisetin, morin, and quercetin) are determined by capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE). This technique allows the determination of pK(a) values until about 12. The pK(a) values obtained are compared with those calculated by the SPARC computational program. This program predicts the microscopic and macroscopic pK(a) values and the order of deprotonation of the different -OH groups. While for catechin and epicatechin the first ionizable OH group occurs in ring 1 and the second ionizable group in ring 2, in flavonols the first deprotonation occurs in ring 2 and the second in ring 1.     

Simultaneous determination of quercetin, kaempferol, and isorhamnetin in phytopharmaceuticals of Hippophae rhamnoides L. by high-performance liquid chromatography with chemiluminescence detection

A novel method based on reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with chemiluminescence detection has been developed for the simultaneous determination of three flavonols including quercetin, kaempferol, and isorhamnetin. The procedure was based on the chemiluminescent enhancement by flavonols of the cerium(IV)-rhodamine 6G system in sulfuric acid medium. The effects of several parameters on the HPLC resolution and CL emission were studied systematically. Good separation was achieved with isocratic elution using a mixture of methanol and aqueous 1.0% acetic acid (37:63, v/v) within 25 min. Under optimized conditions, the linear working range covers 3 orders of magnitude with relative standard deviations below 4.5% for 11 replicate injected flavonol samples, and detection limits (S/N= 3) were 1.6 x 10(-8), 3.5 x 10(-9), and 6.5 x 10(-9) g mL(-1) for quercetin, kaempferol, and isorhamnetin, respectively. The chemiluminescence reaction was compatible with the mobile phase of high-performance liquid chromatography. The proposed method has been successfully applied to the determination of three active flavonols in phytopharmaceuticals of Hippophae rhamnoides L. After a simple extraction procedure, the repeatability and recovery were satisfactory.     

Rapid screening and evaluation of XOD inhibitors and O2•− scavenger from total flavonoids of Ginkgo biloba leaves by LC–MS and multimode microplate reader

Superoxide anion radical scavenger and xanthine oxidase inhibitor play an important role in the treatment of several relevant human diseases. In the present study, ultrafiltration liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry coupled to microplate reader was applied to screen and identify superoxide anion radical scavengers and xanthine oxidase inhibitors from total flavonoids of Ginkgo biloba leaves. As a result, four compounds (quercetin, apigenin, kaempferol and isorhamnetin) were screened as xanthine oxidase inhibitors by ultrafiltration LC–MS, and the 50% scavenging concentration values of the screened flavonoids were lower than those for allopurinol. Lineweaver–Burk plot results indicated that kaempferol was a competitive xanthine oxidase inhibitor; the other flavonoids were all anticompetitive inhibitors. Four flavonoids—rutin, quercetin, kaempferol and isorhamnetin—were screened as superoxide anion radical scavengers by LC–MS. The results demonstrate that the method for screening and evaluation of superoxide anion radical scavenger and xanthine oxidase inhibitor from a complex mixture system is feasible and efficient.     

Flavonoid separation by capillary electrophoresis. Effect of temperature and pH

Summary The use of capillary electrophoresis for the analysis of selected flavonols present in fruit juices and wines (kaempferol-3- rutinoside, rutin, avicularin, quercitrin, isoquercitrin, isorhamnetin, kaempferol and quercetin) was explored, and the effect of pH and temperature on the separation studied. The method had good reproducibility and analyses were carried out in less than 10 minutes.     

On‐line HPLC method for screening of antioxidants against superoxide anion radical from complex mixtures

A practical approach for rapidly screening antioxidants against superoxide anion radicals from complex mixtures was developed based on the quantitative difference in active compounds before and after their reaction. To test the effectiveness of the approach, seven flavonoids with antioxidative properties were investigated both individually and in a mixture. Using the approach, antioxidants could be rapidly separated and screened with a ranked order of activities in the meantime. The radical scavenging activities were in the following order: quercetin > kaempferol > fisetin > puerarin > luteolin > rutin > baicalein. The order of activity was conducted by comparing the scavenging ratio of the antioxidant, which was completely consistent with the results obtained from the traditional electronic spin resonance. Then, the method was successfully applied to black tea extracts. This approach is fast and convenient for screening, isolating, and analyzing potential antioxidants from a mixture with good quantitative and reproducible ability.     

Flavonoid separation by capillary electrophoresis. Effect of temperature and pH

Summary The use of capillary electrophoresis for the analysis of selected flavonols present in fruit juices and wines (kaempferol-3-rutinoside, rutin, avicularin, quercitrin, isoquercitrin, isorhamnetin, kaempferol and quercetin) was explored, and the effect of pH and temperature on the separation studied. The method had good reproducibility and analyses were carried out in less than 10 minutes.     

Hydroethidine as a probe for measuring superoxide formation rates during air oxidation of myricetin and quercetin

In the presence of the flavonols myricetin and quercetin, oxidation of hydroethidine (HE) by superoxide yielded ethidium (E⁺) instead of 2-hydroxyethidium (2-OH-E⁺). As a known pro-oxidant, myricetin alone was also found to be able to catalyze air oxidation of HE yielding exclusively E⁺. The reaction is inhibited by added superoxide dismutase, suggesting that superoxide is involved in the rate limiting step of the oxidation.     

Experimental and theoretical investigation effect of flavonols antioxidants on DNA damage

A new electrochemical biosensor was developed to demonstrate the effect of Acridine Orange (AO) on DNA damage. Then, the biosensor was used to check the inhibitors effect of three flavonols antioxidants (myricetin, fisetin and kaempferol) on DNA damage. Acridine Orange (AO) was used as a damaging agent because it shows a high affinity to nucleic acid and stretch of the double helical structure of DNA. Decreasing on the oxidation signals of adenine and guanine (in the DNA) in the presence of AO were used as probes to study the antioxidants power, using DNA-modified screen printed graphene electrode (DNA/SPGE). The results of our study showed that the DNA-biosensor could be suitable biosensor to investigate the inhibitors ability of the flavonols antioxidants on the DNA damage. The linear dependency was detected in the two regions in the ranges of 1.0–15.0 and 15.0–500.0 pmol L⁻¹. The detection limit was found 0.5 pmol L⁻¹ and 0.6 pmol L⁻¹ for guanine and adenine, respectively. To confirm the electrochemical results, Uv–Vis and fluorescence spectroscopic methods were used too. Finally molecular dynamic (MD) simulation was performed on the structure of DNA in a water box to study any interaction between the antioxidant, AO and DNA.     

Elevated carbon dioxide increases contents of flavonoids and phenolic compounds, and antioxidant activities in Malaysian young ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe.) varieties

Zingiber officinale Roscoe. (Family Zingiberaceae) is well known in Asia. The plant is widely cultivated in village gardens in the tropics for its medicinal properties and as a marketable spice in Malaysia. Ginger varieties are rich in physiologically active phenolics and flavonoids with a range of pharmacological activities. Experiments were conducted to determine the feasibility of increasing levels of flavonoids (quercetin, rutin, catechin, epicatechin, kaempferol, naringenin, fisetin and morin) and phenolic acid (gallic acid, vanillic acid, ferulic acid, tannic acid, cinnamic acid and salicylic acid), and antioxidant activities in different parts of Malaysian young ginger varieties (Halia Bentong and Halia Bara) with CO(2) enrichment in a controlled environment system. Both varieties showed an increase in phenolic compounds and flavonoids in response to CO(2) enrichment from 400 to 800 μmol mol-1 CO(2). These increases were greater in rhizomes compared to leaves. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) results showed that quercetin and gallic acid were the most abundant flavonoid and phenolic acid in Malaysian young ginger varieties. Under elevated CO(2) conditions, kaempferol and fisetin were among the flavonoid compounds, and gallic acid and vanillic acid were among the phenolic compounds whose levels increased in both varieties. As CO(2) concentration was increased from 400 to 800 μmol mol-1, free radical scavenging power (DPPH) increased about 30% in Halia Bentong and 21.4% in Halia Bara; and the rhizomes exhibited more enhanced free radical scavenging power, with 44.9% in Halia Bentong and 46.2% in Halia Bara. Leaves of both varieties also displayed good levels of flavonoid compounds and antioxidant activities. These results indicate that the yield and pharmaceutical quality of Malaysian young ginger varieties can be enhanced by controlled environment production and CO(2) enrichment.     

High-Performance Liquid Chromatographic Method for the Simultaneous Determination of Four Flavonols in Food Supplements and Pharmaceutical Formulations

A method using high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection (HPLC-DAD) as a powerful separation technique has been developed for the simultaneous determination of the four flavonols rutin, quercetin, kaempferol and isorhamnetin in food supplements and pharmaceutical formulations. The chromatographic separation was achieved in 36?min using a Symmetry C₁₈ column (250?×?3?mm; 5?µm) as the stationary phase and a mixture of methanol, acetonitrile, and pH 2.5 aqueous acetic acid as the mobile phase in gradient elution mode. The analytical wavelengths were 256?nm for rutin, quercetin and isorhamnetin, and 368?nm for kaempferol. An ultrasound-assisted extraction protocol was performed using methanol as solvent. The detection and quantification limits were lower than 0.03?µg mL^?1 and 0.08?µg mL^?1, respectively. The inter-day and intra-day precisions were less than 4.8 and 5.1%, respectively, and the average recoveries were in the range from 96 to 107%. The method was applied for the determination of the studied flavonols in food supplements and pharmaceutical preparations. The satisfactory recovery values demonstrate the potential of the developed method for the determination of the analytes in these samples. In addition, the method is suitable for routine quality control due its ease of operation.