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Rhoifolin is a naturally occurring flavone glycoside, chemically apigenin 7-O-neohesperidoside, belonging to the flavonoid group of plant compounds. It was first isolated from the leaves of Rhus succedanea, which gave it its name, and is found in a range of plants including citrus species. Laboratory research has reported antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and other bioactivities, though it has not been developed into a medicine.
- Antioxidant in lab models
- Anti-inflammatory signals
- Early anticancer interest
- Possible antidiabetic activity
Overview
Rhoifolin is a flavone, a subclass of the flavonoids, and more precisely a glycoside of apigenin known as apigenin 7-O-neohesperidoside [3]. Its name derives from the genus Rhus, because it was first isolated from the leaves of Rhus succedanea. Chemically it carries a two-sugar neohesperidose unit attached to the apigenin core, giving it the molecular formula C27H30O14 [3].
The compound occurs across a variety of plants. It has been identified in citrus species, for example in the pericarp of Citrus grandis, as well as in bitter orange and grapefruit, and in other plants such as ramie and species of Turpinia [3][4]. In these plants it exists alongside related flavanone and flavone glycosides [3][4].
Rhoifolin is studied as a bioactive plant flavonoid with reported antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties [2][4]. In laboratory studies it has been isolated from plant leaves during investigations of anti-inflammatory flavonoids [4]. When formulated into polymer nanoparticles, it reduced markers of oxidative stress and inflammation in cell and animal models, an approach aimed at overcoming its limited absorption [2]. In diabetic rats, rhoifolin improved measures of blood-sugar control and lowered inflammatory and oxidative markers, apparently acting on insulin-signaling and stress-related pathways [1]. As with many such flavonoids, this evidence comes from preclinical research rather than human trials, and rhoifolin is not an approved therapeutic [1][2].
Mechanism
As a flavonoid, rhoifolin is thought to act largely through the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms common to this class of plant compounds [2]. It can scavenge reactive free radicals and, in cell and animal studies, lower the production of inflammatory signaling molecules such as and pro-inflammatory cytokines [2][4]. In a model of diabetes, rhoifolin was reported to influence specific molecular pathways, raising the expression of -signaling proteins while down-regulating a stress-activated MAPK/JNK pathway, which together improved glucose handling and reduced oxidative damage [1]. Because rhoifolin is a sugar-bearing glycoside with limited absorption, researchers have explored delivery systems such as nanoparticles to improve its [2].
receptor fingerprint
Reactive oxygen speciesscavenges
NF-kB inflammatory signalinginhibits
Pro-inflammatory cytokineslowers
Cancer cell proliferation pathwaysinhibits (in vitro)
Dosingtypical ranges, not medical advice
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Safetyrisks and cautions, not medical advice
There's little human safety data, so caution is warranted simply because it's understudied. As a plant flavonoid it's likely low-risk in food amounts, but concentrated supplementation hasn't been well characterized. Best considered experimental.
Subjective profileweighing the evidence above
An obscure flavonoid with promising lab data but essentially no human evidence; interesting, not proven.
Resources
This entry is here for reference.
Research
- 2013first citedFlavonoid glycosides from leaves of Turpinia arguta and their anti-inflammatory activity
- 2025most recentRhoifolin Improves Glycometabolic Control in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats by Up-Regulat…
- 1.Rhoifolin Improves Glycometabolic Control in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats by Up-Regulating the Expression of Insulin Signaling Proteins and Down-Regulating the MAPK/JNK Pathway
- 2.Rhoifolin loaded in PLGA nanoparticles alleviates oxidative stress and inflammation in vitro and in vivo
- 3.New C-2 diastereomers of flavanone glycosides conjugated with 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaric acid from the pericarp of Citrus grandis (L.) Osbeck
- 4.Flavonoid glycosides from leaves of Turpinia arguta and their anti-inflammatory activity
4 listed here; entry last updated August 2026
Reviews
My notesprivate to this device
FAQ
What is rhoifolin?
It's a flavone glycoside, essentially a sugar-bound form of apigenin, found in citrus and other plants.
Is there human evidence?
Very little; nearly all the data is from cell and animal studies.
How is it related to apigenin?
It can be broken down in the gut to release apigenin, the better-studied aglycone.
Should I supplement it?
There's no established dose or human safety profile, so it is best treated as experimental.
What is it studied for?
Mostly antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, and early anticancer activity in the lab.
Limitations of the evidence
- Studied only in laboratory and animal research, so human safety is not established
Notes and cautions
- Generally regarded as low in toxicity, as is typical of dietary flavonoids
- Poorly absorbed when taken by mouth
- No established medicinal use or dosing