Anti-tumoral Metabolites in Orange Peel

Anti-tumoral Metabolites in Orange Peel

Author: Melania Tesio

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.


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