Product Name: Rutin

IUPACname:2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-5,7-dihydroxy-3-{[(2S,3R,4S,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-({[(2R,3R,4R,5R,6S)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-methyloxan-2-yl]oxy}methyl)oxan-2-yl]oxy}-4H-chromen-4-one

CAS number :153-18-4

Molecular formula :C27H30O16

Molar mass: 610.517 g/mol

Appearance :solid

Melting point :242 °C, 515 K, 468 °F

Solubility in water :insoluble

Rutin, also called rutoside, quercetin-3-rutinoside and sophorin, is a citrus flavonoid glycoside found in buckwheat, the leaves and petioles of Rheum species, and asparagus. Rutin is also found in the fruit of the Fava DAnta tree (from Brazil), fruits and fruit rinds (especially citrus fruits (orange, grapefruit, lemon, lime)) and berries such as mulberry and cranberries. Its name comes from the name of Ruta graveolens, a plant that also contains rutin. It is sometimes referred to as Vitamin P, although not strictly a vitamin.

Rutin is the glycoside between the flavonol quercetin and the disaccharide rutinose. Rutin can be created by bonding a disaccharide onto the hydroxyl group of Quercetin.

Chemical relatives

Rutin (quercetin rutinoside), as well as quercitrin, is a glycoside of the flavonoid Quercetin. As such, the chemical structure of both is very similar, with the difference existing in the Hydroxyl functional group. Both quercetin and rutin are used in many countries as medications for blood vessel protection and are ingredients of numerous multivitamin preparations and herbal remedies.

Role as ligand

It can combine with cations, supplying nutrients from the soil to the cells in plants. In humans, it attaches to the iron ion Fe2+, preventing it from binding to hydrogen peroxide, which would otherwise create a highly-reactive free-radical that may damage cells. It is also an antioxidant, and potent VEGF inhibitor (angiogenesis inhibitor), and, therefore, plays a role in inhibiting some cancers.

Health effects

a. Rutin inhibits platelet aggregation, as well as decreasing capillary permeability, making the blood thinner and improving circulation.

b. Rutin has anti-inflammatory activity.

c. Rutin inhibits aldose reductase activity. Aldose reductase is an enzyme normally present in the eye and elsewhere in the body. It helps change glucose into a sugar alcohol called sorbitol.

d. Rutin also strengthens the capillaries, and, therefore, can reduce the symptoms of haemophilia. It also may help to prevent a common unpleasant-looking venous edema of the legs. Rutin, as ferulic acid, can reduce the cytotoxicity of oxidized LDL cholesterol and lower the risk of heart disease.

e. There is also some evidence that Rutin can be used to treat hemorrhoids, varicosis, and microangiopathy.

f. Rutin is also an antioxidant, along with quercetin, acacetin, morin, hispidulin, hesperidin, and naringin; it was found to be the strongest.

Hydroxyethylrutosides, synthetic hydroxyethyl acetylations of rutin, are used in the treatment of chronic venous insufficiency.

In veterinary medicine

Rutin has a veterinary use in the management of chylothorax in dogs and cats.