Anti-oxidant and Anti-inflammatory Effects of Rutin and Its Metabolites

Rutin is one of the major flavonoids found in buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench). While rutin is already known to exhibit anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, and anti-carcinogenic activities. However, the health beneficial function of rutin metabolites is not well understood. In DPPH radical scavenging assays, the present study found that 3,4-dihydroxyphenyl acetic acid had the highest total anti-oxidant activity, followed by 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid, rutin, homovanillic acid, and 3-hydroxyphenyl acetic acid. Further, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid strongly reduced LPS-induced IL-6 production in RAW 264.7 cells, compared with other metabolites. Therefore, these results suggest that rutin metabolites have potential to be utilized as food ingredients with anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities.