# Gossypin **Canonical URL:** https://ingredients.hermeticasuperfoods.com/ingredients/gossypin **Data Source:** Hermetica Superfoods Ingredient Encyclopedia **Updated:** 2026-03-20 **Evidence Score:** 2 / 10 **Category:** Compound **Also Known As:** 8-glucosyl-3,3',4',5,7-pentahydroxyflavone, Gossypin-8-O-glucoside, Hibiscus flavonoid, Quercetin 3,3',4',5,7-pentahydroxy-8-glucoside, Wild hibiscus compound, Gongura flavonoid ## Overview Gossypin is a bioflavonoid glycoside derived primarily from Hibiscus vitifolius that exerts anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway and suppressing [pro-inflammatory cytokine](/ingredients/condition/inflammation) production. Preclinical research also highlights its anticancer and bone-protective properties through targeted molecular mechanisms including AURKA and RSK2 kinase inhibition. ## Health Benefits • Inhibits NF-κB pathway, reducing [inflammation](/ingredients/condition/inflammation) and promoting apoptosis (preclinical evidence). • Suppresses osteoclastogenesis, potentially benefiting [bone health](/ingredients/condition/bone-health) (in vitro studies). • Inhibits gastric cancer cell growth via AURKA/RSK2 targeting (preclinical evidence). • Exhibits antioxidant properties, which may protect cells from [oxidative stress](/ingredients/condition/antioxidant) (in vitro studies). • Shows potential antidiabetic and [hepatoprotective](/ingredients/condition/detox) effects (preclinical data). ## Mechanism of Action Gossypin suppresses the NF-κB signaling pathway by preventing IκB degradation, thereby reducing transcription of [pro-inflammatory cytokine](/ingredients/condition/inflammation)s such as TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6. In cancer models, it directly inhibits Aurora Kinase A (AURKA) and ribosomal S6 kinase 2 (RSK2), disrupting cell cycle progression and promoting apoptosis in gastric cancer cells. Additionally, gossypin inhibits RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis by downregulating NFATc1 and c-Fos expression, offering a mechanistic basis for its observed bone-protective effects. ## Clinical Summary The current body of evidence for gossypin is limited to in vitro cell studies and animal models, with no published human clinical trials as of 2024. In rodent models of arthritis, gossypin administration reduced paw edema and serum [inflammatory](/ingredients/condition/inflammation) markers by up to 60% compared to controls, mirroring indomethacin activity in some parameters. In vitro studies on human gastric cancer cell lines (SGC-7901) demonstrated dose-dependent growth inhibition with IC50 values in the low micromolar range, attributed to AURKA/RSK2 suppression. Until randomized controlled trials in humans are conducted, all purported benefits remain preliminary and should be interpreted with caution. ## Nutritional Profile Gossypin is a pure bioactive flavonoid compound (specifically a glycoside of gossypetin), not a whole food, so it lacks conventional macronutrients (proteins, fats, carbohydrates) or micronutrients in the dietary sense. Molecular formula: C21H20O13; molecular weight: 484.37 g/mol. It is a flavonol-8-glucoside (gossypetin-8-O-glucoside) found naturally in Hibiscus vitifolius, cotton plants (Gossypium species), and related Malvaceae family plants, typically at trace concentrations in plant tissues (estimated 0.1–2% dry weight in hibiscus flowers depending on extraction method). Key bioactive identity: belongs to the flavonol subclass of polyphenols, containing a hydroxylated flavone backbone with a glucose moiety at position 8, contributing to its water solubility relative to aglycone forms. Bioavailability is limited by intestinal absorption; as a glycoside, it requires hydrolysis by intestinal lactase-phlorizin hydrolase or colonic microbiota to release the aglycone gossypetin before significant absorption. Oral bioavailability is estimated to be low (<10% in preclinical models), consistent with other flavonol glycosides. No established Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) exists. Studied doses in preclinical settings range from 10–100 mg/kg body weight (animal models) and 10–50 µM concentrations (in vitro). Contains no fiber, protein, fat, or caloric value as an isolated compound. [Antioxidant](/ingredients/condition/antioxidant) capacity measured via DPPH radical scavenging IC50 values reported in the range of 15–40 µg/mL in various in vitro assays. ## Dosage & Preparation No clinically studied dosage ranges are reported due to the absence of human trials. Preclinical in vitro studies use concentrations up to 25 mg/mL in DMSO, but no standardized dosing guidance is available for commercial products. Consult a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement. ## Safety & Drug Interactions No formal human safety studies or established tolerable upper intake levels exist for gossypin, making definitive risk assessment difficult. Because gossypin inhibits NF-κB and shares mechanistic overlap with [anti-inflammatory](/ingredients/condition/inflammation) drugs, concurrent use with NSAIDs, corticosteroids, or immunosuppressants may produce additive effects and should be approached cautiously. Its potential to modulate cytochrome P450 enzyme activity, as observed with structurally related flavonoids, raises theoretical concerns about interactions with anticoagulants like warfarin or chemotherapeutic agents. Pregnant and breastfeeding individuals should avoid gossypin supplements due to a complete absence of safety data in these populations. ## Scientific Research There are no human clinical trials or meta-analyses for gossypin. The evidence is limited to preclinical studies, including in vitro assays and animal models. No PMIDs are available for human studies. ## Historical & Cultural Context Hibiscus vitifolius, the source of gossypin, has been used in traditional medicine for treating diabetes and jaundice. These uses align with gossypin's observed antidiabetic and [hepatoprotective](/ingredients/condition/detox) activities in preclinical studies. ## Synergistic Combinations Quercetin, Curcumin, Resveratrol, Green Tea Extract, Vitamin C ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What plant is gossypin derived from? Gossypin is primarily extracted from Hibiscus vitifolius, a plant used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine, though it is also found in other species within the Hibiscus genus and related Malvaceae family plants. It is classified as a flavonoid glycoside, specifically a glucoside of gossypetin, which contributes to its distinct biological activity compared to other common flavonoids. ### Can gossypin help with inflammation? Preclinical evidence suggests gossypin reduces inflammation by blocking the NF-κB pathway, which controls the expression of cytokines like TNF-α and IL-6. Animal studies using rodent arthritis models have shown reductions in inflammatory biomarkers and tissue swelling, but no human trials have confirmed these effects, so it cannot yet be recommended as a clinical anti-inflammatory treatment. ### Does gossypin have anticancer properties? In vitro studies on gastric cancer cell lines show gossypin inhibits proliferation by targeting Aurora Kinase A (AURKA) and RSK2, two enzymes involved in cell cycle regulation and tumor cell survival, achieving IC50 values in the low micromolar range. These findings are promising but remain exclusively preclinical; gossypin has not been tested in human cancer trials and should not be used as a substitute for established cancer therapies. ### What is the recommended dosage of gossypin? No clinically validated or regulatory-approved dosage for gossypin exists because human pharmacokinetic and dose-ranging studies have not been conducted. Animal research has used doses ranging from approximately 10 to 50 mg/kg body weight, but direct extrapolation to human dosing is unreliable without formal clinical data. Anyone considering gossypin supplementation should consult a healthcare provider before use. ### How does gossypin support bone health? Gossypin inhibits osteoclastogenesis—the process by which osteoclast cells break down bone tissue—by suppressing RANKL-induced expression of NFATc1 and c-Fos, two transcription factors essential for osteoclast differentiation. These effects have been demonstrated in in vitro bone cell models, suggesting potential utility in conditions like osteoporosis, though in vivo animal studies and human trials are needed to validate clinical relevance. ### What is the current level of clinical evidence for gossypin's health benefits in humans? Most evidence for gossypin comes from preclinical and in vitro studies, with limited human clinical trials to date. While laboratory research demonstrates promising anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer mechanisms, more rigorous human studies are needed to confirm efficacy and establish clinical relevance. The ingredient remains largely investigational in supplement formulations pending stronger clinical validation. ### Are there known drug interactions with gossypin supplements? Limited human data exists on gossypin's interactions with medications, though preclinical studies suggest it may affect NF-κB and protein kinase pathways involved in drug metabolism. Individuals taking cancer therapeutics, immunosuppressants, or medications metabolized by cytochrome P450 enzymes should consult a healthcare provider before supplementing with gossypin. No major interactions have been formally documented in clinical literature to date. ### Which food sources naturally contain gossypin and can diet alone provide therapeutic amounts? Gossypin is primarily found in Hibiscus species, particularly in hibiscus flowers and seed pods, though dietary concentrations are typically very low. Obtaining therapeutic levels of gossypin from food sources alone would require substantial hibiscus consumption, which is why supplementation is used in research settings. Standard food intake is unlikely to deliver the bioactive doses studied in preclinical investigations. --- *Source: Hermetica Superfoods Ingredient Encyclopedia — https://ingredients.hermeticasuperfoods.com* *License: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 — Attribution required. Commercial use: admin@hermeticasuperfoods.com*