# Marsilin **Canonical URL:** https://ingredients.hermeticasuperfoods.com/ingredients/marsilin **Data Source:** Hermetica Superfoods Ingredient Encyclopedia **Updated:** 2026-03-30 **Evidence Score:** 2 / 10 **Category:** Compound **Also Known As:** Marsilea minuta extract compound, Streptomyces sp. S5 derived flavanone, Water fern flavanone ## Overview Marsilin is a flavanone glycoside isolated from Marsilea minuta, a semi-aquatic fern used in traditional medicine across South and Southeast Asia. Its proposed biological activity centers on [free radical scaveng](/ingredients/condition/antioxidant)ing and disruption of microbial cell membrane integrity, though these effects have only been demonstrated in preliminary in vitro laboratory settings. ## Health Benefits • No documented health benefits - no clinical trials or studies on Marsilin exist • [Antimicrobial](/ingredients/condition/immune-support) activity reported for Marsilea minuta extracts (in vitro evidence only) • [Antioxidant](/ingredients/condition/antioxidant) properties noted in related Marsilea extracts (preliminary in vitro data) • No human health benefits established due to absence of clinical research • Further research needed to determine any potential therapeutic applications ## Mechanism of Action Marsilin, as a flavanone glycoside, is hypothesized to exert antioxidant activity by donating hydrogen atoms to neutralize [reactive oxygen species](/ingredients/condition/antioxidant), potentially interacting with superoxide dismutase and catalase enzyme pathways. Its reported [antimicrobial](/ingredients/condition/immune-support) properties in Marsilea minuta extracts may involve disruption of bacterial cell membrane permeability and inhibition of membrane-bound ATPases, mechanisms common to structurally related flavanones such as naringenin. No receptor-binding studies or specific enzyme inhibition data have been published for isolated marsilin to date. ## Clinical Summary To date, no clinical trials — Phase I, II, or III — have been conducted on isolated marsilin in human subjects, making it impossible to assign evidence-based efficacy ratings. The available data consists exclusively of in vitro studies on crude Marsilea minuta extracts, which demonstrated [antimicrobial](/ingredients/condition/immune-support) activity against select bacterial strains and [antioxidant](/ingredients/condition/antioxidant) capacity via DPPH radical scavenging assays. Because these studies used whole plant extracts rather than isolated marsilin, attributing outcomes specifically to marsilin is scientifically premature. The overall evidence base is rated very low, and no therapeutic dosage, bioavailability, or pharmacokinetic parameters have been established for humans. ## Nutritional Profile Marsilin is a flavonoid glycoside compound (specifically identified as a flavone glycoside) isolated primarily from Marsilea minuta and related Marsilea species (water clover ferns). As an isolated phytochemical compound rather than a whole food ingredient, it does not carry a conventional macronutrient or micronutrient profile. Structurally, Marsilin belongs to the flavone class of polyphenols, with a glycosidic moiety attached to the flavone backbone, contributing to its water solubility compared to its aglycone form. Molecular weight is approximately 300-450 g/mol range typical of flavone glycosides. Bioactive compound concentration in Marsilea minuta whole plant extracts is reported at trace to low milligram-per-gram levels in dried plant material, though precise standardized concentrations for isolated Marsilin remain unpublished in peer-reviewed literature. As a flavonoid, it is expected to exhibit moderate oral bioavailability, likely subject to intestinal hydrolysis of the glycosidic bond by gut microbiota enzymes (beta-glucosidases) before absorption as the aglycone form. First-pass hepatic [metabolism](/ingredients/condition/weight-management) and conjugation (glucuronidation, sulfation) are anticipated, consistent with flavonoid pharmacokinetics generally. No standardized nutritional reference values (RDI, AI) exist for Marsilin. No caloric, protein, fat, carbohydrate, fiber, vitamin, or mineral data are documented for this isolated compound, as it is a purified phytochemical constituent rather than a dietary ingredient. ## Dosage & Preparation No clinically studied dosages are available as no human trials exist for Marsilin. Safety and efficacy have not been established for any form of this compound. Consult a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement. ## Safety & Drug Interactions No formal human safety studies, toxicology reports, or adverse event data exist for isolated marsilin as a supplement ingredient. Traditional consumption of Marsilea minuta as a leafy vegetable in parts of India and Bangladesh suggests a general food-use tolerance, but this does not establish supplement-level safety. No drug interaction data are available, meaning potential interactions with anticoagulants, cytochrome P450-metabolized drugs, or antidiabetic medications cannot be ruled out based on the pharmacological profile of related flavanones. Use during pregnancy or lactation is not recommended due to a complete absence of safety data for these populations. ## Scientific Research No human clinical trials, randomized controlled trials, or meta-analyses have been identified for Marsilin or related Marsilea extracts. Current research is limited to extraction methods and in vitro [antimicrobial](/ingredients/condition/immune-support)/[antioxidant](/ingredients/condition/antioxidant) screening without any PubMed-indexed clinical studies. ## Historical & Cultural Context No documented traditional medicine use exists for Marsilin. Marsilea minuta, the potential source plant, is an aquatic pteridophyte used in some biogenic synthesis studies but lacks any specified traditional medicinal context. ## Synergistic Combinations Not applicable - insufficient research to determine synergistic compounds ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What plant does marsilin come from? Marsilin is a flavanone glycoside derived from Marsilea minuta, a semi-aquatic fern belonging to the family Marsileaceae. This plant grows in waterlogged and marshy environments across South Asia, Southeast Asia, and parts of Africa, and has a history of use as both a food source and a traditional medicinal herb in Indian Ayurvedic practice. ### Does marsilin have any proven health benefits? No clinically proven health benefits have been established for marsilin in humans, as no clinical trials or human studies exist for this compound. Preliminary in vitro research on Marsilea minuta extracts has suggested antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, but these findings come from cell-based laboratory assays — not from human or even animal trials — and cannot be directly translated into health claims. ### Is marsilin the same as naringenin? Marsilin and naringenin are both members of the flavanone subclass of flavonoids and share a similar core chemical scaffold, but they are distinct compounds. Naringenin is the aglycone form found abundantly in citrus fruits and has extensive clinical research supporting its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, whereas marsilin is a glycoside specific to Marsilea minuta and currently lacks comparable research depth. ### Are there any marsilin supplements available? Isolated marsilin is not currently available as a standalone commercial dietary supplement, and it does not appear in mainstream supplement product databases. Some broad-spectrum herbal extracts derived from Marsilea minuta may contain trace amounts of marsilin alongside other phytochemicals, but these products are not standardized to a specific marsilin concentration and are uncommon in Western supplement markets. ### What is the difference between marsilin and marselin? Marsilin and marselin are sometimes used interchangeably in phytochemical literature to refer to flavanone compounds isolated from Marsilea species, leading to nomenclature confusion in older botanical research. The lack of standardized chemical characterization in early studies means some references may describe slightly different glycoside forms or extraction fractions under similar names, and cross-referencing by CAS number or full IUPAC name is recommended for precise identification in academic contexts. ### What is the current evidence quality for marsilin's effectiveness? Clinical research on marsilin is currently nonexistent, with no human trials or published studies establishing any therapeutic benefits. Available data is limited to preliminary in vitro laboratory studies on related Marsilea extracts showing potential antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, which cannot be extrapolated to human health effects. The ingredient remains unstudied in the clinical research domain, making efficacy claims premature without peer-reviewed human evidence. ### Can marsilin be obtained from food sources, or only through supplements? Marsilin would theoretically be present in Marsilea minuta plants (aquatic ferns), though documented natural food sources and dietary intake levels have not been established in scientific literature. Without identified food sources or quantified bioavailability data, it is unclear whether dietary consumption could provide meaningful amounts of this compound. No evidence suggests marsilin supplementation is necessary or that deficiency states exist in humans. ### Why is there so little research available on marsilin compared to other supplement ingredients? Marsilin appears to be an obscure or newly named bioactive compound with minimal scientific investigation, whereas other supplement ingredients have decades of research attention and commercial interest. The lack of established health claims, clinical trials, or peer-reviewed human studies suggests limited funding or research prioritization for this particular compound. Greater research investment typically follows initial promising findings or commercial demand, neither of which currently exists for marsilin. --- *Source: Hermetica Superfoods Ingredient Encyclopedia — https://ingredients.hermeticasuperfoods.com* *License: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 — Attribution required. Commercial use: admin@hermeticasuperfoods.com*