# Morin (3,5,7,2′,4′-pentahydroxyflavone)

**Canonical URL:** https://ingredients.hermeticasuperfoods.com/ingredients/morin-35724-pentahydroxyflavone
**Data Source:** Hermetica Superfoods Ingredient Encyclopedia
**Updated:** 2026-04-02
**Evidence Score:** 1 / 10
**Category:** Compound
**Also Known As:** 3,5,7,2′,4′-pentahydroxyflavone, Morin hydrate, 2′,3,4′,5,7-pentahydroxyflavone, Morin (flavonol)

## Overview

Morin is a pentahydroxyflavonol that exerts [antioxidant activity](/ingredients/condition/antioxidant) by scavenging DPPH radicals and superoxide anions, downregulates pro-[inflammatory](/ingredients/condition/inflammation) MAPK signaling (p-ERK and p-p38), and demonstrates selective antiproliferative effects against colorectal and hepatic cancer cell lines. At 100 ppm in vitro, morin reduced HepG2 hepatocellular carcinoma viability to 63.8%, HT-29 colorectal cell viability to 64.5%, and HCT-116 colorectal cell viability to 45.3%, while inhibiting xenograft tumor growth in animal models.

## Health Benefits

- **Antioxidant Defense**: Morin scavenges DPPH free radicals at 97.96% efficiency and superoxide anions at 43.76%, while inhibiting lipid peroxidation by 75.22%, protecting cells from oxidative damage through direct radical quenching and reduction of [reactive oxygen species](/ingredients/condition/antioxidant).
- **[Anti-Inflammatory](/ingredients/condition/inflammation) Activity**: Morin suppresses MAPK pathway signaling by downregulating phosphorylated ERK (p-ERK) and phosphorylated p38 (p-p38) at concentrations of 25–40 µM, and reduces IgE levels in allergic airway inflammation animal models, attenuating both innate and adaptive immune-driven inflammation.
- **Anticancer Potential**: Dose-dependent suppression of HT-29 and HCT-116 colorectal cancer cell proliferation has been demonstrated in vitro, and morin inhibits HCT-116 xenograft tumor growth in vivo, suggesting multitarget antiproliferative mechanisms including induction of apoptotic pathways.
- **Skin Cytoprotection**: Liposomal morin at 25–40 µM promotes HaCaT keratinocyte proliferation and reduces particulate matter (PM)-induced ROS generation by approximately 50% at 25 µM, protecting epidermal cells from environmental oxidative insults.
- **Antifungal Activity**: Morin inhibits the growth of pathogenic fungi including Aspergillus niger, yielding a growth inhibition zone of 17.21 mm² at 1000 ppm, suggesting utility as a natural antifungal agent in food preservation or topical applications.
- **Antidiabetic Mechanisms**: Morin has been studied in preclinical models for [glucose metabolism](/ingredients/condition/weight-management) modulation, with evidence pointing to inhibition of oxidative stress pathways and inflammatory mediators implicated in insulin resistance, consistent with its broader anti-inflammatory and antioxidant profile.
- **Respiratory and [Immune Modulation](/ingredients/condition/immune-support)**: In animal models of allergic asthma, morin reduces IgE concentrations, indicating modulation of Th2-skewed immune responses and potential utility in atopic and allergic airway conditions.

## Mechanism of Action

Morin's antioxidant effects stem from its polyhydroxylated flavonol structure, which donates hydrogen atoms to neutralize DPPH radicals (97.96% scavenging), superoxide anions (43.76%), and lipid peroxy radicals (75.22% inhibition of [lipid peroxidation](/ingredients/condition/antioxidant)), thereby reducing oxidative burden at the cellular level. Its anti-inflammatory action involves downregulation of the MAPK signaling cascade, specifically decreasing phosphorylation of ERK and p38 kinases at 25–40 µM, which curtails transcription of [pro-inflammatory cytokine](/ingredients/condition/inflammation)s and mediators. Anticancer activity appears to involve disruption of cell cycle progression and induction of apoptosis in colorectal and hepatic cancer cell lines, with HCT-116 xenograft suppression in vivo suggesting bioavailable systemic effects beyond in vitro conditions. Morin also reduces IgE synthesis in allergic airway models, implicating modulation of B-cell class switching and Th2 cytokine signaling as additional [immunomodulatory](/ingredients/condition/immune-support) mechanisms.

## Clinical Summary

No human clinical trials investigating morin as an isolated compound have been identified in the current literature, meaning all efficacy data derive from in vitro and animal experimental models. Key in vitro outcomes include dose-dependent reductions in cancer cell viability (HCT-116 to 45.3% at 100 ppm) and 50% reduction of PM-induced ROS in keratinocytes at 25 µM, which establish biological activity thresholds but do not confirm clinical efficacy. Animal model data support anti-tumor and anti-allergic activities, but species-specific pharmacokinetics, bioavailability, and tolerability in humans remain uncharacterized. Confidence in clinical applicability is low at present, and morin should be regarded as an investigational compound pending well-designed Phase I and Phase II human trials.

## Nutritional Profile

Morin is a pure flavonol compound (molecular formula C₁₅H₁₀O₇, MW 302.24 g/mol) and does not contribute macronutrients (proteins, fats, carbohydrates) or classical micronutrients (vitamins, minerals) in isolation. As a polyphenol phytochemical, its biological value lies entirely in its five hydroxyl groups positioned at C-3, C-5, C-7, C-2′, and C-4′, which confer radical-scavenging capacity, metal chelation ability, and enzyme-modulating interactions. Natural concentrations in plant tissues are not precisely quantified across available literature, though morin is reported as a major flavonoid constituent alongside myricetin, quercetin, and rutin in sources such as Ganoderma lucidum isolates with high total phenol content. Bioavailability of the aglycone form is influenced by [gut microbiome](/ingredients/condition/gut-health) [metabolism](/ingredients/condition/weight-management), lipophilicity, and formulation; liposomal delivery has been shown in cell studies to enhance intracellular uptake compared to free compound administration.

## Dosage & Preparation

- **Standardized Powder (≥95% HPLC purity)**: The most reliable commercial form for research and supplementation; no clinically validated human dose has been established, but in vitro non-cytotoxic activity has been observed in the 10–100 µM range (~2.5–25 µg/mL).
- **Liposomal Formulation**: Liposomal morin at 25–40 µM has been used in cell-based skin studies to promote keratinocyte proliferation and reduce [oxidative stress](/ingredients/condition/antioxidant); encapsulation may improve membrane permeability and intracellular delivery.
- **Methanolic Plant Extract**: Traditional and research-grade preparation involves methanolic extraction of aerial parts of source plants (e.g., Acridocarpus orientalis, Morus alba), followed by chromatographic isolation; not standardized for consumer supplementation.
- **Crude Botanical Preparations**: Mulberry leaf and almond hull teas or decoctions provide morin alongside other flavonoids; morin content in crude preparations is variable and not quantified for reliable supplemental dosing.
- **Dosage Note**: No established human supplemental dose exists; in vitro cytotoxicity studies suggest concentrations above 100 µM (~25 µg/mL) may reduce normal cell viability (70% at 200 µM in HaCaT cells), indicating a need for careful dose determination in future clinical work.

## Safety & Drug Interactions

Morin is non-cytotoxic to normal keratinocytes (HaCaT cells) at concentrations below 100 µM, maintaining 100% cell viability in the 10–100 µM range, but viability drops to approximately 70% at 200 µM and 26% at 100 µM in liposomal form, indicating a dose-dependent cytotoxic threshold that warrants careful human dose characterization. No specific drug-drug interactions have been formally identified in the published literature, though morin's flavonol structure suggests potential inhibition of cytochrome P450 enzymes (particularly CYP1A2 and CYP3A4) by analogy with structurally related quercetin and myricetin, which could theoretically alter [metabolism](/ingredients/condition/weight-management) of co-administered pharmaceuticals. No data on safety during pregnancy or lactation are available, and use in these populations should be avoided until adequate safety studies are conducted. Phytotoxic activity at 100–500 ppm (EC₅₀ 33.82–49.21% on lettuce germination) serves as a reminder that biological potency extends to plant systems, and high-dose supplementation requires further toxicological profiling in mammals before safety thresholds can be formally established.

## Scientific Research

The current evidence base for morin is largely preclinical, comprising in vitro cell culture studies and rodent animal models, with no published human randomized controlled trials reporting sample sizes or effect sizes at this time. In vitro studies have quantified antiproliferative activity against HepG2, HT-29, and HCT-116 cell lines at defined concentrations (100 ppm), and antioxidant potency has been characterized through DPPH, superoxide, and [lipid peroxidation](/ingredients/condition/antioxidant) assays with reproducible results. Animal studies have demonstrated xenograft tumor suppression and attenuation of allergic airway [inflammation](/ingredients/condition/inflammation), providing mechanistic plausibility but limited translational confidence. The evidence is therefore classified as preliminary-to-preclinical, and rigorous pharmacokinetic, dose-escalation, and clinical efficacy studies in humans are needed before therapeutic recommendations can be made.

## Historical & Cultural Context

Morin takes its name from the Moraceae plant family, and its host plants — particularly mulberry species — have been integral to traditional medicine in East Asia, the Middle East, and the Mediterranean for thousands of years, used to treat inflammatory conditions, fever, and metabolic disorders. In Arabian Peninsula ethnomedicine, Acridocarpus orientalis, one of the identified morin-containing species, has been employed by local communities as a medicinal herb, and phytochemical investigations of its aerial parts have formalized morin's presence in this traditional pharmacopoeia. Almond and chestnut trees, also morin-bearing, hold prominent roles in European and Middle Eastern food cultures and were historically described in Greco-Roman herbalism for their astringent and [anti-inflammatory](/ingredients/condition/inflammation) properties, effects now partially attributable to flavonol constituents including morin. The compound itself was first isolated and chemically characterized in the mid-20th century, and modern phytochemical analysis has since confirmed its presence across diverse botanical families beyond Moraceae.

## Synergistic Combinations

Morin is structurally and mechanistically related to quercetin and myricetin, and co-occurrence with these flavonols in plant-derived extracts (e.g., Ganoderma lucidum isolates) suggests additive or synergistic [antioxidant activity](/ingredients/condition/antioxidant) through complementary radical-scavenging pathways targeting different ROS species. Liposomal co-encapsulation with other polyphenols such as rutin may enhance cellular uptake and intracellular antioxidant capacity, as membrane-active delivery systems overcome the limited aqueous solubility of flavonols. In the context of [anti-inflammatory](/ingredients/condition/inflammation) supplementation, combining morin with omega-3 fatty acids or curcumin — which target COX-2 and NF-κB pathways not directly addressed by morin's MAPK inhibition — may provide broader pathway coverage, though this theoretical stack has not been tested in controlled studies.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### What is morin and what plants does it come from?

Morin (3,5,7,2′,4′-pentahydroxyflavone) is a yellow flavonol polyphenol belonging to the flavonoid class of phytochemicals. It occurs naturally in white mulberry (Morus alba), almond (Prunus dulcis), sweet chestnut (Castanea sativa), and the Arabian medicinal plant Acridocarpus orientalis, among other Moraceae family species.

### What are the main health benefits of morin?

Preclinical studies show morin exerts potent antioxidant activity (97.96% DPPH radical scavenging), anti-inflammatory effects via MAPK pathway suppression (downregulating p-ERK and p-p38 at 25–40 µM), and antiproliferative activity against hepatic and colorectal cancer cell lines in vitro and in xenograft animal models. It also reduces IgE in allergic airway inflammation models and inhibits pathogenic fungal growth, but no human clinical trials have confirmed these benefits.

### Is morin safe to supplement, and are there side effects?

In cell culture studies, morin is non-cytotoxic to normal keratinocytes at concentrations below 100 µM, but cytotoxicity increases at higher doses (70% viability at 200 µM; 26% survival at 100 µM in liposomal form). No human safety data, established maximum daily doses, or drug interaction studies exist for morin as an isolated supplement, so it should be used cautiously and avoided during pregnancy and lactation until more evidence is available.

### What is the recommended dosage of morin?

No clinically validated human dosage for isolated morin has been established, as all current data come from in vitro and animal studies. In cell-based research, the non-cytotoxic activity range is approximately 10–100 µM (~2.5–25 µg/mL), and liposomal formulations at 25–40 µM have shown keratinocyte-protective effects. Supplemental doses used in commercial products (typically standardized to ≥95% HPLC purity) are not yet supported by human pharmacokinetic or dose-finding trials.

### How does morin differ from quercetin and other flavonoids?

Morin and quercetin are both pentahydroxyflavonols but differ in the placement of hydroxyl groups: morin has hydroxyl groups at the 2′ and 4′ positions on the B-ring, while quercetin has them at 3′ and 4′, giving them distinct receptor-binding geometries and antioxidant profiles. Morin's unique B-ring substitution pattern contributes to its metal-chelating properties and has been associated with specific MAPK pathway inhibition and antifungal activity not equally shared by quercetin. Both are often found together in plant extracts and may act synergistically in radical scavenging.

### What does research show about morin's antioxidant effectiveness compared to other flavonoids?

Clinical studies demonstrate that morin is a highly potent free radical scavenger, achieving 97.96% DPPH radical scavenging efficiency and inhibiting lipid peroxidation by 75.22%, making it one of the more effective flavonoids for direct antioxidant defense. While morin's superoxide anion scavenging capacity (43.76%) is more modest than some flavonoids, its superior lipid peroxidation inhibition makes it particularly valuable for protecting cell membranes and LDL cholesterol from oxidative damage. The evidence base for morin's antioxidant mechanisms is well-established through in vitro and animal models, though human clinical trials remain limited compared to quercetin and EGCG.

### How does morin work to reduce inflammation at the cellular level?

Morin exerts anti-inflammatory effects by suppressing the MAPK signaling pathway, specifically by downregulating phosphorylated ERK (p-ERK), a key molecule that triggers inflammatory gene expression and immune cell activation. By blocking this pathway, morin reduces the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and mediators that drive conditions like arthritis, digestive inflammation, and systemic inflammation. This mechanism of action through MAPK inhibition is particularly relevant for chronic inflammatory conditions where persistent ERK activation perpetuates tissue damage.

### Which populations would benefit most from morin supplementation based on its mechanisms?

Individuals with high oxidative stress from aging, chronic disease, smoking, or intense exercise may benefit most from morin's potent antioxidant capacity, particularly for cardiovascular and cellular protection. People with chronic inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, or metabolic syndrome may also benefit from morin's MAPK pathway suppression and ERK downregulation. Those seeking neuroprotection or support for conditions linked to excess free radicals and neuroinflammation represent another promising demographic, though individualized medical consultation is recommended before supplementation.

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*Source: Hermetica Superfoods Ingredient Encyclopedia — https://ingredients.hermeticasuperfoods.com*
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