# Patuletin

**Canonical URL:** https://ingredients.hermeticasuperfoods.com/ingredients/patuletin
**Data Source:** Hermetica Superfoods Ingredient Encyclopedia
**Updated:** 2026-04-05
**Evidence Score:** 2 / 10
**Category:** Compound
**Also Known As:** 6-methoxyquercetin, O-methylated flavonol, 6-methoxy-3,3',4',5,7-pentahydroxyflavone, French marigold flavonol, Tagetes patula flavonoid

## Overview

Patuletin is a naturally occurring flavonol aglycone found in plants such as Artemisia and Calendula species, structurally characterized by a 6-hydroxyquercetin backbone. It exerts its primary biological effects through inhibition of lipoxygenase enzymes, [free radical scaveng](/ingredients/condition/antioxidant)ing via its catechol B-ring, and modulation of cell-cycle arrest pathways in cancer cell lines.

## Health Benefits

• Anti-proliferative effects against cancer cells (preliminary in vitro evidence only)
• [Antioxidant activity](/ingredients/condition/antioxidant) (mechanism identified but no clinical studies)
• Analgesic (pain-relieving) properties (mechanism proposed but no human trials)
• Lipoxygenase inhibition (biochemical activity identified in preclinical research)
• Limited evidence base - no human clinical trials have been conducted

## Mechanism of Action

Patuletin inhibits 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) and 12-lipoxygenase (12-LOX), enzymes responsible for converting arachidonic acid into pro-[inflammatory](/ingredients/condition/inflammation) leukotrienes, thereby reducing inflammatory signaling at the biochemical level. Its 3,4-dihydroxy catechol group on the B-ring donates hydrogen atoms to neutralize [reactive oxygen species](/ingredients/condition/antioxidant), including superoxide and hydroxyl radicals, contributing to its antioxidant potency exceeding that of quercetin in some assays. In cancer cell models, patuletin has been shown to induce G2/M cell-cycle arrest and upregulate caspase-3-dependent apoptotic pathways, likely through modulation of cyclin B1 and CDK1 expression.

## Clinical Summary

All available evidence for patuletin's biological activity derives from in vitro cell culture studies and limited ex vivo biochemical assays; no human clinical trials or randomized controlled studies have been conducted specifically on patuletin as an isolated compound. In vitro studies have demonstrated anti-proliferative activity against HeLa cervical carcinoma cells and MCF-7 breast cancer cells at concentrations typically ranging from 10–100 µM, though these concentrations are not confirmed achievable in human plasma through dietary or supplemental intake. Lipoxygenase inhibition has been quantified in cell-free enzymatic assays with IC50 values in the low micromolar range, offering mechanistic plausibility for analgesic and [anti-inflammatory](/ingredients/condition/inflammation) effects but no clinical confirmation. Overall, the evidence base is preliminary and insufficient to support any therapeutic claims for human use.

## Nutritional Profile

Patuletin (3,3',4',5,7-pentahydroxy-6-methoxyflavone) is a flavonoid compound, not a macronutrient source — it contributes no meaningful calories, protein, fat, or fiber when encountered in trace dietary amounts. It is a 6-methoxylated derivative of quercetin, found at low concentrations (typically <0.1% dry weight) in plants such as Artemisia species, marigold (Calendula officinalis), and certain Asteraceae family members. As a bioactive polyphenol, its biological relevance is purely pharmacological rather than nutritional. Bioavailability data is sparse, but like quercetin analogues, intestinal absorption is expected to be limited (estimated <5% without modification), with methylation at the 6-position potentially influencing metabolic stability versus quercetin. It undergoes phase II conjugation (glucuronidation, sulfation) in the gut wall and liver. No established dietary reference intake exists.

## Dosage & Preparation

No clinically studied dosage ranges have been established for patuletin in any form (extract, powder, or standardized preparations). Human dosing guidelines are not available due to lack of clinical trials. Consult a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement.

## Safety & Drug Interactions

No human safety studies, toxicology trials, or established tolerable upper intake levels exist specifically for isolated patuletin supplementation, making definitive safety conclusions impossible at this time. Because patuletin inhibits lipoxygenase enzymes, theoretical interactions with NSAIDs and other [anti-inflammatory](/ingredients/condition/inflammation) drugs are plausible, as combined use could exaggerate effects on arachidonic acid [metabolism](/ingredients/condition/weight-management). Patuletin's structural similarity to quercetin raises the possibility of interactions with cytochrome P450 enzymes, particularly CYP3A4 and CYP2C9, which could theoretically alter metabolism of warfarin, statins, or immunosuppressants, though this has not been studied directly. Pregnant or breastfeeding individuals should avoid isolated patuletin supplements due to a complete absence of safety data in these populations.

## Scientific Research

No human clinical trials, randomized controlled trials (RCTs), or meta-analyses on patuletin have been conducted to date. Current evidence is limited to preclinical in vitro studies showing anti-proliferative activity against cancer cells, with potential involvement of MAPK/ERK, [NF-κB](/ingredients/condition/inflammation), and PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathways.

## Historical & Cultural Context

No historical or traditional medicinal uses for patuletin are documented in the available research sources. Its identification and study appear to be relatively recent, focused on its role as a plant pigment and potential bioactive compound.

## Synergistic Combinations

Quercetin pairs most logically with patuletin given their near-identical flavonoid backbone, with quercetin's more established lipoxygenase and COX-inhibition data complementing patuletin's anti-proliferative signaling through additive NF-κB pathway modulation. Piperine (from black pepper, ~5–20 mg range) may enhance patuletin's bioavailability by inhibiting CYP3A4 and P-glycoprotein efflux, a mechanism well-documented with structurally similar flavonoids. Luteolin shares overlapping [anti-inflammatory](/ingredients/condition/inflammation) targets (5-LOX, COX-2 suppression) and may act additively with patuletin's lipoxygenase inhibition, while vitamin C (ascorbic acid, 500 mg range) can regenerate the oxidized radical form of patuletin back to its active antioxidant state, extending its [reactive oxygen species](/ingredients/condition/antioxidant)-scavenging duration.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### What foods naturally contain patuletin?

Patuletin is found primarily in plants of the genus Artemisia (including mugwort), Calendula officinalis (pot marigold), and certain Compositae family members. It occurs predominantly as glycosylated forms such as patuletin-3-glucoside and patuletin-7-glucoside, which are hydrolyzed to the active aglycone form during digestion. Dietary concentrations from whole-food sources are typically very low and far below the micromolar ranges used in laboratory studies.

### How does patuletin differ from quercetin?

Patuletin is structurally identical to quercetin except for an additional hydroxyl group at the C-6 position of the A-ring, making it chemically known as 6-hydroxyquercetin. This extra hydroxyl group enhances its radical-scavenging capacity in some antioxidant assays and may slightly alter its enzyme inhibition profile, particularly regarding lipoxygenase selectivity. However, because quercetin has been extensively studied in humans and patuletin has not, no direct clinical comparison of their efficacy or bioavailability exists.

### Can patuletin help with pain relief?

Patuletin has demonstrated analgesic-relevant activity in biochemical assays by inhibiting 5-LOX and 12-LOX enzymes, which produce leukotriene B4 and other pain-sensitizing inflammatory mediators from arachidonic acid. However, no animal pain models or human trials have been completed to confirm whether these enzymatic effects translate to measurable pain reduction in living systems. At this stage, patuletin cannot be recommended as a pain-relief supplement, and any analgesic claim remains speculative.

### Is patuletin effective against cancer?

In vitro studies show patuletin induces apoptosis and G2/M cell-cycle arrest in cancer cell lines including HeLa and MCF-7 at concentrations of roughly 20–80 µM, involving caspase-3 activation and suppression of CDK1/cyclin B1 complexes. Critically, these are isolated cell experiments that do not account for bioavailability, pharmacokinetics, or tumor microenvironment complexity in a living organism. No animal xenograft studies or human oncology trials have been conducted, so patuletin should not be considered an anticancer treatment or supplement.

### What is the recommended dose of patuletin?

There is currently no established recommended dose, therapeutic dose range, or standardized supplement formulation for patuletin in humans, as no clinical pharmacokinetic or dose-escalation studies have been published. The micromolar concentrations (10–100 µM) used in cell culture research are generally not achievable through oral supplementation with typical flavonoid bioavailability rates, which are often below 10% for this compound class. Until human trials define safe and effective doses, no dosage guidance can be responsibly provided.

### What does the current research quality tell us about patuletin's effectiveness?

Patuletin lacks human clinical trials, with all evidence currently limited to laboratory (in vitro) and preclinical research. While studies have identified antioxidant mechanisms and potential anti-proliferative effects in isolated cancer cells, these findings cannot be reliably extrapolated to human health outcomes. Any health claims about patuletin should be considered preliminary until rigorous clinical studies are conducted.

### Is patuletin safe to take with common medications?

There are no documented drug-drug interactions for patuletin in clinical literature, largely because human safety and pharmacokinetic studies have not been conducted. As a flavonoid compound, patuletin may theoretically interact with blood thinners or medications metabolized by certain liver enzymes, though this remains speculative. Consult a healthcare provider before combining patuletin supplements with prescription medications.

### Who should avoid taking patuletin supplements?

Safety data for patuletin in pregnant women, nursing mothers, children, and individuals with compromised liver or kidney function has not been established through clinical research. Patients taking anticoagulants or those with bleeding disorders should exercise caution, as some flavonoids may have mild antiplatelet effects. Without human safety trials, supplementation cannot be recommended for vulnerable populations.

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