Fisetin and Its Health Benefits

Fisetin is a flavonoid compound found in fruits and vegetables such as strawberries, apples, persimmons, grapes, onions, and cucumbers. 

Flavonoids are commonly found in most plants and exert a wide range of benefits such as antioxidant, anticarcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, immune-stimulating, and antiviral effects. Antioxidants protect cells in our body from the harmful effects of reactive oxygen species (ROS), including oxygen free radicals, that may cause cancer. Because of its antioxidant and many other properties fisetin, like quercetin, resveratrol, and acai, has become a popular supplement. 

Several studies have demonstrated the effects of fisetin against numerous diseases, including cancer. 

It has been found to inhibit inflammation inducing enzymes involved in the generation of colon cancer cells. 

Fisetin, among other flavonoids, is a potent inhibitor of prostate cancer cell growth as well. 

It also participates in the programmed cell death of prostate cancer cells. Like the mTOR inhibitor, rapamycin, fisetin inhibits mTOR signaling in prostate cancer cells. 

Fisetin inhibits growth of pancreatic cells that are resistant to chemotherapy. 

This flavonoid compound has several beneficial effects against melanoma cells – it has been called “A natural fist against melanoma.”

Brain disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia are a leading cause of death worldwide. Oxidative stress is a leading contributor to these maladies. Antioxidants like flavonoids have neuroprotective effects, and fisetin has been found to be one of the most effective flavonoids. 

It may enhance long-term memory, have antidepressant effects, and reduce cell death related to stroke.

Like the other flavonoid substances mentioned above, fisetin is without known side-effects. 

Note: Although I am a physician, the content in this article is not meant to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent illness or disease in the reader – it is for educational purposes only.

References

• Khan N, Syed DN, Ahmad N, Mukhtar H. Fisetin: A dietary antioxidant for health promotion. Antioxid Redox Signal 2013;19(2):151-62.
• Fahey JW. Talalay P. Kensler TW. Notes from the field: “green” chemoprevention as frugal medicine. Cancer Prev Res (Phila) 2012;5:179–188.
• Funakoshi-Tago M. Nakamura K. Tago K. Mashino T. Kasahara T. Anti-inflammatory activity of structurally related flavonoids, apigenin, luteolin and fisetin. Int Immunopharmacol. 2011;11:1150–1159.
• Haddad AQ. Fleshner N. Nelson C. Saour B. Musquera M. Venkateswaran V. Klotz L. Antiproliferative mechanisms of the flavonoids 2,2′-dihydroxychalcone and fisetin in human prostate cancer cells. Nutr Cancer. 2010;62:668–681. 
• Arbiser JL. Fisher DE. Fisetin: a natural fist against melanoma? J Invest Dermatol. 2011;131:1187–1189.