4'-Hydroxyflavanone is a naturally occurring monohydroxybenzoic acid and a member of the 4'-hydroxyflavanones family. It is white to pale orange in color and generally soluble in organic solvents such as chloroform and ethanol, but insoluble with water.[2] 4'-Hydroxyflavanone is a naturally occurring product with cosmetic and potential clinical applications that is found in plants such as carnations (Dianthus caryophyllus).
As part of the flavanone family, 4'-hydroxyflavanone can be found naturally in celery, red peppers, citrus fruits, parsley (Petroselinum crispum), berries, tea, and onions (Allium cepa L.).[3]
Flavanone, with its orange-like color, has been used in natural dyes for cotton fabrics.[4] Additionally, flavanone is used in various anti-wrinkle cosmetics and skin care products to treat psoriasis, melanogenesis, and photo-aging.[5]
4'-Hydroxyflavanone is an inhibitor of SREBP, transcription factors that control the expression of a range of enzymes that regulate lipid homeostasis.[6]
Research also suggests that 4'-hydroxyflavanones have potential pharmaceutic applications against fatty liver disease, hepatic steatosis, and dyslipidemia.[6]
Flavanones are widely considered to be beneficial to human health as a result of their ability to control free radicals in the body. Flavanones deriving from citrus fruits in particular exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, blood lipid-lowering and cholesterol-lowering agents.[3]
In general, flavonoids have been used extensively as anticancer, antimicrobial, antiviral, antiangiogenic, antimalarial, antioxidant, neuroprotective, antitumor, and anti-proliferative agents.[4] Extracts that were rich in flavonoids have also been demonstrated to be ACE inhibitors in vitro, therefore acting as effective antihypertensive agents. They also have been shown to prevent cardio-metabolic disorders and preserve cognitive performance with aging.[4]
4'-Hydroxyflavanone is classified as an irritant due to its ability to cause skin corrosion, eye damage, and respiratory tract irritation if unprotected exposure occurs.[7]