Glucuronidated Flavonoids in Neurological Protection: Structural Analysis and Approaches for Chemical and Biological Synthesis

Maite Docampo, Adiji Olubu, Xiaoqiang Wang, Giulio Pasinetti, Richard A. Dixon

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

34 Scopus citations

Abstract

Both plant and mammalian cells express glucuronosyltransferases that catalyze glucuronidation of polyphenols such as flavonoids and other small molecules. Oral administration of select polyphenolic compounds leads to the accumulation of the corresponding glucuronidated metabolites at μM and sub-μM concentrations in the brain, associated with amelioration of a range of neurological symptoms. Determining the mechanisms whereby botanical extracts impact cognitive wellbeing and psychological resiliency will require investigation of the modes of action of the brain-targeted metabolites. Unfortunately, many of these compounds are not commercially available. This article describes the latest approaches for the analysis and synthesis of glucuronidated flavonoids. Synthetic schemes include both standard organic synthesis, semisynthesis, enzymatic synthesis and use of synthetic biology utilizing heterologous enzymes in microbial platform organisms.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)7607-7623
Number of pages17
JournalJournal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry
Volume65
Issue number35
DOIs
StatePublished - 6 Sep 2017

Keywords

  • biosynthesis
  • flavonoid
  • glucuronide
  • neurological disorder
  • organic synthesis
  • synthetic biology

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