What is Dihydromyricetin?
Dihydromyricetin (DHM) or ampelopsin is a flavonoid type bioactive compound that typically is isolated from the Chinese medical plant Ampelopsis grossedentata. It can also be found in other medicinal plants and in various plant-based foods like grapes. It has become very popular due to its wide variety of biological activities like:
- antioxidant
- antimicrobial
- anti-inflammatory
- anti-cancer
- antidiabetic
- neuroprotective
Antioxidative potential of Dihydromyricetin
Flavonoid-type compounds like Dihydromyricetin are known for their excellent ability to scavenge compounds responsible for oxidative stress in our bodies – reactive oxygen species.
Scientists have found that dihydromyricetin has the potential to protect our cells from hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress. This increased protective effect has been tested on various types of tissues like the cardiac fibroblasts and especially on the liver – an organ, where a lot of harmful compounds and toxins are transformed into less toxic ones. In these transformations, a lot of potential reactive oxygen species can be formed and there it is, where dihydromyricetin can show its potential.
Dihydromyricetin has also been studied on the effects it has for protecting healthy fats. Such fats are composed of unsaturated systems that can be penetrated by the same reactive oxygen species in foods and in our bodies. Such processes can cause lipids like cholesterol and others to accumulate causing cardiovascular issues like thrombosis and others.
Dihydromyricetin in the fight against microorganisms
By stating the obvious, microorganisms like viruses and bacterias are responsible for several types of diseases. In order to fight that, various scientific research has been done to prove dihydromyricetin as a potential antimicrobial agent.
Where a lot of antibiotics fail, dihydromyricetin has shown its superiority – it can penetrate both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria by causing membrane damage, DNA penetration and inhibiting enzymes responsible for the metabolism of amino acid proline.
Flavonoid antiviral activity has also been studied quite extensively. Dihydromyricetin has shown promise as a low toxicity treatment as the anti-HIV agent. Research has shown strong inhibition of the virus absorption, incubation and acute infection. Furthermore, not only HIV- but promising results have also been observed for the treatment of hepatitis B, influenza, coronavirus and more.
Reducing inflammation and swellness
Reactive oxygen species have also been linked to increased inflammation. Exhibiting its antioxidant properties, dihydromyricetin can stop many metabolic processes related to inflammation and swellness that are caused by cascade reactions of these reactive oxygen species.
For the cancer treatment
A lot of cancer treatment drugs have been taken from nature. Flavonoids, like dihydromyricetin, demonstrate great potential. Studies exhibit dihydromyricetin as a possible treatment for carcinoma, melanoma, breast, lung and pancreatic cancer. And again, dihydromyricetin can inhibit several metabolic processes in this case for prevention of cancer like:
- programmed cell death – apoptosis,
- regulation of tissue growth – proliferation,
- metastasis formation for spread to different tissue
- and more.
And more…
Dihydromyricetin can also positively affect many more metabolic processes. Some reports suggest a potential use for type II diabetes to increase insulin sensitivity. Also, Dihydromyricetin has been studied for its neuroprotective properties in patients with Parkinson’s disease. Moreover, protective effects have been noticed for alcohol intoxication and for the relief of hangovers.
Dihydromyricetin can support your body in so many ways. For similar products visit our store.