Hermetica Superfood Encyclopedia
The Short Answer
Spiraeoside is a flavonoid glycoside composed of quercetin-4'-O-glucoside, found naturally in plants such as meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria) and onions. It exerts its primary effects through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms, including suppression of reactive oxygen species and inhibition of pro-inflammatory signaling pathways.
CategoryNamed Bioactive Compounds
GroupCompound
Evidence LevelModerate
Primary Keywordspiraeoside benefits
Synergy Pairings3
Spiraeoside — botanical close-up
Health Benefits
Origin & History
Natural habitat
Spiraeoside is a flavonoid glycoside, specifically quercetin 4'-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside, naturally occurring in the flowers of meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria) and garden onion (Allium cepa). It is isolated as a light yellow to yellow solid powder with ≥98% purity for research purposes.
“No historical or traditional medicinal uses are documented in available sources. Spiraeoside is primarily described as a modern research compound isolated from Filipendula ulmaria and Allium cepa.”Traditional Medicine
Scientific Research
No human clinical trials, randomized controlled trials, or meta-analyses on spiraeoside were identified. All available evidence is limited to preclinical studies, including in vitro protection of AC16 cardiomyocytes against oxidative stress and cell-based demonstrations of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities.
Preparation & Dosage
Traditional preparation
No clinically studied dosage ranges are available as human clinical data is absent. Products containing spiraeoside are currently designated for research use only, not for human consumption. Consult a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement.
Nutritional Profile
Spiraeoside (quercetin-4'-O-glucoside; C₂₁H₂₀O₁₂; MW 464.38 g/mol) is a flavonol glycoside, not a food or nutrient per se, so it lacks a conventional macronutrient/micronutrient profile. Key details: • Classification: Flavonoid glycoside — specifically a monoglucosylated conjugate of quercetin, with glucose attached at the 4'-hydroxyl position. • Natural sources and approximate concentrations: Found primarily in onion bulbs (Allium cepa), where it is one of the dominant quercetin glycosides alongside quercetin-3,4'-di-O-glucoside; concentrations in yellow/brown onions range from approximately 50–300 mg/kg fresh weight depending on cultivar and growing conditions. Also identified in flowers of Filipendula ulmaria (meadowsweet) and various other plant species. • Bioactive compound class: Flavonol glycoside with documented antioxidant (DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging, ROS inhibition), anti-inflammatory (mast cell stabilization, NF-κB pathway modulation), cardioprotective (protection against high-glucose-induced oxidative stress in cardiomyocytes), and potential antitumor activities. • Bioavailability notes: As a quercetin-4'-O-glucoside, spiraeoside is expected to be absorbed in the small intestine via sodium-dependent glucose transporter 1 (SGLT1) and/or after hydrolysis by lactase-phlorizin hydrolase (LPH) at the brush border membrane, liberating free quercetin — a pathway shared with quercetin-4'-glucoside isomers. Quercetin glucosides from onions demonstrate substantially higher bioavailability (estimated 3–5× greater absorption) compared to quercetin aglycone or quercetin-rutinoside (rutin). Peak plasma concentrations of total quercetin metabolites following onion consumption (providing ~70–100 mg quercetin equivalents) reach approximately 0.6–7.6 µM, with a Tmax of ~0.5–1 hour. Extensive phase II metabolism yields glucuronidated, sulfated, and methylated conjugates as the predominant circulating forms. • No macronutrients (protein, fat, carbohydrate, fiber), vitamins, or minerals are attributable to spiraeoside itself as an isolated compound. • Caloric contribution: Negligible at pharmacologically or dietarily relevant doses.
How It Works
Mechanism of Action
Spiraeoside functions as a quercetin-4'-O-glucoside that scavenges reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reduces malondialdehyde (MDA) production, thereby limiting lipid peroxidation at the cellular level. It modulates the Nrf2/HO-1 antioxidant pathway and suppresses NF-κB-driven transcription of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α and IL-6. In cardiomyocyte models, it also inhibits mitochondria-dependent apoptotic signaling by regulating Bcl-2/Bax protein ratios and reducing caspase-3 activation under high-glucose oxidative conditions.
Clinical Evidence
Current evidence for spiraeoside is derived exclusively from in vitro and preclinical animal studies; no published human clinical trials exist as of 2024. In vitro work using AC16 human cardiomyocyte cell lines demonstrated that spiraeoside reduces high glucose-induced ROS accumulation and apoptosis in a concentration-dependent manner. Preclinical models have also shown anti-inflammatory activity through cytokine suppression, though specific quantified effect sizes and effective concentrations vary across studies. The overall evidence base is early-stage, and translating these findings to human therapeutic applications requires rigorous clinical investigation.
Safety & Interactions
No formal human safety trials or toxicology profiles for isolated spiraeoside exist in the published literature, making comprehensive risk characterization impossible at this time. Because spiraeoside is structurally related to quercetin, potential interactions with cytochrome P450 enzymes (particularly CYP3A4 and CYP2C9) and P-glycoprotein drug transporters are theoretically plausible, which could affect metabolism of anticoagulants, statins, or immunosuppressants. Pregnant and breastfeeding individuals should avoid supplemental spiraeoside due to a complete absence of safety data in these populations. Individuals taking blood-thinning medications such as warfarin should exercise caution given the quercetin backbone's known mild antiplatelet properties.
Synergy Stack
Hermetica Formulation Heuristic
Also Known As
Quercetin 4'-O-beta-D-glucopyranosideQuercetin 4'-O-glucosideQuercetin 4'-glucoside4'-O-beta-D-glucopyranosylquercetinSpiraeoside flavonoid glycoside
Frequently Asked Questions
What is spiraeoside made from?
Spiraeoside is a naturally occurring flavonoid glycoside consisting of quercetin attached to a glucose molecule at the 4' position, making it chemically known as quercetin-4'-O-glucoside. It is found in several plants including meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria), onions (Allium cepa), and certain other flowering plants. It can also be produced synthetically or semi-synthetically for research purposes.
Does spiraeoside have any proven heart health benefits?
Spiraeoside has demonstrated cardioprotective effects in AC16 cardiomyocyte cell line experiments, where it reduced high glucose-induced oxidative stress, lowered ROS and malondialdehyde levels, and decreased apoptosis via Bcl-2/Bax pathway modulation. However, these findings are strictly in vitro and have not been validated in human clinical trials, so no proven heart health benefit can be claimed for human supplementation. The evidence is promising but remains preliminary.
How does spiraeoside differ from quercetin?
Spiraeoside is a glycosylated form of quercetin, specifically quercetin with a glucose unit attached at the 4'-hydroxyl position of the B-ring, whereas quercetin is the free aglycone form. This glycosylation can affect bioavailability, solubility, and cellular uptake, as intestinal enzymes such as lactase-phlorizin hydrolase must cleave the glucose moiety before absorption. Quercetin has a substantially larger body of human research supporting its effects, while spiraeoside-specific human data are lacking.
What foods contain spiraeoside naturally?
Spiraeoside is found naturally in meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria), a herb historically used in European folk medicine, as well as in onions (Allium cepa) and related Allium species. It also occurs in smaller quantities in certain berries and flowering plants within the Rosaceae family. Dietary intake from these whole food sources is generally low and unlikely to replicate the concentrations used in preclinical research.
Is spiraeoside safe to take as a supplement?
There is currently no established safe dosage, no human pharmacokinetic data, and no clinical safety profile for spiraeoside taken as an isolated supplement. Its structural similarity to quercetin suggests potential interactions with CYP3A4 and CYP2C9 drug-metabolizing enzymes, which could influence levels of co-administered pharmaceuticals. Until human trials are conducted, spiraeoside supplementation should be approached with caution, particularly by individuals on prescription medications, and it should be avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
What does the current research evidence say about spiraeoside's effectiveness in humans?
Current evidence for spiraeoside is limited to laboratory and cell-based studies, with no published clinical trials in humans yet available. Existing research demonstrates antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects in isolated cardiomyocytes and mast cells, but these in vitro results have not been confirmed through human studies. More rigorous clinical research is needed to establish whether these promising preclinical findings translate to real-world health benefits in people.
Does spiraeoside interact with common medications like statins or blood pressure drugs?
No human studies have evaluated potential drug interactions with spiraeoside, so safety interactions with statins, ACE inhibitors, or other cardiovascular medications remain unknown. Given that spiraeoside may have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, individuals taking anticoagulants or antiplatelet medications should consult a healthcare provider before supplementing. Until clinical evidence is available, combining spiraeoside with prescription medications warrants medical supervision.
Who would benefit most from taking a spiraeoside supplement?
Based on preclinical research, spiraeoside may theoretically benefit individuals interested in cardiovascular support or antioxidant protection, though human evidence does not yet exist. People seeking anti-inflammatory support for allergic responses might find interest in this ingredient, given its mast cell-inhibiting properties observed in cell studies. However, without human clinical trials, it is impossible to identify which populations would actually experience meaningful benefits from supplementation.
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