Violetin

Violetin is a flavone, a member of the flavonoids, with the chemical name 5,7-dihydroxy-4'-methoxyflavone. It is a naturally occurring polyphenolic compound that has been identified in a range of plant sources, often as a minor constituent. In plants, violetin is part of the chemical diversity of flavonoids that contribute to pigment production and protection against ultraviolet radiation.

Chemistry: Violetin belongs to the flavone class and features hydroxy groups at positions 5 and 7 and a methoxy group at the 4' position on the B-ring. Its structure is commonly verified by spectroscopic methods such as NMR and mass spectrometry. It can be isolated through solvent extraction and chromatographic purification from plant material.

Occurrence and isolation: Reports of violetin originate from various plant extracts; concentrations are typically low, requiring concentration and purification to obtain sufficient material for study. It is one of many substituents that can co-occur with other flavonoids in plants.

Uses and research: In phytochemical research, violetin is often cited as a representative flavone and is used in analytical method development for flavonoid profiling. Some in vitro studies of flavones have assessed antioxidant or enzyme-inhibitory activities; however, specific activity data for violetin are limited, and in vivo relevance remains uncertain.

Safety and regulation: There are no regulatory approvals or established therapeutic indications for violetin. As with other plant polyphenols, standard laboratory safety practices apply when handling the compound.