Isorhamnetin (IRH)

Isorhamnetin is an O-methylated flavonol, a type of flavonoid. It can be found in Tagetes lucida, a psychedelic plant from Mexico and Central America. The enzyme quercetin 3-O-methyltransferase uses S-adenosyl methionine and quercetin to produce S-adenosylhomocysteine and isorhamnetin. The enzyme 3-methylquercetin 7-O-methyltransferase uses S-adenosyl methionine and 5,7,3',4'-tetrahydroxy-3-methoxyflavone (isorhamnetin) to produce S-adenosylhomocysteine and 5,3',4'-trihydroxy-3,7-dimethoxyflavone (rhamnazin). Flavonoids, a group of compounds mainly derived from vegetables and herbal medicines, share a chemical resemblance to estrogen, and indeed some of which have been used as estrogen substitutes. In searching for possible functions of flavonoids, the neuroprotective effect in brain could lead to novel treatment, or prevention, for neurodegenerative diseases.