7,8-dihydroxyflavone

7,8-dihydroxyflavone (also known as tropoflavin or 7,8-DHF) is a naturally occurring flavonoid found in plants such as Godmania aesculifolia and Tridax procumbens. It acts primarily as a potent and selective small-molecule agonist of the tyrosine kinase receptor B (TrkB), which is the main receptor for brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). By activating TrkB receptors in the brain—unlike BDNF itself which does not cross the blood-brain barrier—7,8-dihydroxyflavone can promote neuronal survival and plasticity. Preclinical studies have shown that it improves cognition and synaptic function in animal models of Alzheimer’s disease and other neurological disorders by increasing dendritic spine density and modulating downstream signaling pathways such as AKT/CREB/ERK/CaMKII. Additionally, recent research has identified it as a direct competitive inhibitor of pyridoxal phosphatase (PDXP), suggesting an alternative mechanism for its neuroprotective effects. Despite promising results in animal models for conditions like Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, stroke recovery, traumatic brain injury and hypoxia–ischemia-related injury—and its availability as a dietary supplement—there are currently no clinical trials or approved pharmaceutical uses for this compound[1][2][3][5][6][9].

Other names

tropoflavin7,8-dihydroxy-2-phenyl-4H-chromen-4-one4H-1-benzopyran-4-one, 7,8-dihydroxy-2-phenyl-dihydroxyflavone, 7,8-7,8-di-OH flavone8-dihydroxyflavone