Phloretin

Phloretin is a natural dihydrochalcone flavonoid found in apples, strawberries, and other fruits. It exhibits a range of biological activities including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antibacterial, and organ-protective effects[1][3][4][5]. Mechanistically, phloretin inhibits glucose transporters SGLT1 and SGLT2 (though less potently than its glycoside phlorizin), reducing intestinal glucose absorption and renal reabsorption[5]. It also inhibits urea transporters and aquaporin 9 (AQP9), modulates the NF-κB signaling pathway to suppress inflammatory cytokines (such as TNF-α, IL-6), induces Nrf2 expression for antioxidant defense[8], increases cell membrane permeability in bacteria leading to antibacterial effects[6], and induces apoptosis in various cancer cell lines by affecting apoptotic proteins such as Bcl-2 family members[7]. Phloretin is primarily studied experimentally for potential therapeutic applications against cancers, diabetes complications (including cardiomyopathy and neuropathy), liver/kidney injury, ulcerative colitis, asthma, arthritis, cognitive impairment as well as microbial infections[3][4].

Other names

dihydrochalcone2',4,4',6'-tetrahydroxy-dihydrochalcone