ANTIOXIDANT AND CYTOPROTECTIVE PROPERTIES OF LONG CHAIN FATTY ACID ACYLATED DERIVATIVES OF QUERCETIN-3-O-GLUCOSIDE

Abstract

Quercetin-3-O-glucoside (Q3G), a glycosylated derivative of quercetin, is a polyphenolic compound known to possess diverse biological activities. Its moderately hydrophilic nature is a critical factor governing the accessibility to the active sites of oxidative damages in vivo. It was hypothesized that biological activities of Q3G can be further enhanced by regioselective acylation with fatty acids which gives more lipophilicity. Q3G was acylated with six selected long chain fatty acids: stearic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, ?-linolenic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), using Candida antactica lipase. The derivatives were evaluated for their potential in inhibiting lipid oxidation in food systems and human low density lipoprotein (LDL), and cytoprotection and anti-inflammatory effect in cell culture model systems. The fatty acid derivatives of Q3G possessed greater effectiveness in inhibiting lipid oxidation in oil-in-water emulsions, and better cytoprotective effect against H2O2- and cigarette smoke toxicant-induced cytotoxicity when compared to Q3G.