Anthocyanidins / 1995

Date: Sun, 12 Nov 1995 20:28:49 +0000
Sender: HERB.TREARNPC.EGE.EDU.TR
From: christopher hedley <christopher.GN.APC.ORG>
Subject: Re: Flavan 3-ol

>Would like any info on leucoanthocyanindin, the specific flavan 3-ol. It is described as a vegetable extract and are present in at least 40 known plants. Duke lists this constituent as anti-coagulant, anti-inflam. cardio tonic, hypotensive, vasodilator and refers to an article in Journal of Ethnopharmacology

The general properties of anthocyanadins and flavonols are peripheral vasodilation and anti-inflammatory. Any peripheral vasodilator will be hypotensive, by taking pressure off the heart, and will tend to be cardio-tonic, by improving blood flow to the coronary arteries. They may also bring on sweating, by increasing circulation to the skin, or increase urination, by increasing circulation to the kidnies. The specific uses of individual plants depends on the balance of the whole of the constituents of the plant. In traditional medicine this may be referred to as the appropriation of the plant - ie. the constituents can give a clue to expected action but only traditional understanding, and analysis, can tell us what the plant actually does. For example; Yarrow (Achillea millifolium) improves circulation in the veins and the legs, is a good sweating herb but is also used to stop heavy menstrual bleeding.

Christopher Hedley

Date: Mon, 13 Nov 1995 11:05:16 -0800
Sender: HERB.TREARNPC.EGE.EDU.TR
From: jonathan treasure <jonno.TELEPORT.COM>
Subject: Re: Flavan 3-ol

>Would like any info on leucoanthocyanindin, the specific flavan 3-ol. It is described as a vegetable extract and are present in at least 40 known plants.

NAPRALERT at UIC will be the most authoratitive source for your search You can search NAPRALERT by email, but need an account. Details from <mquinn.pcog.pmmp.uic.edu>

In addition, two comments. Flavonol is a generic term for a group of compounds, the flavone glycosides which are distributed throughout about 50% all angiosperm genera not 40 plants. Having an -OH in the 3 position does not cut this down much...... so take care in your search! I don't have any reference sources with me but if leucoanthocyanadin is a specific compound, try and get its ISO nomenclature formula for your search as well. This is important if you wish to search the USDA AGRIS interactive databases via the web - you can never tell if you have scored a miss or asked the wrong question.

Finally leuco-something in the name may well be a red herring.....plant taxonomy is not based on chemical constituents.... (thank heavens)

jonathan treasure<jonno.teleport.com>