Fisetin supplement, flavonoid extract, memory help? by Ray Sahelian, M.D.

Fisetin is a flavonol (3,7,3',4'-tetrahydroxyflavone) that has anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative effects.

Fisetin for brain health
In vitro studies show fisetin has a strong anti-inflammatory activity in brain microglia, and could be a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of neuroinflammatory diseases.

Fisetin and memory
Mice studies indicate that fisetin may be helpful for memory.

Q. I have read of the benefits of fisetin on memory in a study done by Dr. Maher. Is there currently a Fisetin supplement available that you would recommend. I know of one from Japan that is from the smoketree plant extract, but would like your thoughts on this.
   A. As of September 2008, I have not come across any human studies regarding the use of fisetin supplements for memory enhancement.

Fisetin and prostate cancer
Fisetin, a novel dietary flavonoid causes apoptosis and cell-cycle arrest in human prostate cancer LNCaP cells.
Carcinogenesis. 2008 March. Khan N, Afaq F, Syed DN, Mukhtar H. Department of Dermatology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA.
The aim of this study was to determine the effect of fisetin, a tetrahydroxyflavone, on inhibition of cell-growth and induction of apoptosis in human prostate cancer cells. Treatment of fisetin was found to result in a decrease in the viability of LNCaP, CWR22Rupsilon1 and PC-3 cells but had only minimal effects on normal prostate epithelial PrEC cells. Treatment of LNCaP cells with fisetin also resulted in G1-phase arrest which was associated with a marked decrease in the protein expression of cyclin D1, D2 and E and their activating partner cdk2, 4 and 6 with concomitant induction of WAF1/p21 and KIP1/p27. Treatment of cells with fisetin also resulted in significant activation of caspase-3, -8 and -9. Pretreatment of cells with caspase inhibitor (Z-VAD-FMK) blocked fisetin-induced activation of caspases. These data provides the first evidence that fisetin could be developed as an agent against prostate cancer.

Fisetin supplement questions
Q. Your name came up while searching for fisetin. I am working with the well-known doctor as a research patient and researcher exploring natural medicines for my condition (Ideopathic Parkinson’s). Could you help us find a wholesale source of fisetin for one kilogram?
   A. As of Dec 2008, I have not found a good source of fisetin.