Rutin

Synonym(s): elderberry, rutoside

Nutrient group: vitaminoids, plant extracts & active ingredients

Sources

Dietary sources

The flavonoid rutin is a glycoside of quercetin and the sugar rutinose and acts as a pigment in plants to protect against bacterial pests and UV radiation. The quantity in plants therefore depends on the place where the plants grow, especially on the altitude above sea level. In food, rutin is found in citrus fruits, peppers, raspberries, elderberry, red wine, garlic and St. John's wort. Particularly high contents are found in the wild pansy, the Japanese string tree, buckwheat, white mulberry and the Canadian elderberry, which is why some of these plants are also used to produce pure rutins.

Detailed information

Rutin acts as vitamin saver

The bioflavonoid rutin is antioxidant to vitamin C, which means it recycles oxidized vitamin C and therefore acts as “vitamin saver“ and „vitamin enhancer“ (1). Rutin is a glycoside of quercetin and the sugar rutinose and thus a significant source of the bioflavonoid. Due to their antioxidative properties, bioflavonoids also have anticarcinogenic, immunostimulatory (2) and anti-edemic effects.

Bioflavonoids to protect against edema

Rutin is one of the bioflavonoids of the plant kingdom, which have strong anti-edematous and venous toning properties. An antihemorrhagic effect is also known (3). New studies indicate a protective effect against edema during longer air travel, especially in people with varicose veins and moderate venous insufficiency (4).

Indications

Effect	Indication	Dosage
Physiological effects at a low intake	Complementary therapy of chronic venous diseases, chronic venous insufficiencies, diabetic foot	50 - 300 mg/d
	With haemorrhoids & varices	50 - 300 mg/d
	To support wound healing processes in injuries & burns	50 - 300 mg/d
	To support the regeneration of antioxidant micronutrients	5 - 15 mg/d

Administration

General mode of administration
When	Rutin should be taken between meals.
Side effects
No side effects are known to date.
Contraindications
No contraindications are known to date.

Interactions

Drug or nutrient interactions
None	No interactions are known to date.

References

1) Gröber, U. Orthomolekulare Medizin: Ein Leitfaden für Apotheker und Ärzte, 3. unveränderte Auflage. Stuttgart: WVG Wissenschaftliche Verlagsgesellschaft Stuttgart, 2008.
2) Watzl, B., Leitzmann, C. Bioaktive Substanzen in Lebensmitteln, 3. unveränderte Auflage. Stuttgart: Hippokrates Verlag, 2005.
3) Wagner, H., Wiesenauer, M. Phytotherapie: Phytopharmaka und pflanzliche Homöopathika, 2. Auflage. Stuttgart: Wissenschaftliche Verlagsgesellschaft Stuttgart, 2003.
4) Cesarone, R. et al. 2005. Prevention of edema and flight microangiopathy with Venoruton (beta-hydroxylethyl-rutosides) in patients with varicose veins. Angiology.56(3):289-93.

References Interactions
Stargrove, M. B. et al. Herb, Nutrient and Drug Interactions: Clinical Implications and Therapeutic Strategies, 1. Auflage. St. Louis, Missouri: Elsevier Health Sciences, 2008.
Gröber, U. Mikronährstoffe: Metabolic Tuning –Prävention –Therapie, 3. Auflage. Stuttgart: WVG Wissenschaftliche Verlagsgesellschaft Stuttgart, 2011.
Gröber, U. Arzneimittel und Mikronährstoffe: Medikationsorientierte Supplementierung, 3. aktualisierte und erweiterte Auflage. Stuttgart: WVG Wissenschaftliche Verlagsgesellschaft Stuttgart, 2014.