Supplement
7,8-Dihydroxyflavone is a plant-derived flavonoid that switches on TrkB, the receptor for BDNF, a protein that helps brain cells grow, connect and survive. People mostly look at it for memory and age-related cognitive decline, and in rodents it consistently improved spatial memory, long-term memory and learning, though the evidence is limited. Nearly all of this work was in mice and rats, so what it does for memory in people remains unstudied here.
Sources: PMID 24614170; PMID 37008453
- Updated
- How we grade
- 48 studies cited
- Best evidence
- Grade C
- Conditions studied
- 7
- Outcomes
- 15
- Graded outcomes
- 00411
Evidence by condition
- Strong
- Moderate
- Limited
- Very limited
General
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Retinal Ganglion Cell Protection In multiple animal and ex vivo models, 7,8-DHF protected retinal ganglion cells against glaucoma-induced deficits, ischemia-reperfusion injury, chronic intermittent hypoxia, and inherited blindness. Oral administration showed protection via the gut-retina axis and ferroptosis inhibition, with consistent TrkB-mediated neuroprotective effects across models. | Improves (the measure goes up) | Moderate effect | 6 studies | |||
Studies that measured retinal ganglion cell protection
| ||||||
| Dopaminergic Neuron Survival In rodent Parkinson's disease models, 7,8-DHF consistently protected nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons across MPTP-induced, rotenone-induced, and alpha-synuclein transgenic models. Also ameliorated mitochondrial impairment and motor dysfunction, suggesting broad dopaminergic neuroprotective potential via TrkB activation. | Improves (the measure goes up) | Moderate effect | 4 studies | |||
Studies that measured dopaminergic neuron survival
| ||||||
| Stroke & Ischemic Brain Injury In mouse stroke models, 7,8-DHF decreased infarct volumes. In vitro, it protected neurons against oxygen-glucose deprivation-induced apoptosis and activated the TrkB/Akt pathway. Also accelerated recovery in a rat spinal cord lateral hemisection model. | Improves (the measure goes down) | Moderate effect | 4 studies | |||
Studies that measured stroke & ischemic brain injury
| ||||||
| Insulin Resistance & Metabolic Markers In rodent models, 7,8-DHF alleviated endoplasmic reticulum stress in diet-induced metabolic syndrome, attenuated adipocyte-macrophage inflammatory crosstalk and insulin resistance, and showed sex-dependent metabolic effects associated with gut microbiome alterations. Metabolic protection appeared to require an intact gut microbiome. | Improves (the measure goes down) | Small effect | 4 studies | |||
Studies that measured insulin resistance & metabolic markers
| ||||||
| Neurodevelopmental Disorder Symptoms In a Fragile X syndrome animal model, early 7,8-DHF administration ameliorated synaptic and behavioral deficits via the BDNF-TrkB pathway. A separate study investigated effects on offspring behavior following maternal immune activation. Both studies suggest potential for neurodevelopmental conditions but evidence is very limited. | Improves (the measure goes down) | Small effect | 4 studies | |||
Studies that measured neurodevelopmental disorder symptoms
| ||||||
| Depressive Symptoms In rodent models, 7,8-DHF and its O-methylated metabolite reversed depressive symptoms in chronic mild stress paradigms and displayed antidepressant activity via TrkB receptor activation. Effects consistent with BDNF-TrkB signaling role in depression, but limited to animal behavioral assays. | Improves (the measure goes down) | Moderate effect | 2 studies | |||
| Epilepsy Development In rodent models, low-dose 7,8-DHF administered after status epilepticus prevented subsequent epilepsy development. However, a separate study found 7,8-DHF potentiated ongoing epileptiform activity in mouse brain slices, indicating potentially opposing acute versus chronic effects that require further investigation. | Changes; see studies | Small effect | 2 studies | |||
| Hepatoprotection In a rodent model, 7,8-DHF protected against acetaminophen-induced liver injury through activating PI3K/Akt/NRF2/GPX4-mediated ferroptosis suppression. This represents a single recent preclinical study. | Improves (the measure goes up) | Small effect | 1 study | |||
Alzheimer’s Disease
- Alzheimer's Disease Pathology: improves
Antioxidant Status
- Antioxidant Defense: improves
Cardiovascular Health
- Cardiac Function: improves
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cardiac Function In rodent and cell models, 7,8-DHF alleviated cardiac fibrosis via circadian signal restoration, counteracted cardiac hypertrophy through AMPK activation, rescued rotenone-induced cardiomyocyte cytotoxicity, and attenuated cisplatin-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis via the p53/Nrf2 pathway. | Improves (the measure goes up) | Small effect | 4 studies | |||
Studies that measured cardiac function
| ||||||
Anxiety Disorders (Other)
- Anxiety: improves
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anxiety In rodent models, 7,8-DHF alleviated anxiety-like behavior induced by chronic alcohol exposure via TrkB signaling in the amygdala. Also enhanced fear extinction and emotional learning in separate rodent studies, suggesting anxiolytic potential through neurotrophic mechanisms. | Improves (the measure goes down) | Small effect | 3 studies | |||
Studies that measured anxiety
| ||||||
Bone Health
- Bone Density: improves
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bone Density In ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis models, 7,8-DHF modulated bone formation and resorption and ameliorated bone loss, including via PI3K/AKT/NRF2 pathway in BMSCs. However, one study found 7,8-DHF impaired fracture healing in mice, suggesting context-dependent effects on bone metabolism. | Improves (the measure goes up) | Small effect | 3 studies | |||
Studies that measured bone density
| ||||||
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
- Motor Neuron Degeneration (ALS): improves
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Motor Neuron Degeneration (ALS) In SOD1-G93A transgenic mice (ALS model), the 7,8-DHF prodrug R13 preserved motor performance by improving mitochondrial function. This represents a single preclinical study in one ALS mouse model. | Improves (the measure goes down) | Small effect | 1 study | |||
Studies that measured motor neuron degeneration (als) | ||||||
Key findings
- Cognitive Function & MemoryImproves (the measure goes up)
- Retinal Ganglion Cell ProtectionImproves (the measure goes up)
- Alzheimer's Disease PathologyImproves (the measure goes down)
Shop 7,8-Dihydroxyflavone
Third-party tested 7,8-Dihydroxyflavone products. The evidence above is limited, so read it before you buy.
- Grade C
Links to Fullscript, iHerb or Thorne carry our referral, so we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Grades come from the research and never change based on what we earn. Fullscript asks for a free account before it shows its catalog and prices. Full disclosure
Studies cited
48 studies from PubMed
- 7,8-Dihydroxyflavone protects acetaminophen induced liver injury through activating PI3K/Akt/NRF2/GPX4 mediated ferroptosis suppression
- Oral 7,8-Dihydroxyflavone Protects Retinal Ganglion Cells by Modulating the Gut-Retina Axis and Inhibiting Ferroptosis via the Indoleacrylic Acid-AhR-ALDH1A3-FSP1 Pathway
- 7,8-Dihydroxyflavone attenuates cisplatin-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis and mitochondrial dysfunction via the p53/Nrf2 pathway
- 7,8-Dihydroxyflavone ameliorates cognitive impairment induced by repeated neonatal sevoflurane exposures in mice through increasing tau O-GlcNAcylation
- 7, 8-dihydroxyflavone Ameliorates Cholinergic Dysfunction, Inflammation, Oxidative Stress, and Apoptosis in a Rat Model of Vascular Dementia
- 7,8-DHF inhibits BMSC oxidative stress via the TRKB/PI3K/AKT/NRF2 pathway to improve symptoms of postmenopausal osteoporosis
- 7,8-dihydroxyflavone displayed antioxidant effect through activating HO-1 expression and inhibiting caspase-3/PARP activation in RAW264.7 cells
- 7,8-dihydroxyflavone reduces lipid peroxidation, proinflammatory cytokines, and mediators in chemically induced phenylketonuria model
- Investigating 7,8-Dihydroxyflavone to combat maternal immune activation effects on offspring gene expression and behaviour
- 7,8-dihydroxyflavone enhances long-term spatial memory and alters brain volume in wildtype mice
- 7,8-Dihydroxyflavone alleviates cardiac fibrosis by restoring circadian signals via downregulating Bmal1/Akt pathway
- BDNF mimetic 7,8-dihydroxyflavone rescues rotenone-induced cytotoxicity in cardiomyocytes by ameliorating mitochondrial dysfunction
- 7,8-Dihydroxyflavone Attenuates Inflammatory Response and Insulin Resistance Induced by the Paracrine Interaction between Adipocytes and Macrophages
- Early 7,8-Dihydroxyflavone Administration Ameliorates Synaptic and Behavioral Deficits in the Young FXS Animal Model by Acting on BDNF-TrkB Pathway
- Treatment with the flavonoid 7,8-Dihydroxyflavone: a promising strategy for a constellation of body and brain disorders
- 7,8-Dihydroxyflavone ameliorates mitochondrial impairment and motor dysfunction in the α-synuclein 1-103 transgenic mice
- 7,8-Dihydroxyflavone protects retinal ganglion cells against chronic intermittent hypoxia-induced oxidative stress damage via activation of the BDNF/TrkB signaling pathway
- 7,8-Dihydroxyflavone alleviates apoptosis and inflammation induced by retinal ischemia-reperfusion injury via activating TrkB/Akt/NF-kB signaling pathway
- TrkB Receptor Agonist 7,8 Dihydroxyflavone is Protective Against the Inner Retinal Deficits Induced by Experimental Glaucoma
- Small-molecule 7,8-dihydroxyflavone counteracts compensated and decompensated cardiac hypertrophy via AMPK activation
- 7,8-Dihydroxyflavone alleviates Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress in cafeteria diet-induced metabolic syndrome
- Metabolic protection by the dietary flavonoid 7,8-dihydroxyflavone requires an intact gut microbiome
- Low-dose 7,8-Dihydroxyflavone Administration After Status Epilepticus Prevents Epilepsy Development
- 7,8-Dihydroxyflavone protects neurons against oxygen-glucose deprivation induced apoptosis and activates the TrkB/Akt pathway
- 7,8-Dihydroxyflavone accelerates recovery of Brown-Sequard syndrome in adult female rats with spinal cord lateral hemisection
- Utility of 7,8-dihydroxyflavone in preventing astrocytic and synaptic deficits in the hippocampus elicited by PTSD
- 7,8-Dihydroxyflavone Simultaneously Provides Neuroprotection of Retinal Explants and Proangiogenesis of Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells via the Tropomyosin-Related Kinase Receptor B Signaling Pathway In Vitro
- 7,8-Dihydroxyflavone improves cognitive functions in ICV-STZ rat model of sporadic Alzheimer's disease by reversing oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and insulin resistance
- 7,8-Dihydroxyflavone Alleviates Anxiety-Like Behavior Induced by Chronic Alcohol Exposure in Mice Involving Tropomyosin-Related Kinase B in the Amygdala
- 7,8-Dihydroxyflavone modulates bone formation and resorption and ameliorates ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis
- The TrkB agonist, 7,8-dihydroxyflavone, impairs fracture healing in mice
- Sex-Dependent Effects of 7,8-Dihydroxyflavone on Metabolic Health Are Associated with Alterations in the Host Gut Microbiome
- R13 preserves motor performance in SOD1(G93A) mice by improving mitochondrial function
- 7,8-Dihydroxyflavone alleviated the high-fat diet and alcohol-induced memory impairment: behavioral, biochemical and molecular evidence
- 7,8-Dihydroxyflavone Protects Nigrostriatal Dopaminergic Neurons from Rotenone-Induced Neurotoxicity in Rodents
- 7,8-Dihydroxyflavone Protects High Glucose-Damaged Neuronal Cells against Oxidative Stress
- 7,8-Dihydroxyflavone potentiates ongoing epileptiform activity in mice brain slices
- 7,8-Dihydroxyflavone activates Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathways and protects against osteoarthritis
- A Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Mimetic Is Sufficient to Restore Cone Photoreceptor Visual Function in an Inherited Blindness Model
- 7,8-dihydroxyflavone, a small molecular TrkB agonist, is useful for treating various BDNF-implicated human disorders
- 7,8-Dihydroxyflavone reverses the depressive symptoms in mouse chronic mild stress
- 7, 8-Dihydroxyflavone Protects an Endothelial Cell Line from H2O2 Damage
- 7,8-Dihydroxyflavone, a small molecule TrkB agonist, improves spatial memory and increases thin spine density in a mouse model of Alzheimer disease-like neuronal loss
- 7,8-Dihydroxyflavone, a TrkB agonist, attenuates behavioral abnormalities and neurotoxicity in mice after administration of methamphetamine
- 7,8-dihydroxyflavone ameliorates scopolamine-induced Alzheimer-like pathologic dysfunction
- O-methylated metabolite of 7,8-dihydroxyflavone activates TrkB receptor and displays antidepressant activity
- Effect of 7,8-dihydroxyflavone, a small-molecule TrkB agonist, on emotional learning
- A selective TrkB agonist with potent neurotrophic activities by 7,8-dihydroxyflavone