Sophorae japonica L. Flower Extract: Sources and Benefits

What is Rutin?

Rutin is a type of polyphenol called a flavonoid glycoside. It’s composed of quercetin and the disaccharide rutinose. It’s also called rutoside, quercetin-3-O-rutinoside and sophorin. While it’s found in a wide variety of plants, including citrus, foods with the highest concentrations of rutin include capers, black olives, buckwheat, and asparagus. The most common use of rutin has been for supporting healthy veins. But it does much more.

Benefits of Rutin

The mitochondrial networks in our cells make and use about our body weight of ATP (i.e., cellular energy) every day. The ATP is used to do all types of cellular work. But as we age, mitochondria become damaged and less efficient: they make less ATP as a result. 

The mitochondrial networks in our cells make and use about our body weight of ATP (i.e., cellular energy) every day.

When it comes to supporting better health, one of the mitochondrial goals is to create new and more efficient mitochondria. This is called mitochondrial biogenesis, from the Greek words for “create” (genesis) and “life” (bios). Another goal is to make sure we maintain a healthy amount of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) needed to produce new mitochondria. 

Our interest in rutin for Qualia Life started when we read a study where it promoted mitochondrial biogenesis and supported healthier mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) levels. When we looked at more of the research, we found out that rutin also supports an increased ability to make NAD⁺ and activate sirtuins (an important healthspan pathway). It does this by activating a master cellular energy sensor called AMPK, which helps upregulate the ability for cells to salvage niacinamide and rebuild NAD⁺.*

Rutin has cell and mitochondrial protective properties, supporting antioxidant defenses, upregulating the important Nrf2 → NQO1 pathway involved in cellular protection and detoxification, promoting protein quality control, and improving capacities to prevent the formation of health-damaging glycation molecules.* 

Qualia’s Rutin Sourcing

Sophorae japonica L. (i.e., Japanese Pagoda Tree) flower extract was selected as an ingredient to provide a standardized amount of rutin. Dried flower buds are used as a starting material to extract rutin, because they can contain as much as 20% rutin. We source our rutin from a company that’s been specializing in citrus bioflavonoids since 1950.

* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The products and information on this website are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. The information on this site is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Please speak with an appropriate healthcare professional when evaluating any wellness related therapy. Please read the full medical disclaimer before taking any of the products offered on this site.