Mechanistic study of the biomimetic synthesis of flavonolignan diastereoisomers in milk thistle.

ABSTRACT: The mechanism for the biomimetic synthesis of flavonolignan diastereoisomers in milk thistle is proposed to proceed by single-electron oxidation of coniferyl alcohol, subsequent reaction with one of the oxygen atoms of taxifolin's catechol moiety, and finally, further oxidation to form four of the major components of silymarin: silybin A, silybin B, isosilybin A, and isosilybin B. This mechanism is significantly different from a previously proposed process that involves the coupling of two independently formed radicals.

SUBMITTER: Althagafy HS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3855429 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature