The Influence of Flavonoid Compounds on the Nasal Excretion of a Red Pigment by Rats Subjected to Stress Conditions ,

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Abstract
A nasal excretion of a red pigment was observed in young male albino rats maintained at approximately 90% relative humidity for one to three weeks and fed (a) a diet deficient in either thiamine, riboflavin, pyridoxine, or pantothenate, or (b) a complete diet with a limited water allotment. The discharge of pigment was essentially prevented by (a) reducing the relative humidity below 70%, or (b) incorporating into the vitamin-deficient or water-restrictive diets the active flavonoid compounds, quercetin or rutin. Quercitrin and naringin were somewhat less effective, whereas hesperetin, hesperidin, naringenin, and hesperidin-methyl-chalcone possessed little activity. A large excess of menadione or the intraperitoneal injection of alkaline solutions of rutin or quercitrin partially decreased the extent of pigmentation; penicillin, streptomycin, aureomycin, salicylic acid, and ascorbic acid were practically inactive. It is suggested that rats may require flavonoid compounds under conditions of stress.