Title:The Potential Role of Naringin and Naringenin as Nutraceuticals Against
Metabolic Syndrome
Volume: 23
Issue: 4
Author(s): Luca Massaro, Anna Raguzzini, Paola Aiello and Débora Villaño Valencia*
Affiliation:
- "Nutrición, Estrés Oxidativo y Biodisponibilidad" Research Group Faculty of Health Sciences, School
of Pharmacy, Universidad Católica de Murcia UCAM, Campus de los Jerónimos n 135, Guadalupe 30107, Murcia, Spain
Keywords:
Flavonoids, citrus fruits, anti-inflammatory, naringin, naringenin, metabolic syndrome.
Abstract: Metabolic syndrome, an increasing problem in western society, is a cluster of conditions
that affect cardiovascular health, lipid and glucose management, increasing the risk of heart diseases,
stroke and diabetes. Bioactive flavonoids are a great resource of compounds with proven antiinflammatory
activities. Naringin, a natural flavanone found in citrus fruits, and its aglycone have
demonstrated to ameliorate obesity, dyslipidemia, and insulin resistance in animal models. The principal
mechanisms by which these flavonoids exert their action involve AMPK and PPARα up-regulation
and the down-regulation of genes involved in lipid metabolism. Although different studies
have been carried out to define the pharmacological effects of these flavonoids, their therapeutic use
is still limited.