Pharmacological Properties and Therapeutic Potential of Naringenin: A Citrus Flavonoid of Pharmaceutical Promise

Abstract

Naringenin chemically known as 5,7-dihydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)chroman-4-one is a common dietary polyphenolic constituent of the citrus fruits. It has received considerable attention for pharmaceutical and nutritional development due to potent pharmacological activities and therapeutic potential. Accruing evidence from both in vitro and in vivo studies have unraveled numerous biological targets along with complex underlying mechanisms suggesting possible therapeutic applications of naringenin in various neurological, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, rheumatological, metabolic and malignant disorders. Functionally, this ameliorative effect of naringenin is primarily attributed to its antiinflammatory (via inhibiting recruitment of cytokines and inflammatory transcription factors) and anti-oxidant (via scavenging of free radicals, bolstering of endogenous antioxidant defense system and metal ion chelation) effects. The present article provides a comprehensive review of the various studies that have evaluated the therapeutic potential of naringenin and its actions at the molecular level. It also summarizes the pharmacokinetic data and issues and challenges involved in pharmaceutical development and suggest that it may be a potential agent for further exploration as well as may be useful as a dietary adjunct in treatment of various human ailments.

The Citrus Flavanone Naringenin Protects Myocardial Cells against Age-Associated Damage

“…Recently, the prevention of cell death by flavanone has been studied in H9c2 myocardial cells that were injured by exposure to a high concentration of glucose or to daunorubicin. The results have suggested that Nar significantly ameliorates the drug-induced toxicity by inhibiting apoptosis [1, 2]. A very recent publication has demonstrated that Nar has the ability to improve the antioxidant status and membrane phospholipid composition in old rats [18].…”

“…Recently, this compound has received considerable attention for its health-promoting and disease-preventing effects, and interest in its pharmaceutical and nutritional effects has also increased [1]. Among the many biological targets and molecular mechanisms that underlie its beneficial activities, its antioxidant actions are the best characterized.…”

“…Among the many biological targets and molecular mechanisms that underlie its beneficial activities, its antioxidant actions are the best characterized. Nar is a free radical scavenger, a metal ion chelator, and an activator of the antioxidant enzyme defense [1, 2]. In addition, Nar stimulates the mitochondrial calcium-dependent potassium channel (mitoBKCa), which causes an influx of potassium ions, a mild depolarization, and a decrease in the mitochondrial matrix calcium uptake, all of which contribute to stabilizing the mitochondria during cellular damage [3, 4].…”

Editorial: Frontier Views in Designing Therapeutic Candidates for Management of Diverse Diseases

“…Banks, the Editor-in-Chief, as well as Mr. Kazim Baig, the Director of CPD, along with all the contributing authors who have actively responded to our request by contributing to not only this and all three parts of the previous special issue of CPD on managing strategies for diverse diseases: challenges from bench to bedside translation in successful drug discovery and development [11–43]. We extend our appreciation to the peer reviewers for the time and expertise that each altruistically provided by revising individual contributions to a consistently high level of quality to allow completion of this special issue-2 of CPD.…”

Editorial (Thematic Issue: Managing Strategies for Diverse Diseases: Challenges from Bench to Bedside Translation in Successful Drug Discovery and Dev elopment (Part C))

“…In this part C special issue of CPD, Rani et al [1] review the pharmacological properties and therapeutic potential of naringenin. Naringenin, chemically known as 5,7-dihydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)chroman-4-one, is a common dietary polyphenolic constituent of citrus fruits.…”