Citrus health benefits: evidence from pre-clinical and clinical studies

B.S. Patil, M. Shivapirya, K.N.C. Murthy
Citrus fruits are excellent sources of antioxidants and other health-promoting compounds. Examining the effects of these compounds on important systems such as the gut microbiome informs efforts to use citrus to improve human health. We and others have conducted extensive research on chemical fingerprinting of various citrus fruits, isolating and separating active molecules, and exploring their health benefits using molecular, animal, and human studies. Health benefits were demonstrated based on mechanisms such as antioxidant capacity, activation of Phase I and II enzymes, and induction of apoptosis in cancer cell lines. Furthermore, triterpenoids and flavonoids inhibit various tumors through cell signaling and other cancer-specific pathways. Researchers have demonstrated the effects of selected bioactive compounds on the gut microbiome. Among these bioactive compounds, polymethoxy flavones (PMFs) regulated the gut microbiome, resulting in the production of branched chain amino acids to help prevent metabolic syndrome. Therefore, PMFs have potential as a prebiotic to support gut health and prevent many chronic conditions. Similar health benefits were reported for major citrus flavonoids such as hesperetin, naringenin, eriodictyol, isosakuranetin, and their respective glycosides. Citrus-derived flavonoids help prevent inflammatory bowel syndrome by balancing gut microbiota. Due to their positive influence on the gut microbiome, especially on microbes that may prevent chronic health conditions and promote absorption of micronutrients, citrus and their phytonutrients may serve as a source of multipurpose nutraceuticals with major clinical benefits. This will require further paraclinical and clinical studies.
Patil, B.S., Shivapirya, M. and Murthy, K.N.C. (2024). Citrus health benefits: evidence from pre-clinical and clinical studies. Acta Hortic. 1399, 291-302
DOI: 10.17660/ActaHortic.2024.1399.36
https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2024.1399.36
citrus, health benefits, antioxidant, phytochemicals, gut health, microbiota
English
1399_36
291-302

Acta Horticulturae