Biological activities of naringenin: A narrative review based on in vitro and in vivo studies

Naringenin (4',5,7-trihydroxyflavonone) is a phytochemical mainly found in citrus fruits. It is a promising phytochemical for human health because of its beneficial effects. This re-view aims to present comprehensive information on naringenin biological activities along with its action mechanisms and explain the pharmacokinetic properties of naringenin. This study involves a comprehensive literature review of in vitro and in vivo studies examin-ing the effects of naringenin. Naringenin has antidiabetic, anticancer, antimicrobial, an-tiobesity, gastroprotective, immunomodulator, cardioprotective, nephroprotective, and neu-roprotective properties. These properties are primarily attributed to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. The most important antioxidant activities of naringenin including free radical scavenging and preventing lipid peroxidation. Naringenin can increase the con-centration of antioxidant enzymes and inhibit metal chelation and various pro-oxidant en-zymes. Anti-inflammatory activities of naringenin are associated with decreased mitogen-activated protein kinase activities and nuclear factor kappa B by modulating the expression and release of proinflammatory cytokine and enzymes. In vitro and in vivo studies show that naringenin has promising biological activities for a variety of diseases. More research must be conducted on the bioactivities of naringenin, and to determine its optimum dose. In addition, the efficiency of naringenin must be examined with enhanced bioavailability methods to be able to increase its therapeutic effect.