Antiproliferative activity of Citrus juices and HPLC evaluation of their flavonoid composition

A mechanistic review of the pharmacological potential of narirutin: a dietary flavonoid

Flavanones, a type of polyphenol, are found in substantial amounts in citrus fruits. When high- or moderate-dose orange juice consumption occurs, flavanones make up a significant portion of the total polyphenols in plasma. Disaccharide derivative narirutin, mainly dihydroxy flavanone, is found in citrus fruits. The substantial chemotherapeutic potential of narirutin has been amply demonstrated by numerous experimental studies. Consequently, the purpose of this study is to compile the research that has already been done showing narirutin to be a promising anticancer drug, with its mechanism of action being documented in treatment plans for various cancer forms. Narirutin functions in a variety of cancer cells by regulating several pathways that include cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, antiangiogenic, antimetastatic, and DNA repair. Narirutin has been shown to modify many molecular targets linked to the development of cancer, including drug transporters, cell cycle mediators, transcription factors, reactive oxygen species, reactive nitrogen species, and inflammatory cytokines. Taken together, these reviews offer important new information about narirutin's potential as a potent and promising drug candidate for use in medicines, functional foods, dietary supplements, nutraceuticals, and other products targeted at improving the treatment of cancer.

Biological Activities of Citrus-Derived Extracellular Vesicles on Human Cells: The Role of Preservation

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have been identified as important mediators for cell-to-cell communication. Citrus-based EVs in particular offer an excellent platform for nutraceutical delivery systems, as their endemic cargo includes micronutrients (e.g., ascorbic acid), which contribute to their antioxidant capacity. Despite being extensively investigated as to their therapeutic and diagnostic potential, their cargo is inherently unstable and thus directly affected by their storage and preservation. In this study, EVs were isolated from citrus fruit using tangential flow filtration and evaluated for their physicochemical characteristics, antioxidant activity and effects on human cells. To assess how their isolation and preservation methods affect these properties, the EVs were tested immediately after isolation (from fresh and freeze-thawed juices) or following freeze-drying. A measurable biological effect of cryoprotection on citrus-derived EVs was evident, whether during or after isolation. This was more pronounced in the cell-based assays, ranging from -4% to +32% in human skin fibroblast proliferation. Nevertheless, the effects on human cancer cells varied depending on the cell line. Although these results should be considered preliminary observations, subject to further investigation, it is safe to state that any type of preservation is expected to impact the EVs' biological activity.

Reversal of Peripheral Neuropathic Pain by the Small-Molecule Natural Product Narirutin via Block of Nav1.7 Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel

Neuropathic pain is a refractory chronic disease affecting millions of people worldwide. Given that present painkillers have poor efficacy or severe side effects, developing novel analgesics is badly needed. The multiplex structure of active ingredients isolated from natural products provides a new source for phytochemical compound synthesis. Here, we identified a natural product, Narirutin, a flavonoid compound isolated from the Citrus unshiu, showing antinociceptive effects in rodent models of neuropathic pain. Using calcium imaging, whole-cell electrophysiology, western blotting, and immunofluorescence, we uncovered a molecular target for Narirutin's antinociceptive actions. We found that Narirutin (i) inhibits Veratridine-triggered nociceptor activities in L4-L6 rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons, (ii) blocks voltage-gated sodium (Na_V) channels subtype 1.7 in both small-diameter DRG nociceptive neurons and human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cell line, (iii) does not affect tetrodotoxin-resistant (TTX-R) Na_V channels, and (iv) blunts the upregulation of Na_v1.7 in calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)-labeled DRG sensory neurons after spared nerve injury (SNI) surgery. Identifying Na_v1.7 as a molecular target of Narirutin may further clarify the analgesic mechanism of natural flavonoid compounds and provide an optimal idea to produce novel selective and efficient analgesic drugs.

Prospective multifunctional roles and pharmacological potential of dietary flavonoid narirutin

Plant-based phytochemicals are now being used to treat plenty of physiological diseases. Herbal drugs have gained popularity in recent years because of their strength, purity, and cheap cost-effectiveness. Citrus fruits contain significant amounts of flavanones, which falls to the category of polyphenols. Flavanones occupy a major fraction of the total polyphenols present in the plasma when orange juice is taken highly or in moderate states. Narirutin is a disaccharide derivative available in citrus fruits, primarily dihydroxy flavanone. From a pharmacological viewpoint, narirutin is a bioactive phytochemical with therapeutic efficacy. Many experimental researches were published on the use of narirutin. Anticancer activity, neuroprotection, stress relief, hepatoprotection, anti-allergic activity, antidiabetic activity, anti-adipogenic activity, anti-obesity action, and immunomodulation are a couple of the primary pharmacological properties. Narirutin also has antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities. The ultimate goal of this review is to provide the current scenario of pharmacological research with narirutin; to make a better understanding for therapeutic potential of narirutin, as well as its biosynthesis strategies and side effects. Extensive literature searches and studies were undertaken to determine the pharmacological properties of narirutin.

Chemical Variation of Chenpi (Citrus Peels) and Corresponding Correlated Bioactive Compounds by LC-MS Metabolomics and Multibioassay Analysis

The peel of Citrus reticulata “Chachi” (CP) possesses various health-promoting benefits and is not only one of the most famous Chinese herbal medicine, but also an ingredient in fermented foods. In the present study, the effects of storage years (1-, 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, and 11-years) on the chemical profiling and potential bioactive compounds of CP were compared by metabolomics and in vitro bioactivity analysis. With the increase of storage time, the content of hesperidin significantly decreased, but nobiletin, 3,5,6,7,8,3′,4′-heptamethoxyflavone, and tangeretin were increased. Meanwhile, the antioxidant activity of CP was enhanced. Phenolic acids, flavonol glycosides, fatty acids, and alkyl glycosides were marker compounds that were responsible for distinguishing the storage time of CP. Correlation analysis suggested that some polyphenols including quercetin-glucoside, quinic acid, trihydroxydimethoxyflavone, and rutin were potential antioxidant compounds in CP. The dichloromethane and n-butanol fractions showed the better antioxidant capacity and inhibitory effects on glucose-hydrolysis enzymes. They mainly contained ferulic acid, nobiletin, 3,5,6,7,8,3′,4′-heptamethoxyflavone, kaempferol, and hesperidin.

Effect of diosmin on lipid peoxidation and organ damage against subacute deltamethrin exposure in rats

The aim of this study was to investigate the protective efficacy of diosmin against subacute deltamethrin exposure. For this purpose, 40 male Wistar albino rats were used. The animals were assigned to the following 4 groups: control group (received corn oil vehicle alone), diosmin-treated group (50 mg/kg bw/day orally), deltamethrin-exposed group (5 mg/kg bw/day, orally) and coadministered group (5 mg/kg bw/day deltamethrin and 50 mg/kg bw/day diosmin, orally) for 28 days. Some lipid peroxidation/antioxidant status/biochemical markers were evaluated in blood/tissue (liver, kidney, brain, heart and testis) samples and the histopathological architecture was assessed. Compared with the control group, no alteration was detected in the parameters and histological findings of the diosmin-treated group. Deltamethrin toxicity was associated with significantly increased plasma, cardiac, hepatic, renal, cerebral and testicular levels of MDA and NO, and significantly decreased GSH levels (p < 0.05). Antioxidant enzyme status (SOD, CAT and GSH-Px activities) displayed either decrease or increase (p < 0.05). Significant increase was detected in AST and ALT activities and urea and creatinine levels (p < 0.05). The values of the group coadministered with deltamethrin and diosmin were similar to the values of the control group. Diosmin ameliorated deltamethrin-induced lymphocytic and histiocytic infiltration and subendocardial oedema in the heart. Combined administration also minimized hepatic, renal, testicular and cerebral histopathological findings. The alterations detected in various toxicological parameters correlated well with the histopathological changes observed in various organs. In conclusion, it is suggested that diosmin could provide protection against deltamethrin-induced toxicity and organ damage in rats.

Citrus × Clementina Hort. Juice Enriched with Its By-Products (Peels and Leaves): Chemical Composition, In Vitro Bioactivity, and Impact of Processing

This work investigated a model for the reuse of Citrus × clementina Hort. by-products for the development of a functional drink able to exert antioxidant, hypoglycaemic, and hypolipidemic effects. Juice obtained from fruits collected in three different areas of Calabria (Italy) was analysed. C. × clementina juice from Corigliano Calabro (JF), characterized by the highest content of bioactive compounds and bioactivity, was chosen as a matrix to be enrichment with hydroalcoholic ultrasound-assisted maceration of C. × clementina leaf from Corigliano Calabro (CO2) and ethanol ultrasound-assisted maceration of C. × clementina peel from Cetraro (BC3) extracts at different concentrations. The highest phytochemical content and bioactivities were found in juice enriched with leaf and leaf + peel extracts, with particular reference to antioxidant activity. In order to estimate the effects of pasteurization, 20% (mg/100 mL) enriched juice was subjected to this process. Based on obtained data of bioactivity and sensorial analysis, C. × clementina by-products could be proposed as a promising source of bioactive compounds useful for the formulation of a functional drink for preventing diseases associated with oxidative stress such as type 2 diabetes and obesity.

In-silico Designing, ADMET Analysis, Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Novel Derivatives of Diosmin Against Urease Protein and Helicobacter pylori Bacterium

BACKGROUND

Designing drug candidates against the urease enzyme, which has been found responsible for many pathological disorders in human beings as well as in animals, was done by insilico means.

METHODS

Studies were carried out on a designed library of diosmin derivatives with the help of Schrodinger's maestro package of molecular docking software against a crystallographic complex of plant enzyme Jack bean urease (PDB ID: 3LA4). Best twelve derivatives of diosmin were selected for synthesis by considering their interaction energy along with docking score and were further investigated for antioxidant, urease inhibitory and Anti-H. pylori activity by in- vitro method along with ADMET analysis.

RESULTS

In-vitro results of series concluded compounds D2a, D2d and D7 (IC50 12.6 ± 0.002, 14.14 ± 0.001 and 15.64 ± 0.012 µM respectively in urease inhibition and 5.195 ± 0.036, 5.39 ± 0.020 and 5.64± 0.005 µM in antioxidant behavior against DPPH) were found to be significantly potent with excellent docking score -11.721, -10.795, -10.188 and binding energy -62.674, -63.352, -56.267 kJ/ mol as compared to standard drugs thiourea and acetohydroxamic acid (-3.459, -3.049 and -21.156 kJ/mol and - 17.454 kJ/mol) whereas compounds D2b, D5b, D5d and D6 were found moderate in urease inhibitory activity.

CONCLUSION

Selected candidates from the outcome of in-vitro urease inhibitory were further examined for anti- H. pylori activity by a well diffusion method against H. pylori bacterium (DSM 4867). Compound D2a showed good anti-H. Pylori activity with a zone of inhibition 10.00 ± 0.00 mm and MIC value 500µg/mL as compared to standard drug acetohydroxamic acid having a zone of inhibition 9.00 ± 0.50mm and MIC 1000µg/mL. In- silico studies played an important role in designing the potent ligands against urease protein as well as in explaining the binding pattern of designed and synthesized ligand within the active pocket of jack bean urease protein. ADMET studies were also carried out to check the drug similarity of designed compounds by the means of quikprop module of molecular docking software. Hence, the present investigation studies will provide a new vision for the discovery of potent agents against H. pylori and urease associated diseases.

Phenolic composition and total antioxidant capacity of South African frozen concentrated orange juice as affected by varietal, seasonal and regional differences

BACKGROUND

There is epidemiological evidence that fruits and vegetables promote general health due to their phenolic composition. The phenolic composition of three commercially important citrus varieties ('Mandarin', 'Navel' orange and 'Valencia' orange), used for frozen concentrated orange juice (FCOJ) production in South Africa, were evaluated based on variety, production season and geographical region (Western Cape (WC) and Eastern Cape (EC)).

RESULTS

FCOJ from the WC had significantly (P < 0.05) lower titratable acidity (TA) and higher total soluble solids (TSS):TA ratio compared to FCOJ produced in the EC. The 'Navel' FCOJ, irrespective of season and region, had the highest (P < 0.05) phenolic content (sum of quantified compounds, TP). Regional effects were clear for the 'Mandarin' variety, the EC 'Mandarin' FCOJ had the highest TP and WC 'Mandarin' had the lowest. Seasonal differences were less evident. Variation that could be ascribed to regional differences were also found for individual phenolic compounds.

CONCLUSION

Robust data regarding the phenolic profile of FCOJ produced in South Africa, suitable for inclusion in food composition databases, were collected. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.

Online desalting and sequential formation of analyte ions for mass spectrometry characterization of untreated biological samples

Current-limited high voltage polarity reversing nanoelectrospray ionization allows online separation of intrinsic metal ions in complex biological samples, resulting in the generation of protonated analytes without interference from salt cations.

Evaluation of chemical components in Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium of different cultivars collected from different regions by GC-MS and HPLC

To discriminate the feasible differences and find potential similarities and relationships of Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium (CRP), this work was accomplished by a comprehensive and reliable method using gas chromatography–mass spectrometer (GC–MS) to analyze the volatile oils and high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) simultaneously to determine the contents of five bioactive flavonoids, namely hesperidin, nobiletin, 3,5,6,7,8,3′,4′‐heptamethoxyflavone, tangeretin, and 5‐hydroxy‐6,7,8,3′,4′‐pentamethoxyflavone in 25 batches of CRP samples of 10 cultivars collected from different regions in China. The GC–MS analyses indicated that 98 compounds were successfully identified from the volatile oils obtained and the major constituents of volatile oil are d‐limonene, γ‐terpinene, α‐pinene, linalool, and myrcene. Even 2‐(methylamino) benzoate was found in all cultivar samples harvested at maturation stage. Under the optimal condition, the quantitative analyses of five bioactive flavonoids were successfully performed by HPLC and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA). Results showed significant differences among cultivars in the contents of five bioactive flavonoids mentioned earlier. The HCA and GC–MS results provided a convenient approach which might be applied for rapid similarity evaluation and also holds the potential for analysis of compounds present in other plants. Therefore, this work obtained offers scientific basis to control quality and develop medicinal value of the medicinal materials in CRP.

Anticancer Potential of Citrus Juices and Their Extracts: A Systematic Review of Both Preclinical and Clinical Studies

Background: During the last decades, a huge body of evidence has been accumulated suggesting that Citrus fruits and their juices might have a role in preventing many diseases including cancer.

Objective: To summarize the numerous evidences on the potential of Citrus juices and their extracts as anticancer agents.

Data sources: A systematic review of articles written in English using MEDLINE (1946-present), EMBASE (1974-present) and Web of Sciences (1970-present) was performed independently by two reviewers. Search terms included Citrus, Citrus aurantifolia, Citrus sinensis, Citrus paradisi, Citrus fruits, Citrus fruits extract, cancer, neoplasm, neoplasia, tumor, metastasis, carcinogenesis, proliferation. The last search was performed on March 16th, 2017.

Study selection: Study selection and systematic review were carried out in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. Prior to the beginning of the review, Authors defined a checklist for inclusion criteria, thus including articles which meet the following: (i) published on peer-reviewed scientific journals; (ii) Citrus juice used alone; (iii) extracts derived from Citrus juice; (iii) for preclinical studies, an exposure time to Citrus juices and their extracts more than 24 h. Reviews, meta-analyses, conference abstracts and book chapters were excluded.

Data extraction: Three reviewers independently performed the extraction of articles.

Data synthesis: 22 papers met our inclusion criteria and were eligible for inclusion in the final review. According to the kind of study, the selected ones were further divided in preclinical (n = 20) and observational (n = 2) studies.

Conclusion: The studies discussed in this review strongly corroborate the role of Citrus juices and their derivatives as potential resource against cancer.

Differentiation Using Microwave Plasma Torch Desorption Mass Spectrometry of Navel Oranges Cultivated in Neighboring Habitats

The molecular fingerprinting of intact fruit samples combined with statistical data analysis can allow the assessment of fruit quality and location of origin. Herein, microwave plasma torch desorption ionization mass spectrometry (MPT-MS) was applied to produce molecular fingerprints for the juice sac and exocarp of navel oranges cultivated in three closely located habitats, and the mass spectrometric fingerprints were differentiated by principal component analysis (PCA). Because of the relatively high temperature and high ionization efficiency of MPT, the volatile aroma compounds and semivolatile chemicals in the navel oranges were sensitively detected and confidently identified by collision induced dissociation (CID). The limit of detection (LOD) of MPT-MS for vanillin was 0.119 μg/L, with the relative standard deviation (RSD, n = 10) of 1.7%. The results showed that MPT-MS could be a powerful analytical platform for the sensitive molecular analysis of fruits at molecular level with high chemical specificity, allowing differentiation between the same sorts grown in neighboring habitats.

In vitro effects of the citrus flavonoids diosmin, naringenin and naringin on the hepatic drug-metabolizing CYP3A enzyme in human, pig, mouse and fish

Flavonoids are known to have effects on cytochrome P450 enzymatic activity. However, little effort has been made to examine species differences and the relevance of studies on mammalian and fish microsomes so that extrapolations can be made to humans. Therefore, the effects of several naturally occurring flavonoids on the activity of CYP3A-dependent 7-benzyloxy-4-trifluoromethylcoumarin O-debenzylase (BFCOD) were evaluated in human, pig, mouse, and juvenile rainbow trout sources of hepatic microsomes. Each was exposed to three concentrations (1, 10, and 100μM) of diosmin, naringin, and naringenin. Naringenin competitively inhibited BFCOD activity (Ki values were 24.6μM in human, 15.6μM in pig, and 19.6μM in mouse microsomes). In fish, BFCOD activity was inhibited in a noncompetitive manner (Ki=7μM). Neither diosmin nor naringenin affected BFCOD activity in hepatic microsomes from the studied model organisms. These results suggest that dietary flavonoids potentially inhibit the metabolism of clinical drugs.

Chemistry and Pharmacology of Citrus sinensis

Presently the search for new drugs from natural resources is of growing interest to the pharmaceutical industry. Natural products have been the source of new drugs since ancient times. Plants are a good source of secondary metabolites which have been found to have beneficial properties. The present study is a review of the chemistry and pharmacology of Citrus sinensis. This review reveals the therapeutic potential of C. sinensis as a source of natural compounds with important activities that are beneficial for human health that could be used to develop new drugs.

Diosmin pretreatment improves cardiac function and suppresses oxidative stress in rat heart after ischemia/reperfusion

Reperfusion of ischemic tissue leads to the generation of oxygen derived free radicals which plays an important role in cellular damage. Objective of the current study is to evaluate the cardio-protective and antioxidant effect of diosmin on ischemia-reperfusion related cardiac dysfunction, oxidative stress and apoptosis. Diosmin (50 and 100 mg/kg body weight (bw)) was given every day to the rats orally throughout the experimental period. Ischemia/reperfusion protocol was carried out ex vivo using langendorff perfusion method and the cardiac functional recovery was assessed in terms of percentage rate pressure product. Coronary effluents of LDH and CK-MB activities, antioxidant enzyme activities, lipid peroxidation products, activity of TCA cycle enzymes were evaluated. Moreover, in vitro superoxide anion and hydroxyl radical scavenging potential of diosmin was also quantified. Finally, quantitative real-time PCR was used for assessing Bcl-2 mRNA expression in heart. Cardiac functional recovery was impaired after reperfusion compared with continuously perfused heart. It was significantly prevented by diosmin treatment. Impaired antioxidant enzyme activities and elevated lipid peroxidation products level were also significantly suppressed. The activity of TCA cycle enzymes was protected against reperfusion stress. Down regulated Bcl-2 was also significantly increased. This study concluded that diosmin pretreatment prevents all the impaired patterns including cardiac function, oxidative stress and apoptosis associated with reperfusion in control heart by its antioxidant role.

Polymethoxy flavones do not exert an inducing effect on the biosynthesis and secretion of insulin by pancreatic β-cells

Polymethoxylated flavones (PMFs), which are compounds characteristic of citrus plants, possess a wide range of biological properties, particularly affecting glucose and lipid metabolism. However, the mechanism underlying the antidiabetic activity of PMFs has not been fully elucidated. In this study, we aimed to investigate the potential effect of PMFs on the biosynthesis and secretion of insulin, which are crucial in diabetes. We investigated whether PMFs are able to induce insulin secretion by pancreatic β-cells and observed that different concentrations (12.5, 25, 37.5 and 50 μg/ml) of PMFs exerted no effect on insulin synthesis and secretion in INS-1 cells, regardless of the glucose levels. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate that the regulation of glucose and lipid metabolism by PMFs is not mediated by directly affecting insulin synthesis or secretion. Therefore, further studies are required to elucidate the role of PMFs in diabetes.

Antioxidant Defenses in Plants with Attention to Prunus and Citrus spp

This short review briefly introduces the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) as by-products of oxidation/reduction (redox) reactions, and the ways in which the antioxidant defense machinery is involved directly or indirectly in ROS scavenging. Major antioxidants, both enzymatic and non enzymatic, that protect higher plant cells from oxidative stress damage are described. Biochemical and molecular features of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) are discussed because they play crucial roles in scavenging ROS in the different cell compartments and in response to stress conditions. Among the non enzymatic defenses, particular attention is paid to ascorbic acid, glutathione, flavonoids, carotenoids, and tocopherols. The operation of ROS scavenging systems during the seasonal cycle and specific developmental events, such as fruit ripening and senescence, are discussed in relation to the intense ROS formation during these processes that impact fruit quality. Particular attention is paid to Prunus and Citrus species because of the nutritional and antioxidant properties contained in these commonly consumed fruits.

Diosmin, a bioflavonoid reverses alterations in blood pressure, nitric oxide, lipid peroxides and antioxidant status in DOCA-salt induced hypertensive rats

The present study was aimed to evaluate the antihypertensive effect of diosmin in deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt induced hypertension in male Wistar rats. Hypertension was induced in uninephrectomized rats by weekly twice subcutaneous injection of DOCA (25 mg/kg body weight) and 1% NaCl in the drinking water for six consecutive weeks. The important pathological events that occurred in DOCA-salt treated rats were significant increase in systolic, diastolic blood pressure, sodium and chloride in serum and lipid peroxidation products (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, lipid hydroperoxides and conjugated dienes) in plasma and tissues (liver, kidney, heart and aorta) and significant decrease in serum potassium, total nitrite and nitrate levels in plasma. The activities of hepatic aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase and the levels of renal urea, uric acid, creatinine in serum, water intake, and organ weight (kidney and heart) were significantly increased in DOCA-salt hypertensive rats. DOCA-salt treated rats also showed a significant decrease in body weight, activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase in erythrocyte and tissues and the levels of reduced glutathione, vitamin C and vitamin E in plasma and tissues. Treatment with diosmin (25, 50 and 100 mg/kg body weight) brings back all the above parameters to near normal level, in which 50 mg/kg body weight showed the highest effect than that of other two doses. Histopathology of heart and kidney also confirmed the protective effect of diosmin. Thus the experiment clearly showed that diosmin acts as an antihypertensive agent against DOCA-salt induced hypertension.

Protective effect of diosmin on LPS-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells and inhibition of TNF-α expression

Several studies have demonstrated a link between increased pro-inflammatory mediators and apoptosis in neurodegenerative diseases. It has been reported that lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induces apoptosis mostly through the production of TNF-α. In this study, we investigated the possible protective and anti-inflammatory mechanisms of diosmin, a natural flavone glycoside, on LPS-induced PC12 cells death through inhibition of TNF-α production. PC12 Cells were pretreated with diosmin for 2h prior to LPS treatment for 48 h to assess PC12 cells viability, TNF-α expression, and cell death mechanisms. Diosmin significantly increased cells survival and suppressed LPS-induced TNF-α in a concentration-dependent manner. Diosmin also significantly reduced the DNA fragmentation of LPS-induced cells, and its anti-apoptotic effect was confirmed by the decrease in the expression of pro-apoptotic protein Bad and the increase in the expression of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 on Western blot analysis. Furthermore, diosmin inhibited LPS-induced caspase-3 activation further confirming its anti-apoptotic effects. This is the first study to report the anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects of diosmin via inhibition of TNF-α and a caspase-dependent pathway in neuronal PC12 cells. These results support the potential for diosmin to be investigated as a potential agent for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.

Role of citrus juices and distinctive components in the modulation of degenerative processes: genotoxicity, antigenotoxicity, cytotoxicity, and longevity in Drosophila

It is well established that breakfast beverages contain high quantities of Citrus juices. The purpose of the present study was to assess the nutraceutical value of orange and lemon juices as well as two of their active compounds: hesperidin and limonene. Indicator assays were performed at three levels to evaluate different biological health promoter activities: (i) determination of the safety and DNA-damage protecting ability against free radicals by using the somatic mutation and recombination test (SMART) in Drosophila melanogaster, (ii) study of the modulating role for life span in Drosophila melanogaster, and (iii) measurement of the cytotoxic activity against the human tumor cell line HL60. The highest concentrations assayed for lemon juice and limonene (50% v/v and 0.73 mM, respectively) showed genotoxic activity as evidenced from SMART. Orange and lemon juices as well as hesperidin and limonene exhibit antigenotoxic activity against hydrogen peroxide used as an oxidative genotoxin. Life-span experiments revealed that the lower concentrations of orange juice, hesperidin, and limonene exerted a positive influence on the life span of Drosophila. Finally all substances showed cytotoxic activity, with hesperidin being least active. Taking into account the safety, antigenotoxicity, longevity, and cytotoxicity data obtained in the different assays, orange juice may be a candidate as a nutraceutical food as it (1) is not genotoxic, (2) is able to protect DNA against free radicals, and (3) inhibits growth of tumor cells.

Flavonoid composition and antioxidant activity of juices from Chinotto ( Citrus x myrtifolia Raf.) fruits at different ripening stages

The qualitative and quantitative compositions of chinotto juice in two different maturation periods were determined via chromatographic separation of extracted aliquots of juice of Citrus x myrtifolia Raf. by using reverse-phase LC-DAD-ESI-MS-MS. This provides a comprehensive chromatographic evaluation of 11 compounds (furanocoumarins and flavonoids C- and O-glycosides). Five flavonoids and two furanocoumarins were identified for the first time in chinotto juice: two C-glucosides (vicenin-2 and lucenin-2 4'-methyl ether), two O-glycosides (narirutin and rhoifolin), and a 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl flavanone (brutieridin). Bergapten and epoxybergamottin were the primary furanocoumarins found. Overall, the juice from immature chinotto fruits is richer in bioactive compounds than that obtained from ripe fruits. The free radical and superoxide anion scavenging activities of juice from both green and ripe fruits were assessed, and results showed that the former is much more efficient in scavenging radical and superoxide species than the latter.

Simultaneous determination of five bioactive flavonoids in pericarpium Citri reticulatae from china by high-performance liquid chromatography with dual wavelength detection

To evaluate the quality of Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae from China, a new, simple, and accurate method involving high-performance liquid chromatography with dual wavelength detection was developed for the simultaneous determination of five bioactive flavonoids, hesperidin, nobiletin, 3,5,6,7,8,3',4'-heptamethoxyflavone, tangeretin, and 5-hydroxy-6,7,8,3',4'-pentamethoxyflavone for the first time. Under the optimal condition, analysis was performed on a Dikma Diamonsil C(18) column and gradient elution with a solvent system of acetonitrile and water at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min and detected at 283 and 330 nm, respectively. All five calibration curves exhibited good linearity (R2 > 0.9997). The relative standard deviation values for intra- and interday precision were less than 5% with accuracies between 95.16% and 104.71%. The recoveries were in the range of 96.91-103.20%. The established method was successfully applied to determine above five flavonoids in 32 samples collected from different districts of China, and the results demonstrated that the method may be used as strong research tools for quality control of Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae and chemotaxonomic investigation in botanical sciences of Citrus species.

Natural bioactive compounds of Citrus limon for food and health

Citrus genus is the most important fruit tree crop in the world and lemon is the third most important Citrus species. Several studies highlighted lemon as an important health-promoting fruit rich in phenolic compounds as well as vitamins, minerals, dietary fiber, essential oils and carotenoids. Lemon fruit has a strong commercial value for the fresh products market and food industry. Moreover, lemon productive networks generate high amounts of wastes and by-products that constitute an important source of bioactive compounds with potential for animal feed, manufactured foods, and health care. This review focuses on the phytochemistry and the analytical aspects of lemon compounds as well as on the importance for food industry and the relevance of Citrus limon for nutrition and health, bringing an overview of what is published on the bioactive compounds of this fruit.