Citrus Flavanones: What Is Their Role in Cardiovascular Protection?

• Published in: Journal of agricultural and food chemistry Vol. 60; no. 36; pp. 8809 - 8822
• Main Authors: Chanet, Audrey, Milenkovic, Dragan, Manach, Claudine, Mazur, Andrzej, Morand, Christine
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, DC American Chemical Society 12-09-2012
• Subjects: Agricultural sciences; animal models; Animals; anti-inflammatory activity; Biological and medical sciences; cardioprotective effect; cardiovascular diseases; Cardiovascular Diseases - drug therapy; Cardiovascular Diseases - prevention & control; Citrus; Citrus - chemistry; disease prevention; epidemiological studies; flavanones; Flavanones - pharmacology; Food industries; Fruit and vegetable industries; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Humans; Life Sciences; Plant Extracts - pharmacology; risk; vascular function; inflammation; citrus flavanones; lipid profile; cardiovascular protection; insulin resistance; oxidative stress; Oxidative stress; Pancreatic hormone; Fruit; Rutaceae; Lipids; Inflammation; Insulin; Profile; Citrus; Resistance; Dicotyledones; Angiospermae; Spermatophyta; Protection
• ISSN: 0021-8561; 1520-5118
• DOI: 10.1021/jf300669s

Flavanones, including hesperidin and naringin, are polyphenolic compounds highly and almost exclusively present in citrus. Epidemiological studies reported an inverse relationship between their intake and the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Clinical and experimental data further showed their antihypertensive, lipid-lowering, insulin-sensitizing, antioxidative, and anti-inflammatory properties, which could explain their antiatherogenic action in animal models. Although flavanones may be promising compounds that are particularly active in cardiovascular disease prevention, clinical data are still scarce and most in vitro data have been obtained under nonphysiologically relevant conditions. Moreover, the mechanisms responsible for flavanone action are not fully elucidated. Therefore, further research is needed to better evaluate and understand the protective effects of flavanones in cardiovascular diseases.