Comparative pharmacokinetics of naringin in rat after oral administration of chaihu-shu-gan-san aqueous extract and naringin alone

Naringin and Naringenin: Potential Multi-Target Agents for Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of the most common forms of neurodegenerative dementia. The etiology of AD is multifactorial, and its complex pathophysiology involves tau and amyloid-β deposition, increased oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, metabolic disorders, and massive neuronal loss. Due to its complex pathology, no effective cure for AD has been found to date. Therefore, there is an unmet clinical need for the development of new drugs against AD. Natural products are known to be good sources of compounds with pharmacological activity and have potential for the development of new therapeutic agents. Naringin, a naturally occurring flavanone glycoside, is predominantly found in citrus fruits and Chinese medicinal herbs. Mounting evidence shows that naringin and its aglycone, naringenin, have direct neuroprotective effects on AD, such as anti-amyloidogenic, antioxidant, anti-acetylcholinesterase, and anti-neuroinflammatory effects, as well as metal chelation. Furthermore, they are known to improve disordered glucose/lipid metabolism, which is a high risk factor for AD. In this review, we summarize the latest data on the impact of naringin and naringenin on the molecular mechanisms involved in AD pathophysiology. Additionally, we provide an overview of the current clinical applications of naringin and naringenin. The novel delivery systems for naringin and naringenin, which can address their widespread pharmacokinetic limitations, are also discussed. The literature indicates that naringin and naringenin could be multilevel, multitargeted, and multifaceted for preventing and treating AD.

The Development of Naringin for Use against Bone and Cartilage Disorders

Bone and cartilage disorders are the leading causes of musculoskeletal disability. There is no absolute cure for all bone and cartilage disorders. The exploration of natural compounds for the potential therapeutic use against bone and cartilage disorders is proving promising. Among these natural chemicals, naringin, a flavanone glycoside, is a potential candidate due to its multifaceted pharmacological activities in bone and cartilage tissues. Emerging studies indicate that naringin may promote osteogenic differentiation, inhibit osteoclast formation, and exhibit protective effects against osteoporosis in vivo and in vitro. Many signaling pathways, such as BMP-2, Wnt/β-catenin, and VEGF/VEGFR, participate in the biological actions of naringin in mediating the pathological development of osteoporosis. In addition, the anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative stress, and anti-apoptosis abilities of naringin also demonstrate its beneficial effects against bone and cartilage disorders, including intervertebral disc degeneration, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, bone and cartilage tumors, and tibial dyschondroplasia. Naringin exhibits protective effects against bone and cartilage disorders. However, more efforts are still needed due to, at least in part, the uncertainty of drug targets. Further biological and pharmacological evaluations of naringin and its applications in bone tissue engineering, particularly its therapeutic effects against osteoporosis, might result in developing potential drug candidates.

Naringin: Nanotechnological Strategies for Potential Pharmaceutical Applications

Polyphenols comprise a number of natural substances, such as flavonoids, that show interesting biological effects. Among these substances is naringin, a naturally occurring flavanone glycoside found in citrus fruits and Chinese medicinal herbs. Several studies have shown that naringin has numerous biological properties, including cardioprotective, cholesterol-lowering, anti-Alzheimer’s, nephroprotective, antiageing, antihyperglycemic, antiosteoporotic and gastroprotective, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiapoptotic, anticancer and antiulcer effects. Despite its multiple benefits, the clinical application of naringin is severely restricted due to its susceptibility to oxidation, poor water solubility, and dissolution rate. In addition, naringin shows instability at acidic pH, is enzymatically metabolized by β-glycosidase in the stomach and is degraded in the bloodstream when administered intravenously. These limitations, however, have been overcome thanks to the development of naringin nanoformulations. This review summarizes recent research carried out on strategies designed to improve naringin’s bioactivity for potential therapeutic applications.

Naringin and Naringenin: Their Mechanisms of Action and the Potential Anticancer Activities

Naringin and naringenin are the main bioactive polyphenols in citrus fruits, the consumption of which is beneficial for human health and has been practiced since ancient times. Numerous studies have reported these substances’ antioxidant and antiandrogenic properties, as well as their ability to protect from inflammation and cancer, in various in vitro and in vivo experimental models in animals and humans. Naringin and naringenin can suppress cancer development in various body parts, alleviating the conditions of cancer patients by acting as effective alternative supplementary remedies. Their anticancer activities are pleiotropic, and they can modulate different cellular signaling pathways, suppress cytokine and growth factor production and arrest the cell cycle. In this narrative review, we discuss the effects of naringin and naringenin on inflammation, apoptosis, proliferation, angiogenesis, metastasis and invasion processes and their potential to become innovative and safe anticancer drugs.

Suppression of colorectal carcinogenesis by naringin

BACKGROUND

Colorectal cancer is the third most malignant cancer worldwide. Despite novel treatment options, the incidence and mortality rates of colon cancer continue to increase in most countries, especially in US, European and Asian countries. Colorectal carcinogenesis is multifactorial, including dietary and genetic factors, as well as lacking physical activity. Vegetables and fruits contain high amounts of secondary metabolites, which might reduce the risk for colorectal carcinogenesis. Flavonoids are important bioactive polyphenolic compounds. There are more than 4,000 different flavonoids, including flavanones, flavonoids, isoflavonoids, flavones, and catechins in a large variety of plant.

HYPOTHESIS

Among various other flavonoids, naringin in Citrus fruits has been a subject of intense scrutiny for its activity against many types of cancer, including colorectal cancer. We hypothesize that naringin is capable to inhibit the growth of transformed colonocytes and to induce programmed cell death in colon cancer cells.

RESULTS

We comprehensively review the inhibitory effects of naringin on colorectal cancers and address the underlying mechanistic pathways such as NF-κB/IL-6/STAT3, PI3K/AKT/mTOR, apoptosis, NF-κB-COX-2-iNOS, and β-catenin pathways.

CONCLUSION

Naringin suppresses colorectal inflammation and carcinogenesis by various signaling pathways. Randomized clinical trials are needed to determine their effectiveness in combating colorectal cancer.

Meticulous parade on naringin respecting its pharmacological activities and novel formulations

OBJECTIVE

Medicinal plants having antioxidant potential possess numerous constituents which are responsible for different beneficial effects and are used as an alternative resource of medicine to lessen diseases linked with oxidative stress. Flavonoids are identified in the plants since ages and display wide spectrum of biological actions that might be able to stimulate the steps which are disturbed in different diseases. Flavonoids are significant natural compounds with various biologic properties, among which the most common is the anti-oxidant potential. Citrus flavonoids establish an important stream of flavonoids. Naringin, very common flavonoids present in the diet, belongs to the family of flavanone. It is the principal constituent of citrus family that contains flavonoids for example tomatoes, grapefruits and oranges.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this article, we reviewed naringin with respect to sources, chemical property, pharmacokinetics, pharmacological activity, and novel formulations. The literature survey has been done by searching different databases such as Psyc INFO, Science Direct, PubMed, EMBASE, Google, Google Scholar, Medline.

RESULTS

Naringin is known to behave as an antioxidant and possess anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, anti-atherosclerotic, neuroprotective, anti-psychotic, anti-asthmatic, anti-diabetic, hepatoprotective, anti-tussive, cardioprotective, and anti-obesity activity. Further clinical studies using large sample sizes remain essential to obtain the appropriate dose and form of naringin for averting diseases. Furthermore, the therapeutic approach of these bioflavonoids is significantly inappropriate due to the lack of clinical evidence. Different plants must be explored further to find these bioflavonoids in them.

CONCLUSION

The results of this exploration provides biological actions of bioflavonoid (naringin), predominantly on pharmacological and novel dosage forms of naringin.

Efficacy of Citrus maxima fruit segment supplemented paranthas in STZ induced diabetic rats

The study was conducted to investigate the efficacy of Citrus maxima (Pomelo) fruit segments fortified paranthas compared to pomelo juice and naringin in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. The animals were divided into nine groups, Groups 1 to 3: negative control; Group 4: diabetic control; Groups 5 through 8: treatments with pomelo juice, naringin, plain paranthas, and pomelo supplemented paranthas; and Group 9 was positive control metformin. The groups were monitored for weight, oral glucose tolerance, insulin tolerance, bioavailability, biochemical parameters, and histopathological studies. Based on the result the group treated with paranthas fortified with pomelo fruit segment (Group 8) showed 19% of overall weight gain, approximately 50% reduction in plasma glucose level and improved serum protein (5.70 g/dl) and serum insulin (8.54 ng/ml) level as compared against diabetic control. The treatments had effectively lowered the level of liver enzyme and lipids (except HDL) in the serum along with the improved renal function. The group treated with pomelo juice and pomelo supplemented paranthas exhibited marked tolerance to the glucose and insulin similar to the positive control. Therefore, the antidiabetic activity was found to be more pronounced in the order of pomelo juice > fortified paranthas > naringin. Since pomelo juice is bitter and astringent in nature, the fruit can be better utilized in the form of fortified paranthas, which exerts antidiabetic effect similar to the positive control metformin. Hence, paranthas supplemented with pomelo fruit segments (bioactives-rich) aids in the reducing the risk of diabetes and can be recommended to gain nutritional benefits for normal and diabetic populations.

The Preventive Effects of Asparagus officinalis Extract on Sodium Selenite-Induced Cataractogenesis in Experimental Animal Models

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Neonatal rats received a single dose of sodium selenite as an intraperitoneal injection (30 μmol/kg) on day 10 postnatal to induce cataract. Animals were then posttreated with various oral solutions of A. officinalis extract at 200 mg/kg or 400 mg/kg once daily on days 10-16 postnatal. Cataract was evaluated by slit-lamp, and lens opacification was analyzed in each group 24 hours after the last treatment at day seven postadministration of the extracts or vehicle. The total protein concentration of lenses, glutathione reductase activity as the glutathione antioxidant capacity, and malondialdehyde content as a marker of lipid peroxidation were further assessed in removed rat lenses on day 30 postnatal.

RESULTS

All lenses in the healthy and control plant groups were clear. Sodium selenite significantly increased cataract grade (2.8 ± 0.2) when compared to the healthy group (p = 0.001). However, cataract grades were decreased considerably as 1.9 ± 0.72 and 1.5 ± 0.85 in groups that received 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg oral extract of A. officinalis, respectively. A. officinalis extract also restored all abnormalities of biochemical markers induced by sodium selenite.

CONCLUSION

Our data suggest that A. officinalis could be a promising candidate as a safe alternative treatment in cataracts upon further clinical trials. This effect is probably associated with the antioxidant activity of A. officinalis.

Naringin and naringenin as anticancer agents and adjuvants in cancer combination therapy: Efficacy and molecular mechanisms of action, a comprehensive narrative review

Although the rates of many cancers are controlled in Western countries, those of some cancers, such as lung, breast, and colorectal cancer are currently increasing in many low- and middle-income countries due to increases in risk factors caused by development and societal problems. Additionally, endogenous factors, such as inherited mutations, steroid hormones, insulin, and insulin-like growth factor systems, inflammation, oxidative stress, and exogenous factors (including tobacco, alcohol, infectious agents, and radiation), are believed to compromise cell functions and lead to carcinogenesis. Chemotherapy, surgery, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, and targeted therapies are some examples of the approaches used for cancer treatment. However, various short- and long-term side effects can also considerably impact patient prognosis based on clinical factors associated with treatments. Recently, increasing numbers of studies have been conducted to identify novel therapeutic agents from natural products, among which plant-derived bioactive compounds have been increasingly studied. Naringin (NG) and its aglycone naringenin (NGE) are abundantly present in citrus fruits, such as grapefruits and oranges. Their anti-carcinogenic activities have been shown to be exerted through several cell signal transduction pathways. Recently, different pharmacological strategies based on combination therapy, involving NG and NGE with the current anti-cancer agents have shown prodigious synergistic effects when compared to monotherapy. Besides, NG and NGE have been reported to overcome multidrug resistance, resulting from different defensive mechanisms in cancer, which is one of the major obstacles of clinical treatment. Thus, we comprehensively reviewed the inhibitory effects of NG and NGE on several types of cancers through different signal transduction pathways, the roles on sensitizing with the current anticancer medicines, and the efficacy of the cancer combination therapy.

Regulation of Nrf2/ARE Pathway by Dietary Flavonoids: A Friend or Foe for Cancer Management?

The nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/antioxidant response element (ARE) pathway is an important cell signaling mechanism in maintaining redox homeostasis in humans. The role of dietary flavonoids in activating Nrf2/ARE in relation to cancer chemoprevention or cancer promotion is not well established. Here we summarize the dual effects of flavonoids in cancer chemoprevention and cancer promotion with respect to the regulation of the Nrf2/ARE pathway, while underlying the possible cellular mechanisms. Luteolin, apigenin, quercetin, myricetin, rutin, naringenin, epicatechin, and genistein activate the Nrf2/ARE pathway in both normal and cancer cells. The hormetic effect of flavonoids has been observed due to their antioxidant or prooxidant activity, depending on the concentrations. Reported in vitro and in vivo investigations suggest that the activation of the Nrf2/ARE pathway by either endogenous or exogenous stimuli under normal physiological conditions contributes to redox homeostasis, which may provide a mechanism for cancer chemoprevention. However, some flavonoids, such as luteolin, apigenin, myricetin, quercetin, naringenin, epicatechin, genistein, and daidzein, at low concentrations (1.5 to 20 µM) facilitate cancer cell growth and proliferation in vitro. Paradoxically, some flavonoids, including luteolin, apigenin, and chrysin, inhibit the Nrf2/ARE pathway in vitro. Therefore, even though flavonoids play a major role in cancer chemoprevention, due to their possible inducement of cancer cell growth, the effects of dietary flavonoids on cancer pathophysiology in patients or appropriate experimental animal models should be investigated systematically.

Pharmacokinetics and Metabolism of Naringin and Active Metabolite Naringenin in Rats, Dogs, Humans, and the Differences Between Species

Background

Pharmacokinetics provides a scientific basis for drug product design, dosage regimen planning, understanding the body's action on the drug, and relating the time course of the drug in the body to its pharmacodynamics and/or toxic effects. Recently, naringin, a natural flavonoid, was approved for clinical trials as a first-class new drug product by the China Food and Drug Administration, owing to its nonclinical efficacy in relieving cough, reducing sputum, and low toxicity. Previous reports focused on the pharmacokinetic studies of naringin or its active metabolite naringenin in rats, which were scattered and insufficient because naringin was coadministered with mixtures such as herbs, fruits, and other traditional medicines. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the pharmacokinetics and metabolism of naringin and naringenin, following oral and intravenous administration of naringin in rats, dogs, and humans, which can be beneficial for new drug development.

Methods

Separate bioanalytical methods were developed and validated to determine the concentrations of naringin and its active metabolite naringenin in biological samples obtained from rats, dogs, and humans. Comprehensive nonclinical and clinical data were used to estimate the pharmacokinetic parameters of naringin and naringenin. Experiments included single-dose studies (oral and intravenous administration), multiple-dose studies, and an assessment of food-effects. Furthermore, the metabolism of naringin and naringenin was studied in rat and human liver and kidney microsomes. All biological samples were analyzed using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

Results

The pharmacokinetic parameters of naringin and naringenin were calculated and the results show an insignificant influence of high-fat diet and insignificant accumulation of the drugs after multiple dosing. Twelve metabolites were detected in the liver and kidney microsomes of rats and humans; naringin metabolism was a complex process simultaneously catalyzed by multiple human enzymes. All evaluated species demonstrated differences in the pharmacokinetics and metabolism of naringin and naringenin.

Conclusion

The results can be used to design a dosage regimen, deepen understanding of mechanisms, and accelerate new drug development.

Clinical Trial Registration

http://www.chinadrugtrials.org.cn/eap/main, identifiers CTR20130704 and CTR20190127.

Daisaikoto Prevents Post-dieting Weight Regain by Reversing Dysbiosis and Reducing Serum Corticosterone in Mice

Weight loss is often temporary and is generally followed by recurrent weight gain and a relapse of metabolic complications, whose severity may be even greater upon recurrence. Preventing recurrent obesity, understanding the control of the energy balance subsequent to weight loss, and reversing the predisposition to obesity are critical factors that warrant an in-depth study. Several Kampo medicines, including daisaikoto, have traditionally been used to manage obesity, but their mechanisms of action are not well studied and their effects on weight regain are unknown. Here, we investigated the therapeutic potential and mechanism of action of daisaikoto in a mouse model of recurrent obesity. The mouse model was established by feeding mice a high-fat diet, followed by a normal chow, and a second course of the high-fat diet. Daisaikoto inhibited not only obesity and regaining of weight post-dieting, but also dysbiosis, thereby overcoming the predisposition to obesity. Furthermore, we found that recurrent obesity or long-term consumption of the high-fat diet elevated serum glucose, insulin, and corticosterone levels, and that daisaikoto lowered serum cholesterol and free fatty acid levels. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that this medication may inhibit lipid absorption by inhibiting pancreatic lipase. However, daisaikoto had no effect on the body weight of lean mice fed a normal chow, suggesting that although this medicine prevents lipid absorption, it does not cause excessive weight loss. In conclusion, our results elucidate the mechanisms underlying daisaikoto activity, and suggest that it may serve as a safe and effective anti-obesity drug.

The development and validation of an HPLC-MS/MS method for the determination of eriocitrin in rat plasma and its application to a pharmacokinetic study

Eriocitrin is one of the major active constituents of lemon fruit, and it possesses strong antioxidant, lipid-lowering, anticancer and anti-inflammatory activities and has long been used in food, beverages and wine.

Naringin Mitigates Cardiac Hypertrophy by Reducing Oxidative Stress and Inactivating c-Jun Nuclear Kinase-1 Protein in Type I Diabetes

Cardiac hypertrophy (CH) in type 1 diabetes mellitus is attributed to increased oxidative stress-associated activation of c-Jun Nuclear Kinase (JNK). We investigated the effects of naringin on hyperglycemia-associated oxidative stress, activation of JNK-1, and CH. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (225-250 g) (n = 7) were divided into 6 groups. Groups I and II were orally treated with distilled water [3.0 mL/kg body weight/day (BW)] and naringin (50 mg/kg BW), respectively. Groups III-VI were rendered diabetic by a single intraperitoneal injection of 65 mg/kg BW of streptozotocin. Groups III, IV, and V were further treated with insulin (4.0 I.U, s.c, twice daily), naringin (50 mg/kg BW), and ramipril (3.0 mg/kg BW), respectively. After 56 days, the animals were sacrificed and then plasma and cardiac tissues obtained for further analysis. Naringin treatment of diabetic rats significantly reversed oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation, proteins oxidation, CH indices, and JNK protein activation compared with untreated diabetic animals. Our results do suggest that naringin mitigates CH by inhibiting oxidative stress leading to inactivation of JNK-1. Naringin supplements could therefore ameliorate CH in diabetic patients.

Therapeutic potential of naringin: an overview

CONTEXT

Naringin is a natural flavanone glycoside that is found in the Chinese herbal medicines and citrus fruits. Studies have demonstrated that naringin possesses numerous biological and pharmacological properties, but few reviews of these studies have been performed.

OBJECTIVE

The present review gathers the fragmented information available in the literature describing the extraction of naringin, its pharmacology and its controlled release formulations. Current research progress and the therapeutic potential of naringin are also discussed.

METHODS

A literature survey for relevant information regarding the biological and pharmacological properties of naringin was conducted using Pubmed, Sciencedirect, MEDLINE, Springerlink and Google Scholar electronic databases from the year 2007-2015.

RESULTS

Naringin modulates signalling pathways and interacts with signalling molecules and thus has a wide range of pharmacological activities, including anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer activities, as well as effects on bone regeneration, metabolic syndrome, oxidative stress, genetic damage and central nervous system (CNS) diseases. Information was gathered that showed the extraction of naringin can be improved using several modifications. There has been some progress in the development of controlled release formulations of naringin.

CONCLUSION

Naringin is a promising candidate for further in vivo studies and clinical use. More detailed studies regarding its mechanism of action are required.

The Applications and Features of Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry in the Analysis of Traditional Chinese Medicine

With increasingly improved separation of complex samples and detection of unknown material capabilities, liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (LC-MS) has been widely used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) research. This article describes the principles of liquid chromatography (LC) and mass spectrometry (MS) and their advantages and disadvantages in qualitative and quantitative analysis of TCM. We retrieved research literatures about the application of LC-MS in TCM published during the past five years at home and abroad. To better guide the analysis of TCM, this review mainly focuses on the applications category of LC-MS, how often different kinds of LC-MS are used, and the qualitative and quantitative ability of various LC-MS in the study of TCM.