Naringenin Properties and Benefits

Naringenin emerges as a vital naturally occurring flavonoid, specifically categorized as a flavanone. It is predominantly found in various edible fruits, such as grapefruits, oranges, tomatoes, and bergamot. Additionally, it exists in its glycoside form, primarily as naringin, with grapefruit juice serving as a notable source, containing concentrations of up to 800 mg per liter.

The glycosides linked to naringenin are naringin and narirutin, where the former forms a bond with neohesperidose, and the latter is a rutinoside. Naringin imparts a bitter taste to grapefruit and sour orange, while narirutin contributes a sweet flavor to grapefruit, sweet orange, tangerine, and tangor.

Both naringin and naringenin showcase robust antioxidant properties; however, naringin is deemed less potent than naringenin due to the steric hindrance caused by the sugar moiety in the former.

Identified chemically as 2,3-dihydro-5,7-dihydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one, naringenin possesses a molecular weight of 272.26 (C15H12O5). This widely distributed molecule is insoluble in water but soluble in organic solvents like alcohol. Classified as a flavanone within the flavonoids class, naringenin originates from the hydrolysis of naringin or narirutin, its glycone precursor.

Derived from phenylalanine, naringenin exerts various beneficial effects on the human body, including antioxidant, antiviral, antibacterial, antiadipogenic, and cardioprotective effects. Notably, it demonstrates the ability to inhibit oxidative stress and inflammation, displaying anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties. Additionally, it inhibits osteoclastogenesis and the resorption of osteoclastic bone in the human body.
Naringenin Properties and Benefits