Hesperidin-Sources, chemistry, extraction, measurement and biologic effects on reproduction in animals: A review

Abstract

This paper reviewed the polyphenolic compound, hesperidin, found mostly in citrus fruit peels and examined its use in animal reproduction. Hesperidin, as a polyphenolic bioflavonoid flavanone glycoside, has wide range of biological and therapeutic benefits. Its application in the enhancement of reproductive indices in animals is limited due to its low water solubility, poor absorption and bioavailability. Synthetic variants of hesperidin such as alpha-glycosyl-hesperidin, hesperidin-7, 3'-O-dimethylether (HDME) and hesperidin methyl chalcone have been developed to enhance its solubility in water visa -vis its absorption and bioavailability. In the body, it is metabolism into hesperitin, which is responsible for most of its biological and therapeutic actions. The biological and therapeutic benefits include: antioxidant properties through scavenging for free radicals; anti-inflammatory actions, analgesic, metal-chelating and antitoxic properties, cardioprotective and neuroprotective effects, antibacterial, prevention of bone resorption and glucose homeostasis. Also, hesperidin modulates cellular and intracellular molecules signaling. The effects of hesperidin, its extraction, metabolites and toxicology are discussed in the review. It was concluded that hesperidin is a potent antioxidant that can be used to ameliorate oxidative stress in animals exposed to severe environmental conditions.