Naringin: Biosynthesis and pharmaceutical applications

Abstract

Naringin is a plant flavonoid of huge medicinal importance. It is synthesized by the phenylpropanoid pathway via seven enzyme catalysed steps from phenylalanine to prunin. The genes encoding the enzymes of phenylpropanoid pathway have been cloned and characterized. Naringin has been known to possess antioxidant, antiinflammatory and antitumer potential. Exposure to naringin in vivo and in vitro in several test animals and cell lines has been reported to demonstrate activities that could treat asthma, hyperlipidaemia, diabetes, tumour, hyperthyroidism and osteoclastogenesis. Based on the reported research of naringin on test animals, naringin could be regarded as an efficient natural remedy for the treatment of human metabolic disorders. However, detailed exploration of naringin exposure on humans needs to be studied.