Citrus aurantium extract has a wide range of applications in the field of medicine, mainly reflected in the following aspects:
Promote gastrointestinal power: Citrus aurantium extract is excitatory to in vivo gastrointestinal smooth muscle, accelerating gastric emptying by stimulating the vagus nerve and releasing gastric actin. It contains flavonoid components such as hesperidin, which is the main active substance, can synergistically enhance gastrointestinal dynamics when paired with Atractylodis Macrocephalae, and is commonly used in the treatment of functional dyspepsia, chronic gastritis and other diseases.
Cardiovascular system effects: Citrus aurantium extract has a boosting effect, increasing cardiac output by enhancing myocardial contractility and slowing down heart rate, it can also dilate coronary blood vessels, increase renal blood flow and improve microcirculation. It can be used to treat symptoms such as low blood pressure, defecation and shock.
Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory: Hesperidin extract scavenges hydroxyl and DPPH radicals and inhibits lipid peroxidation. Hesperidin reduces inflammation by inhibiting inflammatory factors (e.g., TNF-α) and regulating signaling pathways (e.g., PI3K/Akt), and plays a role in antimicrobial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and anti-allergy.
Regulating immune function: subcutaneous injection of Hovenia cepa extract can improve phagocytosis of chicken erythrocytes by abdominal macrophages, intraperitoneal injection in young rats can significantly reduce the weight of thymus and spleen, and 1/1600 Hovenia cepa liquid has an inhibitory effect on PHA-induced transformation of small lymphocytes in vitro.
Central inhibitory effect: the ethyl acetate extract of Hovenia cepa can make animals quiet and less active, enhance the hypnotic effect of sodium pentobarbital, and inhibit the pain reaction caused by intraperitoneal injection of acetic acid. The aqueous extract (flavonoids) of Citrus aurantium can also improve the pain threshold, and its volatile oil can significantly reduce the number of acetic acid-induced writhing reaction in mice and the number of spontaneous activity in mice.
Anti-tumor and hepatoprotective: Citrus Bioflavonoids inhibited the proliferation of cholangiocarcinoma and colon cancer cells and induced apoptosis. Non-targeted metabolomics showed that it exerts hepatoprotective effects by regulating the expression of apoptotic factors.
Other effects:
Anti-fatigue: Compound Citrus aurantium combined relieves post-exercise fatigue by elevating lactate dehydrogenase activity.
Antibacterial and antiviral: Volatile oil inhibits Staphylococcus aureus and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
Regulating blood pressure: Hovenia extract can dilate blood vessels and reduce peripheral resistance, which has a relieving effect on dizziness and headache caused by high blood pressure.
Resolving phlegm and dispersing nodules: The volatile oil and flavonoid components in Hovenia dulcis can dilute phlegm and improve coughing and phlegm caused by phlegm-dampness congestion in the lungs, and can also be used in thyroid nodules, breast hyperplasia and other phlegm and stasis syndromes.
Laxative: Its pungent, bitter and descending properties can stimulate the intestinal smooth muscle and accelerate defecation, which is suitable for constipation caused by heat or damp-heat stagnation.