The pharmacological actions of grapefruit extracts: naringin and naringinin

Abstract

Invited Mini-Review: The grapefruit extract components, naringin and its aglycone naringinin, are commonly used health supplements; they exert a variety of pharmacological actions. This article attempts to review their pharmacokinetics, pharmacological actions and their uses in various managements, including effect on cardiovascular system; effect on skeletal system; effect on smooth muscle; effect on gastric intestinal system; effect on endocrine system; effect against tumour; protection against toxins in chemotherapy drugs and the environment; antioxidant effect; drug interactions; antiinflammatory effect and the newly discovered osteogenic and antibacterial actions.