1. Introduction to Citron Extract
Citron extract is mainly derived from Citron (Citrus medica L.), which is a plant of the genus Citrus in the Rutaceae family. Citron fruit is oval or nearly round, with thick and rough peel and fragrant flesh. The extract is obtained from the fruit, peel and other parts of the citron through appropriate extraction processes.
Citron extract contains a variety of chemical components. These include flavonoids, such as naringin and neohesperidin. Flavonoids have multiple physiological activities such as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. It also contains volatile oil components, such as limonene, which gives citron extract a special aroma and may play a role in antibacterial and other aspects. In addition, citron extract also contains coumarin compounds, organic acids (such as citric acid, etc.), etc. These components play corresponding roles in different physiological functions and applications.
2. Efficacy of Citron Extract
Antioxidant Efficacy
Flavonoids in citron extract are the main components that play an antioxidant role. These flavonoids can remove free radicals in the body, such as superoxide anion free radicals and hydroxyl free radicals. Free radicals are harmful substances produced by the body during normal metabolism. They attack biological macromolecules such as lipids, proteins and DNA of cells, leading to cell damage and aging. The antioxidant effect of citron extract can reduce the damage of free radicals to cells, thereby helping to delay the aging process and protect the normal structure and function of cells. For example, in some in vitro experiments, adding citron extract to cell culture medium containing free radicals can significantly reduce the content of free radicals and increase the survival rate of cells.
Anti-inflammatory Effect
Citron extract can exert anti-inflammatory effects through various pathways. On the one hand, it can inhibit the production of inflammatory factors, such as interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). These inflammatory factors play a key mediating role in the inflammatory response process. They can attract immune cells to the inflammatory site and promote the release of inflammatory mediators. On the other hand, citron extract can regulate inflammation-related signaling pathways, such as inhibiting the activation of the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway. NF-κB is an important transcription factor that can regulate the expression of multiple inflammation-related genes in inflammatory responses. In animal inflammation model experiments, after administering citron extract, symptoms such as redness, swelling, heat and pain at the inflammatory site were significantly relieved, and the infiltration of inflammatory cells was also significantly reduced.
Improve Digestive Function
The organic acid components in citron extract, especially citric acid, can promote the secretion of gastric juice. Gastric juice contains components such as gastric acid and pepsin. Gastric acid can help break down proteins in food and activate pepsinogen to convert it into active pepsin, thereby promoting food digestion. At the same time, citron extract can also enhance gastrointestinal motility, help food advance in the gastrointestinal tract, prevent food from being retained and accumulated in the gastrointestinal tract, and reduce the occurrence of digestive problems such as indigestion and constipation. In some clinical trials of patients with indigestion, after taking preparations containing citron extract, the patient's symptoms such as abdominal distension and belching were improved.
Antibacterial Effect
The volatile oil components in citron extract, such as limonene, have certain antibacterial activity. It can destroy the cell membrane structure of bacteria and make the substances in bacteria flow out, thereby inhibiting the growth and reproduction of bacteria. Citron extract has an inhibitory effect on many common pathogens, such as Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. In the field of food preservation, the application of citron extract in food packaging or
Food Additives can effectively extend the shelf life of food and reduce the contamination of food by microorganisms.
3. Application of Citron Extract
Medical Field
In terms of pharmaceutical preparations, citron extract can be used as a raw material for the preparation of drugs for the treatment of digestive system diseases, such as drugs for the treatment of indigestion, gastric ulcers and other diseases. It can also be added as an auxiliary ingredient to anti-inflammatory drugs to enhance the anti-inflammatory effect of drugs. In addition, due to its antioxidant effect, it is also used in some anti-aging and antioxidant health products to prevent and delay the occurrence of aging-related diseases.
Food Industry
Citron extract is a natural food additive. It can be added to food as a spice to improve the flavor of food, such as in beverages, candies, baked goods, etc., giving food a fresh fruity aroma. At the same time, due to its antibacterial and antioxidant properties, it can also be used as a food preservative and antioxidant to extend the shelf life of food and maintain the quality and nutritional value of food.
Cosmetics Industry
The application of citron extract in cosmetics is mainly based on its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. It can be added to skin care products such as creams, lotions, essences, etc. to protect the skin from free radical damage, delay skin aging, and reduce the formation of wrinkles. At the same time, the anti-inflammatory effect can reduce the inflammatory response of the skin, and has a certain auxiliary therapeutic effect on skin problems such as acne and skin allergies, which can soothe the skin and make the skin healthier.
Contact Now
