Chapter 76 – Cardiovascular Effects of Hesperidin: A Flavanone Glycoside

Hesperidin is a major flavonoid found in lemons and sweet oranges as well as in some other fruits and vegetables, and various polyherbal formulations. Hesperetin is a metabolite of hesperidin which has better bioavailability. Hesperidin exhibits several pharmacological actions such as antihyperlipidemic, cardioprotective, antihypertensive, antidiabetic activities, which are mainly attributed to an antioxidant defense mechanism and suppression of pro-inflammatory cytokine production. Various randomized crossover trials have shown the beneficial effects of hesperidin, which mainly results from anti-inflammatory and anti-atherogenic actions. Acute oral toxicity studies have shown that LD50 of hesperidin is more than 2000 mg/kg, while subacute and subchronic toxicity studies have shown that the no-observed-adverse-effect level is more than 2000 mg/kg, indicating the safety of hesperidin in herbal formulations.