Naringenin/naringin therapeutic effects and the role of intestinal microflora in them

The intestinal microflora represents a collection of microorganisms residing in the gastrointestinal tract. Alterations in the composition of the intestinal microflora may disrupt the stability of the intestinal ecosystem and adversely affect the health of the host. Previously, growing studies have demonstrated that dietary interventions have the potential to reshape the intestinal microflora and thereby promote host health. Naringenin and naringin are natural dietary flavonoids, which possess a wide range of biological activities, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, hypoglycemic activities, and the ability to improve lipid metabolism. Studies indicate that the intestinal microflora can metabolize naringenin and naringin into several phenolic and aromatic ring-fission catabolites, and consequently exerting unique physiological activities. In turn, naringenin and naringin were found to impact on the composition and metabolites of intestinal microflora. This review will summarize existing studies on naringenin/naringin therapeutic effects and the role of intestinal microflora in them, and discuss their potential to improve host health as natural agents.