Naringenin downregulates inflammation-mediated nitric oxide overproduction and potentiates endogenous antioxidant status during hyperglycemia.

Nitric oxide is a key regulating factor for physiological functions, when elevated during inflammatory conditions, NO, can lower endogenous antioxidants level. Naringenin, a bioflavonoid has shown to possess anti-inflammatory action. However, its role in NO-mediated responses has not been elucidated till date. This study was designed to investigate antioxidant potential of naringenin against inflammation-mediated nitric oxide overproduction and antioxidant status with an improved glycemic profile in diabetic rats. From total rats, Group 1 received normal saline, while remaining received single intraperitoneal injection of alloxan and were then equally divided into group 2, 3, and 4, which latter received no-treatment, metformin (50 mg kg-1  day-1 ) and naringenin (50 mg kg-1  day-1 ), respectively, for 1 month. Results showed that naringenin significantly downregulated levels of glucose (p < .05), lipid profile, inflammatory biomarkers, and nitric oxide (p < .01) in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. It also improved SOD level as compared to that of metformin treatment. This work delivers that naringenin exerts antioxidant effect by downregulating inflammation-mediated nitric oxide overproduction. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Naringenin is a well-recognized member of bioflavonoids and is commonly present in citrus fruits like oranges, grapes, and berries. The foremost property of naringenin is its antioxidant potential, which aids in decreasing the burden of oxidative stress by declining the generation of free radicals. The overproduction of these oxygen or nitrogen reactive species are considered as underlying cause of undesired biological activities like O 2 - ∙ or nitrite-mediated inflammation and altered metabolic parameters. Hence, this study was designed to investigate the antioxidant potential of naringenin as natural flavone to downregulate the inflammation-mediated nitric oxide overproduction and improve glycemic profile. The therapeutic perspective of naringenin from current study against nitric oxide overproduction and to eradicate inflammation via controlling of levels of pro-inflammatory mediators suggests that naringenin holds the forthcoming vision as a supportive constituent alone or in combination with some other conventional medicinal agents against conditions like metabolic disorders.