Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 8, 2026
Protection of H9c2 Myocardial Cells from Oxidative Stress by Crocetin via PINK1/Parkin Pathway-Mediated Mitophagy
Published on: May 26, 2023
Citrus fruit extracts reduce advanced glycation end products (AGEs)- and H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress in human
Deena Ramful1, Evelyne Tarnus, Philippe Rondeau
1Department of Agricultural and Food Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Mauritius, Réduit, Republic of Mauritius.
Abstract:
Diabetes is a reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated pathology, with a worldwide prevalence estimated to double by 2030. A major effort has been launched to find therapeutic means to improve health conditions of diabetic patients. Recent data show that supplemental natural antioxidants represent a potential strategy as adjunct therapy. Despite the major role of adipocytes in the etiology of diabetes, little is known about the effect of natural antioxidants on adipocyte response to oxidative stress. Using a diabetes-like oxidative stress model, the potential protective effect of antioxidative flavedo, albedo, and pulp extracts of (1) tangor Elendale (Citrus reticulata × Citrus sinensis) and (2) tangelo Minneola (C. reticulata × Citrus paradisis) was investigated on human adipocytes. Besides the retardation of free-radical-induced hemolysis of human erythrocytes, non-cytotoxic concentrations of tangelo and tangor flavedo extracts significantly reduced the levels of protein carbonyls in response to advanced glycation end products (AGEs) generated by albumin glycation in SW872 cells. Flavedo extracts lowered carbonyl accumulation in H2O2-treated adipocytes, while tangelo and tangor flavedo, albedo, and pulp extracts suppressed ROS production in SW872 cells with or without the addition of H2O2. Our results clearly show that Mauritian Citrus fruit extracts represent an important source of antioxidants, with a novel antioxidative role at the adipose tissue level.
Insights
Mauritian Citrus fruit extracts show antioxidant properties, protecting human adipocytes from oxidative stress. These natural antioxidants may offer a novel therapeutic strategy for managing diabetes-related adipose tissue complications.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Nutrition Science
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Diabetes mellitus is a growing global health concern, characterized by oxidative stress.
- Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a critical role in diabetes pathology.
- Adipocytes are central to diabetes development, yet their response to oxidative stress and natural antioxidants is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the protective effects of Mauritian Citrus fruit extracts (tangor Elendale and tangelo Minneola) against oxidative stress in human adipocytes.
- To evaluate the antioxidant capacity of flavedo, albedo, and pulp from these citrus fruits.
- To explore the potential of natural antioxidants as an adjunct therapy for diabetes.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a diabetes-like oxidative stress model on human adipocytes (SW872 cells).
- Assessed the impact of citrus extracts on protein carbonyl levels induced by advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2).
- Measured reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in adipocytes treated with citrus extracts.
Main Results:
- Non-cytotoxic concentrations of tangelo and tangor flavedo extracts reduced protein carbonyls in AGE-treated cells.
- Flavedo extracts decreased carbonyl accumulation in H2O2-exposed adipocytes.
- Tangelo and tangor extracts from flavedo, albedo, and pulp suppressed ROS production in adipocytes.
Conclusions:
- Mauritian Citrus fruit extracts possess significant antioxidant potential.
- These extracts demonstrate a novel antioxidative role specifically at the adipose tissue level.
- Citrus fruit antioxidants may serve as a promising adjunct therapy for diabetes management by mitigating oxidative stress in adipocytes.
Related Concept Videos
01:20Radical Autoxidation
01:26Aging
Cellular Clock Theory
The cellular clock theory posits that the human lifespan is closely tied to the finite capacity of cells to divide, a phenomenon governed by telomeres, which are protective caps at the ends of...