The Role of Antioxidant Compounds from Citrus Waste in Modulating Neuroinflammation: A Sustainable Solution

In normal conditions, neuroinflammation induces microglia and astrocyte activation to maintain brain homeostasis. However, excessive or prolonged neuroinflammation can inflict harmful damage on brain tissue. Numerous factors can trigger chronic neuroinflammation, ultimately leading to neurodegenerat...

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Main Authors: Alessia Silla, Angela Punzo, Cristiana Caliceti, Maria Cristina Barbalace, Silvana Hrelia, Marco Malaguti
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Antioxidants
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3921/14/5/581
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author Alessia Silla
Angela Punzo
Cristiana Caliceti
Maria Cristina Barbalace
Silvana Hrelia
Marco Malaguti
author_facet Alessia Silla
Angela Punzo
Cristiana Caliceti
Maria Cristina Barbalace
Silvana Hrelia
Marco Malaguti
author_sort Alessia Silla
collection DOAJ
description In normal conditions, neuroinflammation induces microglia and astrocyte activation to maintain brain homeostasis. However, excessive or prolonged neuroinflammation can inflict harmful damage on brain tissue. Numerous factors can trigger chronic neuroinflammation, ultimately leading to neurodegeneration. In this context, considering the pressing need for novel, natural approaches to mitigate neuroinflammatory damage, attention has turned to unconventional sources such as agricultural by-products. Citrus fruits are widely consumed globally, producing substantial waste, including peels, seeds, and pulp. Traditionally regarded as agricultural waste, these by-products are now recognized as valuable reservoirs of bioactive compounds, including flavonoids, carotenoids, terpenoids, and limonoids. Among these, citrus polyphenols—particularly flavanones like hesperidin, naringenin, and eriocitrin—have emerged as potent modulators of neuroinflammatory pathways through their multifaceted interactions with cellular antioxidant systems, pro-inflammatory signaling cascades, neurovascular integrity, and gut–brain axis dynamics. This review aims to characterize the key molecules present in citrus waste and synthesizes preclinical and clinical evidence to elucidate the biochemical mechanisms underlying neuroinflammation in neurodegenerative disorders.
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spelling doaj-art-4339c0a0ccee46e8a5bdb27b21726c5c2025-08-20T03:14:39ZengMDPI AGAntioxidants2076-39212025-05-0114558110.3390/antiox14050581The Role of Antioxidant Compounds from Citrus Waste in Modulating Neuroinflammation: A Sustainable SolutionAlessia Silla0Angela Punzo1Cristiana Caliceti2Maria Cristina Barbalace3Silvana Hrelia4Marco Malaguti5Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, ItalyDepartment of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, ItalyDepartment of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, ItalyDepartment for Life Quality Studies, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, 47921 Rimini, ItalyDepartment for Life Quality Studies, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, 47921 Rimini, ItalyDepartment for Life Quality Studies, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, 47921 Rimini, ItalyIn normal conditions, neuroinflammation induces microglia and astrocyte activation to maintain brain homeostasis. However, excessive or prolonged neuroinflammation can inflict harmful damage on brain tissue. Numerous factors can trigger chronic neuroinflammation, ultimately leading to neurodegeneration. In this context, considering the pressing need for novel, natural approaches to mitigate neuroinflammatory damage, attention has turned to unconventional sources such as agricultural by-products. Citrus fruits are widely consumed globally, producing substantial waste, including peels, seeds, and pulp. Traditionally regarded as agricultural waste, these by-products are now recognized as valuable reservoirs of bioactive compounds, including flavonoids, carotenoids, terpenoids, and limonoids. Among these, citrus polyphenols—particularly flavanones like hesperidin, naringenin, and eriocitrin—have emerged as potent modulators of neuroinflammatory pathways through their multifaceted interactions with cellular antioxidant systems, pro-inflammatory signaling cascades, neurovascular integrity, and gut–brain axis dynamics. This review aims to characterize the key molecules present in citrus waste and synthesizes preclinical and clinical evidence to elucidate the biochemical mechanisms underlying neuroinflammation in neurodegenerative disorders.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3921/14/5/581citrus wastepolyphenolsneuroinflammationneurodegenerationantioxidant activitybioavailability
spellingShingle Alessia Silla
Angela Punzo
Cristiana Caliceti
Maria Cristina Barbalace
Silvana Hrelia
Marco Malaguti
The Role of Antioxidant Compounds from Citrus Waste in Modulating Neuroinflammation: A Sustainable Solution
Antioxidants
citrus waste
polyphenols
neuroinflammation
neurodegeneration
antioxidant activity
bioavailability
title The Role of Antioxidant Compounds from Citrus Waste in Modulating Neuroinflammation: A Sustainable Solution
title_full The Role of Antioxidant Compounds from Citrus Waste in Modulating Neuroinflammation: A Sustainable Solution
title_fullStr The Role of Antioxidant Compounds from Citrus Waste in Modulating Neuroinflammation: A Sustainable Solution
title_full_unstemmed The Role of Antioxidant Compounds from Citrus Waste in Modulating Neuroinflammation: A Sustainable Solution
title_short The Role of Antioxidant Compounds from Citrus Waste in Modulating Neuroinflammation: A Sustainable Solution
title_sort role of antioxidant compounds from citrus waste in modulating neuroinflammation a sustainable solution
topic citrus waste
polyphenols
neuroinflammation
neurodegeneration
antioxidant activity
bioavailability
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3921/14/5/581
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