Naringenin (5,7,4’-trihydroxyflavanone) is a natural bioflavonoid with numerous documented bioactivities in the central nervous system. The substantia gelatinosa (SG) of the trigeminal subnucleus caudalis (Vc; medullary dorsal horn) is recognized as a pivotal site for integration and modulation of orofacial nociceptive inputs. However, the potential effects of naringenin on orofacial pain responses and the contributions of GABAA receptor modulation have not yet been examined. In this study, whole-cell patch-clamp technique was applied to evaluate the effects of naringenin on the GABAA receptor responses on SG neurons in the Vc, and to assess potential sex-related differences. The GABAA receptor agonist muscimol was applied alone or with naringenin on SG neurons in the Vc that were patch-clamped with high chloride pipette solution to augment GABAA potentials. Naringenin increased both the amplitude and the area under the curve of muscimol-mediated responses in the majority (64.7%) of neurons tested (n = 17), and these effects differed by sex, suggesting that naringenin may modulate orofacial pain in a sex-dependent manner by enhancing GABAA potentials on SG neurons in the Vc. Naringenin may thus be a promising prototype compound for developing therapeutic agents against orofacial pain.

Free radicals originate due to the radiolysis of cytoplasmic water with low “Linear Energy Transfer” (LET) radiations. Naringenin (Ng) is a natural antioxidative compound found in citrus fruits. This study revealed that Naringenin (Ng) reduced the radiation damage of critical organs by scavenging oxidative free radicals. In the study, Ng was orally administrated to rats daily for 7 consecutive days, prior to whole body exposure to gamma-rays. The scavenging efficacy was evaluated biochemically by measuring the concentration of cytotoxic byproducts and the activity of enzymes relevant to oxidative free radicals, after extracting the organs from the exposed rat. We observed increased levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration, and decrease in the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) in the exposed control group. However, pretreatment with Ng significantly reduced the MDA concentration, and increased the activities of SOD and CAT, as compared to the control group, due to the free radical scavenging by Ng. The results indicate that Ng administration prior to irradiation could protect critical organs from radiation damage.

Naringenin은 flavonoid구조의 감귤류 과피에 다량 함유되어 있으며 항암 및 항산화 등의 다양한 생리활성을 가지는 것으로 보고되었다. 이에 본 연구에서는 HT-1080 섬유육종세포의 전이에 대한 영향을 조사하였다. 먼저 Naringenin이 암세포의 이동에 미치는 영향을 알아보기 위해 migrationassay를 한 결과, Naringenin이 암세포의 이동을 농도 의존적으로 억제시켰다. 암의 전이에 있어서 매우 중요한 역할을 하는 단백질분