COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THE PHARMACOLOGICAL POTENTIAL OF CITRUS RETICULATA LEAVES: EVALUATING EFFICACY, SAFETY, AND THERAPEUTIC POTENTIAL

Citrus reticulata, known as the mandarin orange or tangerine, has gained acclaim for its fruit. Yet, the leaves of citrus reticulata also possess remarkable pharmacological properties. Even though the leaves have been used in several cultures for centuries, the pharmacological potential of the leaves has yet to be formally reviewed and explored. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to critically evaluate the effectiveness, safety, and therapeutic potential of citrus reticulata leaves using recent scientific evidence. Citrusreticulata leaves contain flavonoids (heparin and naringin) and essential oils, in addition to other bioactive compounds. Some of the pharmacological activities include potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antidiabetic properties. The review discusses how these compounds interact with various biological targets, indicating there is some potential for the use of citrus reticulata leaves, for example, in the management of oxidative stress, inflammation, and metabolic disorders. Given the pharmacological activities cited previously, citrus reticulata leaves are a promising avenue for investigating therapeutic agents. The bioactive compounds derived from citrus reticulata leaves demonstrate some potent pharmacological activities, which indicates potential for use in pharmaceutical formulations and functional foods. Still, more clinical studies and standardization of extracts from citrus reticulata leaves need to be performed to ensure efficacy and safety for use in therapeutic settings.