Naringenin Ameliorates Energy Drinks-Induced Structural Alterations of The Hippocampus in Rats: A Narrative Review

Background: Since Red Bull's 1997 debut, energy drinks have become more popular. High levels of caffeine and other stimulants included in these drinks can have a negative impact on the central nervous system, especially the hippocampus (HC), a vital brain region involved in learning, memory formation, and cognitive function. This narrative review examines the structural and functional alterations induced by energy drinks in the hippocampus and evaluates the neuroprotective potential of naringenin, a naturally occurring flavonoid, in ameliorating these adverse effects. A comprehensive review of literature was conducted focusing on energy drink-induced neurotoxicity, hippocampal vulnerability to environmental stressors, and the neuroprotective mechanisms of naringin. The review examined studies on caffeine's neurological effects, hippocampal neurogenesis, oxidative stress mechanisms, and naringin's pharmacological properties. Energy drinks containing high caffeine concentrations (>500 mg) cause neurological complications including seizures, anxiety, and cognitive impairment through overstimulation of the adrenergic system and disruption of adenosine receptors. The hippocampus, being highly sensitive to environmental stressors due to its high metabolic rate and low antioxidant defenses, undergoes structural alterations including reduced volume, impaired neurogenesis, and oxidative damage. Naringenin demonstrates significant neuroprotective effects through multiple mechanisms including free radical scavenging, anti-inflammatory activity, restoration of mitochondrial function, and enhancement of endogenous antioxidant capacity. Conclusion: Energy drinks use neurotoxic processes and oxidative stress to seriously jeopardize the structure and function of the hippocampus. Naringin's strong antioxidants and neuroprotective qualities make it a promising therapeutic agent for preventing and treating hippocampus damage brought on by energy drinks.