A REVIEW: ASSESSMENT OF IMMUNOMODULATORY ACTIVITY OF DIFFERENT CITRUS FRUITS JUICES IN ANIMAL MODEL

Reviews reveal that the immunomodulatory effect of citrus fruit juices in animal models is mostly related to their rich content of vitamin C and polyphenolic substances like hesperidin and naringin. Studies on particular citrus juices in animal models have showed varied benefits, primarily anti-inflammatory and immune-supporting.The immune system provides defence to the host against harmful germs. A compromised immune system makes a person more vulnerable to illnesses and permits them to worsen. Inflammation is a part of the immunological response. Where inflammation is severe or uncontrolled it can damage host tissues and create disease. Limitation of oxidative stress is one approach of reducing inflammation.Citrus fruit juices are a particularly strong source of vitamin C and folate, which both have functions in keeping the integrity of immunological barriers and in supporting the activity of several types of immune cell including phagocytes, natural killer cells, T-cells and B-cells. Vitamin C is an antioxidant and decreases parts of the inflammatory response. Important bioactive polyphenols in citrus fruit juices include hesperidin, narirutin and naringin. Narirutin and naringin are glycosides of naringenin, whereas hesperidin is a glycoside of hesperetin. Hesperidin, hesperetin, naringenin, naringin and narirutin have all been demonstrated to have anti-inflammatory effects in model systems.