Bioactive substances and therapeutic potential of essential oil from Citrus reticulata Blanco: An overview

Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae (PCR) essential oil, extracted from dried citrus peel, is recognized as a key pharmacologically active component in traditional Chinese medicine. This essential oil is rich in volatile compounds such as limonene and γ-terpinene, and its complex bioactive profile confers broad therapeutic potential, which has drawn considerable research attention. This review systematically summarizes the main active constituents of the essential oil and analyzes key factors, including storage duration, citrus variety, geographical origin, and processing methods that influence its yield and chemical composition. Furthermore, it outlines the notable pharmacological activities demonstrated by the essential oil, highlighting its multi-component, multi-target characteristics and diverse prospects in biomedical applications. In light of current limitations in its biomedical utilization, the article also proposes the adoption of advanced technologies such as nano-delivery systems to transforming this labile natural extract into a stable and efficacious modern therapeutic agent.