Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Hesperetin, a flavonoid found mainly in citrus fruits, has received growing scientific attention for its potential cardiovascular benefits. Preclinical studies (in vitro and animal models) have demonstrated that hesperetin exhibits several bioactivities relevant to cardiovascular health, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, lipid-lowering, and vasoprotective effects. Mechanistically, hesperetin has been shown to improve endothelial function, reduce oxidative stress, inhibit LDL oxidation, suppress vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation, and modulate key signaling pathways involved in atherosclerosis and hypertension. For example, studies in hyperlipidemic animal models indicate hesperetin can reduce total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglyceride levels, as well as attenuate the development of atherosclerotic lesions.

However, clinical evidence in humans remains limited. Only a handful of small-scale trials have examined hesperetin or its parent compound, hesperidin, in populations with cardiovascular risk factors. Some studies report modest improvements in lipid profiles, blood pressure, and markers of inflammation, but results are inconsistent and often confounded by the use of citrus extracts containing multiple bioactive compounds. No large randomized controlled trials have definitively established hesperetin’s efficacy in preventing or treating cardiovascular disease in humans. As such, while preclinical evidence is promising, the clinical validation for hesperetin’s use in cardiovascular disease is currently weak, meriting a rating of 2 out of 5.

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