Bitter Orange: Scientific Evidences for Different Therapeutic Applications

• Autor(a) principal: Moura, Regina B.
• Data de Publicação: 2012
• Outros Autores: Areas, Thais F.
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: por
• Título da fonte: Revista Fitos
• Texto Completo: https://revistafitos.far.fiocruz.br/index.php/revista-fitos/article/view/144
• topic: Citrus aurantium; Rutaceae; Laranja azeda; Laranja amarga; Plantas medicinais; Citrus aurantium; Rutaceae; bitter Orange; medicinal plants

The interest in confirming scientifically the therapeutic value of medicinal plants used in folk medicine has been researched and significantly contributed to their efficient and safe use, and to the discovery of new medicines. Citrus aurantium, commonly known as bitter orange, has been indicated by the popular use to the treatment of different symptoms and diseases, from pain to obesity. This study aimed to collect scientific data which support the different popular indications of C. aurantium. A review was carried out through books and articles published between 1954 and 2009, obtained in Medline, Lilacs, Pubmed and Science Direct. C. aurantium produces essential oils, with predominant presence of limonene and myrcene, which are active in the central nervous system and therefore used as a sedative and anticonvulsant. Flavonoids obtained from extracts of different parts of the plant showed activity in the treatment of respiratory disorders, for weight loss, as antiedematogenic, as antispasmodic and in the treatment of cancer. Nevertheless, toxicological research has showed effects in the cardiovascular system, as consequence of its use. This review showed relevant scientific evidences which support the different popular therapeutic indications of C. aurantium, and its use may be done carefully.