Citrus limon (Lemon) Phenomenon—A Review of the Chemistry, Pharmacological Properties, Applications in the Modern Pharmaceutical, Food, and Cosmetics Industries, and Biotechnological Studies

Abstract

This review presents important botanical, chemical and pharmacological characteristics of Citrus limon (lemon)—a species with valuable pharmaceutical, cosmetic and culinary (healthy food) properties. A short description of the genus Citrus is followed by information on the chemical composition, metabolomic studies and biological activities of the main raw materials obtained from C. limon (fruit extract, juice, essential oil). The valuable biological activity of C. limon is determined by its high content of phenolic compounds, mainly flavonoids (e.g., diosmin, hesperidin, limocitrin) and phenolic acids (e.g., ferulic, synapic, p-hydroxybenzoic acids). The essential oil is rich in bioactive monoterpenoids such as D-limonene, β-pinene, γ-terpinene. Recently scientifically proven therapeutic activities of C. limon include anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anticancer and antiparasitic activities. The review pays particular attention, with references to published scientific research, to the use of C. limon in the food industry and cosmetology. It also addresses the safety of use and potential phototoxicity of the raw materials. Lastly, the review emphasizes the significance of biotechnological studies on C. limon.

Preventive effect of lemon seed flavonoids on carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury in mice

“…Currently, there are limited studies on lemon seeds, focusing only on the extraction of oil from the seeds, and there are few studies on the biological activity and its components. 1,2 Many types of avonoids can be extracted from natural plants, most of which possess biological activity. Modern molecular biological methods have been used to prove that the avonoids extracted from plants have certain anti-oxidant, antihypertensive, anti-inammatory, and anti-cancer effects.…”

Chrysoeriol Prevents TNFα-Induced CYP19 Gene Expression via EGR-1 Downregulation in MCF7 Breast Cancer Cells

“…491-71-4; Figure 4 A) exhibited the strongest inhibitory activity (97.0 ± 2.20%). Chrysoeriol is present in lemon, Rooibos tea, pepper, and green vegetables such as celery, and exerts antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antitumor effects [ 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 ]. It has been reported that chrysoeriol inhibits CYP1B1 enzyme activity responsible for hydroxylation of 17β-estradiol in MCF-7 breast cancer cells [ 46 ].…”

“…Chrysoeriol is present in several foods and vegetables [ 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 ]. Many dietary phenolics are generally poorly bioavailable, limiting their distribution in systemic tissues of their native form, mainly as glycosides and complex oligomeric structures [ 59 ].…”

Optimisation of Sequential Microwave-Assisted Extraction of Essential Oil and Pigment from Lemon Peels Waste

“…Besides, different terpenoids mainly present in EOs (monoterpenes such as citral, pinene, or terpinene, as well as poly(methoxyflavones) and furanocoumarins), have been used since ancient times to treat a variety of health diseases, such as spasms, fever, respiratory problems, cardiovascular diseases, gastrointestinal problems or anxiety [ 5 ]. Several works have demonstrated the antimicrobial performance of EOs against pathogenic bacteria and fungus strains [ 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 ].…”