Clinical Pharmacology ofCitrus bergamia: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Citrus bergamia Risso et Poiteau ("Bergamot") originated from the Mediterranean ecoregion (southern Italy, Calabria). Bergamot essential oil (BEO) is used in perfumes, cosmetics, and for stress reduction. Juice from C. bergamia has been used for hyperlipidemia. We evaluated literature published on C. bergamia clinical applications. Clinical trials on C. bergamia not combined with other substances, published in English, were searched. We selected ten articles, six describing BEO effects on stress, three reporting effects of polyphenolic fraction of C. bergamia juice in hyperlipidemia and the last describing BEO effects in chronic psoriasis. Clinical studies were analyzed following Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials for herbal therapy. Studies were conducted on small sample sizes and not have high quality level. Analysis indicates that BEO aromatherapy could be safe and useful to reduce stress symptoms. One study suggests its potential supportive role in ultraviolet B therapy against psoriasis. Supplementation with polyphenols from bergamot juice reduces plasma lipids and improves lipoprotein profile in moderate hyperlipidemia. Effectiveness and safety of C. bergamia cannot be definitively drawn because of publication bias and low quality level of the majority of studies. Further large-scale trials with rigorous design are required to define the role of C. bergamia in clinical practice.

Gold lotion from citrus peel extract ameliorates imiquimod‐induced psoriasis‐like dermatitis in murine

“…Furthermore, we revealed that GL impairs IMQ‐induced type I IFN production by pDCs. A search of the literature for citrus products used in psoriasis research found only bergamot essential oil (BEO) from Citrus bergamia to have been studied in this way . This report is therefore the first demonstration of the ameliorating effect of GL (citrus peel extracts) on psoriasis.…”

Chemopreventive Agents and Inhibitors of Cancer Hallmarks: May Citrus Offer New Perspectives?

“…Inter-individual variations have also been observed, probably due to the different composition of the colonic microflora which can affect their metabolism in different ways. Nevertheless, despite bioavailability problems, numerous experimental and clinical data have demonstrated the ability of Citrus flavonoids to exert important systemic pharmacological effects [14,281,282]. In addition, Citrus flavonoids also display neuroprotective effects [283,284], suggesting that they are able to cross the blood–brain barrier.…”

Efficacy of bergamot: From anti‐inflammatory and anti‐oxidative mechanisms to clinical applications as preventive agent for cardiovascular morbidity, skin diseases, and mood alterations

“…The fruit has a yellow peel and is the size of an orange. BEO also presents a variable percentage (4-7%) of nonvolatile compounds, such as pigments, waxes, coumarins, and psoralens (Mannucci et al, 2017). Fresh juice from bergamot has been studied to evaluate the polyphenolic composition by HPLC-DAD analysis and total polyphenols content by UV method (Picerno et al, 2011).…”