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. 2020 Jan 17;9(1):119. doi: 10.3390/plants9010119

Table 8.

Biological activity of C. limon essential oil confirmed by scientific research.

Activity Mechanism of Action References
Anticancer activity
  • -

    Stimulation of apoptosis of colorectal cancer cells.

 [70]
Anti-inflammatory activity
  • -

    Inhibiting cell migration;

  • -

    Inhibition of cytokine production;

  • -

    Inhibition of inflammation mediator (D-limonene);

  • -

    Inhibition of leukocyte chemotaxis (D-limonene);

  • -

    Interaction with 5-lipoxygenase, TNF-α (tumour necrosis factor), IL-6 (interleukin-6).

 [49,52]
Antibacterial activity
  • -

    Inhibiting activity against Gram-positive bacteria: Staphylococcus capitis, Micrococcus luteus, Bacillus subtilis;

  • -

    Inhibiting activity against Gram-negative bacteria: Pseudomonas fluorescens, Escherichia coli.

 [21,52,53]
Antifungal activity
  • -

    Inhibiting activity against: Aspergillus niger, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Candida parapsilosis strains (D-limonene, β-pinene, citral).

 [21,52,56]
Antiviral activity
  • -

    Inhibition of the virus Herpes simplex.

 [57]
Antiparasitic activity
  • -

    Treatment of schistosomiasis caused by Schistosoma mansoni (D-limonene);

  • -

    Inhibitory effect on Sarcoptes scabiei development.

 [58]
Anticaries activity
  • -

    Inhibiting growth of Streptococcus mutans and its adhesion to enamel;

  • -

    Inhibition of glucosyltransferase transcription and enzymatic activity.

 [54]
Hepatoprotective and detoxification activity
  • -

    Stimulation of liver detoxification by activation of cytochrome P450 and liver enzymes (glutathione S-transferase) in chronic liver poisoning.

 [71]
Diabetes prevention
  • -

    Decreased glycolized haemoglobin (D-limonene);

  • -

    Decreased gluconeogenesis enzymes: glucose-6-phosphatase and fructose-1,6-biphosphatase (D-limonene);

  • -

    Decreased blood glucose (D-limonene).

 [61]
Anti-obesity activity
  • -

    Lowering cholesterol and preventing fat deposits (D-limonene);

  • -

    Equalization of blood sugar (D-limonene);

  • -

    Regeneration of pathological changes in the liver and pancreas.

 [72]
Effect on the digestive system
  • -

    Increased gastric motility and reduction of nausea (D-limonene);

  • -

    Neutralization of stomach acids (D-limonene);

  • -

    Relief of gastric reflux (D-limonene);

  • -

    Increased bile flow.

 [21]
Lipolytic and cholesterol-lowering activity
  • -

    Reducing the level of triglycerides, LDL and increasing the level of HDL cholesterol in the blood;

  • -

    Lowering cholesterol and arachidonic acid levels by stimulating liver enzymes and cytochromes;

  • -

    Lipolytic effect (γ-terpinene and p-cymene).

 [1,21,72]
Effects on the nervous system
  • -

    Inhibitory effect on pain receptors similar to that of indomethacin and hyoscine (D-limonene);

  • -

    Sedative and anxiolytic effect by activating serotonin and dopamine receptors.

 [73]