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Tangerine Peel

Also known as: Tangerine peel, dried tangerine peel, Chenpi, Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium, CRP, Citrus reticulata

Overview

Tangerine peel, scientifically known as *Citrus reticulata* and often referred to as *Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium* (CRP), is the dried outer peel of the tangerine fruit. It is a botanical supplement, functional food ingredient, and a traditional herbal medicine with a long history of use in Chinese medicine. Recent research has focused on its bioactive compounds, including flavonoids, essential oils, and polysaccharides, which are believed to be responsible for its purported health benefits. These benefits encompass metabolic regulation, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, neuroprotective, and gastrointestinal effects. The scientific understanding of tangerine peel has advanced through in vitro, animal studies, and systematic reviews, elucidating its molecular mechanisms and therapeutic potential. While traditional uses are well-established, modern research is increasingly providing evidence for its diverse physiological impacts, positioning it as a promising natural ingredient for various health applications.

Benefits

Tangerine peel offers several evidence-based benefits, primarily supported by preclinical and systematic review data. For **metabolic health**, tangerine peel-derived exosome-like nanovesicles (TNVs) have shown significant promise in animal studies, improving insulin resistance, reducing hepatic lipid accumulation, and restoring gut microbiota balance in diabetic mice. This suggests potential for managing type 2 diabetes and fatty liver disease, with strong evidence from a high-quality animal study. Its **cardiovascular and antioxidant effects** are highlighted by systematic reviews, which indicate CRP's potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. These properties contribute to reducing oxidative stress and may offer cardiovascular protection, though human clinical trials are needed to confirm these effects. In terms of **neuroprotection**, network pharmacology and molecular docking studies suggest that CRP's active compounds interact with targets relevant to Alzheimer's disease pathways, such as calcium signaling and inflammatory pathways, indicating a potential role in neurodegenerative disease management. While promising, this evidence is theoretical and requires experimental validation. CRP has also been reported to **modulate gastrointestinal function** and promote mucosal repair in animal models. Other reported benefits include anti-cancer and skeletal health effects, but these require further clinical validation.

How it works

Tangerine peel's therapeutic effects stem from its rich array of bioactive compounds, which modulate multiple biological pathways. It primarily influences metabolism by enhancing fatty acid oxidation and inhibiting lipogenesis and glycolysis in the liver, thereby improving lipid and glucose metabolism. A key mechanism involves the activation of the FXR-SHP pathway, which promotes bile acid efflux and reduces cholesterol accumulation. Furthermore, tangerine peel modulates the composition of gut microbiota, which in turn influences systemic metabolic and immune responses. Its neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory actions are attributed to interactions with signaling pathways such as relaxin, calcium, HIF-1, and IL-17. Molecular docking studies have confirmed strong binding affinities of CRP components to key protein targets involved in these diverse pathways, providing a mechanistic basis for its broad spectrum of effects.

Side effects

Based on current research and traditional use, tangerine peel generally exhibits a favorable safety profile, with no significant adverse effects reported in the reviewed studies. However, specific side effects or drug interactions are not yet well-documented in high-quality human clinical trials, indicating a need for further investigation. Individuals with known citrus allergies should exercise caution, as they may be sensitive to tangerine peel. Additionally, those taking medications metabolized via pathways that could potentially be affected by CRP's compounds should consult a healthcare professional. While traditional use suggests long-term safety, the absence of extensive clinical safety data means that potential risks, especially with concentrated extracts or high doses, are not fully understood. Therefore, a cautious approach is recommended, particularly for vulnerable populations or those with pre-existing health conditions.

Dosage

Clinical dosing guidelines for tangerine peel are not well established due to the limited number of human randomized controlled trials. Traditional use often involves aged dried peel preparations, commonly consumed in teas or as part of herbal formulations. Experimental studies, particularly animal models, have utilized extracts or isolated nanovesicles, with dosages scaled for animal physiology. These experimental doses are not directly translatable to human recommendations. For instance, animal studies showing metabolic improvements have used specific concentrations of tangerine peel-derived nanovesicles, but equivalent human doses and forms are yet to be determined. Therefore, there are no defined minimum effective or optimal doses for specific health conditions in humans. Further human trials are essential to establish safe and effective dosage ranges, timing considerations, and to identify any upper limits or safety thresholds for various forms of tangerine peel supplementation.

FAQs

Is tangerine peel effective for diabetes?

Animal studies show promising effects on improving insulin resistance and reducing liver fat, suggesting potential benefits for diabetes. However, human clinical data are currently lacking, so more research is needed to confirm efficacy in people.

Can it be used for cognitive decline?

Preliminary network pharmacology studies suggest that compounds in tangerine peel may interact with pathways relevant to Alzheimer's disease. While this indicates potential, clinical evidence in humans for cognitive decline is insufficient and requires further validation.

Is it safe to consume daily?

Traditional use implies a good safety profile for daily consumption. However, rigorous clinical safety data, especially for concentrated supplements, are limited. It's generally considered safe, but individuals with citrus allergies should be cautious.

How long does it take to see benefits?

Animal studies have shown metabolic improvements within weeks. However, the timeline for observing benefits in humans is currently unknown due to the lack of human clinical trials. Effects may vary depending on the individual and the specific health concern.

Research Sources

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11451394/ – This animal study investigated tangerine peel-derived exosome-like nanovesicles (TNVs) in diabetic mice. It found that TNVs significantly improved insulin resistance, reduced hepatic lipid accumulation, and restored gut microbiota balance, suggesting potential for type 2 diabetes and fatty liver disease. The study provides strong molecular and physiological evidence in an animal model.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11241192/ – This systematic review synthesized various studies on Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium (CRP). It concluded that CRP exhibits significant antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cardiovascular, and neuroprotective properties. The review highlights the broad therapeutic potential of tangerine peel, though it notes the heterogeneity of included studies and the limited number of human clinical trials.
https://wjarr.com/sites/default/files/WJARR-2024-2619.pdf – This study utilized network pharmacology and molecular docking to explore CRP's potential for Alzheimer's disease (AD) treatment. It identified key targets and pathways, such as calcium signaling and inflammatory pathways, suggesting that CRP's active compounds could interact with AD-related mechanisms. The findings provide a theoretical basis but require experimental and clinical validation.