Limonin is a highly oxygenated terpenoid which forms the core structure of the citrus limonoid metabolites found mostly in the seeds, fruits and peel tissues of citrus. Limonin was first isolated over 175 years ago. In Australia, Limonin was isolated from the components of the tree, Acradenia euodiiformis (syn. Bosistoa euodiiformis), by Taylor, Ritchie and colleagues in 1975. Limonin has antiproliferative activity in the low micromolar range. Members of the group display numerous pharmacological activities, including anticancer, antimicrobial, antioxidant, antidiabetic, metabolic and insecticidal, among others. There is extensive research into liminoids to modulate the bitter principles of citrus for food and beverage products.
| Molecular Formula | C26H30O8 |
| References | Croft JA et al (1975) Constituents of Bosistoa euodiiformis (Rutaceae). Structure and synthesis of bosistoin, a triterpene with a C33 Skeleton. Aust. J. Chem. 28:201 Gualdani R. et al (2016) The chemistry and pharmacology of citrus limonoid. Molecules 21:1530 Hassan NA (2018) Limonin alleviates macro- and micro-vascular complications of metabolic syndrome in rats: A comparative study with azelnidipine. Phytomed. 43:92 Maier VP and Beverley GD (1968) Limonin monolactone, the nonbitter precursor responsible for delayed bitterness in certain citrus juices. J. Food Sci. 33:488 Yao J et al (2018) By blocking hexokinase-2 phosphorylation, limonin suppresses tumor glycolysis and induces cell apoptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma. Oncol. Targets Ther. 11:3793 |