Get Your Personalized Supplement StackSupplement Stack Quiz

Powdered Citrus Unshiu

Also known as: Citrus unshiu Marcovitch, Satsuma mandarin, Unshiu mikan, Wenzhou mikan, Citrus unshiu

Overview

Citrus unshiu, commonly known as Satsuma mandarin, is a citrus fruit native to East Asia. The powdered form of this botanical supplement is typically derived from its peel or leaves. It is primarily investigated for its potential benefits in metabolic health, including lipid metabolism, bone health, inflammation reduction, and weight management. Key bioactive compounds found in Citrus unshiu, such as flavonoids like hesperidin, are believed to be responsible for its therapeutic effects. While research on Citrus unshiu is ongoing, with several preclinical studies and emerging clinical trials, direct high-quality randomized controlled trials (RCTs) specifically on powdered Citrus unshiu are limited. However, broader systematic reviews and meta-analyses on citrus extracts generally support its metabolic benefits.

Benefits

Powdered Citrus unshiu shows promising, primarily preclinical, evidence for several health benefits: - **Bone Metabolism:** Preclinical studies in ovariectomized rat models, which mimic postmenopausal osteoporosis, demonstrated that dried *C. unshiu* peel extract (DCPE) at 300 mg/kg significantly reduced bone mineral density loss. It also lowered serum markers of bone turnover such as alkaline phosphatase (ALP), C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (CTx), and osteocalcin, without affecting estrogen levels. This suggests potential anti-osteoporotic effects without hormonal side effects, indicating a strong potential for bone health support. - **Anti-inflammatory Effects:** An aqueous extract of *C. unshiu* leaf has been shown to inhibit proinflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNFα) and activate the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 in mouse models of systemic inflammation. This action occurs via the downregulation of key signaling pathways including JNK, p38 MAPK, and NF-κB, highlighting its potential as an anti-inflammatory agent. - **Lipid Metabolism:** Meta-analyses of various citrus extracts, which include *C. unshiu*, indicate beneficial effects on dyslipidemia. These analyses suggest reductions in total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides in both preclinical and clinical studies, supporting its role in improving lipid profiles. - **Weight Management:** Systematic reviews and meta-analyses focusing on citrus extracts generally support modest benefits in weight control, with reported reductions in body weight and BMI in some randomized controlled trials. While these findings are promising for citrus extracts as a whole, direct RCT evidence specifically for powdered *C. unshiu* in weight management is currently limited.

How it works

The primary mechanism of action for powdered *Citrus unshiu* is attributed to its rich content of flavonoids, particularly hesperidin. These compounds exert their effects through various biological pathways. They act as potent antioxidants, reducing oxidative stress, and possess anti-inflammatory properties by modulating key signaling pathways such as NF-κB and MAPKs (JNK, p38). This modulation leads to the inhibition of proinflammatory cytokine production and activation of anti-inflammatory responses. In terms of lipid metabolism, the flavonoids may influence cholesterol synthesis and triglyceride levels. For bone health, the mechanism appears to involve the inhibition of bone resorption markers and improvement of lipid profiles, notably without estrogenic activity. The oral bioavailability of hesperidin and other related flavonoids is influenced by gut microbiota, which metabolize these compounds, thereby affecting their systemic effects.

Side effects

Based on current research, powdered *Citrus unshiu* appears to have a favorable safety profile, particularly in preclinical studies. Animal models have reported no significant elevation in liver enzymes (AST, ALT) or estrogen levels, suggesting a lack of hepatotoxicity or hormonal disruption at tested doses. No major adverse effects have been documented in the limited animal or human studies available. Furthermore, there are no known major drug interactions or contraindications specifically reported for *Citrus unshiu* in the reviewed literature. However, it is crucial to note that human safety data are still limited. While preclinical findings are encouraging, more extensive clinical trials are needed to definitively establish its long-term safety and potential side effects in humans across diverse populations. Individuals with pre-existing medical conditions or those taking other medications should exercise caution and consult a healthcare professional before use, as comprehensive human safety data are not yet available.

Dosage

Currently, there is no standardized human dosage for powdered *Citrus unshiu* due to the limited number of direct human clinical trials. Preclinical studies in rats have shown effective doses of dried *C. unshiu* peel extract (DCPE) ranging from 30 to 300 mg/kg orally, with the higher dose (300 mg/kg) demonstrating significant effects on bone metabolism and lipid profiles. However, these animal doses do not directly translate to human equivalent doses without further research. Clinical trials involving broader citrus extracts have used variable dosages, making it difficult to extrapolate specific recommendations for *C. unshiu* powder. Until more human-specific research is conducted, particularly randomized controlled trials, precise dosing guidelines, timing considerations, and upper safety limits for powdered *Citrus unshiu* cannot be definitively established. Consumers should be aware that product dosages may vary, and consultation with a healthcare professional is advisable.

FAQs

Is powdered *C. unshiu* safe?

Preclinical studies suggest a favorable safety profile with no significant adverse effects reported in animals. However, human safety data are limited, and more research is needed for definitive conclusions.

Does it affect estrogen levels?

Animal studies have shown no significant estrogenic effects, indicating that it does not appear to influence estrogen levels.

How long does it take to see benefits?

Animal studies typically used 8-week treatment periods to observe effects. The timeline for observing benefits in humans is currently unknown due to limited clinical data.

Is it effective for weight loss?

While broader citrus extracts show modest benefits for weight control, specific high-quality evidence for powdered *C. unshiu* alone in weight loss is currently lacking.

Research Sources

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6271111/ – This preclinical study in ovariectomized rats investigated the effects of dried Citrus unshiu peel extract (DCPE) on bone loss. It found that DCPE, particularly at 300 mg/kg, significantly reduced bone mineral density loss and improved lipid metabolism without affecting estrogen levels or liver enzymes, suggesting potential anti-osteoporotic effects.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8399385/ – This preclinical study explored the anti-inflammatory effects of Citrus unshiu leaf aqueous extract. It demonstrated that the extract inhibited proinflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNFα) and activated anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 in mouse models of systemic inflammation by modulating NF-κB and MAPK pathways.
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pharmacology/articles/10.3389/fphar.2022.822678/full – This systematic review and meta-analysis synthesized data on various citrus extracts, including Citrus unshiu, regarding their impact on lipid metabolism. It concluded that citrus extracts generally reduce total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides in both preclinical and clinical studies, supporting their role in managing dyslipidemia.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ptr.6673 – This systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials investigated the effects of citrus extracts on weight management. It found that citrus extracts contribute to weight control with statistically significant effects, although the specific data for Citrus unshiu powder were limited within the broader analysis.