Intervention effects and underlying mechanisms of bioactive components from Citrus species on type 2 diabetes and fatty liver diseases: a mechanistic review.

OBJECTIVES: The Citrus genus has considerable ethnopharmacological significance, as it is used globally for its flavouring and nutritional properties. This genus has substantially influenced traditional medicinal practices globally. To provide a detailed summary of recent findings about citrus and citrus-derived phytocompounds and their modes of action in the treatment of metabolic diseases, including fatty liver and type II diabetes (T2DM), by modulating essential cellular and molecular pathways. METHODS: This review was conducted using scientific databases to identify recent studies on the pharmacological actions of citrus and citrus-derived phytochemicals, along with their mechanistic insights into oxidative stress, inflammation, insulin signalling, de novo lipogenesis (DNL), and organ-specific effects. KEY FINDINGS: Citrus phytochemicals include flavonoids, glycosides, and polyphenols. These bioactives regulate complex signalling pathways, including oxidative, apoptotic, insulin receptor, inflammatory, and lipogenic pathways. These phytocompounds have shown the ability to diminish oxidative stress, enhance insulin sensitivity, impede fat formation, and mitigate inflammation in target organs including the liver, adipose tissue, and pancreas. CONCLUSIONS: Citrus-derived phytochemicals offer promising therapeutic potential for managing metabolic disorders such as fatty liver and T2DM by targeting multiple pathogenic mechanisms. This will provide a scientific foundation for their incorporation into functional food development and ethnopharmacological applications.