Evidence supporting the use of: Hesperidin
For the health condition: Diabetic Retinopathy

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Hesperidin is a flavonoid primarily found in citrus fruits and has been studied for its potential therapeutic benefits in diabetic retinopathy (DR). The rationale for using hesperidin in DR is based on its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and vasoprotective properties, which are thought to counteract the oxidative stress and microvascular damage characteristic of diabetic retinopathy. Preclinical studies in animal models of diabetes have shown that hesperidin can reduce retinal oxidative stress, inhibit inflammation, and improve microvascular integrity, which may help prevent or slow the progression of DR. For example, research published in Phytotherapy Research (2013) demonstrated hesperidin’s ability to attenuate retinal damage in diabetic rats by reducing lipid peroxidation and restoring endogenous antioxidant enzyme activities.

However, direct clinical evidence in humans remains limited. Most available data come from in vitro or animal studies, with only a few small-scale human trials or observational studies examining hesperidin’s effect on diabetic microvascular complications, including retinopathy. These early findings are promising but are insufficient to establish hesperidin as a proven therapy for DR in humans. Therefore, while the use of hesperidin for diabetic retinopathy has scientific plausibility and some preclinical support, robust clinical trials are lacking, and evidence is currently rated as low to moderate (2/5) in strength.

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