Background: Metabolic syndromes are the multi-metabolic abnormality characterized by hyperlipidemia, obesity, hyperglycemia, diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and neuro-dysfunction. Naringenin, a naturally occurring flavanone compound, abundantly found in citrus fruit, has demonstrated diverse biological activities. In this context, the role of naringenin in the treatment of metabolic disease and alternative sources for high-yield production of naringenin have recently drawn full scientific attention and become an important issue in research. Scope and approach: This review focuses on recent findings of naringenin against metabolic disorders including oxidative stress, hyperlipidemia, obesity, diabetes, inflammation, and organ toxicity. Also, this review highlights the potential sources of naringenin production. Key findings and conclusions: Naringenin exerts its protective effect against metabolic diseases through multiple mechanisms including its antioxidant activity by scavenging free radicals, inducing antioxidant enzymes and targeting on phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein Kinase B/nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (PI3K/Akt/Nrf2), nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2/antioxidant responsive element (NRf2/ARE), nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-kB), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR), and nitric oxide-cGMP-protein kinase G-induced KATP channel (NO-cGMP-PKG-KATP). Moreover, microbial production is recommended as a promising alternative method for large-scale production of naringenin. In conclusion, naringenin is a promising compound for the prevention and management of metabolic diseases. Further clinical studies and trials are needed to prove its protective effects on metabolic syndrome in the human population.
