Effects of hesperidin combined with synephrine on the capture of acrolein in a mouse model, or in humans by citrus consumption

Abstract

Acrolein (ACR) is a highly reactive α,β-unsaturated aldehyde that plays a key role in the pathogenesis of human diseases, such as atherosclerosis and pulmonary, cardiovascular, and neurodegenerative disorders. We investigated the capture capacity of hesperidin (HES) and synephrine (SYN) on ACR by individual and combined means <i>in vitro</i>, <i>in vivo</i> (utilizing a mouse model), and <i>via</i> a human study. After proving that HES and SYN could efficiently capture ACR by generating ACR adducts <i>in vitro</i>, we further detected the adducts of SYN-2ACR, HES-ACR-1, and hesperetin (HESP)-ACR in mouse urine by ultraperformance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Quantitative assays revealed that adduct formation occurred in a dose-dependent manner, and that there was a synergistic effect of HES and SYN on capturing ACR <i>in vivo</i>. Moreover, quantitative analysis suggested that SYN-2ACR, HES-ACR-1, and HESP-ACR were formed and excreted through the urine of healthy volunteers consuming citrus. The maximum excretions of SYN-2ACR, HES-ACR-1, and HESP-ACR were at 2-4, 8-10, and 10-12 h, respectively, after dosing. Our findings propose a novel strategy for eliminating ACR from the human body <i>via</i> the simultaneous consumption of a flavonoid and an alkaloid.