Certain animal and in vitro studies have identified potential additional benefits of hesperidin, but these findings await confirmation through clinical research.
One study on rats found that rikkunshito (RKT), a traditional Japanese medicine containing hesperidin and other compounds, effectively countered chemotherapy-induced anorexia by increasing appetite. It is hypothesized that RKT inhibits the decrease in the expression of the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R1a) receptor caused by cisplatin (a compound commonly used in chemotherapy) by acting as a 5-HT2B/2C serotonin receptor antagonist, therefore increasing the signal transduction of ghrelin (an appetite-stimulating hormone which binds to the GHS-R1a receptor).[1]
Low doses of hesperidin (25 mg/kg in rats) demonstrated notable protection against prolonged toxicity when administered alongside nicotine in rat studies.[2][3]
Another animal study found that a 5-week regimen of hesperidin reduced colonic tumor formation by 60%, induced by an injection of a carcinogenic toxin.[4]
In mice, hesperidin also displayed anti-asthmatic and antiallergic properties by reducing the airways’ responsiveness to an antigen. The antiallergic effect was associated with reduced infiltration of immune cells (leukocytes and macrophages) into lung tissue.[5]
Finally, hesperidin exhibited various neuroprotective effects in animal studies at standard oral doses. These effects appear to rely on suppressing errant nitric oxide signaling, thereby activating an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory defense.[6]