Eriocitrin / Eriomin® (Lemon Flavonoid)

Citrus limon
Evidence Level
Moderate
2 Clinical Trials
4 Documented Benefits
3/5 Evidence Score

Eriocitrin is the primary flavanone glycoside found in lemon (Citrus limon) peel and juice, accounting for much of lemon's health-promoting polyphenol activity. Eriomin® (Ingredients by Nature) is a standardized lemon flavonoid complex with clinical evidence for blood sugar regulation, uric acid reduction, and metabolic health — specifically documented in human RCTs for postprandial glucose and insulin reduction. Unlike hesperidin (found in oranges), eriocitrin has a distinct metabolic profile with particular strength for blood sugar and inflammatory markers.

Studied Dose 200–400 mg/day Eriomin® standardized extract; blood sugar: 200 mg/day; uric acid: 200–400 mg/day; effects observed within 4–8 weeks
Active Compound Eriocitrin (eriodictyol-7-O-rutinoside) and hesperidin — Eriomin® by Ingredients by Nature (standardized Citrus limon flavonoid extract, ≥35% eriocitrin)

Postprandial blood sugar and insulin reduction

A human RCT of Eriomin® (200 mg/day) demonstrated significant reductions in postprandial blood glucose and insulin response after 12 weeks — with improvements in both fasting glucose and the 2-hour glucose excursion during oral glucose tolerance testing. Mechanisms include alpha-glucosidase inhibition and improved insulin receptor sensitivity.

Uric acid reduction

Eriocitrin significantly reduces serum uric acid levels through xanthine oxidase inhibition — the same mechanism as the gout medication allopurinol, but at a natural supplement dose. Studies show meaningful reductions in hyperuricemia with regular Eriomin® supplementation, with potential applications in gout prevention and metabolic syndrome management.

Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity

Eriocitrin and its metabolite eriodictyol are potent free radical scavengers with ORAC values among the highest of citrus flavonoids. Clinical studies show reductions in oxidized LDL, CRP, and inflammatory markers with regular eriocitrin supplementation — contributing to cardiovascular and metabolic protective effects.

Cardiovascular protection

Eriocitrin improves endothelial function, reduces blood pressure, and decreases platelet aggregation through mechanisms including nitric oxide enhancement and eicosanoid modulation. These cardiovascular protective effects position Eriomin® alongside other citrus flavonoids (hesperidin, naringenin) in the cardiovascular category.

1

Alpha-glucosidase and xanthine oxidase dual inhibition

Eriocitrin inhibits intestinal alpha-glucosidase (slowing carbohydrate digestion and glucose absorption) and xanthine oxidase (the enzyme producing uric acid from purines). This dual enzyme inhibition explains why eriocitrin simultaneously reduces postprandial blood glucose and serum uric acid — two key metabolic syndrome markers — through direct enzyme interaction.

2

PPAR-α activation and lipid metabolism

Eriodictyol (the aglycone of eriocitrin) activates PPAR-α transcription factor, stimulating fatty acid oxidation, reducing triglyceride synthesis, and improving overall lipid metabolism. This PPAR-α agonism contributes to the lipid-lowering and insulin-sensitizing effects of eriocitrin supplementation.

3

NF-κB inhibition and oxidative stress reduction

Eriocitrin inhibits NF-κB activation and reduces downstream inflammatory cytokine production. The antioxidant mechanism involves both direct free radical scavenging and Nrf2 pathway activation, providing complementary anti-inflammatory and antioxidant protection in metabolic tissues.

1
Eriomin® and Blood Glucose in Pre-Diabetes — RCT
PubMed

Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of Eriomin® (200 mg/day) vs. placebo in 60 pre-diabetic adults for 12 weeks.

60 pre-diabetic adults (impaired fasting glucose). 12-week intervention.

Eriomin® significantly reduced fasting blood glucose (-8.7%), postprandial glucose AUC, insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and uric acid levels vs. placebo. CRP and inflammatory markers also reduced. No adverse effects. First RCT establishing Eriomin® as a metabolic health ingredient.

2
Eriocitrin and Uric Acid Reduction — Clinical Study
PubMed

Clinical study examining eriocitrin supplementation effects on serum uric acid and xanthine oxidase activity in adults with hyperuricemia.

Adults with elevated serum uric acid. 8-week supplementation.

Eriocitrin significantly reduced serum uric acid levels and inhibited xanthine oxidase activity. Reductions comparable to low-dose allopurinol in mild hyperuricemia. Well-tolerated with no adverse effects.

Common Potential side effects

Very well tolerated; citrus-derived with long food safety history
Rare citrus allergy — avoid if known citrus hypersensitivity
No significant adverse effects in clinical studies at 200–400 mg/day

Important Drug interactions

Allopurinol (gout medication) — additive xanthine oxidase inhibition and uric acid reduction; monitor uric acid levels
Antidiabetic medications — additive glucose-lowering; monitor blood sugar
CYP3A4 substrates — citrus flavonoids may mildly inhibit CYP3A4; use caution with statins, calcium channel blockers at high doses
Anticoagulants — mild antiplatelet activity; monitor with warfarin