Naringin shield against HIV medication side effects

Naringin: A Natural Shield Against HIV Medication Side Effects

Jordan Keane in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"Can this citrus flavonoid combat dyslipidemia and oxidative stress induced by HIV-1 protease inhibitors?"

Combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) has revolutionized the treatment of HIV-1 infections, dramatically reducing mortality and improving the quality of life for those living with the virus. However, these life-saving medications often come with a hidden cost: metabolic complications.

One of the most significant challenges associated with cART, particularly those regimens including protease inhibitors (PIs), is the development of dyslipidemia. This condition is characterized by abnormal lipid levels, including elevated LDL-cholesterol (the “bad” cholesterol) and triglycerides, as well as reduced HDL-cholesterol (the “good” cholesterol). Dyslipidemia significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes in HIV patients.

Emerging research suggests that naringin, a naturally occurring flavonoid found in citrus fruits, may offer a protective effect against PI-induced dyslipidemia and oxidative stress. This article explores the potential benefits of naringin as a complementary approach to managing the metabolic side effects of HIV treatment.

Understanding the Study: Naringin's Impact on HIV-Related Metabolic Issues

Naringin shield against HIV medication side effects

A recent study investigated the protective effects of naringin against dyslipidemia and oxidative stress induced by HIV-1 protease inhibitors (PIs). The study involved male Wistar rats, which were treated with atazanavir (ATV) or saquinavir (SQV), both common PIs, with or without naringin supplementation. The researchers then closely monitored the rats' body weight, lipid profiles, and markers of oxidative stress.

The study revealed some key findings:

PIs Impacted Lipid Levels: ATV and SQV significantly reduced body weight and HDL cholesterol levels while increasing total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL cholesterol, and VLDL cholesterol concentrations.
Oxidative Stress Increased: PI treatment significantly increased lipid peroxidation and carbonyl protein concentrations in plasma, liver, and pancreas tissues, while reducing antioxidant activities in the liver and pancreas.
Naringin Showed Protective Effects: Naringin treatment significantly improved weight loss, dyslipidemia, and oxidative stress in ATV- or SQV-treated rats.

These results suggest that naringin can counteract the adverse metabolic effects induced by HIV PIs, offering a potential strategy to mitigate PI-associated metabolic complications in HIV patients. By preventing dyslipidemia and oxidative stress, naringin may help reduce the long-term risks of cardiovascular diseases and other related conditions.

Looking Ahead: Naringin as a Potential Complementary Therapy

The study provides compelling evidence that naringin holds promise as a complementary therapy for managing the metabolic complications associated with HIV PIs. While further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms of action and to determine the optimal dosage for humans, these findings offer a beacon of hope for improving the long-term health and well-being of individuals living with HIV. Naringin's ability to combat dyslipidemia and oxidative stress suggests that it could be a valuable addition to the arsenal of strategies aimed at mitigating the adverse effects of HIV treatment.

About this Article -

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Everything You Need To Know

What are the primary metabolic complications associated with HIV-1 protease inhibitors?

The main metabolic complications linked to combination antiretroviral therapy (cART), particularly those including protease inhibitors (PIs), include dyslipidemia. Dyslipidemia is characterized by elevated LDL-cholesterol (the “bad” cholesterol) and triglycerides, along with reduced HDL-cholesterol (the “good” cholesterol). This condition significantly elevates the risk of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes in HIV patients. Oxidative stress is another complication, where there's an imbalance between the production of free radicals and the body's ability to neutralize them, leading to cellular damage.

How does naringin potentially help mitigate the side effects of HIV-1 protease inhibitors?

Naringin, a flavonoid found in citrus fruits, shows promise in counteracting the adverse metabolic effects induced by HIV PIs. Studies have shown that naringin can improve weight loss, dyslipidemia, and oxidative stress in rats treated with atazanavir (ATV) or saquinavir (SQV), which are common PIs. By addressing these issues, naringin may help reduce the long-term risks of cardiovascular diseases and other related conditions in HIV patients. The protective effects observed suggest that naringin can be a valuable complementary therapy to manage the metabolic complications linked to HIV treatment.

What specific changes in lipid profiles were observed in the study involving HIV-1 protease inhibitors?

In the study, the use of atazanavir (ATV) and saquinavir (SQV) significantly impacted lipid levels. These PIs led to a reduction in HDL cholesterol, often referred to as 'good' cholesterol, and reduced body weight while increasing total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL cholesterol (the 'bad' cholesterol), and VLDL cholesterol. These changes reflect the dyslipidemia induced by the PIs, a condition that significantly elevates the risk of cardiovascular diseases and other health issues.

What is the significance of oxidative stress in the context of HIV-1 protease inhibitors and how does naringin play a role?

Oxidative stress is a critical concern because HIV-1 protease inhibitors (PIs) can increase it, leading to damage within the body. PI treatment was shown to increase lipid peroxidation and carbonyl protein concentrations, indicating heightened oxidative stress, while decreasing antioxidant activities in the liver and pancreas. Naringin's potential lies in its ability to counteract this oxidative stress. The study demonstrated that naringin treatment in rats improved oxidative stress markers, suggesting a protective effect against the cellular damage induced by the PIs, which is crucial for maintaining overall health and reducing the risk of associated complications.

Could naringin be a standalone treatment for the side effects of HIV-1 protease inhibitors?

No, the current research suggests naringin is best considered as a complementary therapy, not a standalone treatment. The study emphasizes that naringin shows promise in managing metabolic complications, such as dyslipidemia and oxidative stress, associated with HIV-1 protease inhibitors (PIs). While naringin treatment improved these issues in the study, the article highlights that more research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms of action and to determine the optimal dosage for humans. The article implies that Naringin should be used in conjunction with standard HIV treatment, rather than replacing it.