Glowing liver protected by a citrus shield from environmental toxins

Naringin: The Natural Shield Against Liver Damage from Environmental Toxins

Beau Callahan in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"Discover how this citrus flavonoid can protect your liver from the harmful effects of pollutants like PFOS by modulating NRF2 and NF-κB."

In today's world, exposure to environmental contaminants is an unavoidable health risk. Among these, perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), a fluorinated organic compound, has become a significant concern. PFOS, a persistent environmental pollutant found extensively in worldwide populations, accumulates in our bodies due to its bioaccumulative nature and long elimination half-life.

The liver, the primary organ for PFOS accumulation, often bears the brunt of its toxicity. Although the toxic mechanisms of PFOS-induced hepatic damage are not yet fully understood, nutritional interventions may offer an effective strategy to mitigate the toxicity of environmental pollutants.

Naringin (Nar), a naturally occurring flavonoid glycoside isolated from citrus fruits, has demonstrated antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-apoptotic, and anti-inflammatory properties. This article explores how Naringin protects against PFOS-induced liver injury by modulating NRF2 and NF-κB in mice.

How Naringin Fights Liver Damage: The Science-Backed Benefits

Glowing liver protected by a citrus shield from environmental toxins

A recent study investigated the protective role of Naringin against PFOS-induced liver injury in mice. The study revealed that Naringin supplementation led to the resumption of elevated serum hepatic enzyme activities and increased relative liver weight in PFOS-challenged mice. The results indicate that Naringin protects against PFOS-induced hepatotoxicity in mice via modulating oxidative, inflammatory, and apoptotic pathways.

Here are the key mechanisms through which Naringin exerts its protective effects:

Boosts Antioxidant Defenses: Naringin increases the hepatic expression of transcription factor NRF2 protein and its regulated antioxidative enzyme genes, such as heme oxygenase-1, superoxide dismutase, and catalase. This boost helps inhibit malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide production.
Reduces Inflammation: Naringin suppresses PFOS-induced elevation in NF-kB activity and the generation of inflammatory cytokines TNF-a and IL-6 in the liver.
Inhibits Apoptosis: Naringin enhances anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 expression, decreases pro-apoptotic Bax expression, and inhibits caspase-3 activation in liver tissue.

These findings highlight Naringin's potential as a protective agent against liver damage caused by environmental pollutants. By modulating oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis, Naringin helps maintain liver health and function in the face of PFOS exposure.

Protect Your Liver Naturally with Naringin

The study suggests that Naringin, a natural compound, can mitigate the harmful effects of PFOS on the liver by reducing oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis. Naringin can be a potent protective agent against hepatic damage induced by PFCs. By incorporating Naringin-rich foods into your diet, such as grapefruits, oranges, and their juices, you can provide your liver with the support it needs to stay healthy in our increasingly polluted world.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1016/j.intimp.2018.09.019, Alternate LINK

Title: Naringin Protects Against Perfluorooctane Sulfonate-Induced Liver Injury By Modulating Nrf2 And Nf-Κb In Mice

Subject: Pharmacology

Journal: International Immunopharmacology

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Authors: Zehui Lv, Wenyao Wu, Shuna Ge, Rui Jia, Tingting Lin, Yangyang Yuan, Haibin Kuang, Bei Yang, Lei Wu, Jie Wei, Dalei Zhang

Published: 2018-12-01

Everything You Need To Know

How does Naringin protect the liver from damage caused by pollutants like PFOS?

Naringin, a flavonoid found in citrus fruits, protects the liver from PFOS-induced damage through several key mechanisms. It boosts antioxidant defenses by increasing the expression of NRF2 and related antioxidative enzyme genes like heme oxygenase-1, superoxide dismutase, and catalase, which helps inhibit malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide production. Naringin also reduces inflammation by suppressing NF-kB activity and the production of inflammatory cytokines TNF-a and IL-6. Additionally, it inhibits apoptosis by enhancing anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 expression, decreasing pro-apoptotic Bax expression, and inhibiting caspase-3 activation in liver tissue, effectively mitigating oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis caused by PFOS.

What is PFOS, and why is it a concern for liver health?

Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) is a fluorinated organic compound and a persistent environmental pollutant found widely in populations worldwide. It is a concern for liver health because it accumulates in the body due to its bioaccumulative nature and long elimination half-life. The liver, being the primary organ for PFOS accumulation, often suffers the most significant damage from its toxicity. While the exact mechanisms of PFOS-induced hepatic damage are not fully understood, it is known to induce oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis in liver cells.

What foods are rich in Naringin, and how can they be incorporated into a diet to support liver health?

Naringin is predominantly found in citrus fruits, with grapefruits and oranges being particularly rich sources. Their juices also contain Naringin. Incorporating these foods into your diet can provide the liver with the support it needs to stay healthy, especially in environments with high exposure to pollutants like PFOS. Regular consumption of these fruits and juices can help modulate oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis, contributing to overall liver health. However, further studies are needed to establish optimal dosages and long-term effects in humans.

Besides NRF2 and NF-κB, are there other pathways through which Naringin might exert its protective effects on the liver?

While the study highlights the modulation of NRF2 and NF-κB pathways by Naringin, it is plausible that Naringin influences other signaling pathways and molecular targets involved in liver protection. For example, Naringin's antioxidant properties might also directly scavenge free radicals, independent of NRF2 activation. It could also interact with other inflammatory pathways beyond NF-κB or influence specific enzymes involved in PFOS metabolism. Further research is needed to fully elucidate the comprehensive range of mechanisms through which Naringin provides its protective effects.

How significant is the impact of Naringin on apoptosis, and what makes this process crucial in protecting the liver from environmental toxins like PFOS?

Naringin's impact on apoptosis is significant, as it enhances anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 expression, decreases pro-apoptotic Bax expression, and inhibits caspase-3 activation in liver tissue. Apoptosis, or programmed cell death, is a crucial process in protecting the liver because it allows the body to remove damaged or dysfunctional cells that could otherwise contribute to inflammation and liver damage. By inhibiting excessive apoptosis caused by toxins like PFOS, Naringin helps maintain liver cell integrity and function, preventing further deterioration and supporting liver health. Without controlled apoptosis, damaged cells can accumulate, leading to chronic inflammation and potentially more severe liver diseases.