The Effect of Natural Antioxidants in the Development of Metabolic Syndrome: Focus on Bergamot Polyphenolic Fraction

• Main Authors: Cristina Carresi, Micaela Gliozzi, Vincenzo Musolino, Miriam Scicchitano, Federica Scarano, Francesca Bosco, Saverio Nucera, Jessica Maiuolo, Roberta Macrì, Stefano Ruga, Francesca Oppedisano, Maria Caterina Zito, Lorenza Guarnieri, Rocco Mollace, Annamaria Tavernese, Ernesto Palma, Ezio Bombardelli, Massimo Fini, Vincenzo Mollace
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2020-05-01
• Series: Nutrients
• Subjects: metabolic syndrome; plant extracts; natural antioxidant; polyphenols; bergamot
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/12/5/1504

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) represents a set of clinical findings that include visceral adiposity, insulin-resistance, high triglycerides (TG), low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels and hypertension, which is linked to an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). The pathogenesis of MetS involves both genetic and acquired factors triggering oxidative stress, cellular dysfunction and systemic inflammation process mainly responsible for the pathophysiological mechanism. In recent years, MetS has gained importance due to the exponential increase in obesity worldwide. However, at present, it remains underdiagnosed and undertreated. The present review will summarize the pathogenesis of MetS and the existing pharmacological therapies currently used and focus attention on the beneficial effects of natural compounds to reduce the risk and progression of MetS. In this regard, emerging evidence suggests a potential protective role of bergamot extracts, in particular bergamot flavonoids, in the management of different features of MetS, due to their pleiotropic anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory and lipid-lowering effects.