vascular health

# Citrus Bioflavonoids (Hesperidin, Diosmin) for Ocular Hemodynamics The eye’s tiny blood vessels must work well to keep vision sharp. In glaucoma, reduced blood flow to the optic nerve may worsen damage. **Citrus bioflavonoids** like **hesperidin** and **diosmin** are plant compounds found in orange peels and other citrus fruits. These flavonoids are known to strengthen capillaries, reduce swelling, and improve circulation ([pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4372466/#:~:text=Flavonoids%20have%20gained%20prominence%20in,diabetic%20retinopathy%2C%20macular)). In this article we review how these compounds affect endothelial **nitric oxide**, **venous tone**, and microcirculation in the eye and body, and what clinical data suggest about blood flow and vision. We also look at their broader vascular benefits, dosing, standardization, and safety. ## Effects on Endothelial Nitric Oxide Blood vessels relax when their lining cells (endothelium) make the gas **nitric oxide (NO)**. Hesperidin itself is a sugar-linked molecule that is broken down in the gut to **hesperetin**, its active form. Hesperetin strongly activates enzymes (AMPK, Akt) that turn on endothelial NO synthase (eNOS), boosting NO production ([pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3085197/#:~:text=Treatment%20of%20BAEC%20with%20hesperetin,selectin)). In lab cells, hesperetin caused a rapid rise in eNOS phosphorylation and NO levels. In people with risk factors for heart disease (metabolic syndrome), a trial of 500 mg hesperidin daily for 3 weeks significantly improved flow-mediated dilation of the brachial artery (a measure of endothelial NO function) ([pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3085197/#:~:text=Treatment%20of%20BAEC%20with%20hesperetin,selectin)) ([pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9369232/#:~:text=the%20effects%20of%20500%20mg%2Fday,and%20a%20tendency%20to%20increase)). In that study, **brachial FMD increased ~2.5%** and blood markers of cholesterol (ApoB) and inflammation (hs-CRP) fell ([pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9369232/#:~:text=the%20effects%20of%20500%20mg%2Fday,and%20a%20tendency%20to%20increase)). These findings suggest citrus flavonoids can **improve vessel dilation** in humans, likely via enhanced NO. Diosmin, which comes from the herb Scrophularia initially and is also made from hesperidin, similarly has vascular effects. It scavenges free radicals and reduces inflammation, which may indirectly preserve NO signaling. In animal models where nitric oxide was blocked (using L-NAME), diosmin still lowered blood pressure and protected vessels ([pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9138579/#:~:text=L,enzyme%20production%2C%20reduce%20plasma%20lipid)). This points to antioxidant actions of diosmin (removing superoxides) that help overall endothelial function ([pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.n

vascular health

Citrus Bioflavonoids (Hesperidin, Diosmin) for Ocular Hemodynamics

Designing Multi-Ingredient Neuroprotective Formulations for Glaucoma

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