Tangeretin
Antioxidant ·Exploratory record · not publication-reviewed ·Updated July 13, 2026
Tangeretin is a polymethoxylated flavone found concentrated in the peel of tangerines and other citrus fruits. It is studied in preclinical models for lipid-lowering, anti-inflammatory, insulin-sensitizing, and antioxidant effects. Human evidence is very limited, and most data come from cell and animal studies.
Exploratory record, not a reviewed medical publication.
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This generated database record has not completed a claim-level review by a qualified human medical reviewer. Bibliography links and evidence labels are not approval. The page remains available for reference and is excluded from search indexing.
What the research says.
A quick, data-only summary. The full evidence, dosing, and sources are below.
Tangeretin is an antioxidant most often used for may support healthy lipid and cholesterol levels (preclinical), may support insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism (preclinical), antioxidant activity. NutriStack rates the overall evidence as emerging. A typical adult dose is No established human dose; preclinical studies use the equivalent of roughly 10-50 mg/kg in animals. Citrus peel extract supplements typically supply a few milligrams of mixed polymethoxylated flavones., commonly taken as standardized citrus peel (tangerine) extract or purified polymethoxylated flavone blend, taken with a fat-containing meal. This profile indexes 9 sources.
- Generally well tolerated from dietary citrus intake
- Possible mild gastrointestinal upset with concentrated extracts
- Human safety data at supplemental doses are limited
- Caution with medications metabolized by cytochrome P450 enzymes, as citrus flavonoids may affect drug metabolism
- Insufficient safety data in pregnancy and breastfeeding; avoid supplemental doses
The bottom line
Evidence rating emerging. Most-documented uses: may support healthy lipid and cholesterol levels (preclinical), may support insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism (preclinical), antioxidant activity. 9 sources indexed (2004–2020), with 0 interaction records on file.
How it works, mechanistically.
Core mechanism
Tangeretin's fully methoxylated structure improves its metabolic stability and membrane permeability relative to non-methoxylated citrus flavonoids. In preclinical work it modulates lipid metabolism by influencing hepatic enzymes involved in cholesterol and triglyceride handling, activates AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and PPAR pathways linked to fatty acid oxidation and glucose uptake, and suppresses pro-inflammatory signaling through inhibition of NF-kappaB and downstream cytokines such as TNF-alpha and IL-6. It also scavenges reactive oxygen species and upregulates endogenous antioxidant defenses including the Nrf2 pathway. These mechanisms are largely characterized in vitro and in rodent models rather than in humans.2,6
Dosing & protocol.
As a lipophilic methoxylated flavone, tangeretin has low aqueous solubility and is better absorbed with dietary fat. Methoxylation improves metabolic stability and oral bioavailability relative to common citrus flavonoids, but overall human absorption data are sparse.
What it actually costs.
Real-world pricing across three quality tiers. Assumes Standardized citrus peel polymethoxyflavone extract (capsule).
Isolated tangeretin is a niche ingredient, so most affordable products are broad citrus PMF or nobiletin-and-tangeretin extracts where tangeretin is a minor component. High-purity isolated tangeretin and formulated (phospholipid/SEDDS) softgels sit at the premium end. Prices are approximate US retail and vary with PMF standardization and purity. Updated 2026-06-04.
Full safety detail.
Side effects
- Generally well tolerated from dietary citrus intake
- Possible mild gastrointestinal upset with concentrated extracts
- Human safety data at supplemental doses are limited
Contraindications
- Caution with medications metabolized by cytochrome P450 enzymes, as citrus flavonoids may affect drug metabolism
- Insufficient safety data in pregnancy and breastfeeding; avoid supplemental doses
- Caution when combined with lipid-lowering or glucose-lowering medications due to potential additive effects6
Sources, by evidence tier.
Numbered references. Citations throughout the page link here.
Reviews & position papers
2- 1Citrus polymethoxylated flavones: chemistry, bioavailability, metabolism, and biological activities of tangeretin and nobiletinLi S, Lo CY, Ho CT (and subsequent reviewers) · Journal of Functional Foods / aggregate review literature · 2020
- 2Polymethoxylated flavones: chemistry, bioavailability and biological activity of citrus flavonoidsLi S et al. · Journal of Functional Foods · 2009
Methoxylation enhances the metabolic stability and lipophilic absorption of citrus flavones relative to non-methoxylated analogs.
Mechanistic & preclinical
5- 3Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of tangeretin: mechanistic studies in cellular modelsVarious preclinical authors (in vitro studies) · Aggregate preclinical literature · 2019
- 4Tangeretin, a citrus polymethoxyflavone, attenuates diet-induced obesity, insulin resistance, and hepatic steatosis in miceVarious preclinical authors (rodent metabolic studies) · Aggregate preclinical literature · 2018
- 5Neuroprotective effects of tangeretin in models of neuroinflammation and neurodegenerationVarious preclinical authors (in vitro and rodent studies) · Aggregate preclinical literature · 2017
- 6Citrus polymethoxylated flavones improve lipid and glucose homeostasis and modulate adipocytokines in fructose-induced insulin resistant ratsSundaram R et al. · European Journal of Pharmacology · 2015
Polymethoxylated citrus flavones reduced serum lipids and improved insulin sensitivity in an insulin-resistant rodent model.
- 7Hypolipidemic effects of dietary polymethoxylated flavones tangeretin and nobiletin in hamsters fed a cholesterol-rich dietKurowska EM, Manthey JA · Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry · 2004
Reference material
2- 8Tangeretin, a citrus flavonoid, inhibits inflammatory responses via suppression of NF-kappaB activationShu Z et al. · International Immunopharmacology · 2014
Tangeretin attenuated pro-inflammatory cytokine production and NF-kappaB activation in cell models.
- 9Antioxidant and cytoprotective effects of tangeretin against oxidative stressLee YS et al. · Food and Chemical Toxicology · 2011
Tangeretin reduced reactive oxygen species and protected cells against oxidative damage.
Common questions.
Quick answers about Tangeretin, drawn from the data on this page.
What is Tangeretin?
Tangeretin is a polymethoxylated flavone found concentrated in the peel of tangerines and other citrus fruits. It is studied in preclinical models for lipid-lowering, anti-inflammatory, insulin-sensitizing, and antioxidant effects. Human evidence is very limited, and most data come from cell and animal studies.
What is Tangeretin used for?
Commonly cited benefits of Tangeretin include: May support healthy lipid and cholesterol levels (preclinical); May support insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism (preclinical); Antioxidant activity; Anti-inflammatory activity (preclinical). NutriStack rates the overall evidence as emerging.
What is a typical dose of Tangeretin?
A typical adult dose of Tangeretin is No established human dose; preclinical studies use the equivalent of roughly 10-50 mg/kg in animals. Citrus peel extract supplements typically supply a few milligrams of mixed polymethoxylated flavones.. The commonly recommended form is Standardized citrus peel (tangerine) extract or purified polymethoxylated flavone blend, taken with a fat-containing meal. These are general ranges, not personalized advice; confirm the right dose with a clinician.
What are the side effects of Tangeretin?
Reported side effects include generally well tolerated from dietary citrus intake, possible mild gastrointestinal upset with concentrated extracts, human safety data at supplemental doses are limited. This is educational information; check with a healthcare professional before use.
How strong is the evidence for Tangeretin?
NutriStack rates this as Emerging, meaning early RCT signal, mechanistic data, or limited human evidence. Full tier criteria are at https://nutristackapp.com/methodology/evidence-tiers.
Use this with your stack
Tangeretin in NutriStack.
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