title: Clinical Pharmacology of Citrus bergamia: A Systematic Review.
abstract: Citrus bergamia Risso et Poiteau ("Bergamot") originated from the Mediterranean ecoregion (southern Italy, Calabria). Bergamot essential oil (BEO) is used in perfumes, cosmetics, and for stress reduction. Juice from C. bergamia has been used for hyperlipidemia. We evaluated literature published on C. bergamia clinical applications. Clinical trials on C. bergamia not combined with other substances, published in English, were searched. We selected ten articles, six describing BEO effects on stress, three reporting effects of polyphenolic fraction of C. bergamia juice in hyperlipidemia and the last describing BEO effects in chronic psoriasis. Clinical studies were analyzed following Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials for herbal therapy. Studies were conducted on small sample sizes and not have high quality level. Analysis indicates that BEO aromatherapy could be safe and useful to reduce stress symptoms. One study suggests its potential supportive role in ultraviolet B therapy against psoriasis. Supplementation with polyphenols from bergamot juice reduces plasma lipids and improves lipoprotein profile in moderate hyperlipidemia. Effectiveness and safety of C. bergamia cannot be definitively drawn because of publication bias and low quality level of the majority of studies. Further large-scale trials with rigorous design are required to define the role of C. bergamia in clinical practice. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mannucci
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Navarra
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: Fabrizio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Calapai
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: Raffaele
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Squeri
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: Sebastiano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gangemi
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: Gioacchino
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Calapai
mesh_terms: D002957:Citrus / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D010938:Plant Oils; C068336:bergamot oil
keywords: Citrus bergamia Risso et Poiteau; bergamot; bergamot essential oil; bergamot juice