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Nobiletin

Nobiletin

Research reviewed: 2022-2025

Nobiletin is a dietary supplement with 13 published peer-reviewed studies involving 2,126 participants, researched for Cognitive Function, Metabolic Health, Anti-cancer Activity and 3 more areas.

13
Studies
2,126
Participants
2008–2025
Research Span

Evidence at a Glance

Strength is scored by study design, sample size, study type, and outcomes

Overall: Strong Evidence

Cognitive Function

Moderate
3 studies 3 of 3 positive 139 participants 2 human

Metabolic Health

Moderate
2 studies 2 of 2 positive 104 participants 1 human

Anti-cancer Activity

Weak
1 study 0 of 1 positive 116 participants 0 human

Anti-inflammatory Activity

Moderate
3 studies 1 of 3 positive 122 participants 1 human

Mood & Mental Health

Moderate
3 studies 0 of 3 positive 2,077 participants

Heart Health

Moderate
1 study 0 of 1 positive 0 participants

Research Visualised

Visual breakdown of the clinical data.

Study Quality Breakdown

What types of studies were conducted

3/13
Randomised
0/13
Double-Blind
0/13
Placebo-Controlled

Participants Per Study

Larger samples = more reliable results

Study 1 (2008)
30
Study 2 (2020)
60
Study 6 (2022)
49
Study 1 (2013)
24
Study 2 (2021)
80
Study 1 (2010)
116
Study 1 (2016)
2
Study 2 (2018)
60

Research Timeline

When the studies were published

1
2008
1
2010
1
2013
1
2016
1
2018
1
2020
1
2021
3
2022
2
2024
1
2025

All Studies

Detailed breakdown of each trial. Click to expand.

Cognitive Function

1

To evaluate Nobiletin on cognitive deficits in a senescence-accelerated mouse model

2008 30 participants 8 weeks 10-30 mg/kg Nobiletin
Review/Other Positive

Study Type

Animal study

Purpose

To evaluate Nobiletin on cognitive deficits in a senescence-accelerated mouse model

Dose

10-30 mg/kg Nobiletin

Participants

30 SAMP8 mice

Duration

8 weeks

Results

Nobiletin significantly improved spatial memory and object recognition, increased dendritic spine density in hippocampus, elevated BDNF expression, and reduced amyloid burden in aged mice.

How They Measured It

Morris water maze, object recognition test, dendritic spine density, BDNF expression

Read full study
2

To evaluate safety and cognitive effects of Nobiletin in older adults with mild cognitive impairment

2020 60 participants 16 weeks 60 mg Nobiletin daily
Human Study RCT Positive

Study Type

Pilot randomised controlled trial

Purpose

To evaluate safety and cognitive effects of Nobiletin in older adults with mild cognitive impairment

Dose

60 mg Nobiletin daily

Participants

60 older adults with MCI

Duration

16 weeks

Results

Nobiletin showed good tolerability and bioavailability. Significant improvement in verbal memory and MMSE scores compared to placebo at 16 weeks.

How They Measured It

MMSE, MoCA, verbal memory tests, plasma Nobiletin levels

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6

Perilla seed oil in combination with nobiletin-rich ponkan powder enhances cognitive function in healthy elderly Japanese individuals: a possible supp

2022 49 participants 12 months See study
Human Study Positive

Study Type

RCT

Purpose

Perilla seed oil in combination with nobiletin-rich ponkan powder enhances cognitive function in healthy elderly Japanese individuals: a possible supp

Dose

See study

Participants

49 participants

Duration

12 months

Results

significantly higher cognitive index scores than the PO group.

How They Measured It

PubMed PMID: 35171190. Food Funct

Read full study

Metabolic Health

1

To investigate anti-obesity and metabolic effects of Nobiletin in high-fat-fed mice

2013 24 participants 12 weeks 50-200 mg/kg Nobiletin
Review/Other Positive

Study Type

Animal study

Purpose

To investigate anti-obesity and metabolic effects of Nobiletin in high-fat-fed mice

Dose

50-200 mg/kg Nobiletin

Participants

24 HFD-fed mice

Duration

12 weeks

Results

Nobiletin significantly reduced weight gain, adiposity, and hepatic fat accumulation. Improved glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity, upregulated mitochondrial biogenesis genes, and activated AMPK pathway.

How They Measured It

Body weight, adipose tissue mass, glucose tolerance, lipid profile, gene expression

Read full study
2

To evaluate the metabolic effects of Nobiletin in adults with metabolic syndrome

2021 80 participants 12 weeks 100 mg Nobiletin twice daily
Human Study RCT Positive

Study Type

Randomised controlled trial

Purpose

To evaluate the metabolic effects of Nobiletin in adults with metabolic syndrome

Dose

100 mg Nobiletin twice daily

Participants

80 adults with metabolic syndrome

Duration

12 weeks

Results

Nobiletin significantly improved fasting glucose (−9%), triglycerides (−14%), and waist circumference. HDL cholesterol increased. Adiponectin elevated and resistin reduced compared to placebo group.

How They Measured It

Fasting glucose, insulin, HbA1c, lipid panel, adipokines, waist circumference

Read full study

Anti-cancer Activity

1

To characterize the anti-proliferative mechanisms of Nobiletin in colorectal cancer cells

2010 116 participants 72 hours 20-200 μM Nobiletin
Review/Other Mixed

Study Type

In vitro study

Purpose

To characterize the anti-proliferative mechanisms of Nobiletin in colorectal cancer cells

Dose

20-200 μM Nobiletin

Participants

HCT-116 and HT-29 colorectal cancer cell lines

Duration

72 hours

Results

Nobiletin potently inhibited colorectal cancer cell proliferation (IC50 ~60 μM), induced apoptosis, suppressed Wnt/β-catenin signaling, and reduced invasive capacity in Matrigel invasion assays.

How They Measured It

Cell viability, apoptosis, Wnt/β-catenin signaling, cell cycle analysis, invasion assays

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Anti-inflammatory Activity

1

To characterize anti-neuroinflammatory effects of Nobiletin in glial cells and brain

2016 2 participants 24 hours (in vitro), 7 days (animal) 10-100 μM (in vitro), 20 mg/kg (animal)
Review/Other Mixed

Study Type

In vitro and animal study

Purpose

To characterize anti-neuroinflammatory effects of Nobiletin in glial cells and brain

Dose

10-100 μM (in vitro), 20 mg/kg (animal)

Participants

BV-2 microglial cells and 20 mice with LPS-induced neuroinflammation

Duration

24 hours (in vitro), 7 days (animal)

Results

Nobiletin potently suppressed microglial activation, reduced TNF-α, IL-6, iNOS, and NO production. In vivo experiments confirmed reduced neuroinflammation and improved behavioral outcomes in LPS-treated mice.

How They Measured It

Microglial activation markers (Iba-1), pro-inflammatory cytokines, NO production, NF-κB activation

Read full study
2

To comprehensively review biological activities and molecular mechanisms of Nobiletin

2018 60 participants Various Various
Review/Other Mixed

Study Type

Systematic review

Purpose

To comprehensively review biological activities and molecular mechanisms of Nobiletin

Dose

Various

Participants

Review of 60+ studies

Duration

Various

Results

Nobiletin demonstrates wide-ranging biological activities including anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, neuroprotective, and metabolic regulatory effects. Multiple signaling pathways (NF-κB, Wnt, AMPK, MAPK) are targeted.

How They Measured It

Systematic review of in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies

Read full study
3

To evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of Nobiletin in subjects with elevated CRP

2022 60 participants 8 weeks 100 mg Nobiletin daily
Human Study RCT Positive

Study Type

Randomised controlled trial

Purpose

To evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of Nobiletin in subjects with elevated CRP

Dose

100 mg Nobiletin daily

Participants

60 adults with elevated baseline CRP

Duration

8 weeks

Results

Nobiletin significantly reduced hs-CRP (−24%), IL-6, and TNF-α compared to placebo. NF-κB activity in peripheral blood mononuclear cells also significantly suppressed.

How They Measured It

hs-CRP, IL-6, TNF-α, fibrinogen, NF-κB in PBMCs

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Mood & Mental Health

4

Effects of a flavonoid-enriched orange juice on antioxidant capacity, lipid profile, and inflammation in obese patients: A randomized placebo-controll

2025 22 participants Not specified See study
Human Study Mixed

Study Type

RCT

Purpose

Effects of a flavonoid-enriched orange juice on antioxidant capacity, lipid profile, and inflammation in obese patients: A randomized placebo-controll

Dose

See study

Participants

22 participants

Duration

Not specified

Results

Study results available at linked source.

How They Measured It

PubMed PMID: 40597485. Food Res Int

Read full study
7

Exploration of the mechanism of Traditional Chinese Medicine for anxiety and depression in patients with diarrheal irritable bowel syndrome based on n

2024 2055 participants Not specified See study
Human Study Mixed

Study Type

Meta-Analysis

Purpose

Exploration of the mechanism of Traditional Chinese Medicine for anxiety and depression in patients with diarrheal irritable bowel syndrome based on n

Dose

See study

Participants

2055 participants

Duration

Not specified

Results

CONCLUSION: Chinese Herbal Medicine (CHM) offers a promising and safe treatment approach for patients dealing with Diarrheal Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS-D) accompanied by anxiety and depression; t.

How They Measured It

PubMed PMID: 38835657. Front Pharmacol

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8

Evidence and Characteristics of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Coronary Heart Disease Patients With Anxiety or Depression: A Meta-Analysis and Syste

2022 ? participants Not specified See study
Human Study Mixed

Study Type

Meta-Analysis

Purpose

Evidence and Characteristics of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Coronary Heart Disease Patients With Anxiety or Depression: A Meta-Analysis and Syste

Dose

See study

Participants

Not specified

Duration

Not specified

Results

Conclusion: CHM exhibited an obvious efficacy in treating CHD patients with anxiety or depression, especially for improving the symptom of angina pectoris.

How They Measured It

PubMed PMID: 35600859. Front Pharmacol

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Heart Health

5

Combining single-cell RNA sequencing and network pharmacology to explore the target of cangfu daotan decoction in the treatment of obese polycystic ov

2024 ? participants Not specified See study
Human Study Mixed

Study Type

RCT

Purpose

Combining single-cell RNA sequencing and network pharmacology to explore the target of cangfu daotan decoction in the treatment of obese polycystic ov

Dose

See study

Participants

Not specified

Duration

Not specified

Results

CONCLUSION: CFDT can improve the immune microenvironment of patients to some extent, reduce their economic burden, and enhance IVF outcomes.

How They Measured It

PubMed PMID: 39539629. Front Pharmacol

Read full study

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Nobiletin research

What does the research say about Nobiletin?

There are currently 13 peer-reviewed studies on Nobiletin (Nobiletin), involving 2,126 total participants. Research covers Cognitive function, Metabolic health, Anti-cancer activity and 1 more areas. The overall evidence strength is rated as Strong.

How strong is the evidence for Nobiletin?

The evidence is currently rated as "Strong Evidence". This rating is based on study design quality (randomisation, blinding, placebo controls), sample sizes, study types (8 human studies), and reported outcomes.

What health goals has Nobiletin been studied for?

Nobiletin has been researched for: Cognitive function, Metabolic health, Anti-cancer activity, Anti-inflammatory activity. Each area has its own body of evidence which you can explore in the study breakdowns above.

Are the studies on Nobiletin based on human trials?

Yes, 8 out of 13 studies are human trials. Human trials carry more weight in our evidence scoring system.