OBJECTIVE:To explore whether auricular acupressure could improve the absorption of flavanones in the extracts from Citrus aurantium L. in the human body.

METHODS:Ten (10) healthy male volunteers were randomly divided into two groups. Group A was treated with the combination of oral administration of C. aurantium L. extracts and auricular acupressure. Group B was treated only with the oral administration of C. aurantium L. extracts in the same dosage as Group A. After 7 days of treatment, the plasma concentration of naringenin and hesperetin of the two groups were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography.

RESULTS:The plasma concentration of naringenin and hesperetin in Group A were significantly higher than Group B.

CONCLUSIONS:Auricular acupressure at some specific acupoints can significantly improve the absorption of naringenin and hesperetin in the extracts form C. aurantium L. in the human body.