Citric acid

Citric acid is a weak organic tricarboxylic acid found in citrus fruits. Citric acid is a natural preservative and food tartness enhancer. (In Vitro) :Citric acid (0-12.5 mM; 24 h) shows antiproliferative activity in a dose dependent manner.Citric acid (12.5 mM; 72 h) induces apoptosis and cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase and S phase in a dosedependent manner.Citric acid (12.5 mM; 48 h) increases the expression of FAS, BAX, BID, AIF, EndoG, cytochrome c, PARP, GADD153, GRP78 and caspase-3, -8, -9, and decreases of BCL-2 and BCL-Xl. (In Vivo) :Citric acid (120, 240, and 480 mg/kg; i.p.) significantly decreases GSH-Px activity and induces an increase in the MDA (malonyldialdehyde) levels in mouse liver.Citric acid (120, 240, and 480 mg/kg; i.p.) induces apoptosis by increases caspase-3 activity in a dose-dependent manner in mouse hepatocytes.Citric acid (120, 240, and 480 mg/kg; i.p.; weekly for 3 weeks) causes renal toxicity in mice.