BACKGROUNDCancer cells display oxidative metabolic dysregulation to fulfill their bioenergy requirements. Specifically, efforts were made to regulate the metabolite succinate and its negative effects as an inducer for neoplasm invasion and metastasis.METHODSBinding affinity of naringenin (NAR) to mitochondria complex II (CΙΙ) subunits, sirtuin3 (SIRT3), tumor necrosis factor associate protein 1(TRAP1), and succinate receptor (SUCNR1) was studied by molecular docking. NAR nanoparticles (NARNPs) were synthesized and characterized by IR, X-ray, UV, drug release, zeta potential, TEM, and SEM. The IC50 was evaluated in normal mice, normal fibroblast, and A549 cells by using the MTT technique. Moreover, the impact of NAR and NARNPs against 5-FLU on CΙΙ activity, SOD activity, and mitochondrial swelling was assessed. Apoptosis was also assessed using the flow cytometry method. While the expression of relevant genes such as SDHC, D, SIRT-3, TRAP1, SUCNR1, and ERK1/2 genes was determined by using RT-qPCR analysis. Western blot evaluated PI3K, NF-κB against β-actin.RESULTSTheoretically, the binding affinity between NAR & SDHC, D, SIRT-3, TRAP1, and SUCNR1 proteins was stronger. Cytotoxic effects of NAR and NARNPs were evaluated. Also, the activity of SDH C, and D was inhibited more than SDH A, and B activity in the A549 than normal cell lines (NARNPs < NAR < 5-FLU), This was accompanied by downregulation of SDH C, D, TRAP1, SUCNR1, and ERK1/2 genes expression, and upregulation of SIRT-3 gene expression. Additionally, NF-κB and PI3K protein expression declined. On the other hand, there was a significant increase in apoptotic effects with mitochondria enlargement (NARNPs > NAR > 5-FLU) in A549 compared with normal cells.IN CONCLUSIONControlling succinate by SDH parallel with SUCNR1 signal regulation by NARNPs will be a novel understanding mechanism and candidate for therapeutic target in lung cancer.