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Review

Betalains: A Narrative Review on Pharmacological Mechanisms Supporting the Nutraceutical Potential Towards Health Benefits

by
Renata M. Martinez
1,
Cristina P. B. Melo
1,
Ingrid C. Pinto
1,
Soraia Mendes-Pierotti
1,
Josiane A. Vignoli
2,
Waldiceu A. Verri
3,* and
Rubia Casagrande
1,*
1
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Health Sciences Center, Londrina State University, Londrina CEP 86039-440, Brazil
2
Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Centre of Exact Sciences, Londrina State University, Londrina CEP 86055-900, Brazil
3
Department of Immunology, Parasitology and General Pathology, Biological Sciences Center, Londrina State University, Londrina CEP 86055-900, Brazil
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Foods 2024, 13(23), 3909; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods13233909
Submission received: 31 October 2024 / Revised: 28 November 2024 / Accepted: 30 November 2024 / Published: 3 December 2024
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Review on Food Nutrition)
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Abstract

Betalains are naturally occurring pigments sourced mainly from Beta vulgaris (beetroot), Hylocereus spp. (dragon fruit), Amaranthus spp., and Opuntia spp. Betalains are widely used for their vibrant colors and health-promoting properties. These nitrogenous, water-soluble pigments are crucial colorants in the food industry, responsible for the red, purple, and yellow plant tissues, predominantly in the order Caryophyllales. They are grouped into betacyanins, with reddish-violet hues, and betaxanthins, yellow to orange. Examples include beetroot stems for betacyanins and yellow pitaya pulp for betaxanthins. Several pharmacological activities were reviewed in the scientific literature, describing their potential implications for human health. In this review, we focused on the main and latest studies on the pharmacological effects and mechanisms of betalains, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antihypertensive, hypolipidemic, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, neuroprotective, anticancer, and antimicrobial properties, in both in vitro and in vivo studies. Overall, betalain consumption is considered safe, with no major adverse effects or allergic reactions reported. We also approached topics such as the pharmacokinetics, bioavailability, stability, and enhanced stabilization of betalains. This article provides a comprehensive overview of bioactive potential of betalains, highlighting the biochemical mechanisms involved. The current knowledge broadens the clinical applicability of betalains, making them potential sources of nutraceutical compounds that can be used to develop functional foods.
Keywords: betacyanin; betaxanthin; antioxidant; anti-inflammatory; antihypertensive; hypolipidemic; antidiabetic; hepatoprotective; anticancer; antimicrobial betacyanin; betaxanthin; antioxidant; anti-inflammatory; antihypertensive; hypolipidemic; antidiabetic; hepatoprotective; anticancer; antimicrobial

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MDPI and ACS Style

Martinez, R.M.; Melo, C.P.B.; Pinto, I.C.; Mendes-Pierotti, S.; Vignoli, J.A.; Verri, W.A.; Casagrande, R. Betalains: A Narrative Review on Pharmacological Mechanisms Supporting the Nutraceutical Potential Towards Health Benefits. Foods 2024, 13, 3909. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods13233909

AMA Style

Martinez RM, Melo CPB, Pinto IC, Mendes-Pierotti S, Vignoli JA, Verri WA, Casagrande R. Betalains: A Narrative Review on Pharmacological Mechanisms Supporting the Nutraceutical Potential Towards Health Benefits. Foods. 2024; 13(23):3909. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods13233909

Chicago/Turabian Style

Martinez, Renata M., Cristina P. B. Melo, Ingrid C. Pinto, Soraia Mendes-Pierotti, Josiane A. Vignoli, Waldiceu A. Verri, and Rubia Casagrande. 2024. "Betalains: A Narrative Review on Pharmacological Mechanisms Supporting the Nutraceutical Potential Towards Health Benefits" Foods 13, no. 23: 3909. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods13233909

APA Style

Martinez, R. M., Melo, C. P. B., Pinto, I. C., Mendes-Pierotti, S., Vignoli, J. A., Verri, W. A., & Casagrande, R. (2024). Betalains: A Narrative Review on Pharmacological Mechanisms Supporting the Nutraceutical Potential Towards Health Benefits. Foods, 13(23), 3909. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods13233909

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