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Anthocyanins and Human Health

A special issue of Nutrients (ISSN 2072-6643). This special issue belongs to the section "Phytochemicals and Human Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 June 2022) | Viewed by 21957

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Dipartimento di Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi del Piemonte Orientale “A. Avogadro”, Largo Donegani 2, 28100 Novara, Italy
Interests: food chemistry; gas chromatography; liquid chromatography; mass spectrometry; polyphenols; volatile compounds; wine chemistry; extraction; fermentation; prebiotic compounds
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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Guest Editor
Institute of grape and wine science (ICVV-CSIC) Finca la Grajera,Burgos road km 6, 26080 logrono, la Rioja, Spain
Interests: grape and wine quality; volatile composition; sensory analysis; abiotic stress effect on grape quality; sustainable viticulture
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Anthocyanins are the most widespread group of pigmented flavonoids and are responsible for the red, purple, and blue colors of many fruits, vegetables and flowers. They are one of the most important natural pigments, and, up to now, more than 600 water-soluble anthocyanins have been identified in the plant kingdom. About 90% of the anthocyanin molecules are derived from the six major anthocyanidin compounds: cyanidin, delphinidin, malvidin, pelargonidin, peonidin and petunidin by glycosylations, acylations, methylation and hydroxylation. Anthocyanins can be found in almost all land plants. They function as phytoprotective substances, have a role in plant–animal interactions and, as such, are important in ecophysiology or plant defense mechanisms. Recently, interest in anthocyanins has strongly increased because of their possible health benefits as dietary antioxidants. The beneficial effects, such as anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic activity, cardiovascular disease prevention, obesity control, and diabetes alleviation properties for human health have been documented in many publications. The dietary consumption of anthocyanins is high due to their occurrence in fruits and vegetables.

In this context, the aim of the present Special Issue is to highlight the diverse bioactivities of anthocyanins. This Special Issue welcomes clinical trials, epidemiological studies, and experiments conducted in cell or in vitro models that examine the potential health benefits of anthocyanins and anthocyanin-rich foods.

Dr. Matteo Bordiga
Dr. Mar Vilanova de la Torre
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • Anthocyanins
  • Colorant
  • Health benefit
  • Pigment
  • Flavonoids
  • Berries
  • Inflammation
  • Gut health
  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Metabolic syndrome anthocyanidins
  • Bioavailability
  • Antioxidants
  • Biological activity.

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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15 pages, 1260 KiB  
Article
An Oral Polyphenol Formulation to Modulate the Ocular Surface Inflammatory Process and to Improve the Symptomatology Associated with Dry Eye Disease
by Dalia Ng, Juan Carlos Altamirano-Vallejo, Alejandro Gonzalez-De la Rosa, Jose Navarro-Partida, Jorge Eugenio Valdez-Garcia, Ricardo Acosta-Gonzalez, Juan Carlos Martinez Camarillo, Andres Bustamante-Arias, Juan Armendariz-Borunda and Arturo Santos
Nutrients 2022, 14(15), 3236; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14153236 - 07 Aug 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2743
Abstract
Due to their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and anti-angiogenic effects, polyphenols are first-rate candidates to prevent or treat chronic diseases in which oxidative stress-induced inflammation plays a role in disease pathogenesis. Dry eye disease (DED) is a common pathology, on which novel phenolic compound [...] Read more.
Due to their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and anti-angiogenic effects, polyphenols are first-rate candidates to prevent or treat chronic diseases in which oxidative stress-induced inflammation plays a role in disease pathogenesis. Dry eye disease (DED) is a common pathology, on which novel phenolic compound formulations have been tested as an adjuvant therapeutic approach. However, polyphenols are characterized by limited stability and solubility, insolubility in water, very rapid metabolism, and a very short half-life. Thus, they show poor bioavailability. To overcome these limitations and improve their stability and bioavailability, we evaluated the safety and efficacy of an oral formulation containing among other compounds, polyphenols and omega-3 fatty acids, with the addition of a surfactant in patients with DED. Subjects were randomly assigned to one of four study groups including the study formulation (A), placebo (P), the study formulation + eye lubricant (A + L), and placebo + eye lubricant (P + L). Patients from the A and P groups were instructed to take two capsules every 24 h, while patients in the L groups also added one drop of lubricant twice a day for 12 weeks as well. Regarding safety, non-ocular abnormalities were observed during study formulation therapy. Liver function tests did not show any statistically significant difference (baseline vs. week 4). Concerning efficacy, there was a statistically significant difference between baseline, month 1, and month 3 in the OSDI (Ocular Surface Disease Index) test results in both treatment groups (group A and group A + L). Furthermore, both groups showed statistically significant differences between baseline and month 3 regarding the non-invasive film tear breakup time (NIF-BUT) score and a positive trend related to Shirmer’s test at month 3. The non-invasive average breakup time (NIAvg-BUT) score showed a statistically significant difference at month 3 when compared with baseline in the A + L group. The P + L group showed a statistically significant difference in terms of the OSDI questionary between baseline and month 3. Regarding the lissamine green staining, the A + L group showed a statistical difference between baseline and month 3 (p = 0.0367). The placebo + lubricant group did not show statistically significant differences. Finally, the placebo group did not show any data with statistically significant differences. Consequently, this polyphenol formulation as a primary treatment outperformed the placebo alone, and the polyphenol oral formulation used as an adjuvant to artificial tears was superior to the combination of the placebo and the artificial tears. Thus, our data strongly suggest that this polyphenol oral formulation improves visual strain symptoms and tear film status in patients with mild to moderate DED. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Anthocyanins and Human Health)
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12 pages, 2864 KiB  
Article
Healthberry 865® and a Subset of Its Single Anthocyanins Attenuate Oxidative Stress in Human Endothelial In Vitro Models
by Philipp Ockermann, Rosario Lizio and Jan Hansmann
Nutrients 2022, 14(14), 2917; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14142917 - 16 Jul 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1284
Abstract
Oxidative stress and inflammation play a pivotal role in the development of cardiovascular diseases, an ever-growing worldwide problem. As a non-pharmacological approach, diet, especially a flavonoid-rich diet, showed promising results in the reduction of cardiovascular diseases and alleviation of their symptoms. In this [...] Read more.
Oxidative stress and inflammation play a pivotal role in the development of cardiovascular diseases, an ever-growing worldwide problem. As a non-pharmacological approach, diet, especially a flavonoid-rich diet, showed promising results in the reduction of cardiovascular diseases and alleviation of their symptoms. In this study, in vitro systems based on human microvascular endothelial cells (hmvEC) and human umbilical cord endothelial cells (HUVEC) were established to determine the effect of Healthberry 865® (HB) and ten of its relating single anthocyanins on oxidative stress. Furthermore, five metabolites were used in order to examine the effect of anthocyanin’s most common breakdown molecules. The results showed an effect of HB in both models after 24 h, as well as most of its single anthocyanins. Cyanidin-rutinoside, peonidin-galactoside, and petunidin-glucoside had a model-specific effect. For the metabolites, phloroglucinaldeyhde (PGA) showed an effect in both models, while vanillic acid (VA) only had an effect in HUVEC. When combined, a combination of several anthocyanins did not have a cumulative effect, except for combining glucosides in hmvEC. The combination of PGA and VA even revealed an inhibitive behavior. Overall, the study demonstrates the antioxidative effect of HB and several of its single anthocyanins and metabolites, which are partially model specific, and coincides with animal studies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Anthocyanins and Human Health)
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22 pages, 6659 KiB  
Article
Cyanidin-3-O-glucoside and Peonidin-3-O-glucoside-Rich Fraction of Black Rice Germ and Bran Suppresses Inflammatory Responses from SARS-CoV-2 Spike Glycoprotein S1-Induction In Vitro in A549 Lung Cells and THP-1 Macrophages via Inhibition of the NLRP3 Inflammasome Pathway
by Warathit Semmarath, Sariya Mapoung, Sonthaya Umsumarng, Punnida Arjsri, Kamonwan Srisawad, Pilaiporn Thippraphan, Supachai Yodkeeree and Pornngarm Dejkriengkraikul
Nutrients 2022, 14(13), 2738; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14132738 - 30 Jun 2022
Cited by 18 | Viewed by 3460
Abstract
Black rice is a functional food that is high in anthocyanin content, primarily C3G and P3G. It possesses nutraceutical properties that exhibit a range of beneficial effects on human health. Currently, the spike glycoprotein S1 subunit of SARS-CoV-2 (SP) has been reported for [...] Read more.
Black rice is a functional food that is high in anthocyanin content, primarily C3G and P3G. It possesses nutraceutical properties that exhibit a range of beneficial effects on human health. Currently, the spike glycoprotein S1 subunit of SARS-CoV-2 (SP) has been reported for its contribution to pathological inflammatory responses in targeting lung tissue and innate immune cells during COVID-19 infection and in the long-COVID phenomenon. Our objectives focused on the health benefits of the C3G and P3G-rich fraction of black rice germ and bran (BR extract) on the inhibition of inflammatory responses induced by SP, as well as the inhibition of NF-kB activation and the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway in an in vitro model. In this study, BR extract was identified for its active anthocyanins, C3G and P3G, using the HPLC technique. A549-lung cells and differentiated THP-1 macrophages were treated with BR extract, C3G, or P3G prior to exposure to 100 ng/mL of SP. Their anti-inflammatory properties were then determined. BR extract at concentrations of 12.5–100 μg/mL exhibited anti-inflammation activity for both A549 and THP-1 cells through the significant suppression of NLRP3, IL-1β, and IL-18 inflammatory gene expressions and IL-6, IL-1β, and IL-18 cytokine secretions in a dose-dependent manner (p < 0.05). It was determined that both cell lines, C3G and P3G (at 1.25–10 μg/mL), were compatibly responsible for the significant inhibition of SP-induced inflammatory responses for both gene and protein levels (p < 0.05). With regard to the anti-inflammation mechanism, BR extract, C3G, and P3G could attenuate SP-induced inflammation via counteraction with NF-kB activation and downregulation of the inflammasome-dependent inflammatory pathway proteins (NLRP3, ASC, and capase-1). Overall, the protective effects of anthocyanins obtained from black rice germ and bran can be employed in potentially preventive strategies that use pigmented rice against the long-term sequelae of COVID-19 infection. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Anthocyanins and Human Health)
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18 pages, 2790 KiB  
Article
Anthocyanins in Red Jasmine Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Extracts and Efficacy on Inhibition of Herpes Simplex Virus, Free Radicals and Cancer Cell
by Boonpa Suantai, Kanyaluck Jantakee, Thida Kaewkod, Sirikwan Sangboonruang, Thararat Chitov and Yingmanee Tragoolpua
Nutrients 2022, 14(9), 1905; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14091905 - 01 May 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3048
Abstract
Rice is one of the most important food crops in many countries, with nutritional value and health benefits. In this study, the ethanolic and aqueous extracts of red jasmine rice from Chiang Mai, Thailand were examined for their anthocyanins and phenolic contents. The [...] Read more.
Rice is one of the most important food crops in many countries, with nutritional value and health benefits. In this study, the ethanolic and aqueous extracts of red jasmine rice from Chiang Mai, Thailand were examined for their anthocyanins and phenolic contents. The antioxidant and antiviral activity against herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and type 2 (HSV-2), as well as anticancer activity, were investigated. The total anthocyanins content of 708.03 ± 11.56 mg Cy-3-glc equivalent/g extract, determined from the ethanolic extract, was higher than the aqueous extract. However, the aqueous extract showed the highest total phenolic compound of 81.91 ± 0.51 mg GAE/g extract. In addition, the ethanolic extract demonstrated higher antioxidant activity than aqueous extract using DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays by 28.91 ± 3.26 mg GAE/g extract, 189.45 ± 11.58 mg 24 TEAC/g extract, and 3292.46 ± 259.64 g FeSO4/g extract, respectively. In the antiviral assay, it was found that the ethanolic extract of red jasmine rice could inhibit HSV-1 more effectively than HSV-2 when treated before, during, and after the viral attachment on Vero cells, with 50% effective doses of 227.53 ± 2.41, 189.59 ± 7.76, and 192.62 ± 2.40 µg/mL, respectively. The extract also demonstrated the highest reduction of HSV-1 particles at 4 h after treatment and the inhibition of HSV-1 replication. The ethanolic extract exhibited a higher toxicity level than the aqueous extract, as well as the potential to induce DNA fragmentation by intrinsic and extrinsic apoptosis pathways on the Caco-2 cells. These findings suggest that red jasmine rice extract demonstrates nutritional value and biological activity on HSV, free radicals, and cancer cell inhibition. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Anthocyanins and Human Health)
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16 pages, 22642 KiB  
Article
Cyanidin-3-O-Glucoside Supplement Improves Sperm Quality and Spermatogenesis in a Mice Model of Ulcerative Colitis
by Yuhang Xiao, Baojun Xu, Matteo Bordiga, Haiwei Li, Fabiano Travaglia, Shun Bai, Jiali Chen and Weibin Bai
Nutrients 2022, 14(5), 984; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14050984 - 25 Feb 2022
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2599
Abstract
Impaired fertility and low sperm quality are the global health problem with high attention. It has been noted that inflammation may impact fertility by affecting testicular spermatogenesis. Cyanidin-3-O-glucoside is a natural functional pigment with various health benefits. Nevertheless, studies on the [...] Read more.
Impaired fertility and low sperm quality are the global health problem with high attention. It has been noted that inflammation may impact fertility by affecting testicular spermatogenesis. Cyanidin-3-O-glucoside is a natural functional pigment with various health benefits. Nevertheless, studies on the mechanism by which C3G protects male reproduction in mice with ulcerative colitis remain scarce. The purpose of this study is to illustrate the potential mechanism of C3G for improving impaired fertility caused by colitis. A DSS-induced colitis model was applied to assess the effects of sperm quality with colitis and the health benefit role of C3G. Results indicated that C3G-treated mice exhibited higher body weight, longer colon length, less crypt damage and focal inflammation infiltration. Being consistent with that, low sperm count, low testis weight, high inflammation levels and abnormal thickness of seminiferous epithelium also observed in the DSS group were significantly recovered upon C3G treatment. These findings suggested that colitis has a close link to impaired fertility. Further analysis found that C3G could significantly suppress the inflammatory mediators in serum. Results conjointly indicated that C3G might improve the impaired fertility of mice with colitis by inhibiting inflammatory cytokines through the blood–testis barrier. C3G could be a promising daily supplement for ameliorating impaired fertility caused by colitis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Anthocyanins and Human Health)
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Review

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39 pages, 2425 KiB  
Review
Behind the Scenes of Anthocyanins—From the Health Benefits to Potential Applications in Food, Pharmaceutical and Cosmetic Fields
by José S. Câmara, Monica Locatelli, Jorge A. M. Pereira, Hélder Oliveira, Marco Arlorio, Iva Fernandes, Rosa Perestrelo, Victor Freitas and Matteo Bordiga
Nutrients 2022, 14(23), 5133; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14235133 - 02 Dec 2022
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 7566
Abstract
Anthocyanins are widespread and biologically active water-soluble phenolic pigments responsible for a wide range of vivid colours, from red (acidic conditions) to purplish blue (basic conditions), present in fruits, vegetables, and coloured grains. The pigments’ stability and colours are influenced mainly by pH [...] Read more.
Anthocyanins are widespread and biologically active water-soluble phenolic pigments responsible for a wide range of vivid colours, from red (acidic conditions) to purplish blue (basic conditions), present in fruits, vegetables, and coloured grains. The pigments’ stability and colours are influenced mainly by pH but also by structure, temperature, and light. The colour-stabilizing mechanisms of plants are determined by inter- and intramolecular co-pigmentation and metal complexation, driven by van der Waals, π–π stacking, hydrogen bonding, and metal-ligand interactions. This group of flavonoids is well-known to have potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, which explains the biological effects associated with them. Therefore, this review provides an overview of the role of anthocyanins as natural colorants, showing they are less harmful than conventional colorants, with several technological potential applications in different industrial fields, namely in the textile and food industries, as well as in the development of photosensitizers for dye-sensitized solar cells, as new photosensitizers in photodynamic therapy, pharmaceuticals, and in the cosmetic industry, mainly on the formulation of skin care formulations, sunscreen filters, nail colorants, skin & hair cleansing products, amongst others. In addition, we will unveil some of the latest studies about the health benefits of anthocyanins, mainly focusing on the protection against the most prevalent human diseases mediated by oxidative stress, namely cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, and diabetes. The contribution of anthocyanins to visual health is also very relevant and will be briefly explored. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Anthocyanins and Human Health)
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