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Functional Foods: Bioactive Compounds, Antioxidants and Anti-inflammatory Activities

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A special issue of Molecules (ISSN 1420-3049). This special issue belongs to the section "Food Chemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 March 2024) | Viewed by 17748

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Bojana Vidović

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Guest Editor

Department of Bromatology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Belgrade, Vojvode Stepe 450, 11221 Belgrade, Serbia
Interests: food chemistry; functional food; nutraceuticals; bioactive compounds; antioxidants
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Mirjana B. Pešić

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Guest Editor

Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Belgrade, Nemanjina 6, 11080 Belgrade, Serbia
Interests: food proteins; bioactive compounds of food; biochemical transformation during food processing; functional and techno-functional properties of food; compounds stability and interactions
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Since oxidative stress and inflammation are linked with numerous chronic diseases, developing functional foods as a possible strategy for combatting these processes has attracted extensive attention and research interest. Researchers explore foods and other sources of bioactive compounds, search for confirmation of their health-promoting benefits through in vitro and experimental studies, and unravel mechanisms by which foods and their constituents can modulate oxidative stress and inflammation. In addition, many research efforts focus on improving existing biotechnological and processing techniques to produce functional foods with bioaccessible and bioavailable bioactive compounds. To promote further innovation in the functional food industry, linking the consumption of functional foods should be based on strong scientific evidence of their effectiveness and safety and a better understanding of factors affecting consumers’ acceptance of functional foods. This Special Issue aims to collect original research papers and review articles focused on the abovementioned aspects of functional foods for modulating inflammation and oxidative stress.

Dr. Bojana Vidović
Dr. Mirjana B. Pešić
Guest Editors

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Keywords

functional foods
bioactive compounds
antioxidants
anti-inflammatory
nutraceuticals
isolation of bioactives
interactions of bioactives
food matrix
bioaccessibility
bioavailability

Published Papers (12 papers)

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Research

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24 pages, 3708 KiB

Open AccessArticle

HPLC-Based Metabolomic Analysis and Characterization of Amaranthus cruentus Leaf and Inflorescence Extracts for Their Antidiabetic and Antihypertensive Potential

by Jesús Alfredo Araujo-León, Ivonne Sánchez-del Pino, Rolffy Ortiz-Andrade, Sergio Hidalgo-Figueroa, Areli Carrera-Lanestosa, Ligia Guadalupe Brito-Argáez, Avel González-Sánchez, Germán Giácoman-Vallejos, Oswaldo Hernández-Abreu, Sergio R. Peraza-Sánchez, Andrés Xingú-López and Víctor Aguilar-Hernández

Molecules 2024, 29(9), 2003; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules29092003 - 26 Apr 2024

Viewed by 371

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the potential of Amaranthus cruentus flavonoids (quercetin, kaempferol, catechin, hesperetin, naringenin, hesperidin, and naringin), cinnamic acid derivatives (p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, and caffeic acid), and benzoic acids (vanillic acid and 4-hydroxybenzoic acid) as antioxidants, antidiabetic, and antihypertensive agents. An analytical method for simultaneous quantification of flavonoids, cinnamic acid derivatives, and benzoic acids for metabolomic analysis of leaves and inflorescences from A. cruentus was developed with HPLC-UV-DAD. Evaluation of linearity, limit of detection, limit of quantitation, precision, and recovery was used to validate the analytical method developed. Maximum total flavonoids contents (5.2 mg/g of lyophilized material) and cinnamic acid derivatives contents (0.6 mg/g of lyophilized material) were found in leaves. Using UV-Vis spectrophotometry, the maximum total betacyanin contents (74.4 mg/g of lyophilized material) and betaxanthin contents (31 mg/g of lyophilized material) were found in inflorescences. The leaf extract showed the highest activity in removing DPPH radicals. In vitro antidiabetic activity of extracts was performed with pancreatic α-glucosidase and intestinal α-amylase, and compared to acarbose. Both extracts exhibited a reduction in enzyme activity from 57 to 74%. Furthermore, the in vivo tests on normoglycemic murine models showed improved glucose homeostasis after sucrose load, which was significantly different from the control. In vitro antihypertensive activity of extracts was performed with angiotensin-converting enzyme and contrasted to captopril; both extracts exhibited a reduction of enzyme activity from 53 to 58%. The leaf extract induced a 45% relaxation in an ex vivo aorta model. In the molecular docking analysis, isoamaranthin and isogomphrenin-I showed predictive binding affinity for α-glucosidases (human maltase-glucoamylase and human sucrase-isomaltase), while catechin displayed binding affinity for human angiotensin-converting enzyme. The data from this study highlights the potential of A. cruentus as a functional food. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Foods: Bioactive Compounds, Antioxidants and Anti-inflammatory Activities)

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14 pages, 2575 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Chemical Degradation of Sodium Alginate on Capsaicin Encapsulation

by Dominika Kulig, Łukasz Bobak, Andrzej Jarmoluk, Aleksandra Szmaja, Żaneta Król-Kilińska and Anna Zimoch-Korzycka

Molecules 2023, 28(23), 7844; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules28237844 - 29 Nov 2023

Viewed by 913

Abstract

Capsaicin is known as an oily extract of paprika that is characterized by pungent taste and bioactivity. It also may cause irritation to the mouth and stomach which is why is so important to immobilize capsaicin on a carrier to prevent it. The usage of alginate oligomers, which has an antioxidant potential compared to alginate, is of benefit because it may be used in the immobilization of bioactive substances that are fragile to oxidation. The purpose of this study was to use sodium alginate oligomers as a coating material in the encapsulation process of paprika oleoresin. Alginate oligomers were produced by chemical degradation with hydrogen peroxide. The characteristics of the samples were obtained by measuring the viscosity, the contact angle of the surface, and the surface tension of solutions. The obtained solution of alginate oligomers served as the carrier material for the immobilization of capsaicin. Capsules were prepared by ionic gelation using a calcium chloride solution as a crosslinking agent. In this way, capsules without and with the core (capsaicin) were prepared and their ability to scavenge free radicals (DPPH) and iron-reducing properties (FRAP) were determined. The stability of the capsules was examined by thermal decomposition and under conditions of the gastric and small intestine, and capsaicin content was detected using high-performance liquid chromatography. It was found that alginate oligomers could be used in the encapsulation of bioactive compounds and the efficiency was above 80%. Capsule production from alginate oligomers affected their thermal stability. The use of alginate derivatives as a carrier increased the antioxidant properties of the finished product, as well as its ability to reduce iron ions. The use of alginate oligomers as a coating material prevented the active substance from being released too early in the conditions of the small intestine, prolonged the stability of the capsules, and supported their durability in gastric conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Foods: Bioactive Compounds, Antioxidants and Anti-inflammatory Activities)

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12 pages, 2487 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Anti-Inflammatory Activity of 1,6,7-Trihydroxy-2-(1,1-dimethyl-2-propenyl)-3-methoxyxanthone Isolated from Cudrania tricuspidata via NF-κB, MAPK, and HO-1 Signaling Pathways in Lipopolysaccharide-Stimulated RAW 264.7 and BV2 Cells

by Wonmin Ko, Jong-Suep Baek, Zhiming Liu, Linsha Dong, Nayeon Kim, Hwan Lee, Chi-Su Yoon, Na Young Kim, Sam Cheol Kim and Dong-Sung Lee

Molecules 2023, 28(21), 7299; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules28217299 - 27 Oct 2023

Viewed by 942

Abstract

Neuroinflammation activated by microglia affects inflammatory pain development. This study aimed to explore the anti-inflammatory properties and mechanisms of 1,6,7-trihydroxy-2-(1,1-dimethyl-2-propenyl)-3-methoxyxanthone (THMX) from Cudrania tricuspidata in microglia activation-mediated inflammatory pain. In RAW 264.7 and BV2 cells, THMX has been shown to reduce lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and pro-inflammatory mediators and cytokines, including nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin (PG) E2, interleukin (IL)-6, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α). THMX also decreased LPS-induced phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and the activation of p65 nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB). Interestingly, THMX also activated heme oxygenase (HO)-1 expression. These findings suggest that THMX is a promising biologically active compound against inflammation through preventing MAPKs and NF-ĸB and activating HO-1 signaling pathways. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Foods: Bioactive Compounds, Antioxidants and Anti-inflammatory Activities)

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16 pages, 2786 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Green Synthesis of Low-Glycemic Amylose–Lipid Nanocomposites by High-Speed Homogenization and Formulation into Hydrogel

by Nasir Mehmood Khan, Misbah Uddin, Ebenezer Ola Falade, Farman Ali Khan, Jian Wang, Muhammad Shafique, Reem M. Alnemari, Maram H. Abduljabbar and Shujaat Ahmad

Molecules 2023, 28(20), 7154; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules28207154 - 18 Oct 2023

Viewed by 859

Abstract

In this research, we focused on the production of amylose–lipid nanocomposite material (ALN) through a green synthesis technique utilizing high-speed homogenization. Our aim was to investigate this novel material’s distinctive physicochemical features and its potential applications as a low-glycemic gelling and functional food ingredient. The study begins with the formulation of the amylose–lipid nanomaterial from starch and fatty acid complexes, including stearic, palmitic, and lauric acids. Structural analysis reveals the presence of ester carbonyl functionalities, solid matrix structures, partial crystallinities, and remarkable thermal stability within the ALN. Notably, the ALN exhibits a significantly low glycemic index (GI, 40%) and elevated resistance starch (RS) values. The research extends to the formulation of ALN into nanocomposite hydrogels, enabling the evaluation of its anthocyanin absorption capacity. This analysis provides valuable insights into the rheological properties and viscoelastic behavior of the resulting hydrogels. Furthermore, the study investigates anthocyanin encapsulation and retention by ALN-based hydrogels, with a particular focus on the influence of pH and physical cross-link networks on the uptake capacity presenting stearic-acid (SA) hydrogel with the best absorption capacity. In conclusion, the green-synthesized (ALN) shows remarkable functional and structural properties. The produced ALN-based hydrogels are promising materials for a variety of applications, such as medicine administration, food packaging, and other industrial purposes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Foods: Bioactive Compounds, Antioxidants and Anti-inflammatory Activities)

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20 pages, 2158 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Enhancing Bioactivity and Conjugation in Green Coffee Bean (Coffea arabica) Extract through Cold Plasma Treatment: Insights into Antioxidant Activity and Phenolic–Protein Conjugates

by Kuntapas Kungsuwan, Choncharoen Sawangrat, Sakaewan Ounjaijean, Supakit Chaipoot, Rewat Phongphisutthinant and Pairote Wiriyacharee

Molecules 2023, 28(20), 7066; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules28207066 - 13 Oct 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1223

Abstract

Cold plasma technology is gaining attention as a promising approach to enhancing the bioactivity of plant extracts. However, its impact on green coffee bean extracts (GCBEs) still needs to be explored. In this study, an innovative underwater plasma jet system was employed to investigate the effects of cold plasma on Coffea arabica GCBEs, focusing on the conjugation reflected by the change in composition and bioactivity. The DPPH radical scavenging antioxidant activity exhibited a gradual increase with plasma treatment up to 35 min, followed by a decline. Remarkably, at 35 min, the plasma treatment resulted in a significant 66% increase in the DPPH radical scavenging activity of the GCBE. The total phenolic compound content also displayed a similar increasing trend to the DPPH radical scavenging activity. However, the phenolic profile analysis indicated a significant decrease in chlorogenic acids and caffeine. Furthermore, the chemical composition analysis revealed a decrease in free amino acids, while sucrose remained unchanged. Additionally, the SDS-PAGE results suggested a slight increase in protein size. The observed enhancement in antioxidant activity, despite the reduction in the two major antioxidants in the GCBE, along with the increase in protein size, might suggest the occurrence of conjugation processes induced by plasma, particularly involving proteins and phenolic compounds. Notably, the plasma treatment exhibited no adverse effects on the extract’s safety, as confirmed by the MTT assay. These findings indicate that cold plasma treatment holds significant promise in improving the functional properties of GCBE while ensuring its safety. Incorporating cold plasma technology into the processing of natural extracts may offer exciting opportunities for developing novel and potent antioxidant-rich products. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Foods: Bioactive Compounds, Antioxidants and Anti-inflammatory Activities)

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12 pages, 1032 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Understanding the Anti-Obesity Potential of an Avocado Oil-Rich Cheese through an In Vitro Co-Culture Intestine Cell Model

by Manuela Machado, Eduardo M. Costa, Sara Silva, Luís M. Rodriguez-Alcalá, Ana Maria Gomes and Manuela Pintado

Molecules 2023, 28(15), 5923; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules28155923 - 7 Aug 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1094

Abstract

Nowadays, with consumers’ requirements shifting towards more natural solutions and the advent of nutraceutical-based approaches, new alternatives for obesity management are being developed. This work aimed to show, for the first time, the potential of avocado oil-fortified cheese as a viable foodstuff for obesity management through complex in vitro cellular models. The results showed that oleic and palmitic acids’ permeability through the Caco-2/HT29-MTX membrane peaked at the 2h mark, with the highest apparent permeability being registered for oleic acid (0.14 cm/s). Additionally, the permeated compounds were capable of modulating the metabolism of adipocytes present in the basal compartment, significantly reducing adipokine (leptin) and cytokine (MPC-1, IL-10, and TNF-α) production. The permeates (containing 3.30 µg/mL of palmitic acid and 2.16 µg/mL of oleic acid) also presented an overall anti-inflammatory activity upon Raw 264.7 macrophages, reducing IL-6 and TNF-α secretion. Despite in vivo assays being required, the data showed the potential of a functional dairy product as a valid food matrix to aid in obesity management. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Foods: Bioactive Compounds, Antioxidants and Anti-inflammatory Activities)

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14 pages, 3552 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessment of the Effects of Structural Modification of Gastrodia elata Polysaccharide on Anti-Breast Cancer Activity Using Asymmetrical Flow Field-Flow Fractionation

by Xiaoying Liu, Yuwei Dou, Tingting Hao, Mu Wang, Liu Yang, Hailiang Zheng, Hongmei Liu and Haiyang Dou

Molecules 2023, 28(12), 4669; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules28124669 - 9 Jun 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1248

Abstract

Gastrodia elata (“Tian Ma” in Chinese) is used as a food and medical ingredient in traditional Chinese medicine. In this study, to enhance the anti-breast cancer activity of Gastrodia elata polysaccharide (GEP), GEPs were modified via sulfidation (SGEP) and acetylation (AcGEP). The physicochemical properties (such as solubility and substitution degree) and structural information (such as molecular weight M_w and radius of gyration R_g) of GEP derivatives were determined by Fourier transformed infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and asymmetrical flow field-flow fractionation (AF4) coupled online with multiangle light scattering (MALS) and differential refractive index (dRI) detectors (AF4-MALS-dRI). The effects of the structural modification of GEP on the proliferation, apoptosis, and cell cycle of MCF-7 cell were studied systematically. The ability of MCF-7 cell for the uptake of GEP was studied by laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM). The results suggested that the solubility and anti-breast cancer activity of GEP were enhanced and the average R_g and M_w of GEP decreased after chemical modification. The AF4-MALS-dRI results showed that the chemical modification process simultaneously caused the degradation and aggregation of GEPs. The LSCM results revealed that more SGEP can enter the MCF-7 cell interior compared with AcGEP. The results indicated that the structure of AcGEP could play a dominating role in antitumor activity. The data obtained in this work can be used as a starting point for investigating the structure-bioactivity of GEPs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Foods: Bioactive Compounds, Antioxidants and Anti-inflammatory Activities)

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19 pages, 1660 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Bioactive Compounds and Antioxidant Composition of Nut Bars with Addition of Various Edible Insect Flours

by Dorota Gumul, Joanna Oracz, Stanisław Kowalski, Anna Mikulec, Magdalena Skotnicka, Kaja Karwowska and Anna Areczuk

Molecules 2023, 28(8), 3556; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules28083556 - 18 Apr 2023

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1647

Abstract

Edible insects represent a new functional source of nutrients that can contribute to solving nutritional deficiency problems. The antioxidant potential and bioactive compounds of nut bars with the addition of three edible insects were evaluated. Acheta domesticus L., Alphitobius diaperinus P. and Tenebrio molitor L. flours were used. A 30% share of insect flour in the bars resulted in significantly greater antioxidant activity (TPC increased from 190.19 for standard bars to 309.45 mg catechin/100 g for bars with 30% addition of cricket flour). Insect flour contributed significantly to an increase in 2,5-dihydrobenzoic acid (from 0.12 for bars with a 15% share of buffalo worm flour to 0.44 mg/100 g in the case of bars with a 30% share of cricket flour) and chlorogenic acid in all bars (from 0.58 for bars with a 15% share of cricket flour to 3.28 mg/100 g for bars with a 30% addition of buffalo worm flour), compared to the standard. The highest content of tocopherols was found in bars with cricket flour, compared to standard bars (43.57 and 24.06 mg/100 g of fat, respectively). The dominant sterol in bars enriched with insect powder was cholesterol. The highest amount of it was found in cricket bars, and the lowest in mealworm bars (64.16 and 21.62 mg/100 g of fat, respectively). The enrichment of nut bars with insect flours raises the levels of valuable phytosterols in the final product. The addition of edible insect flours reduced the perception of most sensory attributes of the bars, compared to the standard bar. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Foods: Bioactive Compounds, Antioxidants and Anti-inflammatory Activities)

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14 pages, 5891 KiB

Open AccessArticle

In Silico Analysis of Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Properties of Bioactive Compounds from Crescentia cujete L.

by Alecsanndra L. Gonzales, Steven Kuan-Hua Huang, Ureah Thea A. Sevilla, Cheng-Yang Hsieh and Po-Wei Tsai

Molecules 2023, 28(8), 3547; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules28083547 - 18 Apr 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3104

Abstract

Crescentia cujete is widely known as a medical plant with broad indigenous ethnomedicinal uses, including anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant. Despite being used for remedies and ethnomedicinal purposes, the benefits obtained from C. cujete still need to be fully utilized. The underwhelming studies on its pharmacological potential, bioactive compounds, and mechanism of action keep the pharmacological and new drug discovery progress of this plant slow. This study focuses on the incorporation of in silico analyses such as ADME prediction and molecular docking simulations on the bioactive compounds identified in the plant to assess their potential for antioxidant and anti-inflammatory applications. A comparison of the ADME properties and molecular docking scores showed that naringenin, pinocembrin, and eriodictyol had the most potential to act as inhibitors of the target proteins involved in inflammation and oxidation pathways against the positive controls. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Foods: Bioactive Compounds, Antioxidants and Anti-inflammatory Activities)

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18 pages, 3108 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Short-Chain Fatty Acids Attenuate 5-Fluorouracil-Induced THP-1 Cell Inflammation through Inhibiting NF-κB/NLRP3 Signaling via Glycerolphospholipid and Sphingolipid Metabolism

by Yanyan Zhang, Yue Xi, Changshui Yang, Weijuan Gong, Chengyin Wang, Liang Wu and Dongxu Wang

Molecules 2023, 28(2), 494; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules28020494 - 4 Jan 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1655

Abstract

5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is a common anti-tumor drug, but there is no effective treatment for its side effect, intestinal mucositis. The inflammatory reaction of macrophages in intestinal mucosa induced by 5-FU is an important cause of intestinal mucositis. In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of the three important short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), including sodium acetate (NaAc), sodium propionate (NaPc), and sodium butyrate (NaB), on human mononuclear macrophage-derived THP-1 cells induced by 5-FU. The expressions of intracellular ROS, pro-inflammatory/anti-inflammatory cytokines, as well as the nuclear factor-κB/NLR family and pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NF-κB/NLRP3) signaling pathway proteins were determined. Furthermore, the cell metabolites were analyzed by untargeted metabolomics techniques. Our results revealed that the three SCFAs inhibited pro-inflammatory factor expressions, including IL-1β and IL-6, when treated with 5-FU (p < 0.05). The ROS expression and NF-κB activity of 5-FU-treated THP-1 cells were inhibited by the three SCFAs pre-incubated (p < 0.05). Moreover, NLRP3 knockdown abolished 5-FU-induced IL-1β expression (p < 0.05). Further experiments showed that the three SCFAs affected 20 kinds of metabolites that belong to amino acid and phosphatidylcholine metabolism in THP-1 cells. These significantly altered metabolites were involved in amino acid metabolism and glycerolphospholipid and sphingolipid metabolism. It is the first time that three important SCFAs (NaAc, NaPc, and NaB) were identified as inhibiting 5-FU-induced macrophage inflammation through inhibiting ROS/NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathways and regulating glycerolphospholipid and sphingolipid metabolism. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Foods: Bioactive Compounds, Antioxidants and Anti-inflammatory Activities)

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15 pages, 4643 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Naringenin Prevents Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in LPS-Induced Liver Injury through the Regulation of LncRNA-mRNA in Male Mice

by Mengting Ji, Zhao Deng, Xiaoyin Rong, Ruixiao Li, Ziwei You, Xiaohong Guo, Chunbo Cai, Yan Zhao, Pengfei Gao, Guoqing Cao, Bugao Li and Yang Yang

Molecules 2023, 28(1), 198; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules28010198 - 26 Dec 2022

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 1782

Abstract

Inflammation accompanies hepatic dysfunction resulting from tissue oxidative damage. Naringenin (Nar), a natural flavanone, has known antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, but its mechanism of action in the regulation of liver dysfunction requires further investigation. In this study, the role of naringenin in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced hepatic oxidative stress and inflammation was explored, as well as its mechanism by transcriptome sequencing. The results indicated that compared with the LPS group, Nar treatment caused a significant increase in the mRNA levels of antioxidant factors glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit (GCLC) and glutamate-cysteine ligase modifier subunit (GCLM), yet the expression of related inflammatory factors (MCP1, TNFα, IL-1β and IL-6) showed less of an increase. RNA sequencing identified 36 differentially expressed lncRNAs and 603 differentially expressed mRNAs. KEGG enrichment analysis indicated that oxidative stress and inflammation pathways are meticulously linked with naringenin treatment. The Co-lncRNA-mRNA network was also constructed. Tissue expression profiles showed that lncRNA played a higher role in the liver. Subsequently, expression levels of inflammatory factors indicated that lncRNAs and target mRNAs were significantly reduced after naringenin treatment in mouse liver AML12 cells and obese mouse. These results suggest that naringenin helps to prevent liver dysfunction through the regulation of lncRNA-mRNA axis to reduce oxidative stress and inflammatory factors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Foods: Bioactive Compounds, Antioxidants and Anti-inflammatory Activities)

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Review

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22 pages, 1622 KiB

Open AccessReview

Health-Promoting Properties of Anthocyanins from Cornelian Cherry (Cornus mas L.) Fruits

by Iwona Szot, Grzegorz P. Łysiak, Bożena Sosnowska and Justyna Chojdak-Łukasiewicz

Molecules 2024, 29(2), 449; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules29020449 - 17 Jan 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1232

Abstract

The cornelian cherry is a plant that annually provides fruits, drupe-type, ranging in color from yellow through pink, red, carmine, and almost black. Cornelian cherry bears abundant fruit in temperate climate conditions, which means that its dark-colored fruits can be treated as an excellent source of anthocyanins. After consuming, anthocyanins have a protective function in the human body. Raw fruit extracts and their pure isolates, rich in anthocyanins, have a wide spectrum of health-promoting properties. This review focuses on the health-promoting properties of anthocyanins from fruits of cornelian cherry, documented in research conducted in vitro, in vivo, and in humans. The results obtained so far confirm the beneficial effects of anthocyanins on the blood parameters, whose values are important in predicting and assessing the risk and progression of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. A beneficial effect on molecular and histopathological changes in target organs such as the heart, brain, kidneys, and liver has also been demonstrated. Anthocyanins from cornelian cherry have a strong antioxidant effect, which explains their protective effects on organs and anticancer effects. Moreover, they have antiglycemic, antihyperlipidemic, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. The work highlights the perspectives and directions of necessary research. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Foods: Bioactive Compounds, Antioxidants and Anti-inflammatory Activities)

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