Chapter 12 - Anthocyanins, effects in mitochondria and metabolism

Abstract

Alterations in mitochondrial function, cellular redox signaling, and metabolism participate in the etiology and progression of different pathological conditions, such as diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular, and neurodegenerative diseases. Epidemiological, preclinical, and clinical studies indicate that anthocyanins afford therapeutic benefits for these pathologies. It is thus important to revise the effects of anthocyanins on mitochondria and metabolism that hold potential for the development of novel health protective methods. The studies available support the ability of certain anthocyanins to prevent damage to mitochondria and to sustain its function. Evidence is more compelling for cyanidin and delphinidin compounds, but promising data could also be found for malvidin, pelargonidin, and protocatechuic acid. Additionally, berry extracts also demonstrated positive outcomes in different models of neurodegeneration, endothelial dysfunction, myocardial damage, metabolic disorders, longevity, and cancer. At the molecular level, major anthocyanins can modulate the expression and activity of mitochondrial proteins, apoptotic and biogenesis factors, antioxidant defenses, inflammation, and the AMPK pathway. Noteworthy, anthocyanins could balance abnormalities in ROS production, respiration, and mitochondrial fragmentation in cells exposed to toxicants or oxidizing agents.