Abstract
ABSTRACTAnthocyanins are one of the most widespread families of natural pigments in the plant kingdom. Their health beneficial effects have been documented in many in vivo and in vitro studies. This review summarizes the most recent literature regarding the health benefits of anthocyanins and their molecular mechanisms. It appears that several signaling pathways, including mitogen-activated protein kinase, nuclear factor κB, AMP-activated protein kinase, and Wnt/β-catenin, as well as some crucial cellular processes, such as cell cycle, apoptosis, autophagy, and biochemical metabolism, are involved in these beneficial effects and may provide potential therapeutic targets and strategies for the improvement of a wide range of diseases in future. In addition, specific anthocyanin metabolites contributing to the observed in vivo biological activities, structure–activity relationships as well as additive and synergistic efficacy of anthocyanins are also discussed.
Highlights
Anthocyanins are one of the most widespread families of natural pigments in the plant kingdom
Anthocyanins belong to a large group of compounds, collectively known as flavonoids, which are a subgroup of an even larger group of compounds known as polyphenolics (Mazza and Miniati, 1993; Andersen, 2001; Andersen and Markham, 2006; McGhie and Walton, 2007)
This review summarizes the most recent literature regarding the biological benefits of dietary anthocyanins, including anticancer activity, anti-inflammatory activity, neuroprotective activity, prevention of cardiovascular
Summary
Anthocyanins are one of the most widespread families of natural pigments in the plant kingdom. The anticancer activities of anthocyanins from many fruits and vegetables have been demonstrated to inhibit the initiation, promotion, and progression of several cancers, such as breast cancer (Singletary et al, 2007; Hui et al, 2010; Devi et al, 2011), prostate cancer (Reddivari et al, 2007), liver cancer (Bishayee et al, 2010, 2011), colorectal and intestinal cancers (Koide et al, 1996, 1997; Hagiwara et al, 2001; Bobe et al, 2006; Lala et al, 2006; Srivastava et al, 2007; Lim et al, 2013), blood cancer (Tsai et al, 2014), cervical cancer (Rugina et al, 2012), lung cancer (Aqil et al, 2012), fibrosarcoma (Filipiak et al, 2014), and metastatic melanoma (Bunea et al, 2013).
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