Health Benefits of Edible Berry Anthocyanins: Novel Antioxidant and Anti-Angiogenic Properties

Abstract

Edible berries provide for some of the richest sources of anthocyanins and antioxidants. Numerous studies have substantiated why consumption ofanthocyanin-rich fruits and vegetables might retard or prevent the onset of chronic diseases. The therapeutic and pharmacologic potential of berry anthocyanins demonstrate significant chemoprotective, antiplatelet aggregation, anti-angiogenic and anti-cancer properties. A significant number of studies have discovered that berry anthocyanins are novel cardioprotectant, beneficial in reducing age-associated oxidative stress, improving neuronal and cognitive brain function as well as ocular health, and protecting genomic integrity. Anthocyanin derivatives exhibit a broad spectrum of pharmacologic, therapeutic and medicinal properties including antioxidative, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-hypertensive and anti-angiogenic effects. Furthermore, anthocyanins enhance immune system and detoxification, and modulate cholesterol biosynthesis. Edible berry anthocyanins have been shown to inhibit cellular transformation and this study demonstrates the potent inhibitory effect on inducible VEGF expression. Overall, anthocyanin-rich fruits and vegetables and their constituents favorably regulate a number of mechanistic pathways to promote human health and to prevent diseases.