Abstract
Cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.) is a plant growing in southeast Europe, in the past used in folk medicine. There are many previous publications showing the preventive effects of (poly)phenolic compounds, especially anthocyanins, on cardiovascular diseases, but there is a lack of studies comparing the effects of (poly)phenolics and other constituents of fruits. We have attempted to determine if iridoids and anthocyanins from cornelian cherry fruits may affect the formation of atherosclerotic plaques in the aorta as well as lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress in the livers of cholesterol-fed rabbits. Fractions of iridoids and anthocyanins were analyzed using the high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) methods. Loganic acid (20 mg/kg b.w.) and a mixture of anthocyanins (10 mg/kg b.w.) were administered orally for 60 days to rabbits fed with 1% cholesterol. Histopathological samples of the aortas and the livers were stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde - MDA) and redox status (glutathione - GSH, glutathione peroxidase - Gpx and superoxide dismutase - SOD) were analyzed using spectrophotometrical methods. Both loganic acid (an iridoid) and a mixture of anthocyanins diminished the formation of atherosclerotic plaques in the aorta. Both substances also diminished lipid peroxidation, measured as a decrease of MDA, and attenuated oxidative stress, measured as an increase of GSH in the livers depleted by cholesterol feeding. Unexpectedly, cholesterol feeding decreased the Gpx activity in the liver, which was reversed by both investigated substances. We have shown that both iridoids and anthocyanins help prevent fed-induced atherosclerosis, and the consumption of fruits rich in these substances may elicit beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system.
Highlights
Cardiovascular diseases are the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in both developing and developed countries.[1]
Both substances diminished lipid peroxidation, measured as a decrease of MDA, and attenuated oxidative stress, measured as an increase of GSH in the livers depleted by cholesterol feeding
We have shown that both iridoids and anthocyanins help prevent fed-induced atherosclerosis, and the consumption of fruits rich in these substances may elicit beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system
Summary
Cardiovascular diseases are the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in both developing and developed countries.[1]. It is widely accepted that diet, especially a diet consisting of large amounts of fruits and vegetables, may prevent the development and progression of cardiovascular diseases.[5,6] There are many studies on both humans and animals showing the preventive effects of (poly)phenolic compounds – flavonoids, and especially their subclass – anthocyanins, on atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases.[7,8,9] In contrast, we have not found any surveys comparing the effects and interactions of different constituents of plants, fruits, on the risk factors and symptoms of cardiovascular diseases. We focused on cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.), a plant growing or cultivated in Europe and southwest Asia, and cultivated in North America; widely consumed in some countries and, in the past, used in folk medicine. There are many previous publications showing the preventive effects of (poly)phenolic compounds, especially anthocyanins, on cardiovascular diseases, but there is a lack of studies comparing the effects of (poly)phenolics and other constituents of fruits
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