Abstract
To investigate the anti-atherosclerosis related mechanism of blueberries, the phenolic acids (PAs) content, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, as well as the microRNA (miRNA) regulation of polyphenol fractions in blueberry samples from China were studied. Sixteen batches of blueberries including 14 commercialized cultivars (Reka, Patriot, Brigitta, Bluecrop, Berkeley, Duke, Darrow, Northland, Northblue, Northcountry, Bluesource, Southgood, O’Neal, and Misty) were used in this study. Seven PAs in the polyphenol fractions from 16 blueberry samples in China were quantified by high performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC/MS2). The antioxidant activities of blueberry polyphenols were tested by (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl [DPPH]) assay. The anti-inflammatory (tumor necrosis factor-α [TNF-α] and interleukin-6 [IL-6]) activities of the polyphenol fractions of the blueberries were investigated by using lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced RAW 264.7 macrophages. The correlation analysis showed that the antioxidant (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl [DPPH]) and anti-inflammatory (tumor necrosis factor-α [TNF-α] and interleukin-6 [IL-6]) activities of the polyphenol fractions of the blueberries were in accordance with their PA contents. Although the polyphenol-enriched fractions of blueberries could inhibit the microRNAs (miRNAs) (miR-21, miR-146a, and miR-125b) to different extents, no significant contribution from the PAs was observed. The inhibition of these miRNAs could mostly be attributed to the other compounds present in the polyphenol-enriched fraction of the blueberries. This is the first study to evaluate the PAs content, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, and miRNA regulation of Chinese blueberries.
Highlights
Small berries constitute important sources of potential health-promoting phytochemicals.These fruits are rich sources of polyphenols, such as phenolic acids (PAs), anthocyanins, and other flavonoids [1]
Identification of the PAs in the polyphenol-enriched fractions of the 16 blueberry samples was accomplished by comparing their retention time and MS data with those of the standards
To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report regarding the relationship between PAs contents and antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, and the inhibition of atherosclerosis-related miRNAs of blueberry polyphenol fractions
Summary
Small berries constitute important sources of potential health-promoting phytochemicals. These fruits are rich sources of polyphenols, such as phenolic acids (PAs), anthocyanins, and other flavonoids [1]. Epidemiological and laboratory studies show a convincing link between the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of plant-derived polyphenolic compounds and their health-promoting and/or disease-preventing effects, such as anti-atherosclerosis [3,4], anti-aging [5], and improvement of metabolic syndrome [6]. Seven PAs identified in the serum of rats fed a 10% lowbush blueberry diet were found to promote bone growth [7], to show potential athero-protective effects [8], and to attenuate mammosphere formation [9], which suggested that PAs may be important in vivo bioactive compounds in blueberries. PAs were firstly analyzed and quantified in polyphenol fractions of blueberry cultivars from China by high performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC/MS2 )
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
