Aronia Melanocarpa Fruit Juice Research Articles

Aronia melanocarpa fruit juice prevents hepatic impairment in rats subjected to metabolic syndrome

AbstractThis study evaluated the effects of Aronia melanocarpa fruit juice (AMFJ) on the liver in a model of high-fat, high-fructose (HFHF) diet-induced metabolic syndrome (MS). Fifty rats were allocated to five groups – Control, MS, MS+AMFJ2.5, MS+AMFJ5, and MS+AMFJ10. The control group was fed a standard diet, while the other groups were provided a HFHF diet. During MS induction, daily oral treatment was performed. Control and MS groups received 10.0 mL kg−1 distilled water, while the other three groups received AMFJ at doses of 2.5, 5.0, and 10.0 mL kg−1, respectively. After 10 weeks, liver samples were collected and inspected histologically as well as immunohistochemically to determine the expression of Bax, Bcl-2, and MAC387. Bax/Bcl-2 ratio was calculated. In MS rats, steatotic, inflammatory and degenerative alterations of the liver were detected, Bax and MAC387 were markedly elevated, while Bcl-2 was non-significantly reduced. The Bax/Bcl-2 ratio significantly increased. The histopathological alterations were prevented by the AMFJ treatment. Compared to MS group, Bax and MAC387 values were significantly lower and Bcl-2 value was higher resulting in significantly lower (P < 0.001) Bax/Bcl-2 ratio in all AMFJ-treated groups. AMFJ, administered during MS induction in rats, prevented the occurrence of inflammatory, steatotic, degenerative, and pro-apoptotic changes in the liver.

Aronia Melanocarpa Fruit Juice Ameliorates the Histopathological Changes in the Myocardium and Coronary Arteries in a Rat Metabolic Syndrome Model

AbstractAim:The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of Aronia melanocarpa fruit juice (AMFJ) on the histology of the myocardium and coronary arteries in metabolic syndrome (MS) rats.Materials and methods:The animals were divided into five groups: control, MS, MS+AMFJ2.5, MS+AMFJ5, and MS+AMFJ10. For 10 weeks, the control group received regular rat chaw and tap water, the other groups – high-fat, high-fructose diet and 10% fructose in their drinking water to induce MS. Throughout the experiment, rats received a daily oral treatment: the control and MS groups – 10 ml/kg distilled water, the other groups – AMFJ at doses of 2.5, 5.0, and 10.0 ml/kg, respectively. At the end of the experimental period, the animals were sacrificed and tissue samples from the myocardium and coronary arteries were evaluated histologically.Results:In the MS group, degeneration of the cardiomyocytes and endothelial cell necrosis were detected. In the MS+AMFJ2.5 group, cardiomyocyte damage was decreased, the endothelium was damaged and the preserved cells were activated. In MS+AMFJ5 and MS+AMFJ10 groups, the myocardium and the endothelial layer of the coronary arteries were preserved.Conclusion:These results indicate cardio- and vasoprotective effects of the juice.

Behavioral effects of Aronia melanocarpa fruit juice in a rat model of ovariectomy-induced estrogen deficit.

The ovariectomized rat is a model used to mimic the changes in female organism during menopause. Aroniamelanocarpa fruit juice (AMFJ) is extremely rich in phenolic substances (procyanidins, flavonoids and phenolic acids).

Effect of Aronia melanocarpa fruit juice on glucose tolerance, lipid metabolism, and obesity in a rat model of metabolic syndrome

Abstract Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a serious health condition. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of polyphenol-rich Aronia melanocarpa fruit juice (AMFJ) on glucose tolerance, triglyceride levels, and adipose tissue in rats with MS induced by high-fat high-fructose (HFHF) diet. Fifty rats were allocated in 5 groups: control, MS, MS+AMFJ2.5, MS+AMFJ5, and MS+AMFJ10. In the course of 10 weeks, the control group was on a regular rat diet while the other groups received HFHF diet. During the experiment, control and MS groups were treated daily orally with distilled water (10.0 mL kg−1) and the other three groups – with AMFJ at doses of 2.5, 5.0, and 10.0 mL kg−1, respectively. In MS rats, glucose intolerance, hypertriglyceridemia, visceral obesity, and increased adipocyte size were observed. In AMFJ-treated groups, the serum glucose and triglycerides, as well as visceral fat and adipocyte size decreased significantly and did not differ from those of the control group. AMFJ at doses 2.5 and 5.0 mL kg−1 showed an anti-apoptotic activity in adipocytes, while at the dose of 10 mL kg−1 a pro-apoptotic effect was detected. In conclusion, AMFJ could antagonise most of the negative consequences of HFHF diet on carbohydrate and lipid metabolism in a rat MS model.

Aronia melanocarpa Fruit Juice Modulates ACE2 Immunoexpression and Diminishes Age-Related Remodeling of Coronary Arteries in Rats.

The aim of the study is to evaluate the effect of Aronia melanocarpa fruit juice (AMJ) supplementation on age-related coronary arteries remodeled in aged rat hearts. Male Wistar rats (n = 24) were divided into three groups: (1) young controls (CY), aged 2 months, without AMJ supplementation; (2) old controls (CO), aged 27 months, without AMJ supplementation; and (3) the AMJ group (A), which used 27-month old animals, supplemented orally with AMJ for 105 days. AMJ supplementation did not influence the wall-to-diameter parameter (Kernohan index) of the coronary arteries of test animals. Aged rats supplemented with AMJ showed a significant decrease in the amount of collagen fibers in their coronary tunica media, as compared with the old controls. The intensity of the immunoreaction for alpha smooth muscle actin (αSMA) in the coronary tunica media was significantly lower in the supplemented group than in the old controls. The intensity of the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) immunoreaction in the coronary tunica media of the supplemented group was significantly higher than the one observed in the old controls. These results indicate the positive effects of AMJ supplementation on the age-dependent remodeling of coronary arteries and support for the preventive potential of antioxidant-rich functional food supplementation in age-related diseases.

Effects of Aronia melanocarpa fruit juice on lipid and bone metabolism in ovariectomized rats

Introduction: The ovariectomized (OVX) rat is a gold-standard model to mimic the changes in the female organism during menopause. Aronia melanocarpa fruits are very rich in polyphenols and exert many beneficial effects in animal models and clinical trials. Aim: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of Aronia melanocarpa fruit juice (AMFJ) on lipid metabolism and bone mineral density (BMD) in OVX rats. Materials and Methods: Four groups of female Wistar rats were formed, each consisting of 14 animals—sham operated (SO), OVX (treated with distilled water), as well as OVX+AMFJ 5 , and OVX+AMFJ 10 (OVX treated with 5 and 10 mL/kg AMFJ, respectively). The animal treatment began 2 weeks after the operation. After a three-month treatment period, body weight (BW), total fat (TF) and retroperitoneal fat (RPF), as well as serum total cholesterol were measured. The indices TF/BW and RPF/BW were calculated. Femur BMD was determined as well. The statistical analysis used was one-way ANOVA. Results: Compared to SO animals, OVX rats showed a statistically significant increase in TF (p < 0.05), RPF (p < 0.01), TF/BW (p < 0.05), and RPF/BW (p < 0.01). Plasma cholesterol levels of OVX animals were increased and their BMD was decreased if compared to SO rats, but these changes were not statistically significant. Compared to OVX rats, AMFJ did not affect lipid accumulation and cholesterol levels but at the dose of 10 mL/kg significantly increased BMD (p < 0.05 vs. OVX). Conclusion: Aronia melanocarpa fruit juice was not able to prevent the fat accumulation in OVX rats, but managed to restore their BMD.

Effect of Aronia melanocarpa fruit juice on the antioxidant defense system in rats with diet-induced metabolic syndrome

INTRODUCTION: The role of oxidative stress in the development of metabolic syndrome (MS) has been well established. Aronia melanocarpa fruits are very rich in polyphenols, which possess an antioxidant effect. AIM: The current study aimed to evaluate the effect of Aronia melanocarpa fruit juice (AMFJ) on the antioxidant defense system in rats with diet-induced MS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty male Wistar rats were allocated into 5 groups: control, MS, MS + AMFJ 2.5 , MS + AMFJ 5 and MS + AMFJ 10. For 10 weeks,the control group received regular diet and the other groups—high-fat high-fructose diet (HFHF). During this period, the control group and MS group were treated daily orally with 10 mL/kg distilled water and the other groups—with increasing volume (2.5 mL/kg, 5 mL/kg, and 10 mL/kg) of AMFJ. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities were measured in the serum using commercial colorimetric kits. RESULTS: A significantly higher SOD level was observed in MS group (0.0069 ± 0.0007 U/mL) compared to the control group (0.0051 ± 0.0003 U/mL) (p<0.01). AMFJ treatment returned the level of SOD to the control values, with the effect being significant in MS + AMFJ 2.5 (0.0053 ± 0.0003 U/mL)and MS + AMFJ 5 (0.0053±0.0003 U/mL) groups (p<0.05 vs. MS). No significant difference was detected in the activity of GPx in all groups. CONCLUSION: HFHF diet-induced MS might be associated with superoxide production and compensatory activation of SOD. Due to its antioxidant properties, AMFJ counteracted these processes in the treated groups. Neither the HFHF diet, nor the AMFJ treatment affected the activity of GPx.

Effects of Aronia melanocarpa fruit juice on oxidative stress, energy homeostasis, and liver function in overweight and healthy-weight individuals

Introduction: Overweight and obesity are disorders of energy metabolism, associated with oxidative stress and chronic low-grade inflammation. Aronia melanocarpa fruits are rich in polyphenolic compounds with antioxidant properties. The fruit juice exhibits lipid-lowering, antihyperglycemic, and hepatoprotective activities in experimental settings. Aim: The study aimed to examine the effects of Aronia melanocarpa fruit juice on oxidative stress, energy homeostasis, and liver function in overweight and healthy-weight volunteers. Materials and Methods: The study included 11 overweight and 11 healthy-weight individuals. The participants consumed 50 mL of 100% Aronia melanocarpa fruit juice 3 times daily for 3 months. Blood samples were obtained at the baseline and the end of the study. Oxidative stress was evaluated by the serum activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), and the concentration of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS). Energy metabolism and liver function were assessed by standard biochemical tests. C-reactive protein was measured as a non-specific inflammatory marker. Results: The fruit juice increased the activity of SOD and reduced the serum level of TBARS in the overweight group. The CAT activity was insignificantly increased in both groups. Aronia decreased the level of gamma-glutamyl transferase and reduced slightly the C-reactive protein, fasting blood glucose, and glycated hemoglobin levels in the overweight group. The liver function tests and the lipid profile were not affected. Conclusion: Aronia melanocarpa fruit juice improved the parameters of oxidative status. The present pilot study confirmed the beneficial effects of Aronia fruits on human metabolic health.

Effect of Aronia melanocarpa fruit juice on carrageenan-induced paw edema in metabolic syndrome rats

INTRODUCTION: Chronic, low-grade inflammation plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of the metabolic syndrome (MS). Aronia melanocarpa fruits are rich in biologically active compounds—polyphenols, which possess a variety of health benefits including an anti-inflammatory effect. AIM: The aim of this article is to evaluate the effect of polyphenol-rich Aronia melanocarpa fruit juice (AMFJ) on carrageenan-induced acute inflammation in rats with diet-induced MS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty male Wistar rats were included in the experiment. They were allocated into 4 groups: MS, MS+AMFJ 2.5 , MS+AMFJ 5 , and MS+AMFJ 10, all receiving high-fat high-fructose diet and 10% fructose in the drinking water for 10 weeks. The MS group served as a control and was treated daily with distilled water orally, while the other groups received AMFJ at doses of 2.5 mL/kg, 5 mL/kg, and 10 mL/kg, respectively. At the end of the experiment, carrageenan was injected in the left hind paw in order to induce acute inflammation. Paw edema was evaluated with plethysmometer on the 30 th min and 1 st , 2 nd , 3 rd , 4 th , and 5 th hour after the injection. RESULTS: In the MS group, the carrageenan-induced paw edema increased gradually with time reaching the highest value on the 5 th hour. A decrease throughout the whole 5-hour period was observed in groups treated with AMFJ, the effect being most pronounced and statistically significant in MS+AMFJ 5 group on the 2 nd and 3 rd hour. CONCLUSION: Aronia melanocarpa fruit juice treatment in rats with MS resulted in a decrease in the carrageenan-induced paw inflammation. The anti-inflammatory effect might be attributed to the polyphenols in AMFJ.

P.707 Behavioural effects of the polyphenol-rich Aronia melanocarpa fruit juice in rats with diet-induced metabolic syndrome

Studies have highlighted the association between the cellular damage caused by reactive oxygen species and aging. The reducing sugar d-galactose causes aging-related changes and oxidative stress. Lipids are the first target of free radicals, and lipid peroxidation is related to aging. Walnut (Juglans regia Chandler) kernel contains antioxidant phenolic compounds, and chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) is one of the richest sources of polyphenols, including anthocyanins, among other fruits. Polyphenols from chokeberry exhibit antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. In this study, the additive antioxidative effect of walnut and chokeberry mixture was evaluated by oxidative stress index in d-galactose-induced aging model. Thirty-five Balb/c mice (8 weeks old) were divided into following five groups (n = 7 in each group): normal control (C), d-galactose control (D), d-galactose with chokeberry diet (CH), d-galactose with walnut diet (W), and d-galactose with walnut and chokeberry mixture diet (WCH). In all treatment diets groups, the levels of serum, hepatic, and kidney malonaldehyde were significantly lower than D group and the levels were approaching to control level. Moreover, the kidney malondialdehyde levels were significantly lower in WCH group compared with the control group. This study also confirmed the activities of antioxidant enzymes in liver, as the levels of superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase were significantly increased in CH group compared to in W or CH groups. The results of this study supported the additive effect of walnut and chokeberry on increment of antioxidant enzyme gene expression in liver and consequently the attenuation of lipid peroxidation in serum, liver, and kidney in d-galactose-induced aging-mouse model. Further studies are needed to investigate the detailed mechanism underlying the additive antioxidative effects in various tissues.

Polyphenol-rich aronia melanocarpa fruit juice antagonises behavioural changes and oxidative stress in rats exposed to disruption of circadian rhythms

Fibrinogen (Fg) also known as coagulation factor I represents about 4% of the total human plasma proteins. The main function of Fg is its involvement in last phase of blood coagulation cascade, when thrombin-induced conversion of dissolved plasma fibrinogen into an insoluble fibrin clot occurs. The reaction of fibrinogen with peroxynitrite causes both structural modifications and changes of the biological properties of this plasma glycoprotein. Recently, there is an increased interest in the screening of natural products present in fruits, vegetables and herbs for their possible antioxidative activities.Therefore, the aim of our study was to estimate the effect of extract from berries of Aronia melanocarpa against nitrative and oxidative damage induced by peroxynitrite.The extract from A. melanocarpa (0.5–50 μg/ml) added to Fg 10 min before peroxynitrite (100 μM) significantly inhibited both the formation of the high molecular weight protein aggregates and nitration of Fg molecule. The extract also abolished peroxynitrite-induced inhibition of fibrinogen polymerization (by 95% at 50 μg/ml).The obtained results indicate that natural extract from berries of A. melanocarpa has protective effects against peroxynitrite-induced nitrative damage of plasma fibrinogen, and therefore may contribute in the prevention of peroxynitrite-related cardiovascular or inflammatory diseases.

Aronia melanocarpa fruit juice ameliorates the symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease in TNBS-induced colitis in rats

Trinitrobenzensulfonic acid (TNBS) is commonly used to induce an experimental inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) model. Oxidative stress and inflammation have been proposed as mechanisms underlying the pathophysiology of IBD. Aronia melanocarpa fruit juice (AMFJ) is extremely rich in polyphenolic substances, mainly proanthocyanidins, flavonoids and phenolic acids.The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of AMFJ in a rat TNBSinduced colitis model and to compare the effect of the juice with that of sulfasalazine.Colitis was induced by TNBS in male Wistar rats. After the induction of colitis, AMFJ at three doses (2.5, 5 and 10 mL/kg) and sulfasalazine (400 mg/kg) were administered orally till the 14th experimental day. Severity of colitis was assessed by macroscopic and histopathological criteria. Oxidative stress was evaluated by the concentration of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS).TNBS caused severe colonic damage. AMFJ dose-dependently ameliorated TNBS-induced colitis. It improved the macroscopic and microscopic signs of colitis, and prevented the increase of colonic TBARS concentrations. Regarding different indices, the effect of AMFJ was comparable or even higher than that of sulfasalazine. In conclusion, the ameliorative effects of AMFJ in the experimental TNBSinduced colitis might be the result of its potent antioxidant and antiinflammatory properties.

Effect of aronia melanocarpa fruit juice on reserpine-induced hypokinesia and oxydative stress in rats

INTRODUCTION: Reserpine can cause hypokinesia due to depletion of monoamine stores in the central nervous system. PURPOSE: The aim of the present study was to investigate in the effects of Aronia melanocarpa fruit juice (AMFJ) on reserpine-induced hypokinesia and oxidative stress in male Wistar rats. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Reserpine was applied as a single intraperitoneal dose of 6 mg/kg (as a 0.3% solution in 5% DMSO, 2 ml/kg) and comparisons were made with the control group injected intraper- itoneally with 5% DMSO (2 ml/kg). AMFJ was applied orally at doses of 2.5 ml/kg, 5 ml/kg and 10 ml/kg three times (on the 0 th , 19 th and 23 rd hour) after reserpine administration while the control group received distilled water (10 ml/kg) at the same time points. The open field test (OFT) was used for investigation of lo- comotor activity. Oxidative stress was evaluated by the concentration of thiobarbituric acid reacting sub- stances (TBARS) in rat brain. RESULTS: Reserpine induced a significant reduction (p<0.001) in both horizontal and vertical locomotor activity of rats. Brain TBARS in reserpine-treated animals were significantly higher (p<0.05) in compari- son with those of the control rats which indicated that reserpine induced oxidative stress. AMFJ caused a non-significant increase in locomotor activity of reserpine-treated rats. The concentration of TBARS in the brains of rats treated with AMFJ after reserpine did not differ significantly from the control level.

Effects of Aronia melanocarpa Fruit Juice on Isolated Rat Hepatocytes.

Background:Aronia melanocarpa (Michx.) Elliot fruits are very rich in polyphenols – procyanidins, flavonoids, and phenolic acids.Objective:On rat hepatocytes, isolated by two-stepped collagenase perfusion, we investigated the effect of A. melanocarpa fruit juice (AMFJ) in two models of liver toxicity caused by (i) metabolic bioactivation of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), and (ii) tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BuOOH)-induced oxidative stress.Materials and Methods:Isolated rat hepatocytes are a suitable model for hepatotoxicity studies. We determined the main parameters of the functional and metabolic status of rat hepatocytes: Cell viability (measured by trypan blue exclusion) and the levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), reduced glutathione (GSH), and malondialdehyde (MDA). These parameters were used to investigate the protective effects of AMFJ in the two toxicity models. The effects of AMFJ were compared with those of silymarin. The cells were treated either with AMFJ or silymarin at increasing concentrations of 5 μg/ml, 10 μg/ml, 30 μg/ml, 50 μg/ml, and 100 μg/ml which were used for measuring of IC50.Results:In both toxicity models – CCl4 and t-BuOOH, AMFJ showed statistically significant cytoprotective and antioxidant activities. AMFJ prevented the loss of cell viability and GSH depletion, decreased LDH leakage and MDA production. The effects of AMFJ at the concentrations of 5, 10, 30, and 50 μg/ml were similar to those of the same concentrations of silymarin, while the effect of the highest AMFJ concentration of 100 μg/ml was higher than that of the same silymarin concentration. The effects were concentration-dependent and more prominent in the t-BuOOH model, compared to those in the CCl4 model.Conclusion:The cytoprotective and antioxidant effects of AMFJ established in this study might be due to its polyphenolic ingredients, which could influence the cytochrome P450-mediated metabolism of the experimental hepatotoxic substances (CCl4 and t-BuOOH) and could act as free radical scavengers. The stronger effects of the highest AMFJ concentration in comparison with that of silymarin were possibly due to the combined presence of different polyphenols in the juice.SUMMARY On rat hepatocytes, isolated by two-stepped collagenase perfusion, we investigated the effect of Aronia melanocarpa fruit juice (AMFJ) in two models of liver toxicity caused by i) metabolic bioactivation of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), and ii) tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BuOOH)-induced oxidative stress. In both toxicity models – CCl4 and t-BuOOH, AMFJ showed statistically significant cytoprotective and antioxidant activities. AMFJ prevented the loss of cell viability and GSH depletion, decreased LDH leakage and MDA production. The effects of AMFJ at the concentrations of 5, 10, 30, and 50 μg/ml were similar to those of the same concentrations of silymarin, while the effect of the highest AMFJ concentration of 100 μg/ml was higher than that of the same silymarin concentration. The effects were concentration-dependent and were more prominent in the t-BuOOH model, compared to those in the CCl4 model.

Effects ofAronia melanocarpafruit juice on exploratory behaviour and locomotor activity in rats

The main bioactive substances in Aronia melanocarpa fruit juice (AMFJ) are polyphenols (flavonoids, procyanidins, and phenolic acids). A great number of polyphenols are able to traverse the blood-brain barrier. In recent years more attention is drawn to the ability of these substances to influence central nervous system functions. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of AMFJ on exploratory behaviour and locomotor activity in male Wistar rats. AMFJ was administered orally for 7, 14, 21, and 30 days at three increasing doses (2.5, 5, and 10 ml kg−1). The changes in exploratory behaviour and locomotor activity were recorded in an Opto Varimex apparatus. It was found that the low doses of AMFJ (2.5 and 5 ml kg−1) for all treatment periods did not significantly affect exploratory behaviour and locomotor activity of rats compared to the saline-treated controls. AMFJ at the highest dose of 10 ml kg−1 had no significant effect on exploration and locomotion for the treatment periods of 7 and 14 days, while for the periods of 21 and 30 days it significantly decreased the number of horizontal and vertical movements, which might be the result of a sedative effect. At all the doses and testing periods, AMFJ did not disturb the progressive decrease in motor behaviour, suggesting habituation.

Composition and Antioxidant Activity of Aronia Melanocarpa Fruit Juice

Aronia melanocarpa is a woody shrub of the Rosaceae family. Its fruits are used for consumption either fresh, or as juice, jam and wine. The aim of the present study was to measure the concentration of some biologically active substances and the antioxidant activity of two samples of Aronia melanocarpa fruit juice (AMFJ). The juice was prepared from fresh fruits. One of the samples was produced using a juice centrifuge and was preserved with potassium sorbate (1.0 g/l). The other sample was produced by crushing and squeezing of fruits after which the juice was filtered and sterilized at 100 °C for 10 min. The contents of biologically active substances in the juice samples were measured by spectrophotometric and high-performance liquid chromatography methods. The antioxidant activity of the two juice samples was measured by the ORAC (oxygen radical absorbance capacity) and HORAC (hydroxyl radical аverting capacity) methods. The results showed that both samples were extremely rich in polyphenolic substances, amongst which the highest was the concentration of procyanidins followed by phenolic acids (chlorogenic and neochlorogenic) and anthocyanins. Sample 1 had higher concentration of total phenolics and contained higher quantities of most polyphenolic substances with the exception of anthocyanins. It also contained micro-quantities of cyanogens. The variations in the composition of the two samples could be attributed to the different methods of juice production and conservation. Both juice samples showed very high ORAC and HORAC values which were higher for sample 1 (the sample with the higher concentration of polyphenolic substances). The high antioxidant activity of the two AMFJ samples could be attributed to their polyphenolic ingredients.

Protective effect of aronia melanocarpa fruit juice in a model of cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity in vitro

The aim of the present study was to investigate the protective potential of Aronia melanocarpa fruit juice in a model of cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity in the human embryonal kidney cell line HEK293T. The cellular viability was assessed using the MTT-dye reduction assay based on the reduction of the yellow tetrazolium dye MTT to a violet formazan product via the mitochondrial succinate dehydrogenase in viable cells. Cisplatin was applied in various concentrations either alone or after a 24-hour pretreatment of the cells with Aronia melanocarpa fruit juice at 0.1 and 0.05 mg/ml. The half maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC50 values) were derived from the concentration-response curves to cisplatin. Applied alone, the anticancer drug caused a prominent decrease of cellular viability with IC50 8.3 +/- 1.1 microM. The juice proved to significantly ameliorate the in vitro cytotoxicity of the platinum drug, in a concentration-dependent manner. The pretreatment of the cells with Aronia melanocarpa fruit juice resulted in a significant increase (p < 0.001) of IC50 for cisplatin to 25.1 +/- 2.7 microM (at 0.05 mg/ml) and 34.4 +/- 3.4 microM (at 0.1 mg/ml), respectively. The protective effect of Aronia melanocarpa fruit juice observed in this study is most probably due to its well appreciated antioxidant activity as oxidative stress plays a central role in the toxic effects of cisplatin.

Effect of aronia melanocarpa fruit juice on indices of inflammation and fibrosis in a rat model of amiodarone-induced pneumotoxicity

The effect of Aronia melanocarpa fruit juice (AMFJ) on indices of inflammation and fibrosis was studied in a model of amiodarone (AD)-induced pneumotoxicity in rats. AD was instilled intratracheally on days 0 and 2 (6,25 mg/kg as a 3,125 mg/mL water solution). AMFJ (10 mL/kg) was given orally to rats either from day 1 to day 10, or from day 11 to day 27. Thus, the animal groups were: control, AD, AD+AMFJ (day 1-10), and AD+AMFJ (day 11-27). The rats were sacrificed on day 28. The levels of IL-6 and IL-10 were measured in rat serum as markers of inflammation, and hydroxyproline (HP) level was determined in lung tissue as a marker of fibrosis. AD caused a tendency to elevate IL-6 and decrease IL-10. AMFJ counteracted these effects of AD. In rats from group AD+AMFJ (day 1-10), IL-6 level was significantly lower (p<0,05) than that of AD group, lower (p<0,05) even than the control value. AD significantly increased (p<0,05) HP content in lung homogenate. AMFJ antagonized that effect, and in AMFJ-treated rats HP levels did not differ significantly from the control value. Any AMFJ effects were more prominent in rats that were treated with the juice during the first 10 days after AD instillation. In conclusion, AMFJ reduced the signs of inflammation and could have a protective effect against AD-induced pulmonary fibrosis, especially if administered in the early phase after AD instillation. Scripta Scientifica Medica 2012; 44(2): 37-40.

Inhibitory effect ofAronia melanocarpafruit juice on intestinal transit rate in rats

Aronia melanocarpa fruit juice (AMFJ) is rich in phenolic substances, mainly flavonoids and tannins. The influence of AMFJ (5 and 10 ml kg−1) on the gastrointestinal propulsion of charcoal meal in rats was investigated. AMFJ dose-dependently reduced the rate of intestinal transit and the effect was statistically significant at the dose of 10 ml kg−1. This reduction of the intestinal transit rate might be due to the the presence of flavonoids and tannins in the juice.

Anxiolytic-like effect of Aronia melanocarpa fruit juice in rats

The main biologically active constituents of Aronia melanocarpa fruit juice (AMFJ) are polyphenolics, amongst them flavonoids, mainly anthocyanins. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of AMFJ (5 and 10 mL/kg) on anxiety using the social interaction test, on locomotor activity in the open field test and on working memory in the object recognition test in rats. AMFJ showed an anxiolytic-like effect which was demonstrated by a dose-dependent increase in the time of active social contacts between the test partners. The effects of both AMFJ doses were comparable to the effect of diazepam (1 mg/kg). AMFJ neither changed significantly horizontal and vertical locomotor activity, nor did it adversely affect working memory.