Cranberry Anthocyanins Research Articles

Formulation and Biopharmaceutical Evaluation of Capsules Containing Freeze-Dried Cranberry Fruit Powder.

Cranberry fruits are an important source of anthocyanins and anthocyanidins. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of excipients on the solubility of cranberry anthocyanins and their dissolution kinetics as well as on the disintegration time of the capsules. Selected excipients (sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, beta-cyclodextrin and chitosan) were found to affect the solubility and release kinetics of anthocyanins in freeze-dried cranberry powder. Capsule formulations N1-N9 had a disintegration time of less than 10 min, and capsule formulation N10 containing 0.200 g of freeze-dried cranberry powder, 0.100 g of Prosolv (combination of microcrystalline cellulose and colloidal silicon dioxide), and 0.100 g of chitosan had a capsule disintegration time of over 30 min. The total amount of anthocyanins released into the acceptor medium ranged from 1.26 ± 0.06 mg to 1.56 ± 0.03 mg. Capsule dissolution test data showed that the time to release into the acceptor medium was statistically significantly longer for the chitosan-containing capsule formulations compared to the control capsules (p < 0.05). Freeze-dried cranberry fruit powder is a potential source of anthocyanin-rich dietary supplements, and the choice of excipient chitosan could be a suitable solution in capsule formulations providing greater anthocyanin stability and modified release in the gastrointestinal tract.

Development, validation, and application of UPLC-PDA method for anthocyanins profiling in Vaccinium L. berries

BACKGROUND: Anthocyanins are one of the key factors contributing to the quality and biological activities in various berries. Particular attention was devoted to Vaccinium L. berries, because of being commonly consumed in daily life and providing a large potential for the development of new pharmaceutical applications. OBJECTIVE: The present work aimed at establishing a novel UPLC-PDA method for profiling anthocyanins in berries and evaluating their distribution in cultivated lingonberries. METHODS: The method was developed and validated using bilberries (Vaccinium myrtillus L.), cranberries (Vaccinium macrocarpon Ait.), and lingonberries (Vaccinium vitis-idaea L.) matrices. Anthocyanins content variation was analyzed among 7 different cultivars and 1 infraspecific taxon of lingonberries. RESULTS: The proposed method ensured the separation of 20 compounds, including major and minor anthocyanins and their aglycones, in bilberries, 15 in cranberries, and 9 in lingonberries, during 12 min analysis. Bilberry matrix was distinguished by the most complex profile and the presence of delphinidin and petunidin, which were not identified either in cranberries or lingonberries. Cranberry anthocyanins consisted mainly of the 3-galactosides of cyanidin and peonidin, whereas lingonberry anthocyanins included cyanidin and its glycosides with just traces of other anthocyanins. Obtained anthocyanins fingerprinting results have guidance function in practice and demonstrate valuable chemophenetic information for studied Vaccinium berries. All determined method validation values were considered to be acceptable. Variation analysis of anthocyanins levels among cultivated lingonberries suggested genetic diversity and because of the highest anthocyanins content—the superiority of Russian cultivars (‘Kostromička’ and ‘Rubin’). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive report on the anthocyanins of certain lingonberry cultivars. CONCLUSIONS: This study resulted in the rapid, simple, and validated method, which was shown to be applicable and convenient for routine analysis and authentication of Vaccinium berry samples.

Systematic analysis of research on D-mannose and the prospects for its use in recurrent infections of the urinary tract in women of reproductive age

Cystitis and other urinary tract infections (UTIs) in women of reproductive age can lead to infertility, significantly complicate the course of pregnancy, and cause numerous fetal abnormalities. Antibiotic therapy during pregnancy is an extreme measure since it is associated with a high risk of fetal malformations. The use of D-mannose is an effective and safe treatment for cystitis and other UTIs, especially during pregnancy. The present systematic analysis of 32111 studies indicates a significance of D-mannose for glycosylation of human proteins and for functioning of the immune, cardiovascular, urinary and other systems. By blocking the interaction between bacterial fimbriae and the endothelium, D-mannose prevents the adsorption of bacteria (uropathogenic strains of Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Shigella, leishmania, mycobacteria, etc.) to the tissue surface, thus helping prevent recurrent UTIs. Clinical studies have confirmed both high efficacy and safety of using D-mannose and the synergistic substances (such as cranberry anthocyanins) for the treatment of cystitis and other UTIs.

Cranberry anthocyanin as an herbal medicine lowers plasma cholesterol by increasing excretion of fecal sterols

BackgroundInterest in using herbal medicines to treat the hypercholesterolemia is increasing. Cranberry extract could decrease plasma cholesterol, however, the active ingredients and the underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown. HypothesisThe present study was to test the hypothesis that cranberry anthocyanins (CrA) were at least one of the active ingredients responsible for the cholesterol-lowering activity of cranberry fruits via a mechanism of increasing fecal sterol excretion. MethodsForty-four hamsters were randomly divided into five groups and fed one of the five diets, namely a non-cholesterol control diet (NCD), a high-cholesterol control diet (HCD), a HCD diet supplemented with a low dose of 1% CrA (CL), a HCD diet supplemented with a high dose of 2% CrA (CH), and a HCD diet supplemented with 0.5% cholestyramine as a positive control drug (P-CTL), respectively, for six weeks. Plasma lipoprotein cholesterol was quantified using the enzymatic kits, while the gene expressions of transporters, enzymes and receptors involved in cholesterol absorption and metabolism were quantified using the quantitative RT-PCR. Fecal sterols were quantified using gas chromatography (GC). ResultsPlasma total cholesterol and aorta atherosclerotic plaque decreased dose-dependently with the increasing amounts of CrA added into diets. This was accompanied by a dose-dependent increase in excretion of both neutral and acidic sterols. CrA had no effect on the mRNA levels of intestinal Niemann-Pick C1 like 1 protein (NPC1L1), acyl CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase2 (ACAT2), microsomal triacylglycerol transport protein (MTP), and ATP binding cassette transporter 5 (ABCG5) as well as hepatic cholesterol-7α-hydroxylase (CYP7A1), 3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl reductase (HMG-CoA-R), sterol regulatory element binding protein 2 (SREBP2), LDL receptor (LDL-R), and Liver X receptor alpha (LXRα). ConclusionCrA as an herbal medicine could favorably modify the lipoprotein profile in hamsters fed a high cholesterol diet by enhancing excretion of fecal neutral and acidic sterols, most likely not mediated by interaction with genes of transporters, enzymes and proteins involved in cholesterol absorption and metabolism.

Anthocyanins are Bioavailable in Humans following an Acute Dose of Cranberry Juice1–3

Research suggests that anthocyanins from berry fruit may affect a variety of physiological responses, including endothelial function, but little information is available regarding the pharmacokinetics of these flavonoids in humans. To determine the pharmacokinetics of cranberry anthocyanins, a study was undertaken in 15 participants (age: 62 ± 8 y) with coronary artery disease. Blood and urine samples were collected between baseline (0 h) and 4 h after consumption of 480 mL cranberry juice (54% juice; 835 mg total polyphenols; 94.47mg anthocyanins). Marked inter-individual differences in plasma anthocyanin pharmacokinetics were observed with maximum anthocyanin concentrations detected between 1 and 3 h. Cranberry anthocyanins were bioavailable but with notable differences in the maximum concentration and area under the curve0–4h between individual participants. The pattern of anthocyanin glucosides observed in plasma and urine generally reflected the relative concentration determined in the juice. Plasma concentrations of the individual anthocyanins ranged between 0.56 and 4.64 nmol/L. Total recovery of urinary anthocyanin was 0.79 ± 0.90% of the dose delivered. These data are in agreement with the pharmacokinetics of anthocyanins from other foods suggesting that cranberry anthocyanins are poorly absorbed and rapidly removed from plasma. Observed concentrations of plasma anthocyanins appear insufficient to alter radical load or redox potential but may be adequate to affect signal transduction and/or gene expression.

Cranberry cocktail juice, cranberry concentrates, and proanthocyanidins reduce reovirus infectivity titers in African green monkey kidney epithelial cell cultures

Studies were performed to investigate the effect of several cranberry and grape juice extracts on the inhibition of reovirus infectivity following cell culture inoculation. Infectivity testing was performed utilizing cranberry juice extracts NutriCran-100 and NutriCran-90. At 5% extract concentrations, titers were reduced by ca. 50%. Cranberry cocktail juice caused an infectivity loss of ca. 10%. We ascribe these data to higher concentrations of proanthocyanidins (PACs) in the cranberry extracts. Further testing was performed utilizing purified high and low molecular weight cranberry PAC fractions (CB HMW and CB LMW, respectively), a cranberry flavonol glycoside (CB EToAc), cranberry anthocyanins (CB CA), and a grape PAC extract. Reovirus titers were reduced to undetectable levels at PAC concentrations < or =0.2%. CB CA had no effect on the inhibition of infectivity titers. Loss of infectivity titers was in the order: GP PAC>CB HMW>CB LMW>CB EToAc. Probe homogenization of CB HMW enhanced the extract to efficacy levels equal to that of grape PAC. Reovirus dsRNA segments were undetectable 96-h postcranberry cocktail juice pretreatment of MA-104 cell cultures. This study indicates an inhibition of reovirus infectivity titers by cranberry or grape juices or their purified PAC extracts. Viral inhibition probably occurs at the host cell surface.

82: Consumer cost Analysis of Cranberry Anthocyanins for the Prevention of urinary Tract Infection

82: Consumer cost Analysis of Cranberry Anthocyanins for the Prevention of urinary Tract Infection

Stabilization of cranberry anthocyanins in nutraceutical capsules

Anthocyanins can be considered spy-substances, useful in obtaining information regarding the shelf-life of food supplements containing cranberry juice or cranberry-derived extracts. The level of total anthocyanins, as evaluated by high-performance liquid chromatography-diode-array detector and analytically expressed as cyanidin aglycone, represents a ‘quality index’ useful for routine estimation of shelf-life. The objective of this work was to study the stability of anthocyanins in a commercial cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) dried extract compared with the stability of the same extract contained in a food supplement enriched with α-tocopheryl succinate and ascorbic acid. The values obtained after exposure of the samples to natural light and to alternating hot and cold temperatures show considerable sensitivity of the commercial cranberry dried extract to the agents used for the same evaluation (time, temperature and light) and emphasize a positive effect of the enrichment of the derived preparation with α-tocopheryl succinate and ascorbic acid.

Urinary Excretion of Anthocyanins in Humans after Cranberry Juice Ingestion

Cranberry, which is rich in polyphenols, including anthocyanins and proanthocyanidins, has been found to have various effects beneficial to human health, including prevention of urinary tract infections. These effects have been associated with polyphenols in the fruit. We investigated the excretion of anthocyanins in human urine after ingestion of cranberry juice. Eleven healthy volunteers consumed 200 ml of cranberry juice containing 650.8 microg total anthocyanins. Urine samples were collected within 24 h before and after consumption. Six of 12 anthocyanins identified in cranberry were quantified in human urine by HPLC coupled with electrospray ionization and tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS-MS). Among these, peonidin 3-O-galactoside, the second most plentiful anthocyanin in the juice, was found most abundantly in urine within 24 h, corresponding to 41.5 nmol (56.1% of total anthocyanins). The urinary levels of anthocyanins reached a maximum between 3 and 6 h after ingestion, and the recovery of total anthocyanins in the urine over 24 h was estimated to be 5.0% of the amount consumed. This study found high absorption and excretion of cranberry anthocyanins in human urine.

Potential role of dietary flavonoids in reducing microvascular endothelium vulnerability to oxidative and inflammatory insults

Although antioxidant systems help control the level of reactive oxygen species they may be overwhelmed during periods of oxidative stress. Evidence suggests that oxidative stress components as well as inflammatory mediators may be involved in the pathogenesis of vascular disorders, where localized markers of oxidative damage have been found. In this regard we investigated the putative antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of blueberry and cranberry anthocyanins and hydroxycinnamic acids against H 2O 2 and TNFα induced damage to human microvascular endothelial cells. Polyphenols from both berries were able to localize into endothelial cells subsequently reducing endothelial cells vulnerability to increased oxidative stress at both the membrane and cytosol level. Furthermore, berry polyphenols also reduced TNFα induced up-regulation of various inflammatory mediators (IL-8, MCP-1 and ICAM-1) involved in the recruitment of leukocytes to sites of damage or inflammation along the endothelium. In conclusion, polyphenols isolated from both blueberry and cranberry were able to afford protection to endothelial cells against stressor induced up-regulation of oxidative and inflammatory insults. This may have beneficial actions against the initiation and development of vascular diseases and be a contributing factor in the reduction of age-related deficits in neurological impairments previously reported by us.

Detection of Enocyanin in Cranberry Juice Cocktail by HPLC Anthocyanin Profile

ABSTRACTAdulteration of cranberry juice products by enocyanin, a colorant from grapes, was detected by comparing HPLC chromatographic profiles of cranberry anthocyanins with those from enocyanin. Two peaks present in all enocyanin samples but not in cranberries were identified as delphinidin‐3‐glucoside and petunidin‐3‐glucoside. A group of unidentified pigments which eluted after the cranberry pigments was also present in enocyanin. It was possible by considering differences in the chromatograms to detect replacement of 5% or more of the expected amount of cranberry juice in cranberry juice cocktail by a solution of enocyanin. A CG‐50 column was used to concentrate the pigments followed by chromatography on a polymer styrene column at pH 1.6. The method gives reliable results even on samples 18 months of age.

Photochemial Degradation of Betanine and Selected Anthocyanins

ABSTRACTThe effect of fluorescent light on the degradation rates of betanine and the major cranberry anthocyanins was determined in model systems. Degradation rates were measured in the presence of oxygen in a temperature range 25–55°C. Retained pigment was separated and quantified by high performance liquid chromatography. Light had a minimal effect at 55°C because of considerable thermal destruction. However, at 40°C for anthocyanins and 25°C for betanine, light was responsible for most of the degradation occurring. Light increased rates of anthocyanin degradation more than those of betanine. Molecular oxygen was necessary for light to have a significant effect.

Quantitative Methods for Anthocyanins.

SUMMARY— The method developed consists of extracting the anthocyanins with ethanol‐1.5N hydrochloric acid (85:15) and measuring the O.D. of the extract, diluted with the extracting solvent, at 535 nm. The total anthocyanin content was calculated in absolute quantities with the aid of the extinction coefficients established for the four major cranberry anthocyanins dissolved in the alcoholic solvent system.

Quantitative Methods for Anthocyanins.

SUMMARY— The method developed for total anthocyanin determination involves the measurement of the absorbance at 510 nm on samples diluted with pH 1.0 and 4.5 buffers. The pigment content is calculated in absolute quantities with the aid of extinction coefficients established for the cranberry anthocyanins dissolved in the buffers. An index of anthocyanin degradation, based on a new concept, could be calculated from the measurements obtained for the total anthocyanin determinations.

Cranberry Anthocyanins

SUMMARYThe red pigments from Early Black cranberries were extracted with methanol, purified by lead acetate precipitation and polyamide columns, separated on silicic acid columns, and crystallized. The four pigments were identified as cyanidin‐3‐monogalactoside, peonidin‐3‐monogalactoside, cyanidin‐3‐monoar‐abinoside, and peonidin‐3‐monoarabinoside based on the following evidence: Rt data in three solvents, fluorescence, sugar‐aglycone ratios, formic acid and hydrogen peroxide hydrolysis, and spectral data. The absorption coefficients in ethanol‐0.1/N hydrochloric acid (85:15) were also determined.