Anthocyanins and their role in preventing neurodegenerative diseases

Anthocyanins are a large subclass of flavonoids, widely distributed in fruits and vegetables within the human diet. Among flavonoids, anthocyanins have gained prominence, primarily due to their high human intake and their recognized antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, among others, making them promising agents for the prevention and treatment of distinct pathological conditions such as cardiometabolic diseases, cancer, visual impairment, and neurological diseases.

Neuroinflammation plays a crucial role in the development of many brain disorders, and data collected from in vitro and in vivo studies have shown that anthocyanins can significantly reduce the chronic inflammatory state in such pathological conditions. For this reason, anthocyanins have emerged as potential dietary neuroprotective agents for brain diseases.

The potential therapeutic value of anthocyanins in slowing the progression of Alzheimer's Disease has been explored. In fact, prospective studies have analyzed the impact of flavonoid intake on cognitive dysfunction in older adults, showing that cognitive decline decreases with increased berry intake in older women. Furthermore, the consumption of strawberries and other flavonoid-rich foods can decrease the risk of Alzheimer's dementia.

A substantial number of studies have explored the potential neuroprotective activity of naturally occurring flavonoids, including anthocyanins, in the onset of Parkinson's Disease (PD). Consequently, a prospective study revealed that a lower risk of developing PD in humans was associated with a higher intake of anthocyanins, particularly in men.

Some studies have demonstrated the potential role of anthocyanins in reducing susceptibility to ischemic stroke due to their neuroprotective role. A prospective study in adult humans revealed that a higher intake of anthocyanins contributed to a decrease in blood pressure, resulting in an approximately 12% reduction in the propensity for hypertension, a well-known risk factor for stroke.

To date, most work aiming to study the potential of anthocyanins in the prevention and treatment of brain disorders has utilized anthocyanin-rich extracts, generally obtained from anthocyanin-rich fruits, vegetables, or beverages. However, polyphenolic extracts contain a multitude of bioactive micronutrients, including other phenolic compounds beyond anthocyanins, which may also contribute to disease prevention or improvement.

Further additional research into the formulation of anthocyanins may be useful to achieve controlled and targeted release of these compounds, substantially increasing their bioavailability and their potential therapeutic role.

Henriques JF, Serra D, Dinis TCP, Almeida LM. The Anti-Neuroinflammatory Role of Anthocyanins and Their Metabolites for the Prevention and Treatment of Brain Disorders. Int J Mol Sci. 2020 Nov 17;21(22):8653. doi: 10.3390/ijms21228653. PMID: 33212797; PMCID: PMC7696928.

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