Recent research on Anthocyanins
Richly concentrated as pigments in berries, anthocyanins were the
topics of research presented at a 2007 symposium on health
benefits that may result from berry consumption[2]. Scientists
provided laboratory evidence for potential health effects against
Cancer research on anthocyanins is the most advanced, where
black raspberry (Rubus occidentalis L.) preparations were first
used to inhibit chemically induced cancer of the rat esophagus by
30-60% and of the colon by up to 80%. Effective at both the
initiation and promotion/progression stages of tumor development,
black raspberries are a practical research tool and a promising
therapeutic source, as they contain the richest contents of
anthocyanins among native North American berries[3].
Work on laboratory cancer models has shown that black raspberry
anthocyanins inhibit promotion and progression of tumor cells by
On a molecular level, berry anthocyanins were shown to turn off
genes involved with proliferation, apoptosis, inflammation and
angiogenesis. In 2007, black raspberry studies entered the next
pivotal level of research – the human clinical trial – for which
several approved studies are underway to examine anti-cancer
effects of black raspberries and cranberries on tumors in the
esophagus, prostate and colon[4].
In December 2004 a peer-reviewed study at Michigan State
University published by the American Chemical Society noted that
anthocyanins could boost insulin production by up to 50%.
However the study leader noted that despite the initial excitement,
more study would be needed. Also in 2005, an article published in
Applied and Environmental Microbiology demonstrated for the first
time the biosynthesis of anthocyanins in bacteria [5].
In 2007 a study at the University of Pittsburgh discovered that
anthocyanins kills human cancer cells while not affecting healthy
cells. At low doses of cyanidin-3-rutinoside (C-3-R), half of the
cancer cells in all lines of the test human leukemia and lymphoma
cells died within 18 hours. When the amount of C-3-R was more
than doubled, all of the cancer cells died within 18 hours. The
mechanism seems to be that cancereous cells respond to C-3-R
by releasing peroxides which kill the cancer cells. Normal cells do
not release peroxides when C-3-R is administered. [6]
References
2. ^ Gross PM (2007). Scientists zero in on health benefits of
berry pigments. Natural Products Information Center. Retrieved on
2007-07-27.
3. ^ Wada L, Ou B (2002). Antioxidant activity and phenolic
content of Oregon caneberries.. J Agric Food Chem. Jun 5;50(12):
3495-500.. Retrieved on 2007-07-27.
4. ^ Stoner GD, Wang LS, Zikri N, Chen T, Hecht SS, Huang C,
Sardo C, Lechner JF (2007). Cancer prevention with freeze-dried
berries and berry components.. 1: Semin Cancer Biol. May 10;
[Epub ahead of print]. Retrieved on 2007-07-27.
5. ^ Metabolic engineering of anthocyanin biosynthesis in
Escherichia coli..
6. ^ Fighting cancer by the bramble.
Richly concentrated as pigments in berries, anthocyanins were the
topics of research presented at a 2007 symposium on health
benefits that may result from berry consumption[2]. Scientists
provided laboratory evidence for potential health effects against
- Cancer
- Aging and neurological diseases
- Inflammation
- Diabetes
- Bacterial infections
Cancer research on anthocyanins is the most advanced, where
black raspberry (Rubus occidentalis L.) preparations were first
used to inhibit chemically induced cancer of the rat esophagus by
30-60% and of the colon by up to 80%. Effective at both the
initiation and promotion/progression stages of tumor development,
black raspberries are a practical research tool and a promising
therapeutic source, as they contain the richest contents of
anthocyanins among native North American berries[3].
Work on laboratory cancer models has shown that black raspberry
anthocyanins inhibit promotion and progression of tumor cells by
- Stalling growth of pre-malignant cells
- Accelerating the rate of cell turnover, called apoptosis,
effectively making the cancer cells die faster - Reducing inflammatory mediators that initiate tumor onset
- Inhibiting growth of new blood vessels that nourish tumors,
a process called angiogenesis - Minimizing cancer-induced DNA damage.
On a molecular level, berry anthocyanins were shown to turn off
genes involved with proliferation, apoptosis, inflammation and
angiogenesis. In 2007, black raspberry studies entered the next
pivotal level of research – the human clinical trial – for which
several approved studies are underway to examine anti-cancer
effects of black raspberries and cranberries on tumors in the
esophagus, prostate and colon[4].
In December 2004 a peer-reviewed study at Michigan State
University published by the American Chemical Society noted that
anthocyanins could boost insulin production by up to 50%.
However the study leader noted that despite the initial excitement,
more study would be needed. Also in 2005, an article published in
Applied and Environmental Microbiology demonstrated for the first
time the biosynthesis of anthocyanins in bacteria [5].
In 2007 a study at the University of Pittsburgh discovered that
anthocyanins kills human cancer cells while not affecting healthy
cells. At low doses of cyanidin-3-rutinoside (C-3-R), half of the
cancer cells in all lines of the test human leukemia and lymphoma
cells died within 18 hours. When the amount of C-3-R was more
than doubled, all of the cancer cells died within 18 hours. The
mechanism seems to be that cancereous cells respond to C-3-R
by releasing peroxides which kill the cancer cells. Normal cells do
not release peroxides when C-3-R is administered. [6]
References
2. ^ Gross PM (2007). Scientists zero in on health benefits of
berry pigments. Natural Products Information Center. Retrieved on
2007-07-27.
3. ^ Wada L, Ou B (2002). Antioxidant activity and phenolic
content of Oregon caneberries.. J Agric Food Chem. Jun 5;50(12):
3495-500.. Retrieved on 2007-07-27.
4. ^ Stoner GD, Wang LS, Zikri N, Chen T, Hecht SS, Huang C,
Sardo C, Lechner JF (2007). Cancer prevention with freeze-dried
berries and berry components.. 1: Semin Cancer Biol. May 10;
[Epub ahead of print]. Retrieved on 2007-07-27.
5. ^ Metabolic engineering of anthocyanin biosynthesis in
Escherichia coli..
6. ^ Fighting cancer by the bramble.
Anthocyanin
Research
Research
 | |  | |  | |  | |  |
| foodstuff | Anthocyanin in mg per 100 g foodstuff |
|---|---|
| blackcurrant | 190-270 |
| chokeberry | 200-1000 |
| eggplant | 750 |
| orange | ~200 |
| blackberry | ~115 |
| vaccinium | 80-420 |
| raspberry | 10-60 |
| cherry | 350-400 |
| redcurrant | 80-420 |
| red grape | 30-750 |
| red wine | 24-35 |