Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Cherry Extract: Nanosystems-Based Strategies to Improve Endothelial Function and Intestinal Absorption

Abstract

Cherry fruit has a high content in flavonoids. These are important diet components protecting against oxidative stress, inflammation, and endothelial dysfunction, which are all involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, which is the major cause of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Since the seasonal availability of fresh fruit is limited, research has been focused on cherry extract (CE), which also possesses a high nutraceutical potential. Many clinical studies have demonstrated the nutraceutical efficacy of fresh cherries, but only a few studies on CE antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities have been carried out. Here, the results concerning the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of CE are reviewed. These were obtained by an in vitro model based on Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells (HUVEC). To clarify the CE mechanism of action, cells were stressed to induce inflammation and endothelial dysfunction. Considering that antioxidants’ polyphenol compounds are easily degraded in the gastrointestinal tract, recent strategies to reduce the degradation and improve the bioavailability of CE are also presented and discussed. In particular, we report on results obtained with nanoparticles (NP) based on chitosan derivatives (Ch-der), which improved the mucoadhesive properties of the chitosan polymers, as well as their positive charge, to favor high cellular interaction and polyphenols intestinal absorption, compared with a non-mucoadhesive negative surface charged poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid NP. The advantages and safety of different nanosystems loaded with natural CE or other nutraceuticals are also discussed.

Role of Polyphenols and Carotenoids in Endothelial Dysfunction: An Overview from Classic to Innovative Biomarkers

“…Recently, different strategies have been applied to improve their absorption and bioavailability. Interestingly, nanoparticles based on different chitosan derivatives and poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA), a widely approved synthetic biocompatible and biodegradable polymer, were successfully used to encapsulate polyphenols from cherry extracts, thus improving their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity [ 185 – 187 ].…”

Therapeutic Potential of Polyphenols-Loaded Polymeric Nanoparticles in Cardiovascular System

“…Because of the high content of anthocyanins, phenolic acids, and flavonols, cherries have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and vasodilatory properties. In vitro studies have demonstrated that natural polyphenol-rich sweet cherry extracts are able to protect endothelial cells from oxidative stress [ 152 ]. Cherry extracts and their bioactive components can improve cardiovascular performance.…”

“…Thus, studies focused on targeted transport have been at the center of research [ 158 ]. The encapsulation of cherry extracts in nanoparticles based on chitosan derivatives improved the intestinal absorption of cherry polyphenols and enhanced their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity in an in vitro model based on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) [ 152 ]. HUVECs have also been used to investigate the effects of Crognola ( Prunus avium L.) cherry-extract-loaded nanoparticles based on two different chitosan derivatives.…”

Hsa_circ_0004831 downregulation is partially responsible for atorvastatinalleviated human umbilical vein endothelial cell injuries induced by ox-LDL through targeting the miR-182-5p/CXCL12 axis

“…The pathogenesis and treatment of the disease have been better understood, and growing evidence indicates that endothelial cell dysfunction is an important cause of AS [ 2 , 3 ]. Risk factors for this disorder, such as smoking, hypertension, diabetes, and sedentary lifestyles can trigger oxidative stress, which is the most important factor in endothelial dysfunction [ 4 ]. Besides, monocytes are activated and recruited to the artery wall and then differentiate to macrophages to engulf lipids, thus forming foam cells [ 5 ].…”

“…Besides, monocytes are activated and recruited to the artery wall and then differentiate to macrophages to engulf lipids, thus forming foam cells [ 5 ]. During this period, a substantial number of chemokines, cytokines, adhesion molecules, and other proinflammatory factors are activated, triggering inflammatory responses [ 4 , 6 , 7 ]. Oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) has been reported to play a major role in atherosclerosis initiation and development by acting on multiple cells, such as endothelial cells [ 8 ], leading to activated pathways of apoptosis, increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) and endothelial dysfunction [ 8 ].…”