Immunomodulatory Effect of a Wild Blueberry Anthocyanin-Rich Extract in Human Caco-2 Intestinal Cells

Abstract

Intestinal inflammation is a natural process crucial for the maintenance of gut functioning. However, abnormal or prolonged inflammatory responses may lead to the onset of chronic degenerative diseases, typically treated by means of pharmacological interventions. Dietary strategies for the prevention of inflammation are a safer alternative to pharmacotherapy. Anthocyanins and other polyphenols have been documented to display anti-inflammatory activity. In the present study, three bioactive fractions (anthocyanin, phenolic, and water-soluble fractions) were extracted from a wild blueberry powder. The Caco-2 intestinal model was used to test the immunomodulatory effect of the above fractions. Only the anthocyanin-rich fraction reduced the activation of NF-κB, induced by IL-1β in intestinal epithelial Caco-2 cells. Specifically, concentrations of 50 and 100 μg mL(-1) decreased NF-κB activation by 68.9 and 85.2%, respectively (p ≤ 0.05). These preliminary results provide further support for the role of food bioactives as potential dietary anti-inflammatory agents.

Cyanidin-3-O-Glucoside Modulates the In Vitro Inflammatory Crosstalk between Intestinal Epithelial and Endothelial Cells

“…The present data are in accordance with other previous studies reporting the inhibitory activity of anthocyanins on the NF- κ B proinflammatory pathway in Caco-2 cells [10, 31, 32]. Furthermore, in vivo studies demonstrated that feeding pigs with an anthocyanin-rich extract reduces transactivation of NF- κ B in the duodenal mucosa and in turn lowers transcript levels of various NF- κ B target genes involved in the inflammatory process [33].…”

The Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Blueberries in an Animal Model of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

“…Recent studies show that Blueberries ( Vaccinium sp .) may beneficially modulate the immunological profile distinct from inhibiting pro-inflammatory molecules [18–22]. In the present study the free radical scavenging ability of blueberries was evaluated by the quantitative analysis of free radicals, neurotransmitters, protein and gene expression of inflammatory cytokines in a PTSD inducing rat model.…”

Higher transcription levels in ascorbic acid biosynthetic and recycling genes were associated with higher ascorbic acid accumulation in blueberry

“…Blueberry fruits have been the focus of much recent attention due to numerous reports of their positive effects on human health. These benefits are generally attributed to high levels of flavonoids, AsA, and mineral composition (Prior, Lazarus, Cao, Muccitelli, & Hammerstone, 2001;Rasmussen, Frederiksen, Struntze Krogholm, & Poulsen, 2005;Tan et al, 2014;Taverniti et al, 2014). However, compared with the considerable research focused on the flavonoid metabolism of blueberries, little information is currently available on the mechanism controlling AsA levels in blueberries to date.…”