Nutraceutical Value of Black Cherry Prunus serotina Ehrh. Fruits: Antioxidant and Antihypertensive Properties

Abstract

Abstract:In Mexico black cherry (Prunus serotina Ehrh.) fruits are consumed fresh, dried or prepared in jam. Considering the evidence that has linked intake of fruits and vegetables rich in polyphenols to cardiovascular risk reduction, the aim of this study was to characterize the phenolic profile of black cherry fruits and to determine their antioxidant, vasorelaxant and antihypertensive effects. The proximate composition and mineral contents of these fruits were also assessed. Black cherry fruits possess a high content of phenolic compounds and display a significant antioxidant capacity. High-performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometric analysis indicated that hyperoside, anthocyanins and chlorogenic acid were the main phenolic compounds found in these fruits. The black cherry aqueous extract elicited a concentration-dependent relaxation of aortic rings and induced a OPEN ACCESSMolecules 2013, 18 14598 significant reduction on systolic blood pressure in L-NAME induced hypertensive rats after four weeks of treatment. Proximate analysis showed that black cherry fruits have high sugar, protein, and potassium contents. The results derived from this study indicate that black cherry fruits contain phenolic compounds which elicit significant antioxidant and antihypertensive effects. These findings suggest that these fruits might be considered as functional foods useful for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases.

Polyphenolic composition and antioxidant activity of the under-utilisedPrunus mahalebL. fruit

“…(American black cherry). 24 A total polyphenol content of 690 mg 100 g −1 FW in chokeberry and an average of 640 mg 100 g −1 FW in Ribes nigrum were reported by Benvenuti et al 25 A three-to four-fold higher phenolic content (2000 and 1950 mg GAE 100 g −1 FW) in chokeberry and elderberry, respectively, has been reported. 26 However, these values were generated from acetone/water/acetic acid extracts, which are known to over-estimate total phenols.…”

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“…Phytochemicals provide further protection against oxidative damage from free radicals. A large number of studies have indicated that phytochemicals present in fruits, vegetables and herbs, exert their antioxidant effects against oxidative stress through the induction or activation of these endogenous antioxidant enzymes (6)(7)(8)(9). In addition, increased ROS production not only directly damages cells by oxidizing macromolecules, such as DNA and lipids, but also indirectly by triggering mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways (10).…”

Action mechanism and cardiovascular effect of anthocyanins: a systematic review of animal and human studies

“…The BB diet showed vasodilator and vasoconstrictor effect on the aorta and this was dependent of the NO metabolic pathway. Other findings also observed vasodilator effect of anthocyanins in the endothelium-dependent relaxation [149–152]. …”