Ornamental Flowers Grown in Human Surroundings as a Source of Anthocyanins with High Anti-Inflammatory Properties

Abstract

Flowers have always accompanied people thanks to their manifold aesthetic properties. Some species have also become a component of the human diet. Recent years have seen an increased interest in edible flowers and, consequently, research has been undertaken to determine their chemical composition. Dyes that are abundantly contained in flowers, whose role is to attract pollinating animals, are recognized substances with health-promoting properties. Anthocyanins are a group of dyes that are very common in petals and other parts of flowers. Studies carried out in the twentieth and twenty-first century on flowers growing in temperate climates have found very strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of anthocyanins. Therefore, flowers used by humans for centuries to decorate their surroundings may become an easily available source of nutrients and health-promoting substances. This paper discusses the health-promoting properties of anthocyanins and collects literature on anthocyanin content in edible flowers commonly grown on balconies, terraces, and roofs in countries of temperate climate.

Identification and Quantification of Bioactive Compounds in Organic and Conventional Edible Pansy Flowers (Viola × wittrockiana) and Their Antioxidant Activity

“…Anthocyanins and their color in flowers play a significant role in plants since they are responsible for correct pollination, and the color of flowers is necessary to attract pollinators (birds and insects). In addition, for humans, anthocyanins have been correlated with plants with increased antioxidant activity and therefore with high nutritional value [ 33 ]. A high concentration of anthocyanins in plants is an effect of their ability to absorb UV radiation in the environment [ 71 ].…”

“…Edible flowers can combine a few scopes: nutritional, decorative, and pro-healthy properties such as antioxidants in chronic disease prevention and oxidative stress diminishing [ 29 , 30 ]. Flowers contain numerous bioactive compounds, such as carotenoids (orange and red colorants), xanthophylls and flavonoids (yellow colorants), anthocyanins (purple, pink, and red colorants), and chlorophylls (green colorants), therefore they have such beautiful colors [ 31 , 32 , 33 ].…”

Health-Promoting Properties of Anthocyanins from Cornelian Cherry (Cornus mas L.) Fruits

“…Cornelian cherries contain from 5.8 to 442.11 mg·100 g −1 FW of anthocyanins [ 22 , 23 ]. Different anthocyanin content of individual fruit cultivars is also associated with their different color [ 24 ]. Yellow-colored cornelian cherries do not contain anthocyanins at all [ 25 ].…”

Evaluation of the In Vivo Anti-Atherosclerotic Activity of Quercetin Isolated from the Hairy Roots of Hedysarum neglectum Ledeb

“…The average lifespan of the world’s population has increased significantly as a result of advancements in nutrition and medicine. Changes in the rhythms of life, environmental degradation, and the quality and quantity of a number of foods consumed by the population (fast food and highly processed foods) have resulted in the development of chronic diseases such as obesity, cardiovascular disease (CVD), degenerative diseases, gastrointestinal (GI) diseases, the metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and others [ 1 , 2 ].…”