Review of Functional and Pharmacological Activities of Berries

Abstract

Functional plant-based foods (such as fruits, vegetables, and berries) can improve health, have a preventive effect, and diminish the risk of different chronic diseases during in vivo and in vitro studies. Berries contain many phytochemicals, fibers, vitamins, and minerals. The primary phytochemicals in berry fruits are phenolic compounds including flavonoids (anthocyanins, flavonols, flavones, flavanols, flavanones, and isoflavonoids), tannins, and phenolic acids. Since berries have a high concentration of polyphenols, it is possible to use them for treating various diseases pharmacologically by acting on oxidative stress and inflammation, which are often the leading causes of diabetes, neurological, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer. This review examines commonly consumed berries: blackberries, blackcurrants, blueberries, cranberries, raspberries, black raspberries, and strawberries and their polyphenols as potential medicinal foods (due to the presence of pharmacologically active compounds) in the treatment of diabetes, cardiovascular problems, and other diseases. Moreover, much attention is paid to the bioavailability of active berry components. Hence, this comprehensive review shows that berries and their bioactive compounds possess medicinal properties and have therapeutic potential. Nevertheless, future clinical trials are required to study and improve the bioavailability of berries’ phenolic compounds and extend the evidence that the active compounds of berries can be used as medicinal foods against various diseases.

Polyethylene Films Coated with Antibacterial and Antiviral Layers Based on CO2 Extracts of Raspberry Seeds, of Pomegranate Seeds and of Rosemary

“…The high activity of these extracts may be explained simply by their chemical composition. According to Golovinskaia et al [16], raspberry extracts should contain polyphenols, anthocyanins and flavonols. According to Harscoat-Schiavo et al [6], pomegranate extracts should include anthocyanins, proanthocyanidins and hydrolysable tannins.…”

“…These mixtures contain active substances from both extracts. The rosemary extract should include ursolic acid [12,13] and the raspberry extract should contain tannins [16]. Alvarez-Martínez et al [28] proved that tannins and ursolic acid revealed multifactorial activity, rather than one activity mechanism, with pleiotropic effects at various levels also being observed.…”

“…The activity of raspberry extracts can be mainly attributed to polyphenols, anthocyanins (pelargonidin, cyanidin, peonidin, delphinidin, petunidin and malvidin), flavonols (quercetin, kaempferol and myricetin), hydroxycinnamic acids (caffeic, ferulic and p-coumaric acids), hydroxybenzoic acids (p-hydroxybenzoic and ellagic acids), hydroxycinnamic acids (ferulic, p-coumaric and caffeic acids), hydroxybenzoic acids (p-hydroxybenzoic and ellagic acids). Furthermore, proanthocyanidins from raspberries showed antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-carcinogenic and vasodilatory activity; ellagitannins from raspberries demonstrated anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticarcinogenic and anti-Helicobacter pylori effect [16].…”

Neglected and Underutilised Crops: A Systematic Review of Their Potential as Food and Herbal Medicinal Crops in South Africa

“…Plants that contain large quantities of proanthocyanins include blackberries ad hawthorn berries. The bioavailability of proanthocyanidins is primarily influenced by polymerization, which is rendered insignificant in the gastric tract ( Golovinskaia and Wang 2021 ).…”

Impact of High-Pressure Processing on Antioxidant Activity during Storage of Fruits and Fruit Products: A Review

“…and other bioactive substances such as vitamin A, folates, and vitamin K [ 74 ]. Nevertheless, they are still needed for phenolic compounds in some concrete cases such as berries [ 75 ]. In other fruits, the bioavailability has recently been reviewed for apples [ 76 ] and tomatoes [ 77 ].…”