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Aronia in the diet of diabetics
Abstract
Aronia or chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) is a fruit rich in polyphenols, such as anthocyanins, procyanidins and chlorogenic acid, which have beneficial influence on blood glucose level, insulin, cholesterol and triglycerides levels, and also increase antioxidant capacity of body fluids. Therefore, aronia juice (especially when sweetened with steviosides) or powdered extract in capsules can be a valuable component of diabetics diet.
... Berries, including chokeberry, owe their biological activity mainly to anthocyanins, which are more present in chokeberry than in elderberry or black currant. Due to these reasons, chokeberry is often referred to as a superfruit [2]. ...
... The antioxidant properties of aronia fruits were evaluated using DPPH radical and FRAP assays to analyze radical-scavenging properties and reducing properties, 1 29 May 2000 a ± 310 727 a ± 6 130 a ± 6 106 a ± 5 F1. 2 12 June 1790 b ± 230 686 a ± 162 145 a ± 5 115 a ± 6 F1. 3 26 June 1690 b ± 260 730 a ± 16 143 a ± 4 119 a ± 2 F1. 4 10 July 1410 b ± 60 577 b ± 12 118 b ± 2 90 a,b ± 1 F1. 5 24 July 346 c ± 35 181 c ± 15 32 c ± 5 25 c ± 0 F1. 6 7 August 710 d ± 30 293 d ± 12 58 d ± 1 32 c ± 1 F1. ...
... F2. 1 29 May 1000 a ± 100 374 a ± 20 95 a ± 7 72 a ± 7 F2. 2 12 June 1900 b ± 130 696 b ± 44 140 b ± 2 106 b ± 4 F2. 3 26 June 2020 b ± 80 717 b ± 9 151 c ± 6 119 b ± 2 F2. 4 10 July 2070 b ± 210 693 b ± 6 148 c ± 6 119 b ± 2 F2. 5 24 May 2170 a ± 120 563 a ± 3 121 a ± 1 102 a ± 3 F1. 2 12 June 1960 a ± 90 585 a ± 4 119 a ± 3 108 a ± 1 F1. 3 26 June 1920 a ± 120 589 a ± 7 126 a ± 4 110 a ± 1 F1. 4 10 July 1630 b ± 90 464 b ± 11 120 a ± 1 103 a ± 2 F1. 5 24 July 594 c ± 52 312 c ± 23 35 b ± 5 19 b ± 3 F1. 6 7 August 533 c ± 21 399 d ± 3 46 c ± 2 24 b ± 0 F1. ...
Aronia (chokeberry, Aronia melanocarpa) is a valuable fruit that combines the health benefits of green tea and red wine and is gaining popularity worldwide. Aronia has a unique chemical composition with strong antioxidant properties, including anthocyanins and chlorogenic acids (CGAs). However, it remains unclear which specific compounds or groups are primarily responsible for the antioxidant properties of chokeberry. Therefore, an analysis of the antioxidant properties of aronia berries based on geographical region and their variability during ripening (from green to frostbitten fruit) was conducted. The fruits were collected from three locations for two years. The aim of our work was to identify the compounds responsible for the antioxidant properties of aronia berry extracts by using chemometric methods. The analyses of anthocyanins and CGAs were performed using HPLC-DAD, and the antioxidant capacity was assessed by FRAP and DPPH methods. The PCA analysis also considered variations in temperature and precipitation. The chemometric analysis revealed a strong correlation between radical-scavenging properties and the content levels of chlorogenic acids. The results obtained in this study show that unripe green chokeberry fruits exhibit the highest antioxidant properties, which can be attributed to the high content of CGAs at this stage.
Smoothies are claimed to be an effective way of promoting fruit and vegetable consumption. They are a rich source of bioactive compounds and provide numerous health benefits. Strawberries and apples are among the most popular smoothie ingredients. Additionally, chokeberry presents antibacterial, antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties. Another interesting fruit with a wide range of health benefits is the honeysuckle berry. In this study, a dry extract from the mentioned fruit was combined to produce a smoothie enriched in bioactive compounds of unique health-promoting properties. The smoothies were rich in anthocyanins, flavonols, phenolic acids, flavan-3-ols and iridoids. Smoothies with higher concentrations of a polyphenol-iridoid honeysuckle berry extract (0.50%) were the products of a greater content of bioactive compounds and higher antioxidant activity compared to those with no extract or a lower amount (0.25%). However, the sensory evaluation showed that, according to customers, the least attractive smoothies are those with the greatest amounts of the honeysuckle berry extract. Therefore, the correct balance between taste and bioactivity should be sought in order to obtain an innovative product showing characteristics of functional food.
Aronia melanocarpa fruits are high in phenolic substances-mainly anthocyanins. The anthocyanins, as a water-soluble plant pigments with strong antioxidant activity, have been used in food and medical industries. The fresh weight, total soluble solids, total anthocyanins and total phenols of Aronia melanocarpa were determined. Anthocyanins were purified using ion exchange resin coupled with chromatography, and identified using HPLC and mass spectrometry. Then, the antioxidant activities of anthocyanins were determined using different kit methods, and the potential application of purified anthocyanins was tested in lard. The results showed the anthocyanins content increased from 280 to 930 mg/g after being purified using semi-preparative reverse phase HPLC. After anthocyanins were purified using absorbent resin, a total of 7 different anthocyanins, including cyanidin-3,5-dihexoside, the dimer of cyanidin-hexoside, cyanidin-3-O-(galactoside, glucoside, arabinoside, xyloside) and delphinidin-3-O-rutinoside, were identified using HPLC-MS, cyanidin-3,5-dihexoside and a dimer of cyanidin-hexoside were first found in A. melanocarpa. In addition, cyanidin-3-O-(galactoside, glucoside, arabinoside, xyloside) were identified using HPLC from anthocyanins purified using absorbent resin coupled with semi-preparative reverse phase HPLC. Furthermore, the antioxidant tests showed that the antioxidant capacity of anthocyanins could be significantly improved by increasing the purity of anthocyanins, and purified anthocyanins were a good antioxidant for lard. A. melanocarpa cultivated in Haicheng is high in anthocyanins and cyanidin-3-O-(galactoside, glucoside, arabinoside, xyloside) were the main anthocyanins. Purified anthocyanins could be separated and may have further applications in food.
Altered expression of cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) has been implicated in a variety of chronic inflammatory conditions, including atherosclerosis. Regulation of adhesion molecule expression by specific redox-sensitive mechanisms has been reported. Additionally, it has been observed that the extract of Aronia melanocarpa (A. Melanocarpa) fruits, rich in polyphenols, exhibits potent anti-oxidant properties and displays cardioprotective activity.
Human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs) were pretreated with various concentrations (primarily 50 μg/mL) of Aronia Melanocarpa fruit extract prior to treatment with TNFα (10 ng/mL) for various periods of time. The surface protein and mRNA expression of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 were determined using flow cytometry and real-time RT-PCR, respectively. Adhesion of peripheral blood mononuclear leucocytes (PBMLs) to TNFα-treated HAECs was evaluated by an adhesion assay. Activation of NF-κB was evaluated by measuring NF-κB p65 phosphorylation using flow cytometry. ROS production was determined by reduction in fluorescent 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA). Tested A. Melanocarpa extract significantly inhibited the expression of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1, attenuated the phosphorylation of NF-κB p65 and decreased intracellular ROS production in TNFα-treated HAECs.
We conclude that A. Melanocarpa fruit extract exhibits anti-inflammatory effects in HAECs by inhibiting the expression of endothelial CAMs, activation of NF-κB and production of ROS.
Extracts of the leaves of the stevia plant (Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni) are used to sweeten food and beverages in South America, Japan and China. The components responsible for the sweet properties of the plant are glycosides of steviol, primary stevioside (ent-13-hydroxykaur-16-en-18-oic acid), which is 250-300 times sweeter than sucrose and rebaudiosides A and C. Stevioside and steviol have been subjected to extensive genetic testing. The majority of the findings show no evidence of genotoxic activity. Neither stevioside nor its aglycone steviol have been shown to react directly with DNA or demonstrate genotoxic damage in assays relevant to human risk. The mutagenic activity of steviol and some of its derivatives, exhibited in strain TM677, was not reproduced in the same bacteria having normal DNA repair processes. The single positive in vivo study measuring single-strand DNA breaks in Wistar rat tissues by stevioside, was not confirmed in experiments in mice and appears to be measuring processes other than direct DNA damage. Neither stevioside nor steviol-induced clastogenic effects at extremely high dose levels in vivo. Application of a Weight-of-Evidence approach to assess the genetic toxicology database concludes that these substances do not pose a risk of genetic damage following human consumption.
To estimate the influence of anthocyanins from Aronia melanocarpa on blood pressure, concentration of endothelin-1 (ET-1), serum lipids, fasting glucose, uric acid and membrane cholesterol in erythrocytes of patients (pts) with metabolic syndrome (MS).
The study comprised 22 healthy volunteers and 25 pts with MS treated with anthocyanins (3 x 100 mg/d) for 2 months. Waist circumference (> or = 80 cm for women and > or =94 cm for men), triglicerydes (TG) level >150 mg/dl (1.7 mmol/l), cholesterol-HDL (HDL-C) level < 40 mg/dl (1.0 mmol/l) for men and <50 mg/dl (1.3 mmol/l) for women, systolic blood pressure (SBP) >130 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) >85 mmHg were inclusion criteria for patients with MS. Before and after 2 months of treatment the following parameters were determined: SBP, DBP, serum lipids (total cholesterol--TC, cholesterol LDL--LDL-C, cholesterol HDL--HDL-C, TG--by enzymatic method), membrane cholesterol in erythrocytes (method of IIcy), ET-1 (immunoenzymatic method), fasting glucose level was (colorimetric method), uric acid (enzymatic--colorimetric method).
After two months therapy of anthocyanins from Aronia melanocarpa in comparison with baseline it was observed a significant decrease of: SBP (144.20 +/- 9.97 vs. 131.83 +/- 12.24 mmHg, p < 0.001) and DBP (87.20 +/- 9.9 vs. 82.13 +/- 10.33 mmHg, p < 0.05), TC (242.80 +/- 34.48 vs. 227.96 +/- 33.07 mg/dl, p < 0.001), LDL-C (158.71 +/- 35.78 vs. 146.21 +/- 34.63 mg/dl, p < 0.01), TG (215.92 +/- 63.61 vs. 187.58 +/- 90 mg/dl, p < 0.05), ET-1 (2.44 +/- 0.51 vs. 1.74 +/- 0.42 pg/ml, p < 0.001) and membrane cholesterol (4.85 +/- 0.65 vs. 2.81 +/- 0.54 mmol/Lpc, p < 0.001), uric acid and fasting blood glucose levels did not change significantly after study cessation.
The results of our study show that anthocyanins from Aronia melanocarpa may be of benefit to patients with MS as for as atherosclerosis prevention is concerned. It seems to result from anthocyanins influence on blood pressure, serum lipid and endothelin-1 level.
The aim of the study was to estimate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in type I diabetic children and adolescents. Material and methods. 173 patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (96 males) aged from 12 to 19.3 years (mean: 16.0±2.1) were included into the study. The diabetes duration ranged from 0.5 to 17.5 years (mean: 4.2±3.6 years). The height, weight, waist and hip circumference and blood pressure were measured. HbA1c and plasma lipids concentrations were examined. Euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp was performed to establish insulin resistance. Glucose disposal rate was calculated as M-index in mg/kg/min. Body mass index, waist/hip ratio and daily dose of insulin were calculated. Results. Abdominal obesity was found in 33 patients (19.1%). Lowered plasma HDL-cholesterol levels were noted in 12 individuals from the study group (6.9%), and hypertriglicerydemia - in 26 (15%) of them. Blood pressure ≥90 percentile was observed in 41 patients (23.7%). Insulin resistance was found in 62 children (35.8%). Metabolic syndrome was recognized in 23 patients (13.3%). In children with obesity the metabolic syndrome was observed more frequently than in lean patients (60 vs. 7.2%, p<0.001). The metabolic syndrome was found more frequently in patients with poor metabolic control than in patients with adequate control (25 vs. 7.1%, p=0.002). Conclusions. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome is greater in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes than in general population of the same age. In diabetic patients poor metabolic control and obesity influence the prevalence of metabolic syndrome.
Aronia melanocarpa fruits (Rosaceae) are one of the richest plant sources of phenolic substances, and it has been shown to have various biological activities. Berries of A. melanocarpa (chokeberry) have been supposed to be beneficial for the prevention of cardiovascular events. In this study the influence of aronia extract on the clot formation (using human plasma and purified fibrinogen) and the fibrin lysis during the model of hyperhomocysteinemia was investigated.
Hyperhomocysteinemia was induced using a reduced form of Hcys (at final dose of 0.1mM) and the most reactive form of Hcys - its cyclic thioester, homocysteine thiolactone (HTL, 1 μM). The aim of our study in vitro was also to investigate the modifications of human plasma total proteins and the oxidative stress (by measuring the total antioxidant level - TAS) in plasma after incubation with Hcys, HTL and/or aronia extract. The biological properties of aronia extract were compared with the action of a well characterized antioxidative commercial polyphenol - resveratrol (3,4',5- trihydroxystilbene).
The HTL, like its precursor, Hcys stimulated polymerization of fibrinogen. The results also demonstrated that Hcys (0.1mM) and HLT at lower doses than Hcys (1 μM) reduced the fibrin lysis in human plasma. Moreover, Hcys and HTL change the level of thiol and amino groups in plasma total proteins and induce the oxidative stress in plasma. Our results indicate that aronia extract reduced the biotoxicity action of Hcys and HTL on hemostatic properties of fibrinogen or plasma, suggesting its possible protective properties in hyperhomocysteinemia - induced cardiovascular diseases. Moreover, our results showed that the extract from berries of A. melanocarpa due to antioxidant action, significantly reduced the oxidative stress (measured by TAS) in plasma during the model of hyperhomocysteinemia.
In the comparative studies, the extract from berries of A. melanocarpa and reseveratrol had similar protective properties. It gives hopes for development of diet supplements, which may be preventing thrombosis in pathological states where plasma procoagulant activity and oxidative stress are observed e.g. in hyperhomocysteinemia.
The aim of our study was to estimate the influence of oxidative stress on the function of vascular endothelium in diabetes mellitus type 2, through the measurement plasma levels of chosen parameters reflecting these disturbances--concentration of advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) and activity of gamma glutamyltransferase (GGT) and N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase (NAG).
73 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and 23 healthy people, which made up the control group were examined. In plasma of these subjects concentration of AOPP by spectrophotometric method with the use of potassium iodide; activity of GGT by spectrophotometric method and NAG activity by spectrofluorymetric method were determined.
The plasma levels of all examined parameters were significantly higher in diabetic patients than in healthy people. We observed increase of these parameters in groups of patients clustered on the basis of disease duration, glicemic state of diabetes and vascular area occupied by diabetic complication. The most significant changes in AOPP concentration were observed. There was statistically significant correlation between AOPP and GGT, however there was no any direct connection of these two parameters with NAG activity.
We showed significantly increase in the AOPP concentration and activities of GGT and NAG in plasma of patients with type 2 diabetes, which was induced by hyperglycemia and oxidative stress connected with this disease. The growth of examined parameters had no direct connection with each other, however was connected with chronic nature of this disease, glycemic decomposition and vascular area occupied by diabetic complication.
The low calorie juice Aronia melanocarpa (sugar free, with artificial sweeteners) could be a valuable adjunct to the complex therapy of patients with diabetes mellitus. In this study no increased blood glucose levels were established 60 min. following ingestion of 200 ml Aronia juice. On the contrary, lower fasting blood glucose concentrations were measured in 16 patients with insulin dependent diabetes and in 25 patients with non-insulin dependent diabetes (25 women and 16 men, 3 to 62 years of age, median age 38.8 +/- 4.7) with duration of the disease from 1 month to 13 years. Serial blood glucose measurements showed: 14.23 +/- 1.32 mmol/l at baseline and 11.4 +/- 0.89 mmol/l blood glucose level after 60 min., the difference being statistically significant (p<0.05). The ingestion of 200 ml Aronia juice combined with a standard breakfast produced similar results (the basal concentration of glucose was 13.43 +/- 1.12 mmol/l; it decreased to 11.94 +/- 1.02 mmol/l at 60 min., the difference did not reach statistical significance. The daily intake of 200 ml Aronia juice over a period of 3 months was effective in lowering fasting blood glucose levels from 13.28 +/- 4.55 mmol/l to 9.10 +/- 3.05 mmol/l (p<0.001) in 21 patients with non-insulin dependent diabetes--13 women and 8 men aged from 42 to 62 (median age 53.6 +/- 3.65) with disease duration from 6 to 17 years. Aronia had a beneficial effect on HbA1c, total cholesterol and lipid levels. They dropped from 9.39 +/- 2.16% to 7.49 +/- 1.33% (p<0.001), from 6.45 +/- 1.59 mmol/l to 5.05 +/- 0.96 mmol/l (p<0.001) and from 2.92 +/- 2.15 mmol/l to 1.7 +/- 1.07 mmol/l (p<0.001), respectively. Results were compared with those obtained in 23 patients with non-insulin dependent diabetes (15 women and 8 men aged from 48 to 67 years, median age 54.9 +/- 3.34) with disease duration from 6 to 17 years. The above mentioned parameters remained unchanged in these patients. Accumulated data illustrated the hypoglycemic potential of Aronia juice. The precise mechanism of its action is unknown but its beneficial effects and good taste make it a valuable adjunct to the dietary treatment of patients with diabetes mellitus.
Cadmium is a dangerous occupational and environmental toxin. It accumulates in the human organism mainly in liver and kidneys. Cadmium half-life is about 10 years, so the symptoms of cadmium intoxication may occur several years after the exposure. Until now in treating intoxication with this metal chelating compounds have been used, burdened with numerous undesirable symptoms. In our investigations anthocyanins from Aronia melanocarpa were used to reduce the harmful results caused by cadmium. Administering anthocyanins with cadmium chloride resulted in a statistically significant decrease of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity, concentration of bilirubin and urea in blood serum and decreased cadmium cumulation in liver and kidneys in relation to animals receiving cadmium chloride only.