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- Black Chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa, Rosaceae)
- Chronic Disease
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Date:
07-31-2017 | HC# 071741-573
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Re: Review of Black Chokeberry—Bioactivities of Phenolic-rich Fruit May Contribute to Prevention of Chronic Diseases
Jurikova T, Mlcek J, Skrovankova S, et al.
Fruits of black chokeberry Aronia
melanocarpa in the prevention of chronic diseases. Molecules. June 7, 2017;22(6):944. doi: 10.3390/molecules22060944.
Bioactive plant-derived compounds, especially
phenolics with high antioxidant activity, are increasingly shown to be beneficial
in preventing and treating chronic diseases. Black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa, Rosaceae) fruit has
high levels of antioxidants, especially anthocyanins in the form of cyanidin
derivatives. Black chokeberry fruit also contains other beneficial compounds
such as vitamins C and E, carotenoids, pectins, and organic acids, as well as
essential minerals (potassium, calcium, and magnesium).
Black chokeberry is native to eastern North
America, from the Great Lakes to New England and higher altitudes of the
Appalachians. Its fruits were used by Native Americans to treat colds. Introduced
to Russia in the early 1900s, black chokeberry soon spread throughout the
country, and in the early 20th century was introduced to other European
nations, especially in Eastern Europe and Scandinavia. Several cultivars with
larger and sweeter fruit have been developed in Northern and Eastern Europe, of
which two, "Viking" and "Nero," are available in the United
States. A high tannin level and astringent taste limit black chokeberry's
popularity as a fresh fruit. It is widely used as a food colorant and flavoring;
in teas (infusions), juices, jams, purees, etc.; and as a source of compounds
for nutritional supplements. Its pomace is rich in bioactives.
The authors summarize black chokeberry
fruit's composition and the bioavailability, antioxidant properties, and
health-promoting benefits of its compounds in relation to chronic diseases.
They do not describe search methods for the information presented.
Polyphenols are the major bioactive compounds
of black chokeberry. These dietary antioxidants can scavenge free radicals, a cause
of oxidative stress, which causes chronic inflammation and thereby increases
the risk of diseases including atherosclerosis, cancer, and neurodegenerative
conditions. Black chokeberry fruit's total phenolic (TP) content is in the
range of 690-2560 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE) per 100 g fresh weight. This
is higher than for many better-known berry crops, including blueberry (Vaccinium spp., Ericaceae), red
raspberry (Rubus idaeus, Rosaceae),
red currant (Ribes
rubrum, Grossulariaceae), strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa,
Rosaceae), "blackberry" (Rubus
fruticosus; also a generic common name for an edible fruit produced by many
Rubus spp.),
and cranberry (V. macrocarpon), and
comparable to the TP content of bilberry (V. myrtillus) and hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna, Rosaceae) fruit. As in
other phenolic-producing plants, black chokeberry's TP content and levels of specific
phenolic compounds vary with cultivar and genotype, growth conditions, maturity
at harvest, extraction and/or processing methods, and storage. The highest
levels of phenolic compounds are found in the "Hugist" cultivar; the lowest,
in "Aron." Average concentration of phenolics in pomace is about five
times that in black chokeberry juice. The most important phenolic compounds in
black chokeberry fruits are phenolic acids, especially hydroxycinnamic acids,
and flavonoids, including flavanols (epicatechin), flavonols (mainly quercetin
glycosides), anthocyanins, and proanthocyanidins. While intestinal absorption
of black chokeberry polyphenols is very poor, metabolization into other
compounds allows for their beneficial effects. Quantities and proportions of individual
phenolics vary among cultivars and plant parts, and are affected by extraction/processing
and storage methods. The relative antioxidant activities of different extracts
and products are detailed. Compared with black chokeberry cultivars
"Viking" and "Aron," purple chokeberry (Aronia × prunifolia) dried berries had higher antioxidant activity. It is
noted that black chokeberry's lipophilic antioxidant capacity is quite low. Its
hydrophilic antioxidant capacity, along with black currant (Ribes nigrum) and elderberry (Sambucus spp., Adoxaceae), is among the
highest of berry fruits.
Black chokeberry exerts anti-inflammatory,
antiatherosclerotic, hypotensive, anticoagulant, antithrombotic, and
antiplatelet activities, making it especially valuable for cardiovascular
health. It also has immunomodulatory, antiviral, and antibacterial effects. Black
chokeberry extract decreases the expression of genes for cholesterol synthesis,
uptake, and efflux dose-dependently in humans. It is known for its
gastroprotective effects, especially against peptic ulcer, and for its
antidiabetic effects, improving fasting glucose and lipid profiles. Anthocyanins
may help prevent obesity and, by inhibiting α-glucosidase and α-amylase
activities, reduce postprandial hyperglycemia. Aronia spp. extracts benefit risk factors related to insulin
resistance, modulating multiple associated pathways. Black chokeberry
anthocyanins can normalize carbohydrate metabolism. The anticancer effects of
black chokeberry also operate through numerous pathways and mechanisms,
including induction of detoxication enzymes, induction of cell cycle arrest
apoptosis, and changes in cellular signaling. In vitro, it retards or halts the
growth of human breast, leukemia, colon, and cervical cancer lines. Black
chokeberry may reduce oxidative stress in patients with cancer before and after
surgery. Different extracts and polyphenolic compounds may affect different
cancer cell lines more or less strongly. Overall, black chokeberry, like other
less-utilized berry crops, offers many positive benefits for prevention and
treatment of chronic diseases. While some human trials are mentioned, more
research is clearly warranted.
—Mariann
Garner-Wizard
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