Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Properties of Tart Cherry Consumption in the Heart of Obese Rats

A Comprehensive Polyphenolic Characterization of Five Montmorency Tart Cherry (Prunus cerasus L.) Product Formulations

The Montmorency tart cherry (Prunus cerasus L., MTC) polyphenols may contribute to reduced inflammation and oxidative stress biomarkers in the body. However, a comprehensive polyphenolic profile of MTC products is lacking. This study provides a comparative analysis of the polyphenolic distribution of individual anthocyanins, flavonols, flavanols, hydroxycinnamic acids, and hydroxybenzoic acids in five MTC products (frozen raw fruit, freeze-dried powder, sweet dried fruit, unsweetened dried fruit, juice concentrate). Twenty-three polyphenols were detected, and 21 were positively identified. Results from three replicates indicate that frozen raw MTC has the most total polyphenolics. Juice concentrate, unsweetened dried MTC, freeze-dried MTC powder, and sweet dried MTC contained 26%, 40%, 60%, and 77% fewer total polyphenolics than frozen raw MTC. Hydroxycinnamic acids, flavonols, and anthocyanins predominated, accounting for 87-99% of total polyphenols in MTC products. Chlorogenic acid, rutin, cyanidin-3-sophoroside, feruloquinic acid, ferulic acid, and coumaric acid isomers were noteworthy polyphenolics. Hydroxycinnamic acids predominated in sweet dried (82%), unsweetened dried (74%), juice concentrate (66%), and frozen-raw (54%) MTC. Flavonols predominated in freeze-dried MTC powder (52%). Anthocyanins, particularly cyanidin glycosides, were important polyphenolics in frozen-raw cherries (18%) but less so in other MTC products. These findings highlight the variability in polyphenols in MTC products and emphasize the importance of selecting appropriate MTC products for specific health benefits.

Protective effects of the R-(+)-thioctic acid treatment: possible anti-inflammatory activity on heart of hypertensive rats

BACKGROUND

In cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure is associated with oxidative stress, promoting endothelial dysfunction, vascular remodeling, and inflammation. Clinical trials are discordant that the most effective treatment in the management of hypertension seems to be the administration of anti-hypertensive drugs with antioxidant properties. The study aims to evaluate the effects of the eutomer of thioctic acid on oxidative stress and inflammation in the heart of spontaneously hypertensive rats compared to normotensive Wistar Kyoto rats.

METHODS

To study the oxidative status, the malondialdehyde and 4-hydroxynonenal concentration, protein oxidation were measured in the heart. Morphological analysis were performed. Immunohistochemistry and Western blot were done for alpha-smooth muscle actin and transforming growth factor beta to assess fibrosis; cytokines and nuclear factor kappaB to assess inflammatory processes.

RESULTS

Spontaneously hypertensive rats were characterized by hypertension with increased malondialdehyde levels in the heart. OxyBlot in the heart of spontaneously hypertensive rats showed an increase in proteins' oxidative status. Cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and fibrosis in the ventricles were associated with an increased expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin and pro-inflammatory cytokines, reduced by the eutomer of thioctic acid supplementation.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on this evidence, eutomer of thioctic acid could represent an appropriate antioxidant molecule to reduce oxidative stress and prevent inflammatory processes on the cardiomyocytes and cardiac vascular endothelium.

Phenolic Compounds from Cherries and Berries for Chronic Disease Management and Cardiovascular Risk Reduction

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a leading cause of mortality worldwide. Therefore, there is increasing interest in dietary interventions to reduce risk factors associated with these conditions. Cherries and berries are rich sources of bioactive compounds and have attracted attention for their potential cardiovascular benefits. This review summarises the current research on the effects of cherry and berry consumption on cardiovascular health, including in vivo studies and clinical trials. These red fruits are rich in phenolic compounds, such as anthocyanins and flavonoids, which have multiple bioactive properties. These properties include antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and vasodilatory effects. Studies suggest that regular consumption of these fruits may reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, leading to lower blood pressure, improved lipid profiles, and enhanced endothelial function. However, interpreting findings and establishing optimal dosages is a challenge due to the variability in fruit composition, processing methods, and study design. Despite these limitations, the evidence highlights the potential of cherries and berries as components of preventive strategies against CVD. Further research is needed to maximise their health benefits and improve clinical practice.

Dysfunction of the Brown Adipose Organ in HFD-Obese Rats and Effect of Tart Cherry Supplementation

Obesity has a great impact on adipose tissue biology, based on its function as a master regulator of energy balance. Brown adipose tissue (BAT) undergoes remodeling, and its activity declines in obese subjects due to a whitening process. The anti-obesity properties of fruit extracts have been reported. The effects of tart cherry against oxidative stress, inflammation, and the whitening process in the BAT of obese rats were investigated. Intrascapular BAT (iBAT) alterations and effects of Prunus cerasus L. were debated in rats fed for 17 weeks with a high-fat diet (DIO), in DIO supplemented with seed powder (DS), and with seed powder plus the juice (DJS) of tart cherry compared to CHOW rats fed with a normo-caloric diet. iBAT histologic observations revealed a whitening process in DIO rats that was reduced in the DS and DJS groups. A modulation of uncoupling protein-1 (UCP-1) protein and gene expression specifically were detected in the obese phenotype. An upregulation of UCP-1 and related thermogenic genes after tart cherry intake was detected compared to the DIO group. Metabolic adjustment, endoplasmic reticulum stress, protein carbonylation, and the inflammatory microenvironment in the iBAT were reported in DIO rats. The analysis demonstrated an iBAT modulation that tart cherry promoted. In addition to our previous results, these data confirm the protective impact of tart cherry consumption on obesity.

Effect of Prunus cerasus (Sour Cherry) on Nephrolithiasis in Children: The First Noninferiority Two-Arm Randomized Clinical Trial

OBJECTIVE

 The present study evaluated the effect of Prunus cerasus (sour cherry) on children with nephrolithiasis.

METHOD

 We conducted a randomized noninferiority controlled trial to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of P. cerasus among children with nephrolithiasis. Subjects in the intervention group received 1.25 mL/kg of cherry concentrate once daily for 2 months, while the control group received 1 mL/kg Polycitra-K, which consists of 220 g citrate potassium and 68 g citric acid in 1000 mL sterile water. The major outcome was sonographically determined number and sizes of kidney stones, which were assessed before and after the trial.

RESULTS

 Sixty-eight children completed the study. At trial onset, both groups were similar in baseline characteristics (P >.05). In within-group analysis, the number of stones significantly decreased in both groups (P <05). After 2 months, the number of nephrolithiasis was 1.55 ± 0.49 and 1.47 ± 0.67 in the control and intervention groups, respectively (P value=.56). The percentage of change in calculi number was 44.11 ± 11.12 and 38.14 ± 14.08 in the control and intervention groups, respectively (P value=.08). At the end of the study, the urine pH was 6.46 ± 0.99 and 6.14 ± 0.83 in the control and intervention groups, respectively (P value=.19). Urine calcium and uric acid concentrations were 32.00 ± 12.32 and 28.95 ± 10.96 mg/mm (P value=.68) and 24.11 ± 10.58 and 30.03 ± 11.39 mg/mm (P value=.012) in control and intervention groups, respectively.

CONCLUSION

 Our clinical data supported the efficacy of sour cherry in the treatment of nephrolithiasis compared to Polycitra-K. Future randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm the present observation.

Tart Cherry (Prunus cerasus L.) Pit Extracts Protect Human Skin Cells against Oxidative Stress: Unlocking Sustainable Uses for Food Industry Byproducts

Industrial processing of tart cherries (Prunus cerasus L.) produces bioproducts like cherry pits (CP), which contribute to adverse environmental effects. To identify sustainable strategies to minimize the environmental impact of cherry processing, we investigated their potential value as antioxidants for prospective utilization within cosmeceutical applications. Untargeted metabolomic analyses of water and water: ethanol CP extracts using an eco-friendly technique revealed significant enrichment in coumaroyl derivatives and flavonoids with congruent metabolite representation regardless of the extraction solvent. The antioxidant activity of tart CP extracts was evaluated on human skin cells exposed to H2O2 or LPS, modeling environmentally induced oxidants. Notably, both CP extracts provide antioxidant activity by reducing H2O2 or LPS-induced ROS in human skin keratinocytes without affecting cell viability. The CP extracts increased the expression of CAT and SOD1 genes encoding antioxidant regulatory enzymes while decreasing the expression of NOS2, a pro-oxidant regulator. These findings reveal the antioxidant properties of tart CP, offering new opportunities to produce natural-based skin care products and adding economic value while providing sustainable options to reduce the environmental impact of food byproducts.

The Benefits of Anthocyanins against Obesity-Induced Inflammation

Obesity has become a serious public health epidemic because of its associations with chronic conditions such as type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. Obesity triggers inflammation marked by the secretion of low-grade inflammatory cytokines including interleukin-6, C-reactive protein, and tumor necrosis factor-α, leading to a condition known as “meta-inflammation”. Currently, there is great interest in studying the treatment of obesity with food-derived bioactive compounds, which have low toxicity and no severe adverse events compared with pharmacotherapeutic agents. Here, we reviewed the beneficial effects of the bioactive compounds known as anthocyanins on obesity-induced inflammation. Foods rich in anthocyanins include tart cherries, red raspberries, black soybeans, blueberries, sweet cherries, strawberries and Queen Garnet plums. These anthocyanin-rich foods have been evaluated in cell culture, animal, and clinical studies, and found to be beneficial for health, reportedly reducing inflammatory markers. One factor in the development of obesity-related inflammation may be dysbiosis of the gut microbiome. Therefore, we focused this review on the in vitro and in vivo effects of anthocyanins on inflammation and the gut microbiota in obesity.