Proanthocyanidins and Anthocyanins Flashcards
Proanthocyanidins
Proanthocyanidins are known as condensed tannins and are formed from building blocks including catechin and epicatechin. They are predominant in the seeds and skin of grapes
Proanthocyanidins: Food sources
- Grapes (skin and seeds(
- Cranberries, blueberries, elderberry, bilberries.
- Cocoa.
- Apples, cinnamon, cashews.
- Maritime pine bark (pycnogenol)
Proanthocyanidins: Functions
Cardiovascular health
Immune modulation
Neurological health
Anti-cancer
Proanthocyanidins: Cardiovascular health
- Potent antioxidant properties preventing LDL oxidation.
- Enhance nitric oxide promoting vasodilation
- Improve circulation and capillary integrity. Protect capillaries from oxidative stress.
Proanthocyanidins: Cardiovascular health - Therapeutic Uses
- Cardiovascular disease prevention.
- Atherosclerosis.
- Hypertension.
- Peripheral oedema.
- Diabetic retinopathy and neuropathy.
Proanthocyanidins: Immune modulation
- Stimulate lymphocyte and macrophage activity.
- Stabilise mast cells inhibit histamine producing enzymes.
Proanthocyanidins: Immune modulation - Therapeutic Uses
- Immune support.
- Anti allergic: Allergic rhinitis, asthma / eczema.
Proanthocyanidins: Neurological health
Neuroprotective properties against:
* Alzheimer’s by inhibiting beta amyloid aggregation.
* Parkinson’s by protecting dopamine producing cells.
Proanthocyanidins: Anti-cancer
Proanthocyanidins have anti cancer properties:
* They can inhibit cell proliferation and induce apoptosis and cell cycle arrest.
* Research suggests an inhibitory effect on cancer stem cells, which are central to tumour initiation and metastasis.
Proanthocyanidins: Dosage
- A plant rich diet is considered to provide proanthocyanidins at an amount that promotes general health.
- For specific health conditions, supplemental doses based on grape seed and pine bark extracts can be used (proanthocyandins 100-300 mg daily).
Proanthocyanidins: Safety and interactions
- Generally recognised as safe and well tolerated.
- Monitor with antihypertensive medication. Caution with anti-coagulant medications may have additive effects.
Anthocyanins
Anthocyanins and their aglycone ‘anthocyanidins’ are blue, red and purple pigments found in a range of plants. They are protective against UV radiation in plants:
* Found in the tissues of plants including leaves, stems, roots, flowers and fruits.
Anthocyanins: Food sources
Acai berry, blackcurrant, blueberry, bilberry, cherry,
red grape, purple corn.
Anthocyanins: Functions
Cardiovascular health
Type 2 Diabetes
Eye health
Neurological health
Anthocyanins: Cardiovascular health
- Antioxidant scavenging ROS. Anti-inflammatory inhibit NFκB. These effects protect against endothelial damage and reduce LDL oxidation.
- Improve blood lipids
rasie HDLs, lower LDLs, total cholesterol and triglycerides. - Decrease arterial stiffness and reduce blood pressure.
- increase insulin sensitivity
Anthocyanins: Cardiovascular health - Therapeutic uses
- Hypertension.
- Atherosclerosis.
- Dyslipidaemia.
- Protective against peripheral arterial disease and
coronary artery disease.
Anthocyanins: Type 2 diabetes
- Improve insulin secretion and ↑ insulin sensitivity.
- Thought to activate the enzyme AMPK, which:
‒ Upregulates GLUT4 (transports glucose into cells).
‒ Inhibits glucose production in the liver. - Antioxidant and anti inflammatory properties help protect against diabetic complications including retinopathy and neuropathy.
Anthocyanins: Eye health
- Protect ocular tissue from oxidative stress.
- Improve night vision (protects photoreceptor cells).
Anthocyanins: Neurological health
- Able to cross the blood brain barrier to exert neuroprotective effects.
- Reduce damaging effects of processes that contribute to neurodegeneration including oxidative stress, excitotoxicity and glial inflammation.
- Support cognitive performance with improvements in memory and learning.
Anthocyanins: Neurological health - Therapeutic uses
Neurodegenerative conditions such as:
* Alzheimer’s disease.
* Parkinson’s disease.
* Motor neurone disease.
To protect against:
* Cerebral ischemia.
* Age related memory loss.
Anthocyanins: Dosage
- Moderate amounts of anthocyanins e.g. 1/3 cup of blueberries daily, are associated with reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes and neurological decline (equivalent anthocyanins 25-50 mg).
- Doses of between 25-50 mg daily have shown to support visual health.
- Supplemental doses of up to 640 mg anthocyanins daily in adults have been used for cardiovascular issues with no reported adverse effects.
Anthocyanins: Safety
- Dietary intake is recognised as safe and unlikely to cause harm.
Anthocyanins: Interactions
- Many anthocyanins have been identified as inhibitors of BRCP mediated transport, theoretically increasing bioavailability of certain drugs including
– Anticancer agents (mitoxantrone, topotecan,
tyrosine kinase inhibitors) ; antibiotics
(fluoroquinolones); β blockers (prazosin). - High intakes (e.g. from supplements) could increase the risk of bleeding when taken with anticoagulant drugs
