Potential of Anthocyanin to Prevent Cardiovascular Disease in Diabetes

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Pharmacology
• Nutrition Science

Background:

• Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD), primarily due to macrovascular complications like atherosclerosis.
• Atherosclerosis in diabetic patients is exacerbated by platelet hyperactivity, a condition where aspirin, a common antiplatelet drug, is increasingly showing resistance.
• Effective management of CVD in diabetes necessitates exploring novel therapeutic strategies beyond conventional antiplatelet agents.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the potential benefits of anthocyanins (AC) as an antioxidant with antiplatelet properties.
• To investigate the efficacy of anthocyanins as a complementary therapy for attenuating atherosclerosis and CVD in individuals with type 2 diabetes.
• To explore anthocyanins as a potential alternative to aspirin for managing platelet hyperactivity in diabetic patients.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive literature review was conducted, searching databases including PubMed, Web of Science, LISTA, and Library of Congress.
• Keywords used for the search encompassed 'anthocyanins,' 'platelet,' 'cardiovascular disease,' and 'diabetes' within the publication period of 2007 to 2017.
• The study synthesized findings from existing research to assess the role of anthocyanins in platelet function and cardiovascular health.

Main Results:

• Platelets play a critical role in the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis and CVD in diabetic individuals.
• Dietary antioxidants, specifically anthocyanins, demonstrate a potential for inhibiting platelet activity.
• Anthocyanins may serve as a complementary therapy to mitigate thrombotic and CVD risks associated with diabetes.

Conclusions:

• While aspirin is a standard treatment for CVD, its effectiveness is limited in diabetic patients due to rising aspirin resistance.
• Anthocyanins possess antioxidant and potential antiplatelet effects that could help prevent atherosclerosis and CVD in diabetes.
• Further interventional studies and large-scale clinical trials are required to validate anthocyanins as a viable alternative to conventional antiplatelet drugs.