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Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Cherry Extract: Nanosystems-Based Strategies to Improve Endothelial
Denise Beconcini1,2,3, Francesca Felice2, Angela Fabiano3
1Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy.
Insights
Cherry extract (CE) demonstrates significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, potentially combating cardiovascular diseases. Novel nanoparticle delivery systems enhance CE bioavailability and absorption for improved therapeutic outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Nutraceuticals and Cardiovascular Health
- Cellular Biology and Inflammation
- Nanotechnology in Drug Delivery
Background:
- Flavonoids in cherry fruit offer protection against oxidative stress, inflammation, and endothelial dysfunction, key factors in atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases (CVD).
- Limited fresh cherry availability necessitates research into cherry extract (CE) as a potent nutraceutical alternative.
- Limited studies exist on the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of CE, particularly its mechanism of action.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of cherry extract (CE).
- To investigate the mechanism of action of CE in an in vitro model of endothelial dysfunction.
- To present and discuss strategies for improving CE bioavailability and absorption using nanotechnology.
Main Methods:
- An in vitro model using Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells (HUVEC) was employed to assess CE's antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.
- Cells were subjected to stress to induce inflammation and endothelial dysfunction, mimicking disease conditions.
- Chitosan derivative nanoparticles (Ch-der NP) and poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid nanoparticles (PLGA NP) were utilized to evaluate enhanced CE delivery.
Main Results:
- Cherry extract (CE) demonstrated significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities in the HUVEC model.
- Chitosan derivative nanoparticles (Ch-der NP) showed improved mucoadhesive properties and cellular interaction, leading to enhanced polyphenol absorption compared to PLGA NP.
- Nanoparticle systems offer a promising strategy to overcome the gastrointestinal degradation of CE polyphenols and improve bioavailability.
Conclusions:
- Cherry extract possesses significant nutraceutical potential for managing cardiovascular disease risk factors.
- Nanotechnology, particularly chitosan-based nanoparticles, can effectively enhance the bioavailability and cellular uptake of CE polyphenols.
- Further research into nanosystems for CE and other nutraceuticals is warranted for improved therapeutic applications and safety.
Abstract:
Cherry fruit has a high content in flavonoids. These are important diet components protecting against oxidative stress, inflammation, and endothelial dysfunction, which are all involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, which is the major cause of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Since the seasonal availability of fresh fruit is limited, research has been focused on cherry extract (CE), which also possesses a high nutraceutical potential. Many clinical studies have demonstrated the nutraceutical efficacy of fresh cherries, but only a few studies on CE antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities have been carried out. Here, the results concerning the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of CE are reviewed. These were obtained by an in vitro model based on Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells (HUVEC). To clarify the CE mechanism of action, cells were stressed to induce inflammation and endothelial dysfunction. Considering that antioxidants' polyphenol compounds are easily degraded in the gastrointestinal tract, recent strategies to reduce the degradation and improve the bioavailability of CE are also presented and discussed. In particular, we report on results obtained with nanoparticles (NP) based on chitosan derivatives (Ch-der), which improved the mucoadhesive properties of the chitosan polymers, as well as their positive charge, to favor high cellular interaction and polyphenols intestinal absorption, compared with a non-mucoadhesive negative surface charged poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid NP. The advantages and safety of different nanosystems loaded with natural CE or other nutraceuticals are also discussed.
