Raspberry protective role in inflammatory diseases: An overview.

Area of Science:

• * Nutritional Science and Biochemistry
• * Molecular Biology and Immunology
• * Pharmacology and Therapeutics

Background:

• * Inflammation is a fundamental immune response to pathogens, cellular damage, and toxins, potentially leading to acute and chronic inflammatory disorders.
• * Inflammatory conditions encompass a range of diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, neuroinflammation, arthritis, and cancer.
• * Immune cells and critical inflammatory signaling pathways are activated by both infectious and non-infectious stimuli.

Purpose of the Study:

• * To review the mechanistic insights into the protective roles of raspberries (Rubus idaeus) in managing inflammatory-related disorders.
• * To highlight the therapeutic potential of raspberry bioactive compounds against cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative conditions, and cancer.

Main Methods:

• * Literature review focusing on studies investigating the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of raspberry bioactive constituents.
• * Analysis of research detailing the effects of raspberry compounds on various inflammatory signaling pathways (e.g., MAPKs, NF-κB, PI3K/Akt).
• * Examination of studies reporting the pharmacological effects of raspberries, including cardioprotective, hepatoprotective, and anti-cancer activities.

Main Results:

• * Raspberries are rich in polyphenols (anthocyanins, flavanols, phenolic acids, urolithin A, ellagic acid) with significant anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities.
• * These compounds effectively regulate multiple inflammatory signaling pathways, including MAPKs, NF-κB, PI3K/Akt, AP-1, IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β, CD40, nitric oxide (NO), caspases, and the JAK-STAT pathway.
• * Raspberry constituents demonstrate broad pharmacological benefits, such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, cardioprotective, gastroprotective, anti-obesity, skin depigmenting, and bone-regenerative properties.

Conclusions:

• * Raspberries possess significant therapeutic potential for managing inflammatory disorders due to their rich bioactive compounds.
• * The anti-inflammatory mechanisms involve the regulation of key signaling pathways, offering protective effects against cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative conditions, and cancer.
• * Further research into raspberry's mechanistic actions can pave the way for novel therapeutic strategies against inflammation-related diseases.