Study Claim

Blackcurrant and boysenberry phenolic antioxidants were effective against cellular damage caused by oxidative stress.

Title, Publication, Authors, Affiliation

Effects of anthocyanins and other phenolics of boysenberry and blackcurrant as inhibitors of oxidative stress and damage to cellular DNA in SH-SY5Y and HL-60 cells.

Neurobiol Aging. 2005 Dec;26 Suppl 1:128-32. Epub 2005 Sep 27.

Dilip Ghosh ^{1 *}, Tony K McGhie ², Jingli Zhang ¹, Aselle Adaim ¹, Margot Skinner ¹

Food Sector, The Horticulture and Food Research Institute of New Zealand Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand, Future Horticulture Sector, The Horticulture and Food Research Institute of New Zealand Ltd, Palmerston North, New Zealand

Abstract

There is growing interest both from consumers and researchers in the role that berries play in human health. The objective of this study was to investigate whether anthocyanins and other phenolics present in boysenberries and blackcurrants are effective in protecting cells against the oxidative damage induced by hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). The concentrations of polyphenols used were within the human physiological range. The data showed that SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells were protected against H₂O₂-induced toxicity by the anthocyanins and phenolic fractions. The concurrent addition of either fractions of these berries with H₂O₂ significantly inhibited the increase in intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Pre-incubation of cells with the same concentrations had no effect on the ROS level - a result that may be due to the metabolic conversion to inactive compounds. Anthocyanins and phenolic fractions of blackcurrant were better at protecting DNA of HL-60 human promyelocytic cells from damage than similar fractions from boysenberry. The phenolic extract of blackcurrant demonstrated the highest protective effect against H₂O₂-induced neurotoxicity, oxidative stress and DNA damage and may be a good candidate for inclusion into a processed functional food.

Why This is of interest to Berry Wise and Consumers

Blackcurrants and boysenberries represent two of the many dark berry species Berry Wise uses in our products. Phenolics from these berries were effective in reducing oxidative stress in vitro. The results provide further evidence that berry antioxidants are effective against radical oxygen species and so offer protection against oxidative injuries associated with numerous diseases.

Send Page to a friend

Return to top

Close window