Berries are a rich source of bioactive compounds with potential beneficial effects on human health. In the last 5 years, several in vitro, in vivo and clinical studies, summarized in this concise review, have confirmed their preventive effect on the onset of serious diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular diseases, reaffirming the importance of their implementation in the diet.
NileSH, ParkSW, Edible berries: Bioactive components and their effect on human health, Nutrition. 2014;30(2):134–44.
2.
BattinoM, Forbes-HernándezTY, GasparriniM, AfrinS, CianciosiD, ZhangJ, et al.Relevance of functional foods in the Mediterranean diet: The role of olive oil, berries and honey in the prevention of cancer and cardiovascular diseases, Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2019;59(6):893–920.
3.
GiampieriF, Forbes-HernandezTY, GasparriniM, AfrinS, CianciosiD, Reboredo-RodriguezP, et al.The healthy effects of strawberry bioactive compounds on molecular pathways related to chronic diseases, Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2017;1398(1):62–71.
4.
BattinoM, BeekwilderJ, Denoyes-RothanB, LaimerM, McDougallGJ, MezzettiB, Bioactive compounds in berries relevant to human health, Nutr Rev. 2009;67:S145–50.
5.
AfrinS, GiampieriF, GasparriniM, Forbes-HernandezTY, Varela-LópezA, QuilesJL, et al.Molecules. 2016;21(2):169.
6.
PanP, HuangYW, OshimaK, YearsleyM, ZhangJ, YuJ, et al.An immunological perspective for preventing cancer with berries, J Berry Res. 2018;8(3):163–75.
7.
GiampieriF, AfrinS, StewartD, McDougallGJ, BrennanR, BlythL, et al.Phytochemical composition and cytotoxic effects on liver hepatocellular carcinoma cells of different berries following a simulated in vitro gastrointestinal digestion, Molecules. 2018;23(8):E1918.
8.
PanP, SkaerC, YuJ, ZhaoH, RenH, OshimaK, WangLS, Berries and other natural products in the pancreatic cancer chemoprevention in human clinical trials, J Berry Res. 2017;7(3):147–61.
9.
PeifferDS, Preparing black raspberry components for their use as cancer therapeutics, J. Berry Res. 2018;8(4):297–306.
10.
LucioliS, PastorinoF, NotaP, BallanG, FrattarelliA, FabbriA, et al.Extracts from cell suspension cultures of strawberry (Fragaria x ananassaDuch): Cytotoxic effects on human cancer cells, Molecules. 2019;24(9).
11.
MazzoniL, GiampieriF, Alvarez SuarezJM, GasparriniM, MezzettiB, Forbes HernandezTY, et al.Isolation of strawberry anthocyanin-rich fractions and their mechanisms of action against murine breast cancer cell lines, Food Funct. 2019. doi: 10.1039/c9fo01721f.
12.
PanP, PeifferDS, HuangYW, OshimaK, StonerGD, WangLS, Inhibition of the development of N-nitrosomethylbenzylamine-induced esophagealtumors in rats by strawberries and aspirin, alone and in combination, J Berry Res. 2018;8(2):137–46.
13.
AmatoriS, MazzoniL, Alvarez-SuarezJM, GiampieriF, GasparriniM, Forbes-HernandezTY, AfrinS, et al.Polyphenol-rich strawberry extract (PRSE) shows in vitro and in vivo biological activity against invasive breast cancer cells, Sci Rep. 2016;6:30917.
14.
Forbes-HernándezTY, GasparriniM, AfrinS, CianciosiD, González-ParamásAM, Santos-BuelgaC, et al.Strawberry (cv, Romina) methanolic extract and anthocyanin-enriched fraction improve lipid profile and antioxidant status in HepG2 cells. Int J Mol Sci. 2017;18(6):1149.
15.
GiampieriF, GasparriniM, Forbes-HernandezTY, MazzoniL, CapocasaF, SabbadiniS, et al.Overexpression of the anthocyanidin synthase gene in strawberry enhances antioxidant capacity and cytotoxic effects on human hepatic cancer cells, J Agric Food Chem. 2018;66(3):581–92.
16.
LeeD, Sung KangK, LeeS, Ju ChoE, Young KimH, Cytotoxic effects of strawberry, korean raspberry, and mulberry extracts on human ovarian cancer Acells, Prev Nutr Food Sci. 2016;21(4):384–8.
LinW, LiZ, Blueberries inhibit cyclooxygenase-1 and cyclooxygenase-2 activity in human epithelial ovarian cancer, Oncol Lett. 2017;13(6):4897–904.
19.
FarrukhaA, JeyaprakashbJ, HinabK, RadhaaM, InderPaldS, et al.Lung cancer inhibitory activity of dietary berries and berry polyphenolics, J Berry Res. 2016;6(2):105–14.
20.
WangE, LiuY, XuC, LiuJ, Antiproliferative and proapoptotic activities of anthocyanin and anthocyanidin extracts from blueberry fruits on B16-F10 melanoma cells, Food Nutr Res. 2017;61(1):1325308.
21.
DavidsonKT, ZhuZ, BaiQ, XiaoH, WakefieldMR, FangY, Blueberry as a potential radiosensitizer for treating cervical cancer, Pathol Oncol Res. 2019;25(1):81–8.
22.
ChangHP, LuCC, ChiangJH, TsaiFJ, JuanYN, TsaoJW, et al.Pterostilbene modulates the suppression of multidrug resistance protein 1 and triggers autophagic and apoptotic mechanisms in cisplatin-resistant human oral cancer CAR cells via AKT signaling, Int J Oncol. 2018. doi: 10.3892/ijo.2018.4298.
23.
AgudeloCD, CeballosN, Gómez-GarcíaA, Maldonado-CelisME, Andean Berry (Vaccinium meridionale Swartz) Juice improves plasma antioxidant capacity and IL-6 levels in healthy people with dietary risk factors for colorectal cancer, J Berry Res. 2018;8(4):251–61.
24.
TatarM, BagheriZ, VarediM, NaghibalhossainiF, Blackberry extract inhibits telomerase activity in human colorectal cancer cells, Nutr Cancer. 2019;71(3):461–71.
25.
PlackalAdimuriyilGB, TyngaIM, AbrahamseH, In vitro antiproliferative effect of the acetone extract of rubusfairholmianus gard, Root on Human Colorectal Cancer Cells Biomed Res Int. 2015;2015:165037.
26.
HuangYW, ChuangCY, HsiehYS, ChenPN, YangSF, Shih-Hsuan-Lin, et al.Rubusidaeus extract suppresses migration and invasion of human oral cancer by inhibiting MMP-2 through modulation of the Erk1/2 signaling pathway, Environ Toxicol. 2017;32(3):1037–46.
27.
KimMK, ChoiHS, ChoSG, ShinYC, KoSG, Rubuscoreanus Miquel extract causes apoptosis of doxorubicin-resistant NCI/ADR-RES ovarian cancer cells via JNK phosphorylation, Mol Med Rep. 2016;13(5):4065–72.
28.
ShiN, ChenF, ZhangX, ClintonSK, TangX, SunZ, et al.Suppression of oxidative stress and NFκB/MAPK signaling by lyophilized black raspberries for esophageal cancer prevention in rats, Nutrients. 2017;9(4):413.
29.
PanP, DombkowskiAA, WangL-S, StonerGD, A nutrigenetic approach for investigating the chemopreventive effects of black raspberries during the development of preneoplastic esophagi in rats, J Berry Res. 2018;8(4):263–74.
30.
ChenL, JiangB, ZhongC, GuoJ, ZhangL, MuT, et al.Chemoprevention of colorectal cancer by black raspberry anthocyanins involved the modulation of gut microbiota and SFRP2 demethylation, Carcinogenesis. 2018;39(3):471–81.
31.
OghumuS, CastoBC, Ahn-JarvisJ, WeghorstLC, MaloneyJ, GeuyP, et al.Inhibition of pro-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic biomarkers during experimental oral cancer chemoprevention by dietary black raspberries, Front Immunol. 2017;8:1325.
32.
PanP, OshimaK, HuangY-W, YearsleyM, ZhangJ, ArnoldM, et al.Gut bacteria are required for the benefits of black raspberries in Apc Min/+mice, J Berry Res. 2018;8(4):239–49.
33.
ZhangH, LiuJ, LiG, WeiJ, ChenH, ZhangC, et al.Fresh red raspberry phytochemicals suppress the growth of hepatocellular carcinoma cells by PTEN/AKT pathway, Int J Biochem Cell Biol. 2018;104:55–65.
34.
KnoblochTJ, UhrigLK, PearlDK, CastoBC, WarnerBM, ClintonSK, et al.Suppression of proinflammatory and prosurvival biomarkers in oral cancer patients consuming a black raspberry phytochemical-rich troche, Cancer Prev Res. 2016;9(2):159–71.
AlarcónM, FuentesE, OlateN, NavarreteS, CarrascoG, et al.Strawberry extract presents antiplatelet activity by inhibition of inflammatory mediator of atherosclerosis (sP-selectin, sCD40L, RANTES, and IL-1β) and thrombus formation, Platelets. 2015;26(3):224–9.
37.
Alvarez-SuarezJM, GiampieriF, TulipaniS, CasoliT, Di StefanoG, González-ParamásAM, et al.One-month strawberry-rich anthocyanin supplementation ameliorates cardiovascular risk, oxidative stress markers and platelet activation in humans, J Nutr Biochem. 2014;25(3):289–94.
38.
PetersenC, BharatD, CutlerBR, GholamiS, DenetsoC1, MuellerJE, et al.Circulating metabolites of strawberry mediate reductions in vascular inflammation and endothelial dysfunction in db/db mice, Int J Cardiol. 2018;263:111–7.
39.
DjuricaD, HoltRR, RenJ, ShindelAW, HackmanRM, KeenCL, Effects of a dietary strawberry powder on parameters of vascular health in adolescent males, Br J Nutr. 2016;116(4):639–47.
40.
Zasowska-NowakA, NowakPJ, BialasiewiczP, Prymont-PrzyminskaA, ZwolinskaA, SarniakA, et al.Strawberries added to the usual diet suppress fasting plasma paraoxonase activity and have a weak transient decreasing effect on cholesterol levels in healthy nonobese subjects, J Am Coll Nutr. 2016;35(5):422–35.
SunY, Nemec-BakkAS, MallikAU, BagchiAK, SingalPK, KhaperN, Blueberry extract attenuates doxorubicin-induced damage in H9c2 cardiac cells, Can J Physiol Pharmacol. 2019;97(9):880–4.
46.
Klimis-ZacasD, VendrameS, KristoA, Wild blueberries attenuate risk factors of the metabolic syndrome, J Berry Res. 2016;6(2):225–36.
47.
StröherDJ, Escobar PiccoliJdaC, GüllichAA, PilarBC, CoelhoRP, BrunoJB, et al.14 Days of supplementation with blueberry extract shows anti-atherogenic properties and improves oxidative parameters in hypercholesterolemic rat model, Int J Food Sci Nutr. 2015;66(5):559–68.
48.
StullAJ, CashKC, ChampagneCM, GuptaAK, BostonR, BeylRA, et al.Blueberries improve endothelial function, but not blood pressure, in adults with metabolic syndrome: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, Nutrients. 2015;7(6):4107–23.
49.
CurtisPJ, van der VelpenV, BerendsL, JenningsA, FeelischM, UmplebyAM, et al.Blueberries improve biomarkers of cardiometabolic function in participants with metabolic syndrome-results from a 6-month, double-blind, randomized controlled trial, Am J Clin Nutr. 2019;109(6):1535–45.
50.
JohnsonSA, FigueroaA, NavaeiN, WongA, KalfonR, OrmsbeeLT, et al.Daily blueberry consumption improves blood pressure and arterial stiffness in postmenopausal women with pre- and stage 1-hypertension: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, J Acad Nutr Diet. 2015;115(3):369–77.
51.
BellL, LamportDJ, ButlerLT, WilliamsCM, A study of glycaemic effects following acute anthocyanin-rich blueberry supplementation in healthy young adults, Food Funct. 2017;8(9):3104–10.
52.
Del Bo’C, DeonV, CampoloJ, LantiC, ParoliniM, PorriniM, Klimis-ZacasD, RisoP, A serving of blueberry (V.corymbosum) acutely improves peripheral arterial dysfunction in young smokers and non-smokers: Two randomized, controlled, crossover pilot studies. Food Funct. 2017;8(11):4108–17.
53.
FeresinRG, HuangJ, KlarichDS, ZhaoY, PourafsharS, ArjmandiBH, et al.Blackberry, raspberry and black raspberry polyphenol extracts attenuate angiotensin II-induced senescence in vascular smooth muscle cells, Food Funct. 2016;7(10):4175–87.
54.
NorattoG, ChewBP, IvanovI, Red raspberry decreases heart biomarkers of cardiac remodeling associated with oxidative and inflammatory stress in obese diabetic db/db mice, Food Funct. 2016;7(12):4944–4955.
55.
LuoT, Miranda-GarciaO, AdamsonA, SasakiG, ShayNF, Development of obesity is reduced in high-fat fed mice fed whole raspberries, raspberry juice concentrate, and a combination of the raspberry phytochemicals ellagic acid and raspberry ketone, J Berry Res. 2016;6(2):213–23.
56.
JeongHS, KimS, HongSJ, ChoiSC, ChoiJH, KimJH, et al.Black raspberry extract increased circulating endothelial progenitor cells and improved arterial stiffness in patients with metabolic syndrome: A randomized controlled trial, J Med Food. 2016;19(4):346–52.
57.
IstasG, FelicianoRP, WeberT, Garcia-VillalbaR, Tomas-BarberanF, HeissC, et al.Plasma urolithin metabolites correlate with improvements in endothelial function after red raspberry consumption: A double-blind randomized controlled trial, Arch Biochem Biophys. 2018;651:43–51.
