Bilberries and their anthocyanins ameliorate experimental colitis

Abstract

Bilberries have positive effects in acute and chronic diarrhea. Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) report on improved symptoms upon ingestion. Bilberries contain approximately 10% of anthocyanins (ACs), which have anti-oxidative, anti-carcinogenic, and anti-inflammatory properties. We investigated whether experimental colitis can be ameliorated by dried bilberries or ACs. Acute and chronic dextrane sodium sulphate (DSS) colitis were induced in Balb/c mice by 2.5% DSS in the drinking water. Mice were fed with dried bilberries or ACs, respectively. Cytokines were determined in supernatants from mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs) by ELISA and apoptosis was investigated by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase biotin-dUTP nick end labeling assays. Oral administration of bilberries during acute DSS-induced colitis ameliorated disease severity and reduced secretion of IFN-γ and tumor necrosis factor from mesenteric lymph node cells. Dried bilberries also improved chronic DSS-colitis. Ingestion of ACs reduced intestinal inflammation in acute and chronic DSS-colitis with decreased histological scores and cytokine secretion. Both bilberries and ACs prevented inflammation-induced apoptosis in colonic epithelial cells. Taken together, ingestion of dried bilberries had positive effects on various parameters especially in acute DSS-colitis. Oral administration of ACs resulted in an amelioration of acute colitis as well as chronic colitis. These promising results justify a clinical study on their therapeutic effect in inflammatory bowel disease patients.

Anthocyanins Prevent Colorectal Cancer Development in a Mouse Model

“…The findings on the prevention of colonic inflammation induced by DSS are in line with earlier experiments of our lab where we could demonstrate that anthocyanins have anti-inflammatory properties and ameliorate DSSinduced chronic colitis [27] . In human monocytic THP-1 cells, bilberry extract reduced interferon-γ (IFN-γ)-induced signal protein activation, pro-inflammatory gene expression and cytokine secretion, and enhanced tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)-induced responses [28] .…”

Bilberry-Derived Anthocyanins Prevent IFN-γ-Induced Pro-Inflammatory Signalling and Cytokine Secretion in Human THP-1 Monocytic Cells

“…It has been previously demonstrated that anthocyanins from bilberries decrease pro-inflammatory cytokine serum levels and attenuate the severity of experimental colitis in mice [11,12,13]. Here, we have shown that BE clearly inhibits the pro-inflammatory effects of IFN-γ in human THP-1 monocytes as well as in human PBMCs.…”

“…A number of studies showed that polyphenols attenuate disease activity in IBD patients [11,12,13,14]. The aim of this cell culture model was to provide more information about the cellular mechanisms underlying the protective and anti-inflammatory properties of anthocyanins.…”

“…Various studies provide evidence that anthocyanin extracts inhibit inflammatory gene expression in vitro [8,9,10]. Moreover, it has been demonstrated that anthocyanins from bilberries (also called blueberries) decrease pro-inflammatory cytokine serum levels and attenuate the severity of experimental colitis in mice [11,12,13]. In an open-label pilot study in patients with mild to moderate ulcerative colitis, despite standard treatment, an anthocyanin-rich bilberry preparation significantly reduced disease activity, endoscopy scores and faecal calprotectin levels [14].…”

Phytotherapeutische Praxis bei Magen-Darm-Beschwerden im Kindesalter

“…Extrakte aus der Heidelbeere finden sich auch als Zusatz zu bilanzierten Glucose-Elektrolyt-Lösungen; die darin enthaltenen Anthocyanidine [3] wirken reizlindernd, entzündungshemmend und adstringierend. Bei Obstipation, die vor allem im Kleinkindesalter zunehmend beobachtet wird, müssen nicht immer synthetische Laxantien oder Klysmen zum Einsatz kommen.…”