Bilberry anthocyanin-rich extract protects against retinal photooxidative damage via activation of HO-1 and inhibition of NF-κB

Abstract

Bilberry anthocyanins are functional ingredients for preventing retinal degeneration. This study was to determine whether the molecular mechanism of bilberry anthocyanin-rich extract (BAE) protection of retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells and retina against photooxidative damage via heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) upregulation in vitro and in vivo. Results shown that BAE protected ARPE-19 cells from visible light-induced damage, reduced the intracellular reactive oxygen species levels, and up-regulated the expression of HO-1. Pigmented rabbits were treated with BAE (250 and 500 mg/kg/day) for 2 weeks pre-illumination and 1 week postillumination until sacrifice. The expression of HO-1 in the retina was up-regulated after BAE treatment. BAE significantly suppressed the photooxidation-induced increase in expression of interleukine-6 protein. BAE also attenuated the expression of inflammationrelated gene nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB). Thus, BAE reduced retinal photooxidative damage through activating the HO-1 expression and suppressing NF-κB activation. ARTICLE HISTORY

Protective Effect of Chrysanthemum boreale Flower Extracts against A2E-Induced Retinal Damage in ARPE-19 Cell

“…Bilberries and blueberries containing chrysanthemin are known to have protective effects against A2E. Anthocyanins from bilberries protect RPE cells against A2E photo-oxidation, and bilberry extract suppresses RPE cell damage from visible light and ROS generation [50,51]. Anthocyanins from blueberries prevented A2E-induced cytotoxicity by reducing A2E-epoxidation.…”

Anthocyanins as Key Phytochemicals Acting for the Prevention of Metabolic Diseases: An Overview

“…Specifically, after the application of 50 µL/mL of berry-derived ANs on diabetic human aortic endothelial cells (D-HAEC) subjected to oxidative stress, a decrease in the inflammatory and oxidative process was demonstrated by inhibition of the NF-ÎB signaling pathway [145]. Similarly, the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of anthocyanin extracts from various fruits have been demonstrated in retinal epithelial cell models [173][174][175][176].…”

The Biomedical Functions and Related Mechanisms of Anthocyanin-Rich Extracts from Different Plant-Based Food

“…Bulberry anthocyanin extract protected retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells from damage induced by H2O2, as indicated by morphological observation [13]. Also, anthocyanins from blueberries are capable of reducing A2E-epoxidation by quenching singlet oxygen and protecting RPE cells from A2E cytotoxicity [14].…”