Cardioprotective Effects of Cultivated Black Chokeberries (Aroniaspp.): Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry and Therapeutic Effects

Abstract

Cardiovascular diseases represent the main cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Obesity, sedentary life style, diet, smoking and stress are the principal inducers of hypertension, endothelium dysfunction and insulin resistance in the developed countries. The latest in vitro and in vivo studies on different type of extracts obtained from black-fruited Aronia highlight its excellent cardioprotective actions for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular and metabolic disorders. So, this chapter aims to bring an up-to-date regarding the antioxidant, antiinflammatory, anti-atherosclerotic, antiplatelet, blood pressure, glucose and lipid reduction properties of black-fruited Aronia, as a possible new therapeutic strategy for the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular pathologies.

Biological Evaluation of Black Chokeberry Extract Free and Embedded in Two Mesoporous Silica-Type Matrices

“…The Aronia genus (belonging to the Rosaceae family and the Amygdaloideae subfamily) originates from the eastern parts of North America and was initially used by the Native Americans of Forest Potawatomi as tea for the treatment of colds [1][2][3]. Around 1900, it migrated to Europe, initially as ornamental shrubs, and then, around 1946, the plant was settled as a cultivar in Russia.…”

“…Around 1900, it migrated to Europe, initially as ornamental shrubs, and then, around 1946, the plant was settled as a cultivar in Russia. More recently, it spread to East European countries, Germany, Sweden, Norway, and Finland, and, in 1976, it was introduced to Japan [1,2]. Aronia fruits are also known as chokeberries, dogberries, choke pears, or wild gooseberries [3].…”

“…Elliot, known as the black chokeberry; Aronia prunifolia (Marshall) Rehder, the purple chokeberry; Aronia arbutifolia (L.) Pers, the red chokeberry; and Aronia mitschurinii A.K. Skvortsov & Maitul, the dark-fruited chokeberry [1,4].…”

“…As reported by Brand et al, it seems that almost all of the scientific investigations found in the literature on Aronia fruit content have been performed using Aronia mitschurinii (a hybrid containing 75% A. melanocarpa and 25% Sorbus aucuparia, and which is the only species used for commercial fruit production), and not on A. melanocarpa (Michx.) Elliot due to an inadequacy in understanding the taxonomy and genetics of Aronia [1,5].…”

“…Several in vitro and in vivo studies have highlighted the antioxidant (one of the richest plants in antioxidants), anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative, anti-atherosclerotic, hypotensive, antiplatelet, cardioprotective, gastroprotective, antidiabetic, antimicrobial (antibacterial and antiviral), immunomodulatory, and antitumor potential of the fruits, the juice, or the different types of concentrated or standardized extracts [1,4].…”