Exploring the Applications of the Photoprotective Properties of Anthocyanins in Biological Systems

Abstract

Due to their physical and chemical characteristics, anthocyanins are amongst the most versatile groups of natural compounds. Such unique signature makes these compounds a focus in several different areas of research. Anthocyanins have well been reported as bioactive compounds in a myriad of health disorders such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and obesity, among others, due to their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-diabetic, anti-bacterial, and anti-proliferative capacities. Such a vast number of action mechanisms may be also due to the number of structurally different anthocyanins plus their related derivatives. In this review, we highlight the recent advances on the potential use of anthocyanins in biological systems with particular focus on their photoprotective properties. Topics such as skin aging and eye degenerative diseases, highly influenced by light, and the action of anthocyanins against such damages will be discussed. Photodynamic Therapy and the potential role of anthocyanins as novel photosensitizers will be also a central theme of this review.

Natural Photosensitizers in Antimicrobial Photodynamic Therapy

“…Phthalocyanine derivatives exhibit a photodynamic fungicidal effect [ 138 ] and a strong APDT effect against Gram-negative bacterial biofilms [ 139 ]. Phthalocyanine derivatives have also shown strong photodynamic antibacterial activity against S. typhimurium [ 140 ]. Moreover, chlorin derivatives showed high efficiency against a broad range of microorganisms under blue light (56 W/m 2 ) [ 141 ], and bacteriochlorin derivatives with red light (278 W/m 2 ) were highly effective against Gram-negative bacterial biofilms [ 139 ].…”

Natural and Synthetic Flavylium-Based Dyes: The Chemistry Behind the Color

“…Anthocyanins are the most frequently studied flavylium dyes because they are the largest class of water-soluble compounds present in the plant kingdom and are responsible for a range of colors in plants, from orange-red to purple-blue hues. These types of natural pigments play an important role in plant reproduction because they attract pollinators and seed dispersers by presenting attractive colors. , In addition, anthocyanins protect plants from several biotic and abiotic stresses. , Anthocyanins may act as photoprotective agents by absorbing excess visible and UV light, preventing the formation of free radicals that may affect plant tissues by compromising photosynthesis. , Because of their recognized antioxidant properties, anthocyanins may also be important in maintaining the integrity of membranes in fruits and vegetables during the postharvest period, decelerating cell senescence. , In addition, the consumption of anthocyanin-rich foods has been associated with numerous beneficial health effects owing to the multiple biological properties of these compounds (e.g., antiproliferative, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties). − Regarding the technological applications of anthocyanins, novel physicochemical properties have been discovered and multiple applications have been explored and extended to different areas, such as their use as pH-freshness indicators for food intelligent packaging and as photosensitizers for dye-sensitive solar cells (DSSCs). − …”

Enzymatic acylation of cyanidin-3-O-glucoside in raspberry anthocyanins for intelligent packaging: Improvement of stability, lipophilicity and functional properties

“…Table 1 presented the kinetic parameters for anthocyanins photodegradation under incandescent and UV light, indicating that acylation of C3G significantly improved its photostability. Previous studies revealed that light degradation mechanism is derived largely from excitation of the flavylium cation ( Oliveira et al, 2020 ), octanoic acid was stacked on the anthocyanidin nucleus through acylation to protect the flavylium cation from excitation ( Matsufuji et al, 2007 ). The C3G and its acylated derivative both followed the first-order degradation kinetics of photo-degradation under either incandescent lamp or UV light ( Fig.…”