title: Nutraceutical value of black cherry Prunus serotina Ehrh. fruits: antioxidant and antihypertensive properties.
abstract: In Mexico black cherry (Prunus serotina Ehrh.) fruits are consumed fresh, dried or prepared in jam. Considering the evidence that has linked intake of fruits and vegetables rich in polyphenols to cardiovascular risk reduction, the aim of this study was to characterize the phenolic profile of black cherry fruits and to determine their antioxidant, vasorelaxant and antihypertensive effects. The proximate composition and mineral contents of these fruits were also assessed. Black cherry fruits possess a high content of phenolic compounds and display a significant antioxidant capacity. High-performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometric analysis indicated that hyperoside, anthocyanins and chlorogenic acid were the main phenolic compounds found in these fruits. The black cherry aqueous extract elicited a concentration-dependent relaxation of aortic rings and induced a significant reduction on systolic blood pressure in L-NAME induced hypertensive rats after four weeks of treatment. Proximate analysis showed that black cherry fruits have high sugar, protein, and potassium contents. The results derived from this study indicate that black cherry fruits contain phenolic compounds which elicit significant antioxidant and antihypertensive effects. These findings suggest that these fruits might be considered as functional foods useful for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases.
authors.affiliation: Doctorado en Ciencias Biológicas y de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Unidad Xochimilco, México D.F. 04960, Mexico. cibarra@uaq.mx.
authors.forename: Francisco J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Luna-Vázquez
authors.forename: César
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ibarra-Alvarado
authors.forename: Alejandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rojas-Molina
authors.forename: Juana I
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Rojas-Molina
authors.forename: Elhadi M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Yahia
authors.forename: Dulce M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Rivera-Pastrana
authors.forename: Adriana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rojas-Molina
authors.forename: Miguel Ángel
authors.initials: MÁ
authors.lastname: Zavala-Sánchez
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology; D001011:Aorta / Q000187:drug effects; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D019587:Dietary Supplements / Q000032:analysis*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000737:chemistry; D005638:Fruit / Q000737:chemistry*; D008297:Male; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D008903:Minerals / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D015394:Molecular Structure; D010636:Phenols / Q000737:chemistry; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology; D027861:Prunus / Q000737:chemistry*; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D005419:Flavonoids; D008903:Minerals; D010636:Phenols; D010936:Plant Extracts