Black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) extracts in terms of geroprotector criteria

Highlights

• A. melanocarpa is a rich source of polyphenols with versatile health benefits.

• Aronia has geroprotective potential due to the hormetic effect of phytochemicals.

• The anti-aging effect is linked with activation of stress response mechanisms.

• Potential adverse effects of polyphenols should be taken into account.

Abstract

Background

Black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa (Micht.) Elliot) is a great dietary source of a wide range of biologically active compounds, such as anthocyanins, flavonoids, other phenolic compounds, vitamins, and minerals that have a wide range of health benefits.

Scope and approach

Here we provide an overview of the in vitro and in vivo effects of A. melanocarpa extracts to reveal its potential anti-aging properties in terms of meeting the criteria for a geroprotector. The possible mechanisms of the anti-aging action of black chokeberry extracts are highlighted.

Key findings and conclusions

A. melanocarpa extract exhibit geroprotective activity like lifespan extension, anti-proliferative activity, improvement of glucose and lipid metabolism, amelioration of neurodegenerative disorders, antiviral and antibacterial activity, protection of the gastrointestinal system. The mechanisms of A. melanocarpa anti-aging action may be associated with the hormesis effect, activation of antioxidant-defense, modulation of insulin/IGF-1 signaling, and anti-inflammatory activity.

Introduction

Natural products, such as plant extracts or isolated plant compounds, have been used increasingly to prevent and treat diseases and maintain healthy longevity (Fontana & Partridge, 2015). Numerous studies have confirmed that a diet rich in plant foods (berries, fruits, and vegetables) provides functional benefits for human health and protects against cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, osteoporosis, and neurodegenerative diseases (Borowska & Brzóska, 2016; Kahleova, Levin, & Barnard, 2020; Lee et al., 2017; Nile & Park, 2014; Olas, 2018; Szajdek & Borowska, 2008). Therefore, studies of new biologically active molecules and their sources have attracted considerable interest, particularly in the food industry, which has introduced various natural components in food products to improve their functionality (Arruda, Neri-Numa, Kido, Maróstica Júnior, & Pastore, 2020; Tolun & Altintas, 2019, pp. 235–284).

Black chokeberry Aronia melanocarpa (Michx.) Elliot is a valuable fruit crop that belongs to the Rose family (Rosaceae) and Apple subfamily (Pomodieae) (Kokotkiewicz, Jaremicz, & Luczkiewicz, 2010). Black chokeberry originates from North America (Jurikova et al., 2017; Kokotkiewicz et al., 2010; Rugină et al., 2012). Staszowska-Karkut and Materska (2020) reported that American Indians used infusion of Aronia leaves as an elixir of youth. Aronia was also used as a cure for colds, to heal wounds and bones, and by pregnant women to promote strength development (Costea, Lupu, Vlase, Nencu, & Gird, 2016; Staszowska-Karkut & Materska, 2020). Chokeberry leaf extracts were used as an anti-cold and anti-inflammatory remedy (Costea et al., 2016; Ferlemi & Lamari, 2016; Staszowska-Karkut & Materska, 2020). Chokeberry was first mentioned in Northern (Finland, Sweden, and Norway), Eastern (Poland) and Central (Germany) Europe at the beginning of the 20th century. In Russia, the distribution of chokeberry occurred initially in the Northern regions in the middle of the 20th century and then became widespread throughout the country (Chrubasik, Li, & Chrubasik, 2010; Denev, Kratchanov, Ciz, Lojek, & Kratchanova, 2012; Janick & Paull, 2008; Jurikova et al., 2017; Kulling & Rawel, 2008). Nowadays Aronia is cultivated all over the world, but as a commercial berry crop, it has gained the highest popularity in the Northern (Denmark, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Sweden), Eastern (Bulgaria, Poland, Serbia), and Central (Czech Republic, Germany) European countries (Borowska & Brzóska, 2016; Kulling & Rawel, 2008; Sueiro et al., 2006). Poland is the world's largest producer of chokeberries, accounting for almost 90% of global production (Engels & Brinckmann, 2014). According to Poland's Agricultural Market Agency, between 2004 and 2013 chokeberry fields in Poland increased from a total of 5000 ha to 8000 ha in size and the yield from 38,000 to 58,000 metric tons. However, the larger 2013 crop caused oversupply and depressed the chokeberry market (Engels & Brinckmann, 2014). The most common cultivated varieties of black chokeberry are Finnish “Viking”, Czech “Nero”, Danish “Aron”, Polish “Galichanka”, Swedish “Hugin”, Russian “Rubina” and Hungarian "Fertödi" (Janick & Paull, 2008; Jurikova et al., 2017). Currently, chokeberry is distributed widely all over the world and is used as a food (juices, jams, wine, and desserts), a source of natural food colorant, and a rich source of phytonutrients with a wide spectrum of beneficial actions (Cvetanovic et al., 2018; Ferlemi & Lamari, 2016; Jurikova et al., 2017; Kokotkiewicz et al., 2010; Kulling & Rawel, 2008; Staszowska-Karkut & Materska, 2020).

Aronia has positive effects on chronic diseases, including cardiovascular diseases (Duchnowicz, Nowicka, Koter-Michalak, & Broncel, 2012; Naruszewicz, Laniewska, Millo, & Dłuzniewski, 2007), neurodegenerative disorders (Daskalova et al., 2019; Islam, 2017; Lee et al., 2016, 2017), and type 1 diabetes (Badescu, Badulescu, Badescu, & Ciocoiu, 2015; Jeon et al., 2018). Experimental studies have shown that the health-promoting properties of black chokeberry products (such as extracts from berries, leaves, and stems) may be associated with their strong antioxidant activity (Cvetanovic et al., 2018; Jurikova et al., 2017; Kim, Ku, et al., 2013; Thi & Hwang, 2016), antitumor activity (Rugină et al., 2012; Skupień, Kostrzewa-Nowak, Oszmiański, & Tarasiuk, 2008; Staszowska-Karkut & Materska, 2020), anti-inflammatory activity (Lee et al., 2018; Ohgami et al., 2005; Zapolska-Downar, Bryk, Małecki, Hajdukiewicz, & Sitkiewicz, 2012), gastroprotective effects (Matsumoto, Hara, Chiji, & Kasai, 2004; Paulrayer et al., 2017) and improvement of lipid metabolism (Bakuradze et al., 2019; Jakovljevic et al., 2018; Park et al., 2017).

This review summarizes and evaluates the relevant literature on the effects of chokeberry extracts on various model organisms (fruit fly, mouse, rat) and intracellular processes to identify its potential geroprotective (anti-aging) properties. The geroprotective properties were estimated based on the criteria proposed previously (Moskalev et al., 2016), which include the following effects: (1) lifespan extension in model organisms, (2) amelioration of the biomarkers of aging, (3) low toxicity, (4) minimal risk for adverse events, (5) improvement of the quality of life, (6) evolutionarily conserved mechanisms, (7) reproducibility on different models, (8) prevention of age-associated diseases, and (9) increased resistance to environmental stress factors.