Vasoactive and Vasoprotective Antioxidant Properties of Anthocyanin-Enriched Berry Extracts

Cardiovascular disease is associated with impaired arterial function that is strongly related to both impairment of the arterial endothelial nitric oxide system and exposure of arteries to excessive concentrations of reactive oxygen species. Agents that can stimulate the arterial NO system and/or attenuate vascular damage from oxygen radicals have the potential to produce beneficial effects in cardiovascular disease. Recent vascular experiments have shown that anthocyanin-enriched berry extracts both stimulate coronary arterial NO systems and protect arteries from damage due to oxygen radicals.