Antioxidant and antiinflammatory activities of cyanidin-3-glucoside and cyanidin-3-rutinoside in hydrogen peroxide and lipopolysaccharide-treated RAW264.7 cells

Cyanidin-3-glucoside (C3G) and cyanidin-3-rutinoside (C3R) are 2 major anthocyanins found in Korean Rubus fruits (blackberries, raspberries, and black raspberries). The antioxidant and antiinflammatory effects of C3G and C3R in RAW264.7 murine macrophage cells were determined. Anthocyanins (5, 10, and 20 μg/mL) significantly (p<0.05) reduced H₂O₂-induced cytotoxicity in H₂O₂-stimulated RAW264.7 cells, compared with control cells. Incubation with C3G or C3R significantly (p<0.05) decreased intracellular reactive oxygen species and DNA damage (Hoechst and comet assay), and the cellular ferric reducing antioxidant power also increased, compared with control cells. Nitric oxide production in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells treated with C3G and C3R was reduced by 41.9 and 34.4%, respectively. In addition, LPS-induced prostaglandin E₂ production was significantly (p<0.05) inhibited by C3G (51.7%) and C3R (58.6%), compared with LPS-stimulated control cells. Protein expressions of iNOS and COX-2 decreased in cells treated with anthocyanins. Anthocyanins down-regulated NF-κB expression and up-regulated I-κB expression in LPS-treated macrophages.