Anthocyanins and their target cells in metabolic syndrome
What it found
Anthocyanins, the natural pigments in dark fruits, vegetables and grains, appear to act on several cell types linked to metabolic syndrome, but the evidence is uneven.
The authors say some cell types have been studied well and others barely at all.
What they found
Studies in people
Broad effects reported
Population studies and nutrition trials of anthocyanins have shown wide-ranging biological effects that may benefit patients with metabolic syndrome related chronic diseases.
Studies in people and animals
Cells with evidence
The authors confirmed anthocyanins are effective on fat cells, blood vessel lining cells, inflammatory cells, liver cells, intestinal cells and gut bacteria.
Other findings
Cells lacking evidence
They found a lack of evidence for effects on platelets, skeletal muscle cells, liver stellate cells and pancreatic beta cells.
Mechanisms still unclear
The authors say the underlying mechanisms and the effects of anthocyanins on critical cells in chronic metabolic diseases are complex and elusive.
Structure and metabolites
The review also discusses the relationship between anthocyanin structure and function, and the metabolites formed from them.
What the authors conclude
“We confirmed that anthocyanins are efficient on adipocytes, endothelial cells, inflammatory cells, hepatocytes, intestinal cells and gut microbiota, but lack of evidence on platelets, skeletal muscle cells, hepatic stellate cells and pancreatic beta cells.”
Also in their conclusions
- They confirmed that anthocyanins are efficient on adipocytes, endothelial cells, inflammatory cells, hepatocytes, intestinal cells and gut microbiota, but lack of evidence on platelets, skeletal muscle cells, hepatic stellate cells and pancreatic beta cells.
- They say the unclear aspects of anthocyanin research need to be addressed, which is necessary for future clinical application.
How it was done
Metabolic syndrome leads to related long-term diseases such as obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and fatty liver disease. The authors wanted to pull together what is known about how anthocyanins affect the key cells involved.
The authors reviewed studies on anthocyanins and metabolism related chronic diseases, focusing on the effects and molecular mechanisms in critical cells. They also looked at the link between anthocyanin structure and how it works, and at its metabolites.
What it can’t tell you
- We summarised it from the abstract only.
- This is a review of other studies, so it cannot show cause and effect on its own.
- The evidence comes from a mix of population studies, nutrition trials and cell or animal work, so it cannot prove that anthocyanins prevent or treat metabolic syndrome in people.
Who paid
- Authors work at
- Jinan University, PR China; Guangdong University of Technology, PR China; Jiangnan University, P. R. China
The paper
- Title
- The target cells of anthocyanins in metabolic syndrome
- Type
- ReviewThe authors read earlier studies and describe what they found. It isn’t a new study.
- Evidence
- Studies in people · animals · lab
- Summarised from
- Abstract only
- Cite
- Jiang X, Li X, Zhu C, et al (2019). The target cells of anthocyanins in metabolic syndrome. Critical reviews in food science and nutrition. doi:10.1080/10408398.2018.1491022PubMed 29993258DOI
Summary written 26 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error