Dietary Anthocyanins and Stroke: A Review of Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Studies

Cerebrovascular accidents are currently the second major cause of death and the third leading cause of disability in the world, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), which has provided protocols for stroke prevention. Although there is a multitude of studies on the health benefits associated with anthocyanin (ACN) consumption, there is no a rigorous systematization of the data linking dietary ACN with stroke prevention. This review is intended to present data from epidemiological, in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies dealing with the stroke related to ACN-rich diets or ACN supplements, along with possible mechanisms of action revealed by pharmacokinetic studies, including ACN passage through the blood-brain barrier (BBB).