A new insight on elderberry anthocyanins bioactivity: Modulation of mitochondrial redox chain functionality and cell redox state

An elderberry anthocyanin-enriched extract was prepared and characterized in terms of phenolic composition and bioactivity, in order to evaluate its potential to target oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction, which are early pathological events detected in neurodegenerative diseases. Beyond the remarkable antioxidant activity, anthocyanin-enriched extract exhibits affinity for mitochondrial membranes and reversible redox behaviour within the range of mitochondrial redox chain potentials. It does not affect the respiratory parameters of brain mitochondria, but it is able to overcome the mitochondrial complex I impairment promoted by rotenone. Anthocyanin-enriched extract protects SH-SY5Y cells from rotenone-induced cytotoxicity, modulated cell redox state and increased intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species. Exposure of elderberry extract to SH-SY5Y cells increases the activity of antioxidant enzymes and mitochondrial respiratory complexes. Therefore, the anthocyanin-enriched extract is a promising alternative agent to modulate mitochondrial dysfunctions and redox state of cells, with high relevance of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease.