An anthocyanin-rich extract from Kamchatka honeysuckle increases enzymatic activity within the gut and ameliorates abnormal lipid and glucose metabolism in rats.

OBJECTIVE

The berries of blue honeysuckle (Lonicera caerulea L.), including an edible Kamchatka variety (var. kamtschatica Sevast.), are a potential but relatively unknown source of anthocyanins, which are thought to have favorable effects on diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD). The aim of this study was to examine whether the dietary addition of a Kamchatka honeysuckle berry extract (KHBE, 327 mg anthocyanins/g) is able to limit the disorders related to these diseases induced by a high-fructose diet in rats.

METHODS

The experiment was conducted using 24 adult male Wistar rats distributed into 3 groups of 8 animals each and fed semipurified casein diets differentiated by the carbohydrate source for 4 wk, as follows: a control cornstarch diet (681 g/kg) or a high-fructose diet (633 g/kg), with or without the addition of KHBE (2 g/kg).

RESULTS

The mucosal lactase activity in the small intestine was increased in the rats fed the KHBE-containing diet compared with the rats fed the control diet. In the cecal digesta, the dietary KHBE considerably increased bacterial α- and β-glucosidase activity. Furthermore, hyperlipidemia, hyperinsulinemia, insulin resistance, and impaired glucose tolerance were detected in the rats fed the high-fructose diet. The dietary KHBE normalized the plasma triglyceride concentration and atherogenicity, whereas plasma non-HDL cholesterol, insulin concentration, and insulin resistance were ameliorated to levels comparable with the rats fed the control diet.

CONCLUSIONS

An anthocyanin-rich Kamchatka honeysuckle berry extract supplemented to an unbalanced diet is able to ameliorate the disturbances in lipid and glucose metabolism that are the fundamental risk factors for CVD and diabetes. Moreover, the extract stimulates enzymatic activity within the gut that seems to be related to the metabolism of polyphenols.