Cyanidin 3-O-β-d-glucoside-rich blackberries modulate hepatic gene expression, and anti-obesity effects in ovariectomized rats

Estrogen loss predisposes postmenopausal women to a 60% greater risk of developing metabolic syndrome. We examined the dose dependent effects of whole blackberries containing 87% cyanidin-3-O-β-d-glucoside (C3G), a powerful antioxidative and anti-inflammatory anthocyanin, in ovariectomized rats. Nine-month-old female Sprague–Dawley rats were either sham-operated or ovariectomized (OVX) and divided four groups, Sham + control diet, OVX + control diet, OVX + 5% blackberry and OVX + 10% blackberry (OVX-BB10%). After 100 days of treatment, serum, liver lipids, insulin and C-reactive protein, serum antioxidant capacity, low density lipoprotein oxidation and gene expression of inflammatory markers were measured. Final body weights of blackberry treatments were lower than the OVX controls, and BB10% (w/w) diet decreased hepatic nuclear factor-kappa B, and cyclooxygenase-2 expression levels. Thus, consumption of C3G-rich blackberries is protective against weight gain and inflammation associated with ovariectomy-induced menopause in a rat model.

► C3G-rich blackberries are anti-obesity antioxidant and anti-inflammatory.
► C3G-rich blackberry diet at 10% (w/w) reduced ovariectomy-induced weight gain.
► C3G-rich blackberry diet at 10% (w/w) suppressed mRNA level of COX-2, and NF-κB.
► C3G-rich blackberry diet at 5% and 10% (w/w) mildly improved percent liver lipids.
► C3G protects against obesity and inflammation associated with menopause.