Resumo

CARDOSO, Luciana Marques; VIANA LEITE, Joâo Paulo  e  GOUVEIA PELUZIO, Maria do Carmo. Biological effects of anthocyanins on the atherosclerotic process. Rev. colomb. cienc. quim. farm. [online]. 2011, vol.40, n.1, pp. 116-138. ISSN 0034-7418.

Anthocyanins are secondary metabolites biosynthesized by plants and belonging to the group of flavonoids. Research indicates that anthocyanins can increase resistance of LDL to oxidation, compared to other compounds with high antioxidant properties, such as L-ascorbic acid, and reduce pro-inflammatory factors such as cytokines, chemokines, adhesion molecules and metalloproteinases. As inflammation and oxidation processes are characteristic of atherosclerosis, has investigated the effect of anthocyanins in the atherosclerotic process and there is evidence that these compounds can reduce the development and progression of atherosclerotic lesions.

Palavras-chave : Anthocyanins; atherosclerosis; antioxidants; antiinflamator.