(Anti-inflammatory / Anticancer) Health Benefits of Sambucus nigra L.: Anti-Inflammatory and Anticancer Effects of Its Flowers and Fruits
Health-Promoting Properties: Anti-Inflammatory and Anticancer Properties of Sambucus nigra L. Flowers and Fruits
Molecules, Vol 28, Issue 17
Agnieszka Ewa Stepien, Julia Trojniak, and Jacek Tabarkiewicz.
Abstract
Sambucus nigra L. has been used for centuries in traditional medicine thanks to its valuable healing properties. The healing properties result from its high content of biologically active compounds, mainly antioxidants, which contribute to its anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties. In our review, we have presented scientific studies evaluating the anti-inflammatory and anticancer effects of extracts and their components from S. nigra L. flowers and fruits. The results of the research show that the effect of antioxidant phytochemicals contained in their composition reduces the level of free radicals and pro-inflammatory cytokines, prevents mutations that increase the risk of cancer development, and inhibits cell proliferation, induction of apoptosis, and changes in intracellular signaling, consequently inhibiting the growth of malignant tumors and the formation of metastases. Flowers and fruits of S. nigra L. are a valuable source of nutraceutical and pharmacological substances that can support prevention and anti-inflammatory and oncological therapy without negative side effects for the patient.
Conclusions
Flowers and fruits of S. nigra L. are a natural potential source of valuable nutraceutical and pharmacological substances.
The presence of biologically active substances with antioxidant properties in the flowers and fruits of S. nigra L., mainly polyphenols and anthocyanins, determines their health-promoting properties, e.g., anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties.
An important role in these processes is attributed to flavonoids, triterpenoid compounds and anthocyanins, as well as phenolic acids present in extracts from the flowers and fruits of S. nigra L. The results of scientific research indicate that these bioactive compounds inhibit the development of inflammation as a result of excessive activity of free radicals, alleviating the symptoms of diseases associated with inflammation by modifying the activity of macrophages and neutrophils and the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which significantly affects the treatment of acute inflammations, confirming the healing properties of this plant. It has been shown that S. nigra L. is a rich source of flavonoids, mainly kaempferol, quercetin and rutin, as well as phenolic acids, and it also inhibits many enzymes and mediators, e.g., prostaglandins and nitric oxide synthase, that cause inflammation.
Research results indicate the cytotoxic properties of extracts from flowers and fruits of S. nigra L. and their components—mainly rutin, quercetin, oleanolic and ursolic as well as chlorogenic and p-coumaric acids—against bladder, breast, pancreatic, skin, lung, colon, ovarian, liver, prostate and leukemia cells.
Their influence on cancer cells, metabolic pathways and the regulation of individual mechanisms of proliferation, angiogenesis, growth and induction of apoptosis indicates that S. nigra L. extracts can support modern oncological therapy with limited side effects. Both the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of S. nigra L. extracts—due to capturing reactive oxygen species and, thus, preventing mutations—and their pro-apoptotic effects have a proven basis for their use in the prevention and supportive treatment of inflammatory and cancer diseases.
Further research on the molecular mechanisms of the pro-inflammatory and anticancer effects of extracts and their individual components of S. nigra L. flowers and fruits is necessary to determine the level of the effective dose of such a preparation supporting the prevention and therapy of various inflammatory and cancer diseases. This suggests the need for more human clinical trials. It will also make it possible to determine the level of a safe dose of such a medicine of natural origin that does not pose a threat to health or possible progression of other comorbidities in patients.
It is also important to undertake research to assess the interaction between the phytochemicals present in the flowers and fruits of S. nigra L. with other drugs used in anticancer therapy.
Link to full article: https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/28/17/6235