Adhesion of P-type and type-1 fimbriated uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) to uroepithelial cells initiates urinary tract infections (UTIs). This research aimed to evaluate the capacities of selected cranberry polyphenols and their microbial metabolites to inhibit such adhesion in vitro using a modified fluorometric method. Data showed that the inhibition capacity of myricetin increased with concentration and plateaued at 70%. It had IC50 values of 13.2 M against P-type E. coli and 5.50 M against type-1 E. coli. Quercetin showed similar anti-adhesion capacities to myricetin. Procyanidin A2 and B2 had weaker anti-adhesion activities than myricetin and quercetin, with maximal inhibition capacities of 20%-30% against UPEC. Hippuric acid, a major metabolite of cranberry polyphenols in human urine, showed a maximal inhibition of 20% at 558 M against type-1 E. coli adhesion, whereas no anti-adhesion activity against P-type E. coli was detected. The fractions of cranberry fruit powder enriched with proanthocyanidin polymers showed the highest anti-adhesion activities compared to the fractions enriched with anthocyanins, flavonols, or proanthocyanidin oligomers. Overall, the anti-adhesion activities of cranberry polyphenols and metabolites depend on their structures and the types of fimbriae on E. coli.

The secondary metabolite content of cranberry fruits can vary with cultivar and environmental factors, which may in turn impact their potential biological activities. To evaluate the influence of composition on anti-inflammatory activity, cranberry fruits were collected from two major U.S. growing regions. Eight extracts from these fruits were prepared, analyzed for phytochemical composition, and evaluated for their anti-inflammatory effects in human monocytes (THP-1 cells). The extracts varied widely in polyphenol and triterpenoid content. All were able to reduce lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced production of pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin 6 (IL-6) at 100 μg/mL, with inhibition ranging between 18.8 and 48.8%. Of these, three extracts high in anthocyanins, triterpenoids, or total polyphenols decreased levels of IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) at concentrations of 0.1–10 μg/mL compared to LPS-exposed control. Several individual cranberry phytochemicals were also capable of reducing production of IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α. The data suggest that phytochemicals present in varying quantities in cranberry fruits including anthocyanins, hyperoside, ursolic acid, and corosolic acid play a role in the anti-inflammatory effects of cranberry extracts on human monocytes.

Fruit and fruit juices are a valuable source of bioactive compounds, which can protect our organisms from oxidative stress. The phenolic compounds and other phytochemicals may affect the antimicrobial properties of juices. The aim of this study has been to evaluate antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of selected berry juices and vitamin C-rich fruit juices. The research material was composed of seven juices, including three from berries (elderberry chokeberry, cranberry), three from vitamin C-rich fruit (sea buckthorn, wild rose, Japanese quince) and one exotic juice from noni fruit. Antioxidant capacity, total polyphenol, total flavonoid and total anthocyanin content were determined. Furthermore, the antimicrobial activity and the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) as well as the minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) were evaluated. The research showed that fruit juices from wild rose, chokeberry and Japanese quince had the highest antioxidant capacity. These juices were characterised by the rich content of polyphenols. Elderberry and chokeberry juices had the highest total anthocyanins. The juices differed in the content of bioactive compounds and specific bactericidal properties against Gram-positive or Gram-negative bacteria. Fruit juices from cranberry, Japanese quince and sea buckthorn had the highest antimicrobial activity. Wild rose, chokeberry and elderberry juices, despite their high antioxidant properties, showed antimicrobial activity only against Gram-positive strains, except Enterococcus faecalis and Clostridium perfringens. Significant differences in the content of bioactive compounds in fruit juices affect the antimicrobial properties juices.

The involvement of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1 alpha), transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1), Smad and beta-catenin signaling pathway in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is not fully elucidated. Pioglitazone improves NAFLD, whereas the underlying molecular mechanisms are not extensively clarified. In addition, cranberry and cinnamon have received increasing attention as potential therapeutic agents in metabolic disorders. Hence, this study aimed to test the hypothesis that the downregulation of HIF-1 alpha/TGF-beta 1/Smad/beta-catenin signaling might underlie the pioglitazone effect in HFD-induced liver steatosis in rats. In addition, the study aimed to determine whether the concurrent use of cranberry and/or cinnamaldehyde would boost biochemical and molecular gains of pioglitazone while limiting its significant side effect; weight gain. Rats were kept on a high-fat diet for 14 weeks, and HFD rats were orally treated with pioglitazone, cranberry, or their combinations for 8 weeks. Pioglitazone, cranberry, and to a lesser extent cinnamaldehyde significantly ameliorated the pathological lesions, improved the hepatic histological structure of cinnamaldehyde, and successfully rectified liver index, AST, ALT, lipid profile, hepatic triglycerides, and HOMA-IR. They also inhibited HIF-1 alpha, beta-catenin, TGF-beta 1 and subsequently inhibited phosphorylated/total Smad2/3 and their ratios. In conclusion, the beneficial effects of this combination in HFD-induced hepatic steatosis might be attributed to the modulation of hypoxia/HIF-1 alpha, TGF-beta 1/Smads, and Wnt/beta-catenin pathways in the liver. Thus, cranberry and cinnamon might be potential add-on agents to other pharmacotherapies in liver steatosis.

This study aimed to evaluate and compare the dried pomace powder of cranberries, lingonberries, sea buckthorns, and black currants as potential food ingredients with functional properties. The composition and several physicochemical and adsorption properties associated with their functionality were investigated. Tested berry pomace powders were rich in dietary soluble fiber (4.92-12.74 g/100 g DM) and insoluble fiber (40.95-65.36 g/100 g DM). The highest level of total phenolics was observed in the black currant pomace (11.09 GAE/g DM), whereas the sea buckthorn pomace revealed the highest protein concentration (21.09 g/100 g DM). All the berry pomace powders that were tested exhibited good water-holding capacity (2.78-4.24 g/g) and swelling capacity (4.99-9.98 mL/g), and poor oil-binding capacity (1.09-1.57 g/g). The strongest hypoglycemic properties were observed for the lingonberry and black currant pomace powders. The berry pomace powders presented effective in vitro hypolipidemic properties. The cholesterol-binding capacities ranged from 21.11 to 23.13 mg/g. The black currant and cranberry pomace powders demonstrated higher sodium-cholate-binding capacity than those of the lingonberry and sea buckthorn pomace powders. This study shows promising results that the powders of tested berry pomace could be used for further application in foods.

Background: Ageing is highly associated with cognitive decline and modifiable risk factors such as diet are believed to protect against this process. Specific dietary components and in particular, (poly)phenol-rich fruits such as berries have been increasingly recognised for their protection against age-related neurodegeneration. However, the impact of cranberries on cognitive function and neural functioning in older adults remains unclear. Design: A 12-week parallel randomised placebo-controlled trial of freeze-dried cranberry powder was conducted in 60 older adults aged between 50 and 80 years. Cognitive assessment, including memory and executive function, neuroimaging and blood sample collection were conducted before and after the intervention to assess the impact of daily cranberry consumption on cognition, brain function and biomarkers of neuronal signalling. Results: Cranberry supplementation for 12 weeks was associated with improvements in visual episodic memory in aged participants when compared to placebo. Mechanisms of action may include increased regional perfusion in the right entorhinal cortex, the accumbens area and the caudate in the cranberry group. Significant decrease in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol during the course of the intervention was also observed. No significant differences were, however, detected for BDNF levels between groups. Conclusions:The results of this study indicate that daily cranberry supplementation(equivalent to 1 small cup of cranberries) over a 12-week period improves episodicmemory performance and neural functioning, providing a basis for future investigationsto determine efficacy in the context of neurological disease.

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The immunomodulatory potential of probiotics and (poly)phenols (PP) is recognized; however, studies regarding microorganisms-PP synergisms are yet to be explored. Here, we investigated the cooperation between probiotics and berry-derived PP extracts in modulating the cytokine responses in dendritic cells. Bacteria elicited immune responses in a strain-dependent manner. PP extracts showed different modulation of cytokine triggered by bacteria. Also with LPS, used as pro-inflammatory stimulus, PP from blueberry (BB) and cranberry (CB) most efficiently reduced IL12 production. L. paracasei LPC-S01 and B. bifidum MIMBb23sg resulted the best bacterial association in abrogating IL12 and increasing IL10. The use of PP fraction from BB50f and CB1 with the LPC-S01 + MIMBb23sg association resulted the most efficient combinations in terms of anti-inflammatory activity. These results provide bases for further investigation in vivo, in the perspective to develop food supplements that might conceivably deliver the single and combined benefits of probiotics and berry (poly)phenols.

Introduction: Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a commonly acquired bacterial infection mostly in young, healthy women. Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) has historically been used for the treatment and prevention of UTIs; however, research has found conflicting evidence regarding its effectiveness for the prophylaxis of UTIs. The aim of this work is to evaluate the effectiveness of cranberry on the risk of UTI occurrences in women. Methods: A systematic review with meta-analysis of randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs) evaluating the efficacy of cranberry as prophylaxis for recurrent UTIs in women was performed. RCTs published until January 2022 comparing any cranberry product interventions with placebo in adult women were considered eligible. All statistical analyses were conducted using the random effect model (Mantel-Haenszel method). Outcomes were reported as number of participants developing a UTI. Statistical significance was defined as P < 0.05. Results: Nine clinical trials were included in the meta-analysis. The study concluded that cranberry products reduced the risk of UTI by 21 % in women compared with the placebo group (0.79 [CI 0.67, 0.94], I2 = 47 %, P = 0.008). Subgroups, including cranberry juice encapsulated cranberry powder, cultured confirmed UTIs; asymptomatic bacteriuria and uncomplicated UTIs, were also performed. Notably, pooling data from RCTs using cranberry as tablets/capsule showed a RR = 0.71 (P = 0.005). Conclusions: This data suggested that cranberry products may be effective in the prevention of UTIs in women. However, these results are not to be considered definitive, and more clinical trials are needed to confirm these findings.

Group A Streptococci (GAS) or Streptococcus pyogenes is responsible for acute bacterial pharyngitis in children as well as adults. Streptococcal pharyngitis is initiated by successful attachment and colonization of the bacteria, followed by the establishment of the biofilm in various environments. In this study, we examined the antibacterial activities of in-house prepared aqueous and ethanolic extracts of 10 Atlantic Canada fruits in the context of minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), time-kill kinetics, and adhesion inhibition properties against S. pyogenes. Per our findings, MIC and MBC for all the tested extracts ranged from 0.25 to 8 mg/mL and from 4 to 64 mg/mL, respectively. Accordingly, at 1/2 x MBC, cranberry and sumac extracts also lowered the attachment of GAS to the uncoated and fibronectin-coated substratum. Particularly, cranberry and sumac aqueous extracts were more effective against the adhesion of S. pyogenes ATCC 19615 to the fibronectin-coated surface than a clinical strain. In conclusion, ethanolic and aqueous extracts of cranberry and sumac could potentially be incorporated into natural health products designed for the amelioration of strep throat, yet a detailed understanding of its mode of action (e.g., biofilm inhibition and eradication) could pave its path to the field of antibacterial natural health product discovery, design, and development.

Numerous health benefits have been reported from the consumption of cranberry-derived products, and recent studies have identified bioactive polysaccharides and oligosaccharides from cranberry pomace. This study aimed to further characterize xyloglucan and pectic oligosaccharide structures from pectinase-treated cranberry pomace and measure the growth and short-chain fatty acid production of 86 Lactobacillus strains using a cranberry oligosaccharide fraction as the carbon source. In addition to arabino-xyloglucan structures, cranberry oligosaccharides included pectic rhamnogalacturonan I which was methyl-esterified, acetylated and contained arabino-galacto-oligosaccharide side chains and a 4,5-unsaturated function at the non-reducing end. When grown on cranberry oligosaccharides, ten Lactobacillus strains reached a final culture density (Delta OD) >= 0.50 after 24 h incubation at 32 degrees C, which was comparable to L. plantarum ATCC BAA 793. All strains produced lactic, acetic, and propionic acids, and all but three strains produced butyric acid. This study demonstrated that the ability to metabolize cranberry oligosaccharides is Lactobacillus strain specific, with some strains having the potential to be probiotics, and for the first time showed these ten strains were capable of growth on this carbon source. The novel cranberry pectic and arabino-xyloglucan oligosaccharide structures reported here combined with the Lactobacillus strains that can metabolize cranberry oligosaccharides and produce short-chain fatty acids, have excellent potential as health-promoting synbiotics.