Blueberry anthocyanins extract inhibits advanced glycation end‐products (AGEs) production and AGEs‐stimulated inflammation in RAW264.7 cells

Abstract BACKGROUND Pharmacological interference is considered to be a successful approach to inhibit advanced glycation end‐products (AGEs) production and to block AGEs‐induced diseases. Some synthetic medicines are effective for inhibiting the glycation reaction, but they cannot be widely applied in clinical as a result of their side effects and security concerns. The present study uses blueberry anthocyanins extract (BAE) to attenuate AGEs formation and AGEs‐induced inflammatory response in vitro. RESULTS In a bovine serum albumin‐glucose model, BAE showed similar inhibitory activity on AGEs compared to the synthetic anti‐glycation agent (aminoguanidine). The results showed that BAE exhibit strong anti‐glycative action by scavenging glycosylated intermediates (Schiff base, fructosamine and α‐dicarbonyl compounds), attenuating the molecular aggregation and amyloid‐like fibrils formation, and preventing conformational modification. Additionally, BAE was found to dose‐dependently inhibit the AGEs‐induced secretions of nitric oxide and pro‐inflammatory cytokines (interleukin‐6, monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 and tumor necrosis factor‐α) in RAW264.7 cells. The anti‐inflammation activity of BAE was mediated by down‐regulating the expressions of critical inflammatory markers, inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase‐2, through nuclear factor‐kappa B signaling pathways inhibition. CONCLUSION BAE could serve as a natural inhibitor for controlling AGEs and AGEs‐induced chronic inflammation. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.