| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Energy Expenditure A single animal study found C3G increased whole body energy metabolism by upregulating brown adipose tissue mitochondrial function in mice. No replication studies or human data available. | Improves (the measure goes up) | Small effect | 2 studies | |||
Supplement
Cyanidin is a pigment in red, purple and blue plants, such as berries and black rice, that acts as an antioxidant and helps shield plant cells from stress. People mostly look at it for blood sugar control, and the evidence is limited: lab and animal studies found it helped cells take up glucose and lowered blood glucose in diabetic rodents. Almost all of this work was in cells and animals, so how well it carries over to people remains unclear.
Sources: PMID 19073289; PMID 32948821
- Updated
- How we grade
- 30 studies cited
- Best evidence
- Grade C
- Conditions studied
- 6
- Outcomes
- 10
- Graded outcomes
- 0028
Evidence by condition
- Strong
- Moderate
- Limited
- Very limited
General
Antioxidant Status
- Antioxidant Status: improves
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant Status In vitro and animal studies show C3G prevents H2O2-induced oxidative damage in HepG2 cells, protects against ochratoxin A-mediated oxidative damage in rats, activates Nrf2/HO-1 antioxidant pathways, and ameliorates diabetic nephropathy through regulation of the glutathione pool. Antioxidant liposome formulations have been developed. Bioavailability concerns limit translational relevance. | Improves (the measure goes up) | Small effect | 5 studies | |||
Studies that measured antioxidant status
| ||||||
Age-Associated Memory Impairment and Cognitive Decline (AAMCD)
- Neuroprotection: improves
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Neuroprotection C3G protected PC12 neuronal cells against apoptosis mediated by LPS-stimulated microglial activation. A 2019 review outlined neuroprotective effects in the central nervous system across multiple preclinical models. Anthocyanin-rich berry extracts containing cyanidin show some cognitive benefits in elderly populations, but effects may be attributable to the overall anthocyanin mixture rather than C3G specifically. | Improves (the measure goes up) | Small effect | 3 studies | |||
Studies that measured neuroprotection
| ||||||
Cardiovascular Health
- Lipid Levels: changes; see studies
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lipid Levels C3G-rich extract from black rice showed hypolipidaemic effects through regulating hepatic lipogenic enzyme activities in animal models. C3G supplementation also attenuated hypercholesterolemia-mediated endothelial dysfunction in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice. Evidence is limited to animal models. | Changes; see studies | Small effect | 3 studies | |||
Studies that measured lipid levels
| ||||||
Body Composition
- Energy Expenditure: improves
Bone Health
- Bone Mineral Density: improves
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bone Mineral Density One preclinical study reported that cyanidin-3-O-β-D-glucoside improved bone indices. No human evidence or replication studies available. | Improves (the measure goes up) | Small effect | 2 studies | |||
Studies that measured bone mineral density | ||||||
Key findings
- Blood Glucose RegulationImproves (the measure goes down)
- InflammationImproves (the measure goes down)
- Endothelial FunctionImproves (the measure goes up)
Safety notes in the studies
- A separate study demonstrated pH-dependent interaction with rhodopsin.
Shop Cyanidin
Third-party tested Cyanidin products. The evidence above is limited, so read it before you buy.
- Grade C
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Studies cited
30 studies from PubMed
- A dietary anthocyanin cyanidin-3-O-glucoside binds to PPARs to regulate glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity in mice.
- Cyanidin-3-O-glucoside restores insulin signaling and reduces inflammation in hypertrophic adipocytes.
- Cyanidin-3-glucoside from Black Rice Ameliorates Diabetic Nephropathy via Reducing Blood Glucose, Suppressing Oxidative Stress and Inflammation, and Regulating Transforming Growth Factor β1/Smad Expression.
- Cyanidin-3-O-Glucoside Attenuates Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Inflammation in Human Corneal Epithelial Cells by Inducing Let-7b-5p-Mediated HMGA2/PI3K/Akt Pathway.
- Cyanidin-3-O-glucoside attenuates endothelial cell dysfunction by modulating miR-204-5p/SIRT1-mediated inflammation and apoptosis.
- Cyanidin-3-O-Glucoside and Cyanidin Protect Against Intestinal Barrier Damage and 2,4,6-Trinitrobenzenesulfonic Acid-Induced Colitis.
- Cyanidin-3-O-Glucoside Protects PC12 Cells Against Neuronal Apoptosis Mediated by LPS-Stimulated BV2 Microglial Activation.
- Cyanidin-3-glucoside prevents hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced oxidative damage in HepG2 cells.
- Low Dose of Cyanidin-3-O-Glucoside Alleviated Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Colitis, Mediated by CD169+ Macrophage Pathway.
- The Effects and Mechanisms of Cyanidin-3-Glucoside and Its Phenolic Metabolites in Maintaining Intestinal Integrity.
- Effects of cyanidin-3-O-glucoside on 3-chloro-1,2-propanediol induced intestinal microbiota dysbiosis in rats.
- Cyanidin-3-glucoside attenuates 4-hydroxynonenal- and visible light-induced retinal damage in vitro and in vivo.
- Neuroprotective effects of anthocyanins and its major component cyanidin-3-O-glucoside (C3G) in the central nervous system: An outlined review.
- Cyanidin-3-O-glucoside ameliorates diabetic nephropathy through regulation of glutathione pool.
- Potential role of cyanidin 3-glucoside (C3G) in diabetic cardiomyopathy in diabetic rats: An in vivo approach.
- Cyanidin-3-glucoside inhibits inflammatory activities in human fibroblast-like synoviocytes and in mice with collagen-induced arthritis.
- Anthocyanins and cognitive function: a review of human intervention studies
- Protective effect of cyanidin-3-O-glucoside on neonatal porcine islets.
- Cyanidin-3-glucoside increases whole body energy metabolism by upregulating brown adipose tissue mitochondrial function.
- Cyanidin-3-glucoside attenuates angiotensin II-induced oxidative stress and inflammation in vascular endothelial cells.
- Cyanidin-3-glucoside and its phenolic acid metabolites attenuate visible light-induced retinal degeneration in vivo via activation of Nrf2/HO-1 pathway and NF-κB suppression.
- Cyanidin 3-O-β-D-Glucoside Improves Bone Indices.
- Cyanidin 3-glucoside-rich foods and type 2 diabetes: a systematic review
- Cyanidin-3-O-β-glucoside inhibits lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory response in mouse mastitis model.
- Inhibition of carrageenan-induced acute inflammation in mice by oral administration of anthocyanin mixture from wild mulberry and cyanidin-3-glucoside.
- Supplementation of cyanidin-3-O-β-glucoside promotes endothelial repair and prevents enhanced atherogenesis in diabetic apolipoprotein E-deficient mice.
- Hypolipidaemic effects of cyanidin 3-glucoside rich extract from black rice through regulating hepatic lipogenic enzyme activities.
- Supplementation with cyanidin-3-O-β-glucoside protects against hypercholesterolemia-mediated endothelial dysfunction and attenuates atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice.
- Cyanidin-3-glucoside stimulates glucose uptake in skeletal muscle cells
- Protective effect of cyanidin 3-O-beta-D-glucoside on ochratoxin A-mediated damage in the rat.