Scientists from the Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Medicine and Nutrigenomics at MU-Varna, together with colleagues from the AgroBioInstitute (ABI) at the Agricultural Academy, have brought to a successful end a scientific project funded by the National Science Fund. The team from the two higher education institutions, under the guidance of Prof. Yoana Kiselova-Kuneva, PhD, has completed the tasks in the scientific project entitled “Study of the Adaptogenic Potential of Sambucus Ebulus Fruits for Use as Functional Food". The project is funded by the National Science Fund of the Ministry of Education and Science through a competition for funding fundamental research on societal challenges – 2018.
For the first time scientific evidence has been obtained regarding the effect of aqueous extract of elderberry (Sambucus ebulus L.) on various aspects of the immune response and the mechanisms of this effect. A phytochemical characterisation of the study extract was performed and a four-week intervention was carried out with healthy volunteers. An evaluation of its effect on the immune response was made through examining clinical laboratory and biochemical indicators in blood samples from the participants in the intervention. The presence of adaptogenic action of the aqueous extract from the S. ebulus fruits has been identified in conditions of provoked immune protection. For the first time scientific data have been obtained on the biological effects of the extract on key molecular mechanisms of inflammation and phagocytosis. In support of the empirical data from the folk medicine, a significant decrease in a number of inflammation markers has been registered.
In its previous studies, the team has identified beneficial effects of elderberry tea on the lipid profile, again in healthy volunteers – significantly reducing triglyceride, total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels, as well as increasing the antioxidant capacity of plasma.
Phytochemical analyses have shown that the berries are extremely rich in different types of anthocyanins – pigments that give them a dark red-violet coloration. These substances are known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory action. In large quantities, there are other compounds of the group of polyphenols (flavonoids, phenolic acids, flavonols, proanthocyanidins, stylbens), etc., which also possess a variety of biological effects. The high content of resveratrol – a powerful antioxidant and immunomodulator also provokes great interest.
The results contribute to establishing the applicability of elderberry berries as supplementary and supportive therapy for certain acute and chronic diseases with an inflammatory component, using them as food or medicinal products.
