A Randomized Clinical Trial Evaluating the Efficacy of an Anthocyanin- Maqui Berry Extract (Delphinol®) on Oxidative Stress Biomarkers

Objective: Berries are a rich source of anthocyanins, and clinical data suggest that a polyphenol-rich diet may exert health-promoting effects by reducing oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to elucidate the effects of dietary supplementation with Delphinol (trademark owned by MNL Chile) standardized maqui berry (Aristotelia chilensis) extract on products of lipid peroxidation in healthy, overweight, and smoker subjects.Methods: In a double-blind, placebo-controlled design, 42 participants (age 45-65years) consumed in random order either a standardized extract of maqui berry (162mg anthocyanins) or a matched placebo, given 3times daily for 4weeks. The samples were collected at baseline, after the end of the supplementation, and 40days after the end of the study. Primary outcome was the measure of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (Ox-LDL) and F-2-isoprostanes in plasma and urine, respectively. Secondary outcomes included anthropometric measures, blood pressure, and lipid profile.Results: Delphinol supplementation was associated with reduced levels of Ox-LDL in the anthocyanin group compared to baseline (p < 0.05). There was also a decrease in urinary F-2-isoprostanes (8-iso-prostaglandin F2) at 4weeks versus baseline in the Delphinol-supplemented group (p < 0.05). However, no differences in primary outcomes were evident at 40days of follow-up. In the fourth week of the intervention, no significant differences were noted for anthropometric characteristics, ambulatory blood pressure, and lipid profile.Conclusions: Our observations suggest that dietary interventions with maqui berry extract may improve oxidative status (Ox-LDL and F-2-isoprostanes) in healthy adults, overweight adults, and adult smokers.