Neurotoxicity seriously affects the normal function of the nervous system. Cyanidin-3-O-glucoside (C3G) is the most abundant
anthocyanin widely distributed in plants. Using β-
amyloid (Aβ) transgenic Caenorhabditis elegans and cell models, the
neuroprotective effect of C3G was examined. The results showed that C3G remarkably suppressed Aβ aggregation, enhanced
antioxidant capacity, improved the sensitive capacity towards chemical compounds, and boosted the memory ability of C. elegans. There was no significant difference between preventive and long-term treatment groups at the same dosage of C3G. Given the rapid metabolism and oxidation of C3G in vivo, the antioxidative and anti-inflammatory activities of C3G, the metabolite
cyanidin (Cy), oxidation products of Cy (OP), as well as
protocatechuic acid (PCA) at the corresponding level in OP were compared by using
lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated BV2 microglia cell model. The results indicated that C3G, Cy, and OP could prevent BV2 cells against LPS-induced
inflammation and oxidative damage. There was no significant difference on antioxidative and anti-inflammatory activities among C3G, Cy, and OP at the same level. Notably, PCA at the corresponding concentration in OP exhibited limited antioxidative and anti-inflammatory activities. The results suggested that C3G could exert neuroprotective function through the metabolite Cy and its oxidation products by inhibiting
inflammation and oxidative damage, and PCA was not the primary bioactive species in OP. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: This study confirmed the neuroprotection of cyanidin-3-O-glucoside (C3G) in transgenic Caenorhabditis elegans. C3G, its metabolite
cyanidin (Cy), and oxidation products of Cy (OP) alleviated both
neuroinflammation and oxidative damage. It highlighted that C3G-rich foods could exert neuroprotective potential through their oxidation products, the constitution, and existence of OP in vivo need further study.