Anthocyanidins: Health-Promoting Natural Compounds

Anthocyanidins, free of sugar, function as counterparts to anthocyanins and are built upon the benzopyrylium (chromenylium) ion. Specifically, they constitute salt derivatives of the 2-phenylchromenylium cation, commonly known as the flavylium cation, with chloride primarily serving as the counterion.

Distinguishing themselves from other flavonoids owing to their positive charge, anthocyanidins achieve stability through the incorporation of a glycose moiety, typically glucose, at the 3-position. This glycosylation process is facilitated by flavonoid 3-glucosyltransferase (GT). Anthocyanidins can be classified into 3-hydroxyanthocyanidins, 3-deoxyanthocyanidins, and O-methylated anthocyanidins.

Nature harbors around 17 anthocyanidins, with six—cyanidin, delphinidin, petunidin, peonidin, pelargonidin, and malvidin, where cyanidin is the predominant one—being widely distributed and holding substantial importance for humans. Apart from their role as natural dyes, anthocyanidins showcase pharmaceutical potential, presenting various health benefits.

Scientific inquiries, spanning cell culture studies, animal models, and human clinical trials, confirm the antioxidative and antimicrobial attributes of anthocyanidins. These compounds contribute to improved visual and neurological health and offer protection against a range of non-communicable diseases.
Anthocyanidins: Health-Promoting Natural Compounds