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Abstract
Anthocyanins are the most abundant flavonoid constituents of fruits and vegetables.
The conjugated bonds in their structures, which absorb light at about 500 nm, are
the basis for the bright red, blue and purple colors of fruits and vegetables, as
well as the autumn foliage of deciduous trees. The daily intake of anthocyanins in
residents of the United States is estimated to be about 200 mg or about 9-fold higher
than that of other dietary flavonoids. In this review, we summarize the latest developments
on the anti-carcinogenic activities of anthocyanins and anthocyanin-rich extracts
in cell culture models and in animal model tumor systems, and discuss their molecular
mechanisms of action. We also suggest reasons for the apparent lack of correlation
between the effectiveness of anthocyanins in laboratory model systems and in humans
as evidenced by epidemiological studies. Future studies aimed at enhancing the absorption
of anthocyanins and/or their metabolites are likely to be necessary for their ultimate
use for chemoprevention of human cancer.