Anthocyanins and musculoskeletal diseases: mechanisms and therapeutic potential

BackgroundMusculoskeletal diseases (MSDs) are a common group of conditions involving bones, muscles, cartilage, ligaments, and nerves, which significantly impact patients’ quality of life and ability to participate in society. Anthocyanins (ACNs), as phytochemicals, possess various pharmacological a...

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Main Authors: Xing Lv, Xiao-peng Zhao, Wen-cong Li, Nai-fei Xing, Ke-qiang Zong, Yi Zhai, Sheng-lei Yang, Ji-yao Zhang, Xia Liu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-08-01
Series:Frontiers in Nutrition
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1602034/full
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author Xing Lv
Xiao-peng Zhao
Xiao-peng Zhao
Wen-cong Li
Nai-fei Xing
Ke-qiang Zong
Ke-qiang Zong
Yi Zhai
Sheng-lei Yang
Ji-yao Zhang
Xia Liu
Xia Liu
Xia Liu
author_facet Xing Lv
Xiao-peng Zhao
Xiao-peng Zhao
Wen-cong Li
Nai-fei Xing
Ke-qiang Zong
Ke-qiang Zong
Yi Zhai
Sheng-lei Yang
Ji-yao Zhang
Xia Liu
Xia Liu
Xia Liu
author_sort Xing Lv
collection DOAJ
description BackgroundMusculoskeletal diseases (MSDs) are a common group of conditions involving bones, muscles, cartilage, ligaments, and nerves, which significantly impact patients’ quality of life and ability to participate in society. Anthocyanins (ACNs), as phytochemicals, possess various pharmacological and biological activities, including anti-apoptotic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunosuppressive properties. In recent years, ACNs have shown remarkable potential in improving MSDs. This review article aims to recapitulate the therapeutic potential of ACNs and its mechanism of action in treating MSDs.MethodsExtensive literature was searched and reviewed through online electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science), focusing on analysing the specific roles and molecular mechanisms of ACNs in in vivo and in vitro studies.ResultsACNs exert protective effects on MSDs by targeting multiple key signaling pathways, including mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB), Wingless-related integration site (Wnt)/β-catenin, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt), adenosyl monophosphate-dependent protein kinase (AMPK), receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaΒ/receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB ligand/osteoprotegerin (RANK/RANKL/OPG) and oxidative stress signaling. In addition, ACNs exhibited anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and immunosuppressive properties. This article reviews the mechanisms and potential therapeutic applications of ACNs in the prevention and alleviation of MSDs, providing valuable reference points for further research and development of ACNs.ConclusionACNs improve the prevention of MSDs through multiple actions such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and bone metabolism homeostasis regulation. However, results from in vitro and in vivo studies still need to be further validated by human clinical trials.
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series Frontiers in Nutrition
spelling doaj-art-e291c612c75d4865af050e8508abe4bb2025-08-21T04:10:27ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Nutrition2296-861X2025-08-011210.3389/fnut.2025.16020341602034Anthocyanins and musculoskeletal diseases: mechanisms and therapeutic potentialXing Lv0Xiao-peng Zhao1Xiao-peng Zhao2Wen-cong Li3Nai-fei Xing4Ke-qiang Zong5Ke-qiang Zong6Yi Zhai7Sheng-lei Yang8Ji-yao Zhang9Xia Liu10Xia Liu11Xia Liu12Department of Rehabilitation, Yantai Affiliated Hospital of Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, ChinaCollege of Pharmacy, Xinjiang Medical University, Ürümqi, ChinaCollege of Exercise and Health, Shenyang Sport University, Shenyang, ChinaDepartment of Neurology, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, ChinaDepartment of Rehabilitation, Yantai Affiliated Hospital of Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, ChinaCollege of Physical Education, Qiqihar University, Qiqihar, ChinaSchool of Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation, Beijing Sport University, Beijing, ChinaShandong Boaoke Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Liaocheng, ChinaSchool of Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation, Beijing Sport University, Beijing, ChinaDepartment of Rehabilitation, Yantai Affiliated Hospital of Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, ChinaDepartment of Rehabilitation, Yantai Affiliated Hospital of Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, ChinaShandong Boaoke Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Liaocheng, ChinaMedical Integration and Practice Center, Shandong University, Jinan, ChinaBackgroundMusculoskeletal diseases (MSDs) are a common group of conditions involving bones, muscles, cartilage, ligaments, and nerves, which significantly impact patients’ quality of life and ability to participate in society. Anthocyanins (ACNs), as phytochemicals, possess various pharmacological and biological activities, including anti-apoptotic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunosuppressive properties. In recent years, ACNs have shown remarkable potential in improving MSDs. This review article aims to recapitulate the therapeutic potential of ACNs and its mechanism of action in treating MSDs.MethodsExtensive literature was searched and reviewed through online electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science), focusing on analysing the specific roles and molecular mechanisms of ACNs in in vivo and in vitro studies.ResultsACNs exert protective effects on MSDs by targeting multiple key signaling pathways, including mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB), Wingless-related integration site (Wnt)/β-catenin, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt), adenosyl monophosphate-dependent protein kinase (AMPK), receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaΒ/receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB ligand/osteoprotegerin (RANK/RANKL/OPG) and oxidative stress signaling. In addition, ACNs exhibited anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and immunosuppressive properties. This article reviews the mechanisms and potential therapeutic applications of ACNs in the prevention and alleviation of MSDs, providing valuable reference points for further research and development of ACNs.ConclusionACNs improve the prevention of MSDs through multiple actions such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and bone metabolism homeostasis regulation. However, results from in vitro and in vivo studies still need to be further validated by human clinical trials.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1602034/fullanthocyaninsosteoporosisrheumatoid arthritisosteoarthritisosteosarcomainflammatory
spellingShingle Xing Lv
Xiao-peng Zhao
Xiao-peng Zhao
Wen-cong Li
Nai-fei Xing
Ke-qiang Zong
Ke-qiang Zong
Yi Zhai
Sheng-lei Yang
Ji-yao Zhang
Xia Liu
Xia Liu
Xia Liu
Anthocyanins and musculoskeletal diseases: mechanisms and therapeutic potential
Frontiers in Nutrition
anthocyanins
osteoporosis
rheumatoid arthritis
osteoarthritis
osteosarcoma
inflammatory
title Anthocyanins and musculoskeletal diseases: mechanisms and therapeutic potential
title_full Anthocyanins and musculoskeletal diseases: mechanisms and therapeutic potential
title_fullStr Anthocyanins and musculoskeletal diseases: mechanisms and therapeutic potential
title_full_unstemmed Anthocyanins and musculoskeletal diseases: mechanisms and therapeutic potential
title_short Anthocyanins and musculoskeletal diseases: mechanisms and therapeutic potential
title_sort anthocyanins and musculoskeletal diseases mechanisms and therapeutic potential
topic anthocyanins
osteoporosis
rheumatoid arthritis
osteoarthritis
osteosarcoma
inflammatory
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1602034/full
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