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Phytochemical composition and aldose reductase inhibitory activity of Aristotelia chilensis (maqui) berries

Berries of Aristotelia chilensis (maqui) have traditionally been consumed by Chileans as treatment for diarrhea and dysentery, and the juice has been shown to have strong antioxidant capacity. This study examined the bioactive potential of these berries to ameliorate diabetic retinopathy and the phytochemical constituents involved. Compounds were extracted by blending berries in 70% acetone (crude extract, CE) which was then fractionated into 6 fractions (TP1‐TP6) using an open, vacuum Toyopearl (TP) column. The CE and TP1‐TP6 were tested for inhibitory activity against aldose reductase (AR), an enzyme whose activity is increased with hyperglycemia and is associated with diabetic retinopathy. TP2‐TP6 significantly inhibited AR activity (69–89% inhibition). Total phenolic content ranged from 81 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE, CE) to 773 mg GAE (TP5). The two fractions with the most AR inhibitory activity (TP2 and TP3) contained a rich diversity of anthocyanins (3‐sambuiosides of cyanidin and delphinidin; 3‐glucosides of cyanidin, delphinidin, and malvidin; and 3‐p‐coumarylglucosides of peonidin and cyanidin) as shown by LC‐MS and NMR, but had lower total phenolic content than fractions with less AR inhibitory activity. These results indicate that anthocyanin‐rich fractions of maqui berry extract contain natural sources of AR inhibitors that may be useful in the prevention of diabetic complications.