Effect of Anthocyanin Supplementations on Lipid Profile and Inflammatory Markers: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Purpose: To assess combined data from seventeen randomized controlled trials studying effect of anthocyanin consumption on levels of various lipids and inflammatory markers with meta-analysis approach.

Methods: Various databases, namely, PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Trial Register were used to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating an association between anthocyanins and lipid profile and inflammatory markers. Heterogeneity was assessed using Q and I² statistics and data was expressed using mean difference with 95% confidence interval.

Results: Statistically significant reduction in triglyceride [mean difference (MD) = -9.16, 95% CI: -14.02 to -4.31 mg/dL, I² = 33.54%, P = 0.149], low density lipoprotein [MD = -8.86, 95% CI: -11.17 to -20.02 mg/dL, I² = 37.75%, P = 0.098], and apolipoprotein B [MD = -7.13, 95% CI: -8.66 to -5.59 mg/dL, I² = 20.42%, P = 0.287] levels and increase in high-density lipoprotein [MD = 1.67, 95% CI: 0.8 to 2.54 mg/dL, I² = 44.88%, P = 0.053] and apolipoprotein A-1 [MD = 6.1, 95% CI: 4.51 to 7.69 mg/dL, I² = 6.95%, P = 0.358] levels were observed with anthocyanin supplementation. Levels of inflammatory markers were found to reduce [TNF-∞ - MD = -1.98, 95% CI: -2.40 to -1.55 pg/mL, I² = 0%, P = 0.975; IL-6 - MD = 1.17, 95% CI: 0.8 to 1.53 pg/mL, I² = 0%, P = 0.825; hs-CRP - MD = 0.164, 95% CI: -0.06 to 0.39 mg/dL, I² = 0%, P = 0.569]. Though the effect on TC, IL-6, and hs-CRP was positive, it was nonsignificant in nature.

Conclusion: Anthocyanin supplementation significantly improves lipid profile and inflammatory status. However, future trials with sufficient sample size are recommended to substantiate the findings especially for the parameters showing nonsignificant improvement.