Research Snapshot
Cyanidin 3-Glucoside
A synthesis of the peer-reviewed evidence for Cyanidin 3-Glucoside across oxidation, gut health, metabolism and neuroprotection, graded by scientific consensus and reviewed by our Scientific Advisory Board.
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OxidationDoes Cyanidin 3-Glucoside reduce oxidative stress?
Evidence from 19 studies
What the research shows
The available evidence is almost entirely preclinical, drawn from animal models and cell-culture studies, and it consistently shows that cyanidin-3-glucoside reduces markers of oxidative stress (lipid peroxidation, reactive oxygen species, and inflammatory signaling) across tissues such as liver, heart, retina, pancreatic cells, and vascular endothelium, often via activation of Nrf2/HO-1 antioxidant pathways. No dedicated human clinical trials measuring oxidative stress biomarkers were identified among these studies, so the strong antioxidant signal currently rests on consistent animal and mechanistic research rather than direct human trial data.
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BioFactors | Takanori Tsuda, Fumihiko Horio, Toshihiko Osawa | 160 | 2000
In Vivo Experiment , Highly Cited
In rats fed a diet enriched with cyanidin-3-glucoside (C3G) and then subjected to hepatic ischemia-reperfusion as an oxidative stress model, C3G supplementation significantly reduced markers of oxidative damage and preserved glutathione levels compared to controls. The findings support that C3G acts as a potent in vivo antioxidant under acute oxidative stress conditions.
Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity | Xin Shan, Zhiyang Lv, Mengjiao Yin | 137 | 2021
Randomized Control Trial (RCT) , In Vitro Trial , Highly Cited
In a rat myocardial ischemia-reperfusion model and a corresponding cell culture model, cyanidin-3-glucoside administration reduced infarct size, oxidative stress markers, and ferroptosis-related protein expression. This suggests C3G protects tissue from oxidative injury partly through modulation of iron-dependent cell death pathways.
Molecular Nutrition & Food Research | Yong Wang, Yazhen Huo, Liang Zhao | 89 | 2016
In Vivo Experiment
Pigmented rabbits given oral cyanidin-3-glucoside and its phenolic acid metabolites showed reduced light-induced retinal cell damage and lower oxidative stress markers, with activation of the Nrf2/HO-1 antioxidant pathway and suppression of NF-κB signaling. This indicates a mechanistic route by which C3G may protect tissue from oxidative photodamage.
Chemico-biological interactions | Sivasinprasasn S, Pantan R, Thummayot S | 57 | 2016
N/A
In human vascular endothelial cells exposed to angiotensin II, cyanidin-3-glucoside dose-dependently suppressed free radical generation and inhibited NF-κB inflammatory signaling. This cell-based mechanistic study directly demonstrates C3G's capacity to reduce oxidative stress at the cellular level.
Gut HealthDoes Cyanidin 3-Glucoside support gut health?
Evidence from 10 studies
What the research shows
These studies suggest that Cyanidin 3-Glucoside supports gut health by improving intestinal function, maintaining gut homeostasis, protecting intestinal mucosa, enhancing mucosal barrier and microbiota, and providing anti-inflammatory effects
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Antioxidants | J. Tan et al. | 76 | 2019
Highly Cited , Literature Review
Cyanidin-3-glucoside and its phenolic metabolites contribute to maintaining intestinal integrity by enhancing mucosal barrier and microbiota.
Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition | Z. Cheng et al. | 22 | 2021
Comprehensive Review
Cyanidin-3-O-glucoside improves intestinal disease and maintains gut homeostasis by regulating the intestinal mucosal immune system.
Microorganisms | F. Huang et al. | 22 | 2020
Randomized Control Trial (RCT) , Animal Trial , Rigorous Journal , Controlled experimental study
Cyanidin-3-glucoside (C3G) is a potential prebiotic that mitigates HFHS diet-induced disorders in metabolism, inflammation, and gut dysbiosis.
Quality indicators | F. Olivas-Aguirre et al. | 180 | 2016
Highly Cited , Comprehensive Review
Cyanidin-3-O-glucoside has gastro protective, anti-inflammatory, and anti-thrombotic properties, supporting gut health.
MetabolismDoes Cyanidin 3-Glucoside boost metabolic processes?
Evidence from 10 studies
What the research shows
These studies suggest Cyanidin 3-Glucoside boosts metabolic processes by improving insulin sensitivity, enhancing energy expenditure, and regulating glucose and lipid metabolism.
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Molecular nutrition & food research | Y. You et al. | 67 | 2017
Animal Trial , Very Rigorous Journal
Cyanidin-3-glucoside increases energy expenditure, limits weight gain, and improves cold tolerance in obese individuals.
Pharmacological research | M. Bhaswant et al. | 62 | 2015
Randomized Control Trial (RCT) , Animal Trial , Rigorous Journal , Controlled experimental study
Cyanidin 3-glucoside reverses metabolic syndrome-related signs in rats.
Journal of the science of food and agriculture | X. Wei et al. | 81 | 2011
Animal Trial , Highly Cited
Cyanidin-3-O-β -glucoside improves obesity and triglyceride metabolism in KK-Ay mice by regulating lipoprotein lipase activity.
Food & function | X. Ye et al. | 6 | 2022
Animal Trial
Cyanidin-3-O-glucoside (C3G) treatment reduces fasting blood glucose levels and increases glycogen synthesis in diabetic mice, promoting glucose consumption via the Wnt/β -catenin-WISP1 signaling pathway.
NeuroprotectionIs Cyanidin 3-Glucoside neuroprotective?
Evidence from 14 studies
What the research shows
These studies suggest Cyanidin 3-Glucoside is neuroprotective.
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European journal of pharmacology | Jinlin Zhang et. al. | 83 | 2019
Rigorous Journal , Highly Cited , Systematic Review
Anthocyanins and their component C3G show potential in preventing and treating various central nervous system disorders, with oxidative stress and neuroinflammation being key mechanisms.
Neuroscience Letters | Jiangyong Min et. al. | 98 | 2011
Non-Randomized Control Trial , Animal Trial , In Vivo Experiment , Highly Cited
Anthocyanin CG, found in tart cherries, effectively reduces infarct volume and improves neurological function in mice with permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion, potentially due to reduced brain superoxide levels and blocking apoptosis-inducing factor release in mitochondria.
Brain Research | J. Yang et. al. | 21 | 2015
Non-Randomized Control Trial , Animal Trial , Controlled experimental study
Cyanidin-3-glucoside inhibits glutamate-induced Zn2+ signaling and neuronal cell death in cultured rat hippocampal neurons by inhibiting Ca2+-induced mitochondrial depolarization and ROS formation.
Journal of food science | Zhenzhu Zhu et. al. | 6 | 2022
Non-Randomized Control Trial , Animal Trial , Controlled experimental study
Cyanidin-3-O-glucoside (C3G) and its metabolite cyanidin (Cy) protect neuronal function by alleviating inflammation and oxidative damage, with potential neuroprotective potential through their oxidation products.
Reviewed by Experts
Every research snapshot is checked by our independent Scientific Advisory Board: physicians, botanists and pharmacology researchers who verify the evidence grading and its interpretation.
Kerry Hughes
M.Sc., RH(AHG), FDN-P
Ethnobotanist & herbalist; Berkeley Herbal Center; principal at EthnoPharm.
View full profile →Lance Dreher
PhD, Nutritional Counseling
Performance nutrition & conditioning; four decades of applied training science.
View full profile →Dr. Lindsey Faucette
DO, FAAFP
Board-certified in Family & Integrative Medicine; Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine.
View full profile →Francisco Chacon
PhD, Plant Biology
Botanical natural products & phytochemistry researcher, Penn State University.
View full profile →Meet the full Scientific Advisory Board →
How We Grade Consensus
For each benefit we retrieve the relevant peer-reviewed literature and classify every study by whether its findings support (Yes), partially or conditionally support (Possibly), or do not support (No) the claim. The donut shows the share of studies in each category; N is the number of studies analyzed for that benefit.
Grades reflect the weight and direction of the current evidence, not a guarantee of outcome, and the interpretation is verified by the Scientific Advisory Board.