# Synergistic Effects of Anthocyanin-Enriched Morus alba L. Extract and Vitamin C: Promising Nutraceutical Ingredients in Functional Food Development for Neuroprotection

## TL;DR

This study shows that a combination of anthocyanin-rich Morus alba extract and vitamin C protects neurons from oxidative stress, offering potential for functional foods in neuroprotection.

## Contribution

The novel contribution is the identification of a synergistic neuroprotective effect of MAC against oxidative stress in neuronal cells.

## Key findings

- MAC reduced oxidative stress and apoptosis in SH-SY5Y cells exposed to H2O2.
- MAC enhanced antioxidant enzyme activity and modulated apoptosis-related signaling pathways.
- MAC upregulated Bcl-2 and downregulated BAX and cleaved caspase-3, indicating anti-apoptotic effects.

## Abstract

Oxidative stress-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis are critical factors in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. This study investigated the synergistic neuroprotective effects of anthocyanin-enriched Morus alba L. extract combined with vitamin C (MAC) against hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced oxidative stress in SH-SY5Y neuronal cells. Exposure to H2O2 triggered excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and apoptosis, whereas treatment with MAC markedly alleviated these effects. Biochemical analyses revealed that MAC significantly reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) and enhanced the activities of antioxidant enzymes, including catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), thereby contributing to improved redox balance. Furthermore, MAC modulated apoptosis-related signaling by upregulating extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB), and the anti-apoptotic protein B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), while downregulating the pro-apoptotic protein Bcl-2-associated X (BAX) and cleaved caspase-3. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that MAC acts synergistically as a promising nutraceutical ingredient, supporting the development of functional foods for the prevention or mitigation of oxidative stress-related neurodegenerative disorders.