The interactive effects on anti-oxidation and anti-inflammation of lutein combined with each of the six common anthocyanidin glucosides were studied in both chemical and cellular systems. The combined phytochemicals showed an antagonism in the inhibition of lipid oxidation in a liposomal membrane, but showed an additive effect on cellular antioxidant activity in Caco-2 cells. Lutein was an active lipoxygenase inhibitor at 2⁻12 μM while anthocyanins were inactive. The concentration of lutein when it was used in combination with anthocyanins was 25⁻54% higher than when lutein was used alone (i.e., IC50 = 1.2 μM) to induce 50% of lipoxygenase inhibition. Only the combination of lutein with malvidin-3-glucoside showed anti-inflammatory synergy in the suppression of interleukin-8, and the synergy was seen at all three ratios tested. Some mixtures, however, showed anti-inflammatory antagonism. The presence of anthocyanins (5⁻7.5 μM) did not affect lutein uptake (2.5⁻5 μM) by Caco-2 cells.
Keywords: anthocyanins; anti-inflammatory activity; cellular antioxidant activity; cellular uptake interference; interaction; lutein.