Anthocyanins can act like quinones
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Anthocyanins, flavonoid pigments in berries and red produce, interact with the mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) primarily as alternative electron acceptors or antioxidants. Specific forms like cyanidin 3-O-glucoside (Cy3G) and delphinidin 3-O-glucoside (Dp3G) can boost complex I activity in ischemia-damaged mitochondria.
Certain anthocyanins accept electrons directly at complex I, bypassing ischemia-induced inhibition and enhancing NADH oxidation, state 3 respiration, and ATP synthesis with NADH substrates.
anthocyanins could affect the NAD+/NADH ratio, primarily by accelerating NADH oxidation at mitochondrial complex I, which shifts the balance toward higher NAD+ levels.
Anthocyanins like cyanidin 3-O-glucoside (Cy3G) and delphinidin 3-O-glucoside (Dp3G) act as electron acceptors at complex I in ischemia-damaged mitochondria, enhancing NADH oxidation rates even without coenzyme Q1. This boosts state 3 respiration and ATP synthesis with NADH-linked substrates, effectively consuming NADH and favoring a higher NAD+/NADH ratio to maintain redox balance.