Eld8.5

Elderberry Research

39 peer-reviewed studies · Evidence score: 8.5/10

Plant extracts as a source of antiviral agents against influenza A virus

Arumugam H et al. • Journal of applied microbiology (2025)

On the other hand, Sc. baicalensis and Pa. ginseng exert their anti-IAV effect via immunomodulation.

On the other hand, Sc. baicalensis and Pa. ginseng exert their anti-IAV effect via immunomodulation.
Peganum harmala, on the contrary, exhibits a direct virucidal effect against IAV.
These studies have shown promising results from using natural products against IAV, which may aid in formulating combinatorial compounds as anti-IAV therapy.© The Author(s) 2025.

Systematic Review

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Fruits of Wild-Grown Shrubs for Health Nutrition

Stabnikova O et al. • Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands) (2024)

The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.

These fruits have a great potential to be used in functional food making.
The possibilities of using the fruits of wild-grown shrubs in the preparation of functional foods and examples of their implementation for the manufacturing of dairy, bakery and meat products are considered.
The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.

Systematic Review

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Genus Sambucus: Exploring Its Potential as a Functional Food Ingredient with Neuroprotective Properties Mediated by Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Mechanisms

Merecz-Sadowska A et al. • International journal of molecular sciences (2024)

This review provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of research on the neuroprotective potential of Sambucus and its derivatives, offering valuable insights for the development of dietary strategies to promote brain health and prevent age-related cognitive decline.

In vivo studies using animal models of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, have shown that Sambucus compounds can improve cognitive function, motor performance, and neuronal survival while attenuating neuroinflammation and oxidative damage.
Furthermore, the potential of Sambucus as a functional food ingredient is discussed, highlighting its application in various food products and the challenges associated with the stability and bioavailability of its bioactive compounds.
This review provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of research on the neuroprotective potential of Sambucus and its derivatives, offering valuable insights for the development of dietary strategies to promote brain health and prevent age-related cognitive decline.

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Label compliance for ingredient verification: regulations, approaches, and trends for testing botanical products marketed for "immune health" in the United States

You H et al. • Critical reviews in food science and nutrition (2024)

Demonstrating elderberry, turmeric, and functional mushrooms as examples, this review aims to provide industrial professionals and scientists an overview of current United States regulations, testing approaches, and trends for label compliance verification to ensure the safety of botanical products marketed for "immune health."

Meanwhile, consumers showed increased attention to dietary supplement ingredient labels, especially concerning authenticity and ingredient claims.
This review highlights the regulatory requirements and recommendations for analytical approaches, including chromatography, spectroscopy, and DNA approaches for ingredient claim verification.
Further research warranted to confirm findings

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Walnut By-Products and Elderberry Extracts-Sustainable Alternatives for Human and Plant Health

Sandu-Bălan Tăbăcariu A et al. • Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) (2024)

From this perspective, the aim of this review is to provide an overview of the bioactive compounds present in the different constitutive parts of walnut by-products and elderberries, which present a specific or common activity related to human health and the protection of agricultural crops in the context of sustainable development.

During recent years, walnut by-products and elderberries have attracted the attention of researchers, and investigations have focused on the species' valuable constituents and active properties.
Further research warranted to confirm findings

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Development of Potential Therapeutic Agents from Black Elderberries (the Fruits of Sambucus nigra L.)

Ren Y et al. • Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) (2024)

It is hoped that this contribution will support future investigations on elderberries.

Based on these components, salicylic acid and its acetate derivative, aspirin, have long been used for the treatment of different disorders.
Dapagliflozin, an FDA-approved antidiabetic drug, has been developed based on the conclusions obtained from a structure-activity relationship study for a simple hydrolyzable tannin, β-pentagalloylglucoside (β-PGG).
Thus, the present review focuses on the development of therapeutic agents from elderberries and their small-molecule secondary metabolites.

Systematic Review

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[Flavonoids – natural compounds with antiviral and anticancer potential]

Sergiel I • Postepy biochemii (2024)

The perspectives and possibilities of using these compounds are presented, taking into account the problems resulting from their bioavailability.

Flavonoids present in food are transported by passive diffusion (hydrophobic aglycones) and by active transport (hydrophilic glycosides).
Individual classes of flavonoids differ in the amount they appear in food, the metabolites they produce and their possible impact on health.
The aim of this review is to summarize the current knowledge on the potential use of selected flavonoids in the treatment of diseases of various etiologies, with an indication of their anticancer and antiviral effects.

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Are the Effects of Bioactive Components on Human Health a Myth?: Black Elderberry (Sambucus nigra L.) from Exotic Fruits

Sanlier N et al. • Current nutrition reports (2024)

This review examined current evidence and discussions about the health-related effects of black elderberry, which contains many biologically active components such as polyphenols, phenolic acids, flavonols, proanthocyanidins and anthocyanins, as well as terpenes and lectins, and offered some suggestions on its use in the future.

Systematic review examining Elderberry efficacy
Further research warranted to confirm findings

Systematic Review

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Elderberry Extracts: Characterization of the Polyphenolic Chemical Composition, Quality Consistency, Safety, Adulteration, and Attenuation of Oxidative Stress- and Inflammation-Induced Health Disorders

Osman AG et al. • Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) (2023)

The role of elderberry in enhancing human health alone with the pharmacological basis, the cellular pathways, and the molecular mechanisms underlying the observed health benefits of elderberry fruit extracts will be also reviewed.

Compared with other fruit, elderberry is a very rich source of anthocyanins (approximately 80% of the polyphenol content).
In the current review, the chemical composition of the polyphenolic content of the European elderberry (Sambucus nigra) and the American elderberry (Sambucus canadensis), as well as the analytical techniques employed to analyze, characterize, and ascertain the chemical consistency will be addressed.
Further, the factors that influence the consistency of the polyphenolic chemical composition, and hence, the consistency of the health benefits of elderberry extracts will be presented.

Systematic Review

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Black elderberry supplementation for respiratory illness: A meta-analysis

Hawkins J et al. • Complementary Therapies in Medicine (2019)

Elderberry supplementation substantially reduced upper respiratory symptoms.

Significant reduction in cold duration
Reduced symptom severity
Most effective when started early

Meta-Analysisn=180

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Select Dietary Supplement Ingredients for Preserving and Protecting the Immune System in Healthy Individuals: A Systematic Review

Crawford C et al. • Nutrients (2022)

As we move toward a vision of health promotion and resilience rather than a sole focus on disease prevention and treatment, further work in this area of dietary supplements is of utmost importance.

Immune health products represent approximately 10% of all US dietary supplement sales.
The studies included eight of the 27 supplement ingredients identified through a market-driven scoping review.
Those ingredients used in single ingredient products were echinacea, elderberry, garlic, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, and zinc.

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Food or medication? The therapeutic effects of food on the duration and incidence of upper respiratory tract infections: a Review of the literature

van der Gaag EJ et al. • Critical reviews in food science and nutrition (2021)

Thirty-three studies were included.

Thirty-three studies were included.
The incidence of respiratory infections or symptoms was shown to be reduced in some studies when probiotics, prebiotics, growing-up milk, fish oil, kiwi, garlic and xylitol were taken.
Duration was favorably influenced by the intake of elderberry, kiwi, probiotics and fish oil.

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Immunomodulatory role and potential utility of various nutrients and dietary components in SARS-CoV-2 infection

Yaseen MO et al. • International journal for vitamin and nutrition research. Internationale Zeitschrift fur Vitamin- und Ernahrungsforschung. Journal international de vitaminologie et de nutrition (2022)

It will also provide a brief overview on some of the clinical trials that are in progress to assess the role of nutritional supplements, either alone or in combination with other pharmacological drugs, in fight against COVID-19.

These nutritional and dietary supplements are potential candidates to curb the convulsive unfolding of novel COVID-19, in combination with other standard treatment protocols.
Keeping in view these facts, nutritional and dietary supplements can be used along with other management modalities.
In this review, various search engines were used to exploit available literature in order to provide a comprehensive review on nutritional and dietary supplements with respect to the viral infections.

Systematic Review

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Elderberries as a potential supplement to improve vascular function in a SARS-CoV-2 environment

Festa J et al. • Journal of food biochemistry (2022)

Journal of Food Biochemistry

Elderberries have been previously used as a natural remedy for treating influenza, cold, and consequently cardiovascular health due to a high content of cyanidin-3-glucoside (C3G) a major anthocyanin found in the human diet.
The literature reported many studies demonstrating that EE has both antiviral and vascular protective properties that should be further investigated as a nutritional component used against the (in)direct effect of SARS-CoV-2 in vascular function.
Journal of Food Biochemistry

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Nanoemulsion and Nanoliposome Based Strategies for Improving Anthocyanin Stability and Bioavailability

Chen BH et al. • Nutrients (2019)

This review provides an insight into the current nanotechnology updates on enhancement of anthocyanin stability and biological activity.

This review provides an insight into the current nanotechnology updates on enhancement of anthocyanin stability and biological activity.
Further research warranted to confirm findings

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Dietary Anthocyanins against Obesity and Inflammation

Lee YM et al. • Nutrients (2017)

This review discusses the interplay between inflammation and obesity, and their subsequent regulation via the use of dietary anthocyanins, suggesting an alternative dietary strategy to ameliorate obesity and obesity associated chronic diseases.

Recently, food-derived bioactive compounds have been spotlighted as a regulator against various chronic diseases due to their low toxicity, as opposed to drugs that induce severe side effects.
Here we describe the beneficial effects of dietary anthocyanins on obesity-induced metabolic disorders and inflammation.
This review discusses the interplay between inflammation and obesity, and their subsequent regulation via the use of dietary anthocyanins, suggesting an alternative dietary strategy to ameliorate obesity and obesity associated chronic diseases.

Systematic Review

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A Review of the Antiviral Properties of Black Elder (Sambucus nigra L.) Products

Porter RS et al. • Phytotherapy research : PTR (2017)

Here, we evaluate the state of current scientific research concerning the use of elderberry extract and related products as antivirals, particularly in the treatment of influenza, as well as their ...

Here, we evaluate the state of current scientific research concerning the use of elderberry extract and related products as antivirals, particularly in the treatment of influenza, as well as their safety and health impacts as dietary supplements.
While the extent of black elder's antiviral effects are not well known, antiviral and antimicrobial properties have been demonstrated in these extracts, and the safety of black elder is reflected by the United States Food and Drug Administration approval as generally recognized as safe.
A deficit of studies comparing these S. nigra products and standard antiviral medications makes informed and detailed recommendations for use of S. nigra extracts in medical applications currently impractical.

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Can nutraceuticals assist treatment and improve covid-19 symptoms?

Alesci A et al. • Natural product research (2022)

Based on the results obtained so far, quercetin, astaxanthin, luteolin, glycyrrhizin, lactoferrin, hesperidin and curcumin have shown encouraging data suggesting their use to prevent and counteract the symptoms of this pandemic infection.

Several studies were conducted to implement antiviral drug therapy, until the arrival of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines.
Numerous scientific investigations have considered some nutraceuticals as an additional treatment of COVID-19 patients to improve their clinical picture.
In this review, we would like to emphasize the studies conducted to date about this issue and try to understand whether the use of nutraceuticals as a supplementary therapy to COVID-19 may be a valid and viable avenue.

Systematic Reviewn=19

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Neuroprotective Role of Natural Polyphenols

Spagnuolo C et al. • Current topics in medicinal chemistry (2016)

We are also presenting data on the ability of an extract derived from elderberry, Sambucus nigra, possessing elevated polyphenolic content and antioxidant capacity to protect neuronal cells against oxidizing agents.

For this reason, an adequate antioxidant strategy may improve the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases and dementia.
Several studies support the neuroprotective abilities of polyphenolic compounds resulting in neuronal protection against injury induced by neurotoxins, ability to suppress neuroinflammation and the potential to promote memory, learning and cognitive functions.
We critically reviewed here the therapeutic potential of pure herbal compounds (e.g., green tea polyphenol (-)- epigallocatechin-3-gallate, resveratrol, curcumin, quercetin and others) and extracts enriched in polyphenols showing the most promising neuroprotective effects.

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An evidence-based systematic review of elderberry and elderflower (Sambucus nigra) by the Natural Standard Research Collaboration

Ulbricht C et al. • Journal of dietary supplements (2014)

This article includes written and statistical analysis of clinical trials, plus a compilation of expert opinion, folkloric precedent, history, pharmacology, kinetics/dynamics, interactions, adverse effects, toxicology, and dosing.

An evidence-based systematic review of elderberry and elderflower (Sambucus nigra) by the Natural Standard Research Collaboration consolidates the safety and efficacy data available in the scientific literature using a validated, reproducible grading rationale.
This article includes written and statistical analysis of clinical trials, plus a compilation of expert opinion, folkloric precedent, history, pharmacology, kinetics/dynamics, interactions, adverse effects, toxicology, and dosing.
Further research warranted to confirm findings

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