Neuropsychopharmacological effects of Aronia melanocarpa: A narrative review

BACKGROUND: This narrative review examines the neuropsychopharmacological effects of Aronia melanocarpa (black chokeberry), focusing on its potential in the prevention and treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders such as anxiety, depression, and cognitive decline. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A comprehensive literature search across Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar identified 29 original studies, based on in vitro, animal, and human research. RESULTS: Findings demonstrated that Aronia melanocarpa, rich in polyphenols like anthocyanins and proanthocyanidins, exerts cognitive-enhancing, anxiolytic-like, and antidepressant-like effects. These outcomes are mediated by mechanisms involving antioxidant activity, modulation of neurotransmitter systems, inhibition of monoamine oxidases, reduction of neuroinflammation, modulation of gut microbiota, and upregulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Animal models of Alzheimer's disease and stress-induced disorders, along with human clinical trials, corroborated these effects. CONCLUSIONS: The review underscores the therapeutic promise of Aronia melanocarpa nutraceuticals in neuropsychiatric health and highlights the need for further clinical validation.