Betalains in practical medicine

Abstract

Betalains are plant pigments synthesized in the cells of Caryophyllales (red beets, opuntia, etc.). They are involved in the inactivation of reactive oxygen species and free radicals. The paper summarizes the data on the physical-chemical and pharmacological properties of betalains. Betalains eliminate the consequences of oxidative stress, effectively correct metabolic disorders in diabetes mellitus and abdominal obesity, and reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases. A betalain-enriched diet has a wide range of anticancer effects. Betalains protect brain dopaminergic neurons from oxidative damage and reduce the severity of neurodegenerative disorders in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. However, betalains are not stable enough to resist degradation during processing and storage of plant raw materials. Therefore, developing non-damaging technologies for betalain-containing treatment is highly relevant.