Malvidin and its derivatives exhibit antioxidant properties by inhibiting MAPK signaling pathways to reduce endoplasmic reticulum stress in ARPE-19 cells.

Malvidin (MV) and its derivatives, such as malvidin-3-O-guaiacol (Mv3C) and malvidin-3-O-6-(acrylic acid-(2-hydroxy,4-carboxy-cyclohexanol)ester)-guaiacol (Mv3ACEC), are natural compounds with antioxidant properties. However, the basic mechanisms underlying their functional activities are unclear. In this study, we show that MV, Mv3C, and Mv3ACEC inhibit reactive oxygen species production and malondialdehyde content, promote glutathione peroxidase activity, and increase superoxide dismutase levels in ARPE-19 cells treated with H2O2. Western blotting and immunofluorescence analysis revealed that MV, Mv3C, and Mv3ACEC regulate mitogen-activated protein kinase signal transduction pathways related to endoplasmic reticulum stress. Interestingly, Mv3C and Mv3ACEC showed greater beneficial properties than MV. Our results show that MV and its derivatives have potential as therapeutic compounds for ocular diseases associated with oxidative stress, such as age-related macular degeneration.