Abstract
- Introduction
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) represent a major global public health concern, an issue increasingly compounded by the alarming rise of antibiotic resistance. Cranberry-derived bioactive compounds—most notably proanthocyanidins (PACs)—have emerged as a highly promising, non-antibiotic prophylactic and therapeutic strategy for the prevention of recurrent UTIs. This comprehensive review examines their proven clinical efficacy, underlying molecular mechanisms of action, and the evolving global research landscape through a detailed bibliometric analysis.
- Methods
A rigorous and comprehensive literature review was conducted to evaluate the therapeutic role of cranberry metabolites in UTI prevention, placing specific emphasis on their anti-adhesive and direct antimicrobial mechanisms. Furthermore, a bibliometric analysis covering global publications spanning from 1962 to 2024 was performed to quantitatively and qualitatively assess longitudinal research trends, international collaboration networks, and thematic developments within the field.
- Results
Cranberry metabolites—particularly A-type proanthocyanidins, diverse flavonoids, and unique phenolic acids—effectively inhibit the adhesion of uropathogenic Escherichia coli to urothelial cells, thereby significantly reducing UTI recurrence rates. Crucially, host gut microbiota-driven biotransformation of PACs into circulating bioactive catabolites enhances their overall physiological efficacy, while specialized cranberry oligosaccharides actively disrupt bacterial biofilm formation in high-risk patient populations. Concurrently, bibliometric evaluations reveal a dramatic surge in scientific research interest post-2000, characterized by expanding global research collaborations and a definitive shift toward clinical applications and standardized nutraceutical formulations.
- Discussion and Conclusion
Cranberry-derived bioactives demonstrate substantial clinical potential in the management and prevention of urinary tract infections; however, persistent variations in product formulation, therapeutic dosage, and metabolic bioavailability present ongoing challenges. The rapid expansion of global research underscores the urgent need for standardized, well-controlled clinical studies to optimize therapeutic efficacy and establish robust, evidence-based clinical guidelines for their widespread utilization.
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/nutrition/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1502720/full