*Article* **Isolation of Neuroprotective Anthocyanins from Black Chokeberry (***Aronia melanocarpa***) against Amyloid-**β**-Induced Cognitive Impairment**

**Haichao Wen 1,2, Hui Cui 1,2, Hehe Tian 1,2, Xiaoxu Zhang 2, Liyan Ma 2,3, Charles Ramassamy <sup>4</sup> and Jingming Li 1,2,\***


**Abstract:** Black chokeberry (*Aronia melanocarpa*) fruits are rich in anthocyanins, which are vital secondary metabolites that possess antioxidative properties. The aim of this study was to isolate and purify the anthocyanins from black chokeberry by simulated moving bed (SMB) chromatography, and to investigate the neuroprotective effect of SMB purified anthocyanin against Aβ-induced memory damage in rats. The parameters of the SMB process were studied and optimized. Anthocyanin extracts were identified by HPLC and UPLC-QTOF-MS, and antioxidant abilities were evaluated. The Aβ-induced animal model was established by intracerebral ventricle injection in rat brain. Through the SMB purification, anthocyanins were purified to 85%; cyanidin 3-*O*-galactoside and cyanidin 3-*O*-arabinoside were identified as the main anthocyanins by UPLC-QTOF-MS. The SMB purified anthocyanins exhibited higher DPPH and ABTS free radical scavenging abilities than the crude anthocyanins extract. Furthermore, rats receiving SMB purified anthocyanins treatment (50 mg/kg) showed improved spatial memory in a Morris water maze test, as well as protection of the cells in the hippocampus against Aβ toxicity. These results demonstrate that anthocyanins could serve as antioxidant and neuroprotective agents, with potential in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

**Keywords:** black chokeberry; anthocyanin; simulated moving bed; antioxidant activity; neuroprotection; Alzheimer's disease
