The iridoid loganic acid and anthocyanins from the cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.) fruit increase the plasma l-arginine/ADMA ratio and decrease levels of ADMA in rabbits fed a high-cholesterol diet.

•Both iridoid loganic acid and to a lesser extent a mixture of anthocyanins from the cornelian cherry fruit increased the l-arginine level in cholesterol-fed rabbits.•Both iridoid loganic acid and a mixture of anthocyanins significantly decreased ADMA levels and increased the l-arginine/ADMA ratio in plasma.•Both iridoid loganic acid and a mixture of anthocyanins pronouncedly increased mRNA expression of eNOS in thoracic aorta.•Anthocyanins enhanced the activity of DDAH and expression of DDAH1 and DDAH2 isoforms in liver.•Both iridoid loganic acid and a mixture of anthocyanins increased blood glutathione levels depleted by a high-cholesterol diet.•Our results point to the health benefits of fruits containing both anthocyanins and iridoids.