Bilberry fruit

Jaakola L, Maatta K, Pirttila AM, Torronen R, Karenlampi S, Hohtola A. 2002. Expression of genes involved in anthocyanin biosynthesis in relation to anthocyanin, proanthocyanidin, and flavonol levels during bilberry fruit development. Plant Physiol 130 729-739. 

BILBERRY FRUIT (EUROPEAN BLUEBERRY — VACCINIUM MYRTILLUS)... 

Vaccinium myrtillus, commonly known as bilberry fruit, originates mainly from northern and central Europe (Bisset, 1994). This well known plant is rich in flavonoids, the polyphenolic compounds that promote anti-oxidant activity (Bisset, 1994). A study conducted on the antioxidative potential of V. myrtillus showed potent protective action on LDL particles during in vitro copper-mediated oxidation. The study concluded that this extract may be more potent than either ascorbic acid or butylated hydroxy-toluene in the protection of LDL particles from oxidative stress (Mitcheva, 1993 Bisset, 1994). 

Upton, R., Bilberry fruit Vaccinium myrtillus L. American Herbal Pharmacopoeia, Santa Cruz, CA, 2001. 

One danger is that because herbal medications are not regulated, few if any clinical trials are performed even for safety or efficacy. One example is bilberry. Bilberry fruit is used to treat diabetes and diabetic retinopathy. Although animal models support the antioxidant role in vasoprotection, no well-designed and conducted clinical trials exist.The antioxidant effect may have benefit in AMD, as well. The antioxidant efficacy in bilberry is likely due to the tannin content, which is also found in grapes. 

Bilberry fruit isa safe food herb with no known advert reactions or toxicity. There are no known contraindications to its use as directed. The dosage of standard extract is 160 to 320 mg a day. 

Bilberry fruit is traditionally consumed as a food (Upton... 

A postmarketing survey of persons taking bilberry fruit extract indicated that respondents reported adverse events... 

A limited number of human studies of bilberry fruit extract used during pregnancy have not shown any adverse effects on mother or fetus (Eandi 1987 Grismondi 1980 Pourrat et al. 1967 Zaragoza et al. 1985). No information was identified on the safety of bilberry fruit or leaf during lactation, although traditional consumption as a food suggests that no adverse effects are expected from bilberry fruit (Upton 2001). 

A systematic review of placebo-controlled studies on anthocyanosides of bilberry fruit indicated that no adverse effects were reported in any of the clinical trials on bilberry extracts (Canter and Ernst 2004). In a postmarketing survey of persons taking bilberry fruit extract, 94 of the 2295 survey respondents noted side effects, mostly related to the gastrointestinal, skin, or nervous system. Due to the nature of the survey, a causal association between bilberry and the symptoms could not be established (Eandi 1987). 

A bilberry fruit extract high in anthocyanosides administered to rats in single oral doses from 2.5 to 400 mg/kg significantly increased bleeding time at doses of 5 mg/kg or more (Morazzoni and Magistretti 1990). 

Two in vitro studies of bilberry fruit anthocyanosides indicated that inhibition of platelet aggregation by bilberry was greater than that of aspirin (Gomez-Serranillos et al. 1983 Zaragoza et al. 1985). 

A standardized bilberry fruit extract demonstrated no adverse effects on fertility in rats (Eandi 1987). Administration of anthocyanins or standardized bilberry fruit extracts did not produce any teratogenic activity in a single generation of rats or in three generations of rats and rabbits (Eandi 1987 Pourrat et al. 1967). 

No information on the safety of bilberry fruit during lactation was identified. Based on the traditional safe consumption of bilberry fruit as a food, no adverse effects are expected (Upton 2001). 

The LDjo of intraperitoneally administered standardized bilberry fruit extract in rats is 2.4 g/kg, and 0.24 g/ kg for intravenously administered extract. No lethal dose could be determined for orally administered standardized extract at doses up to 20 g/kg in rats (Pourrat et al. 1%7). In mice, the LD50 of intraperitoneally administered standardized bilberry fruit extract is 4.1 g/kg, and 0.84 g/ kg for intravenously administered extract. No lethal dose could be determined for an orally administered standardized extract at doses up to 25 g/kg in mice (Pourrat et al. 1%7). Other acute toxicity studies indicated that no signs of toxicity were observed for orally administered bilberry fruit extract at doses over 2 g/kg in mice and rats and over 3 g/kg in dogs. A darkening of urine and feces was noted in the animals (Eandi 1987). 

No toxic effects were observed in guinea pigs administered bilberry fruit extract at doses up to 43 mg/kg daily for 2 weeks, nor in rats fed the same dose for 6 weeks (Pourrat et al. 1967). 

Similarly, no toxic effects were observed in rats administered up to 36 mg/kg bilberry fruit extract intravenously every day for 4 weeks or in dogs administered 12 mg/ kg bilberry extract intravenously every day for 13 weeks, although dark blue pigmentation of urine, skin, eyes, and sometimes liver, kidneys, and ovaries was observed in the rats and dogs (Eandi 1987). 

No changes in urinary, hematological, gross, or microscopic parameters were observed after oral administration of standardized bilberry fruit extract in rats at doses of 125 to 500 mg/kg daily nor in dogs administered 80 to 320 mg/ kg daily for 6 months (Eandi 1987). 

Bilberry fruit. In Blumenthal M, Goldberg A, Brinckmann J, eds. Herbal Medidne-Expanded Commission E Monographs. Newton, MA Integrative Medicine Communications, 2000 16-21. 

The highest antiproliferative activity was observed by raspberry pomace extracts (1C5o=40-70 pg/ml) and by dried rosehip fruit and dried bilberry fruit extracts (IC5o=80-190 pg/ml) towards cervix (HeLa) and breast (MCF7) carcinoma cells (Table 1). Both raspberry pomace extract (Meeker and Willamete) increased apoptosis in cervix carcinoma (HeLa) (AI=2.8-3.1), while Meeker cultivar also increased apoptosis in breast adenocarcinoma cells (MCF7) (AI=3.1) (Table 1). 

Bilberry fruits and leaves exhibit astringent and diuretic activity. Clinical use of anthocya-noside-rich extracts of the fruit is largely... 

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