bilberry extract

Bilberry extract is derived from the fruit or leaves of the plant Vaccinium myrtillus. It is commonly used as a dietary supplement and herbal remedy. The primary active compounds in bilberry are anthocyanins and tannins, which have antioxidant properties. Bilberry extracts have been traditionally used for conditions related to vision (such as night vision), cardiovascular health (including circulation problems and high blood pressure), elevated blood sugar levels in diabetes, inflammatory bowel conditions, and as supportive treatment for short-term nonspecific diarrhea[1][2][3][5]. Mechanistically, laboratory studies suggest that bilberry polyphenols may inhibit amyloid fibril formation (relevant to neurodegenerative diseases), modulate oxidative stress defense enzymes such as heme oxygenase-1 and glutathione S-transferase-pi in retinal cells, inhibit angiogenesis via ERK 1/2 and Akt pathways, reduce inflammation by suppressing IL-6/STAT3 signaling in retinal tissue, induce apoptosis in cancer cell lines through modulation of Notch/WNT/NF-ĸB pathways[8]. However, robust clinical evidence supporting these uses is limited.

Brand names

airelleblack whortlesburren myrtledyeberryhuckleberryhurtleberrymyrtilli fructustrackleberrywhortleberrywineberry

Other names

Vaccinium myrtillusFructus myrtillibog bilberryHeidelbeerehuckleberrywhortleberry