PDR for Herbal Medicines

76 /BILBERRY PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINES

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS: BILBERRY LEAF

Catechin tannins (1 to 7%): including oligomeric proantho-

cyandins

Flavonoids: including among others, avicularin, hyperoside,

isoquercitrin, quercitrin, meratine, astragaline

Iridoide monoterpenes: asperuloside, monotropein

Caffeic acid derivatives: chlorogenic acid

Phenolic acids: including among others, salicylic acid,

gentisic acid

Quinolizidine alkaloids: myrtine, epimyrtine (hybrids of

Vaccinium myrtillus x V. vitis-idaea contain arbutin [hydro-

quine glucosides]).

EFFECTS: BILBERRY LEAF

The drug is astringent and useful for treating diarrhea due to

the catechin tannin content. The drug is antiviral and, in

animal experiments, lipid-lowering.

It is thought that the chromium content of the drug is

responsible for a possible antidiabetic effect.

COMPOUNDS: BILBERRY FRUIT

Fruit acids: including among others, quinic acid (3-5%),

malic acid, citric acid

Tannins (5-12%): chiefly catechin tannins, including oligo-

meric procyanidins

Anthocyanoides (0.1% -0.5%): chief components delphini-

dine-3-O-arabinoside, delphinidine-3-O-galactoside, delphi-

nidine-3-O-glucoside, cyanidin, petunidin, peonidin,

malvidin

Flavonoids: including among others, hyperoside, isoquercit-

rin, quercitrin, astragaline

Iridoids: including asperuloside, onotropein (only in the

unripe fruits)

Caffeic acid derivatives: chlorogenic acid

Pectins
EFFECTS: BILBERRY FRUIT -
The drug is an astringent and has anti-diarrheal action due to
the catechin tannin content which is also responsible for the
wound healing effect.
Limited data show that the bilberry anthranocyoside is anti-
exudative, vessel-protective, inhibits platelet aggregation in
human blood and has an anti-ulcer effect.

Several animal studies have demonstrated that anthocyano-
sides have a collagen stabilizing effect, and provide protec-
tion againts ischemia reperfusion injury (Bertuglia, 1995.)

Increased synthesis of connective tissue is one of the

contributing factors that may lead to blindness caused by

diabetic retinopathy. Anthocyanides have been shown to

slow the synthesis of polymeric collagen in diabetic patients

(Boniface, 1996.)

CLINICAL STUDIES

One case study involving 20 patients with diabetic retinopa-

thy that were treated with 400 mg of Bilberry extract twice

daily demonstrated increased conjunctival capillary resis-

tance in the subjects that were evaluated. The authors of the

study concluded that Bilberry provides protection against

hemorrhage of the retina (Sevin, 1996.)

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

BILBERRY LEAF

Unproven Uses: Bilberry has been used in Diabetes Mellitus

(for prevention and treatment); complaints of the gastrointes-

tinal tract, kidney and urinary tract, arthritis, gout and

dermatitis. External uses include inflammation of the oral

mucosa, eye inflammation, burns and skin diseases.

BILBERRY FRUIT

• Diarrhea


• Inflammation of the mouth and pharynx

Internally, Bilberry is used for nonspecific, acute diarrhea

(particularly in light cases of enteritis). Externally the berry

is used for mild inflammation of the mucous membranes of

mouth and throat.

Unproven Uses: Well constructed clinical studies in humans

that give conclusive support for use of Bilberry in the

treatment of diabetic retinopathy or as a treatment for

inproving night vision are not available. There is moderate

support in animal model trials that support the vasoprotective

and anti-edema properties of Bilberry. The literature also

demonstrates efficacy in animal models for the treatment of

diabetes, hyperlipidemia and gastric ulcers. Folk medicine

uses include internal use for vomiting, bleeding and hemor-

roids and external use for poorly healing skin ulcers and

wound healing.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

BILBERRY LEAF

General: No health hazards or side effects are known in

conjunction with the proper administration of designated

therapeutic dosages. Digestive complaints due to the high

tannin content are possible.

Drug Interactions: Bilberry has a platelet aggregation

inhibiting effect. There is a possiblility that the herb can

interact with other platelet aggregation inhibitors such as

aspirin and anticoagulants like warfarin.