Leung's Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics

REFERENCES

See the General References forFEMA;GUENTHER;MASADA;MCGUFFIN1&2.

1. M. Mammi de Leo, Essenze Deriv.
   Agrum., 46 , 181 (1976).


2. G. Calabro and P. Curro,Ann. Fac. Econ.
   Commer., Univ. Studi Messina, 10 ,67
   (1972).


3. A. Liberti and G. Goretti,Atti Conv. Naz.
   Olii Essenz. Sui Deriv. Agrum.,1–2,69
   (1974).


4. U. R. Cieri,J. Assoc. Offic. Anal. Chem.,
   52 , 719 (1969).


5. S. T. Zaynoun et al.,Br. J. Dermatol., 96 ,
   475 (1977).


6. D. L. J. Opdyke,Food Cosmet. Toxicol.,
   11 , 1031 (1973).


7. F. Buiarelli et al.,Ann. Chim., 92 , 363
   (2002).
   8. D. L. J. Opdyke,Food Cosmet. Toxicol.,
   11 , 1035 (1973).
   9. L. H. Wang and M. Tso, J. Pharm.
   Biomed. Anal., 30 , 593 (2002).


8. M. J. Ashwood-Smith et al.,Nature, 285 ,
   407 (1980).


9. S. Kaddu et al.,J. Am. Acad. Dermatol.,
   45 , 458 (2001).


10. L. Wang et al.,Cutis, 70 , 29 (2002).


11. B. B. Mandula et al.,Science, 193 , 1131
    (1976).


12. T. Lakshmipathi et al.,Br. J. Dermatol.,
    96 , 587 (1977).

BILBERRY

Source: Vaccinium myrtillus L. (Family
Ericaceae).

Common/vernacular names:Bilberry, dwarf
bilberry, and whortleberry.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Bilberry is a deciduous freely branched shrub
up to about 35–60 cm high; arising from a
creeping rhizome. Found in heaths, moors,
and woods in most of Europe (mountains in
southern Europe); also found in N. Asia. The
parts used are the fruits and leaves.

CHEMICAL COMPOSITION

The fruits contain resveratrol^1 and at least
14 different anthocyanins (malvidin-3-arabi-
noside, cyanidin-3-xyloside, cyanidin-3-ruti-
noside, peonidin-3-glucoside, petunidin-

3-galactoside, delphinidin-3-glucose, etc.).^2

Fruits or fruit juice contain at least 3% antho-

cyanosides such as procyanidins B 1 ,B 2 ,B 3 ,

B 4 ; myrtillin; flavonoids including quercitrin,

hyperoside, isoquercitrin, astragalin; flavan-

3-ols including (þ)-catechin and ()-epica-

techin; phenolic acids including caffeic,

chlorogenic, p-coumaric, ferulic, syringic,

gallic, protocatechuic, p-hydroxybenzoic,

m-hydroxybenzoic, vanillic,m-coumaric and

o-coumaric acids, and a hydroxybenzoic acid

derivative; vitamin C; quinolizidine alkaloids

myrtine and epimyrtine in aerial parts; arbutin

and other hydroquinone derivatives, ubiqui-

tous in otherVaccinumspp., are absent in

bilberry.3–6

PHARMACOLOGY AND BIOLOGICAL

ACTIVITIES

Bilberry fruits and leaves exhibit astringent

and diuretic activity. Clinical use of anthocya-

noside-rich extracts of the fruit is largely

Bilberry 93