Product Name : Bilberry  Powder Extract
Latin name: Vaccinium vites-idaea L.
Specification: Anthocyandins 25%
Country of Origin :China

Bilberry is a perennial shrub native to Northern Europe, Northern America, and Canada, and has been used in these areas for diabetes and eye disorders for a long history. It is also mentioned in many olde texts in Buryatia, Europe and China as an herb valuable for it's powerful ability to correct many diseases of the digestive system, circulatory system and eyes.

Function:

Bilberry is rich in anthocyanosides. Over 15 different anthocyanosides have been found in Bilberry. Anthocyanosides help to maintain the integrity of capillaries and to stabilize collagen. Anthocyanosides are also potent antioxidants. Numerous clinical studies have shown that Bilberry is effective in the treatment of circulation disorders, varicose veins, and other venous and arterial disorders.

The anthocyanosides protect veins and arteries by stabilizing the phospholipids of the endothelial cells and increasing the synthesis of collagen and mucopolysaccharides, which give the arterial walls their structural integrity. Anthocyanosides also prevent the aggregation and adherence of platelets to endothelial surfaces. Studies have also shown that Bilberry can act as a coadjutant in heme-ralopy and diabetic retinopathy by stimulating rhodopsin production.

1. Normalization of capillary permeability

Anthocyanosides has extremely strong "vitamin P" activity which increase intracellular vitamin C levels and decrease capillary permeability and fragility. This effect contributes to decreased permeability of the blood-brain barrier (increased blood-brain permeability has been linked to autoimmune diseases of the central nervous system, schizophrenia, "cerebral allergies," and a variety of other psychiatric disorders),  helps maintaining the brain’s protection from drugs and naturally occurring degradation products by inhibiting both enzymatic and nonenzymatic degradation of the basement membrane collagen of brain capillaries.

2. Vascular disorders

Considered to be the result of its normalization effect in capillary permeability, bilberry Anthocyanosides has been used in the treatment of capillary fragility, blood purpuras, various circulation disturbances of the brain (similar to that of Ginkgo Biloba), venous insufficiency, varicose veins, and microscopic blood loss in the urine caused by kidney capillary fragility (capillary leakage).

3. Eye Disorders

Bilberry extracts appear to offer significant benefit to the eyes, presumably via an ability to improve the delivery of oxygen and blood to the eye. The origin of many eye diseases including cataract formation and macular degeneration is ultimately related to damage caused by free radicals to the eyes. Bilberry extract as a powerful antioxidant, protects the eyes from these free radical damages.

 1) Cataracts

In one human study, bilberry extract stopped progression of cataract formation in 97 percent of fifty patients with senile cortical cataracts.

 2) Macular degeneration

Bilberry anthocyanosides may offer significant protection against the development of macular degeneration. In one study, thirty-one patients with various types of retinopathy (twenty with diabetic retinopathy, five with retinitis pigmentosa, four with macular degeneration, and two with hemorrhagic retinopathy due to anticoagulant therapy) were treated with bilberry extract. A tendency toward reduced permeability and a tendency to hemorrhage were observed in all patients, especially those with diabetic retinopathy.

3) Glaucoma

Bilberry extract may also play a significant role in the prevention and treatment of glaucoma via its effect on collagen structure of the eyes. In the eyes, collagen provides tensile strength and integrity to the tissues.

4. Vision Improvement

Scientific studies showed that the administration of bilberry extract to healthy subjects resulted in improved nighttime visual acuity, quicker adjustment to darkness, and faster restoration of visual acuity after exposure to glare. Further studies confirmed these results. Results were most impressive in individuals with retinitis pigmentosa and hemeralopia (day blindness - an inability to see as distinctly in bright light as in dim light).

5. Effect on Platelets

Excessive platelet aggregation is linked to atherosclerosis and blood clot formation. Anthocyanosides, like many other flavonoids, have been shown to exert significant antiaggregation effects on platelets.

Dosage

The standard dose for bilberry should be based on its anthocyanosides content. Widely used pharmaceutical preparations in Europe are standardized as 25% anthocyanosides content. 80-160 mg /day of this extract is recommended to improve eye health and 160-240mg/day for eye disorders.

Safety

Under recommended intakes, bilberry extract is safe. Extensive toxicological investigation confirms that bilberry anthocyanosides are devoid of toxic effects. In recommended amounts, there are no known side effects with bilberry extract, and excess levels were quickly excreted through the urine and the bile. Bilberry anthocyanosides does not interact with commonly prescribed drugs, and there are no known contraindications to its use during pregnancy and lactation. In some cases, it may even be recommended for use during pregnancy for prevention and treatment of varicose veins and hemorrhoids. ALL women, however, who are pregnant or breastfeeding should check with her personal physician before taking this dietary supplement.

Chemistry:

This production is composed of Anthocyanosides mainly, such as Anthocyanidin-3-galactoside, Anthocyanidin-3-arabofuranoside, Paeonidin-3-galactoside and Paeonidin-3-arabofuranoside. Structural formulas are
followed:

References

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2. Cantarelli G, Panelli M. Isolation of bilberry anthocyanines and their pharmacologic activity. Boll Chim Farm. 1968 Dec;107(12):792-6.

3. Fraisse D, Carnat A, Lamaison JL. Polyphenolic composition of the leaf of bilberry. Ann Pharm Fr. 1996;54(6):280-3.

4. Friedrich H, Schonert J. Tannin-producing substances in the leaves and fruits of the bilberry. Arch Pharm (Weinheim). 1973 Aug;306(8):611-8.

5. Hakkinen SH, Karenlampi SO, Heinonen IM, Mykkanen HM, Torronen AR. Content of the flavonols quercetin, myricetin, and kaempferol in 25 edible berries. J Agric Food Chem. 1999 Jun;47(6):2274-9.

6. Hakkinen SH, Karenlampi SO, Mykkanen HM, Torronen AR. Influence of domestic processing and storage on flavonol contents in berries. J Agric Food Chem. 2000 Jul;48(7):2960-5.

7. Ichiyanagi T, Tateyama C, Oikawa K, Konishi T. Comparison of anthocyanin distribution in different blueberry sources by capillary zone electrophoresis. Biol Pharm Bull. 2000 Apr;23(4):492-7.

8. Muth ER, Laurent JM, Jasper P. The effect of bilberry nutritional supplementation on night visual acuity and contrast sensitivity. Altern Med Rev. 2000 Apr;5(2):164-73.

9. Petri G, Krawczyk U, Kery A. Spectrophotometric and chromatographic investigation of bilberry anthocyanins for qualification purposes. Acta Pharm Hung. 1994 Jul;64(4):117-22.

10. Schonert J, Friedrich H. Determination of tannin in leaves of bilberry. Pharmazie. 1970 Dec;25(12):775-6.

11. Tolan L, Barna V, Szigeti I, Tecsa D, Gavris C, Csernatony O, Buchwald I. The use of bilberry powder in dyspepsia in infants. Pediatria (Bucur). 1969 Jul-Aug;18(4):375-9.