Bilberry Fights Ocular Inflammation

GUANGZHOU, ChinaExtract of bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) may fight ocular inflammation, according to a new study (J Agric Food Chem. ePub Mar 12, 2010; DOI: 10.1021/jf904572a). Researchers from the Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Natural Products, Jinan University, coordinated the animal trial in which rats were injected with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to induce uveitis (ocular inflammation). Oral administration of bilberry extract (containing 42.04 percent anthocyanins) at dosages of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg/d for five days before LPS injection significantly ameliorated increases in nitric oxide levels. Bilberry extract also decreased levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and increased levels of ORAC, vitamin C and glutathione (GSH) and activity of total superoxide dismutaste (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). In addition, bilberry extract increased expression of copper/zinc SOD, manganese SOD and GPx mRNA. The effects were dose-dependent and indicate bilberry extract exerts several positive effects to support eye health.