An Updated Systematic Review of Vaccinium myrtillus Leaves: Phytochemistry and Pharmacology

Abstract

Bilberry leaves are used in many countries in traditional medicine for treating a wide variety of diseases. Due to the high therapeutic potential of Vaccinium myrtillus (VM) leaves, this review aims to present the latest knowledge on the phytochemical profile, as well as the therapeutic effects of this herbal drug. The review was conducted according to the Prisma guidelines, and the scientific databases were searched using combinations of the following keywords: “Vaccinium myrtillus”, “leaves”, “bilberry”. Recent research was focused on the influence of abiotic factors on the phytochemical composition, and it seems that there are significant differences between the herbal drugs collected from different countries. The phytochemical composition is correlated with the broad spectrum of pharmacological effects. The paper outlines the potent antimicrobial activity of VM extracts against multidrug-resistant bacterial strains, and also the pathways that are modulated by the unique “cocktail” of phytoconstituents in different metabolic alterations. Reviewing the research articles published in the last 10 years, it seems that bilberry leaves have been slightly forgotten, although their phytochemical and pharmacological characteristics are unique.

Vaccinium myrtillus L. Leaf Waste as a Source of Biologically Potent Compounds: Optimization of Polyphenol Extractions, Chemical Profile, and Biological Properties of the Extracts

“…In view of the previously published results of quantitative analysis of hydroethanol extracts from V. myrtillus leaves or leaves with twigs/stems, differences in the amounts of each compound were found in herbal drugs from different locations. The qualitative and/or quantitative profile of the extracts can also be influenced by the extraction conditions [4]. Thus, the amounts of the four most abundant constituents of maceration, HAE, UAE, and MAE are either comparable to or higher than the amounts previously reported for some of the extracts studied [52][53][54][55][56][57].…”

“…Its fruit and leaves have significance in various industries as the ingredients in foods, dietetic supplements, and pharmacological and cosmetic formulations [1]. V. myrtillus leaves contain valuable compounds, including phenolic acids, flavonoids, procyanidins, anthocyanins, stilbene derivatives, tannins, iridoid compounds, fatty acids, triterpenes, fibrous components, micronutrients, and macronutrients [1][2][3][4]. In folk medicine, bilberry extracts prepared using leaves were employed in the treatment of disorders in the urinary system because of the presence of compounds with antimicrobial and/or astringent activities [1].…”

Vaccinium as Potential Therapy for Diabetes and Microvascular Complications

“…Leaves and fruits have been widely used in traditional medicine for the treatment of stomatitis; diabetes; renal stones; and intestinal, liver, and urinary tract disorders, as early as the 18th century [31]. Some Vaccinium species were domesticated in the 20th century and are now cultured on a large scale in several regions worldwide as economic fruits.…”

“…Moreover, Vaccinium has antimicrobial, anticarcinogenic, cardiovascular protective, vision improvement, and anti-neurodegenerative effects, which have been described in detail elsewhere [23,31,[38][39][40]. Berries have the potential to reduce metabolic and cardiovascular risk [40,41].…”

In Vivo Acute Toxicity and Immunomodulation Assessment of a Novel Nutraceutical in Mice

“…Currently, the specialized literature contains constant and intensive concerns over the phytochemical and pharmacological study of plants and herbal remedies, for which the therapeutic properties in general, and among them the immunomodulatory ones, have been demonstrated [12][13][14][15][16][17]. The approaches are complex, from in vitro experimental studies to clinical studies that substantiate the use of some phytocomplexes and some minerals for prophylactic or curative purposes in food supplements with an immunomodulatory role.…”