Old Plant, New Possibilities: Wild Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L., Ericaceae) in Topical Skin Preparation

Abstract

Bilberry represents a valuable source of antioxidant substances responsible for its application for the treatment of different conditions (such as inflammation, cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, and different age-related diseases) associated with increased oxidative stress. As oxidative stress might cause skin impairments, we aim to evaluate a topical preparation containing bilberry leaves extract and bilberry seeds oil, obtained as a byproduct of the food industry. To obtain the extracts, the conventional maceration technique for leaves, and supercritical carbon dioxide extraction for seeds were employed. The chemical profile of both actives was achieved by HPLC and GC methods, revealing the presence of phenolic acids (chlorogenic being the most abundant), flavonoids (isoquercetin in the highest amount), and resveratrol in leaves extract, while in seeds oil the essential ω-3 and ω-6 fatty acids were determined in favorable ratio, almost being 1. Antioxidant potential of the wild bilberry extract and seed oil was evaluated using in vitro DPPH and FRAP assays. Finally, effects of the oil-in-water creams with mentioned wild bilberry isolates on the skin were investigated in an in vivo study conducted on healthy human volunteers, revealing the significant beneficial effects when topically applied.

Spectrum–effect relationship between ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography fingerprints and antioxidant activities of Lophatherum gracile Brongn

“…The ability to reduce ferric ions was measured based on previous articles (Krivokapic et al., 2021 ; Tadic et al., 2021 ) with minor revisions. The stock solutions included 300 mM acetate buffer, pH 3.6, 10 mM 2,4,6‐Tris(2‐pyridyl)‐s‐triazine (TPTZ) solution in 40 mM HCl and 20 mM FeCl 3 .6H 2 O solution.…”

Bilberries: Curative and Miraculous – A Review on Bioactive Constituents and Clinical Research

“…Resveratrol ( Figure 2 ) was found in the bilberry fruits by two different research groups ( Rimando et al, 2004 ; Može et al, 2011 ) and in the leaves ( Tadić et al, 2021 ). It is worth noting that while cultivated blueberries contain both resveratrol and piceatannol, the latter is missing in bilberries completely ( Rimando et al, 2004 ).…”

“…Moreover, the extract reduced the UVA-induced apoptosis, but had no effect against the UVB one ( Calò and Marabini 2014 ). A cream which incorporated both the oil from bilberry seeds and the extract from bilberry leaves improved skin hydration parameter slightly more than placebo cream in a month-long clinical trial on 25 volunteers ( Tadić et al, 2021 ). However, in another very recent study, the bilberry fruit extract was found to reduce the sun protection factor upon incorporation into the tested sunscreens.…”

Conventional vs. Green Extraction Using Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents—Differences in the Composition of Soluble Unbound Phenolic Compounds and Antioxidant Activity

“…For this study, the following herbal drugs were chosen: bilberry fruits and leaves ( Myrtilli fructus , Myrtilli folium , Vaccinium myrtillus L., Ericaceae) and green tea leaves ( Camelliae sinensis non fermentatum folium , Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze, Theaceae). Selected plant materials are known for their high PCs content and good antioxidant activity [ 26 , 27 , 28 ]. While green tea leaves and bilberry fruits represent widely commercially used herbal drugs, bilberry leaves are mostly considered as waste products from mechanical harvesting of wild berries [ 29 ].…”