Background: This study investigated the possible protective effects of bilberry extract after exposing rat eyes to ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation. Methods: Four groups of rats were included in this study, each consisting of 10 Wistar rats. The first group acted as the control, and the second group was exposed to UV-B, 5 KJ/m2 (λm = 300 nm), for 15 minutes. The third group was orally administered bilberry extract (160 mg twice per day) for two weeks before exposure to the UV-B, while the fourth group was administered the same dose of bilberry extract for two weeks before euthanisation. A comet assay was used to examine DNA damage, while the malondialdehyde (MDA) level and superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and catalase (CAT), activities were measured in the lens. Results: After exposing the rats to UV-B radiation, the mean percentage tail DNA and tail moment were significantly increased (P < 0.001) when compared to the control group. In the same context, the lens tissue MDA levels and CAT activity were also significantly increased (P < 0.001). The supplementation of the bilberry extract was found to improve the comet assay parameters and enzymatic activity of the rat lens tissue. Conclusion: The administration of bilberry led to a decrease in the oxidative stress in the lens tissues and DNA damage induced by UV-B radiation in the lenses of Wistar rats.
Vaccinium myrtillus ; DNA ; Comet Assay ; Malondialdehyde

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of Bog Bilberry (Vaccinium uliginosum) extract in eyes with early age-related macular degeneration (AMD). METHODS: Forty-four eyes of forty four patients with early AMD were included in this randomized, double-blinded, and placebo-controlled study. All participants were randomly assigned to either the placebo group (n = 24), or the bog bilberry extract group (n = 20). Before drug administration, an ophthalmic examination which included slit lamp microscopy, best corrected visual acuity, and intraocular pressure was performed, and repeated 1and 3 months after treatment. Objective scatter index, glare and tear film break-up time were checked by Optical Quality Analysis System (OQAS, Visiometrics, Spain) and drusen volume, central macular thickness, and RPE and IS/OS junction thickness were investigated with spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (Spectralis, Heidelberg, Germany). RESULTS: In the bog bilberry extract group, RPE and IS/OS junction thickness was significantly increased compared to the placebo group after 3 months of drug administration. CONCLUSIONS: Bog Bilberry extract may play a favorable role in preventing the atrophic change of RPE and IS/OS junction layer and the progression of early macular degeneration.
Eye ; Glare ; Humans ; Intraocular Pressure ; Macular Degeneration ; Microscopy ; Tears ; Tomography, Optical Coherence ; Vaccinium ; Vaccinium myrtillus ; Visual Acuity ; Wetlands

The chemical constituents of Vaccinium bracteatum were studied by means of macroporous resin, ODS column chromatography and preparative HPLC. Eleven compounds were isolated from this plant. By using ESI-MS and NMR, the structures of the eleven compounds were determined as 10-O-trans-p-coumaroyl-6alpha-hydroxyl-dihydromonotropein (1), 10-O-cis-p-coumaroyl -6alpha-hydroxyl-dihydromonotropein (2), vaccinoside (3), 10-O-cis-p-coumaroyl monotropein (4), isolariciresinol-9-O-beta-D-xyloside (5), tectoridin (6), vicenin-3 (7), quercetin-3-O-alpha-L-rhamnoside (8), quercetin-3-O-alpha-L-arabinopyranoside (9), quercetin-3-O-beta-D-galactopyranoside (10), and quercetin-3-O-beta-D-glucuronide (11), respectively. Compounds 1 and 2 are new, and compounds 4, 6 and 7 are isolated from the genus Vaccinium for the first time.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Molecular Structure ; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization ; Vaccinium ; chemistry

PURPOSE: The treatment of chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS) is based on antibiotic therapy, but many patients experience a relapse after treatment. Cranberry juice is known for its roles in both the treatment and prevention of urinary tract infections. This study was performed to evaluate the effectiveness of cranberry juice in the prevention of a relapse after the treatment of CPPS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty patients, diagnosed as CPPS (National Institutes of Health; NIH-catagory IIIa), were included in this study. All the patients had initially been treated with levofloxacin and supportive treatment for 8-12 weeks. After completion of the initial treatment, 26 volunteer patients were recommended to drink 150ml of cranberry juice twice a day, 24 patients, as a control group, received no cranberry juice and all the patients re-evaluated after 3 months. RESULTS: On initial diagnosis, the white blood cell (WBC) count in the high power field (HFP) of expressed prostatic secretions (EPS) and the NIH-Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI) in cranberry group were 18.2 3.4 and 23.1 4.4 and those of the control group 16.4 4.8 and 22.4 3.7, respectively. When the medical treatment was ended, the WBC of the EPS and NIH-CPSI in the cranberry group were 2.5 2.1 and 14.1 4.1, and those of the control group were 2.7 1.9 and 13.7 2.1, respectively. After the three month follow-up, the cranberry group showed a WBC of 2.2 2.5 in the EPS and a NIH-CPSI of 12.7 3.9, a slight decrease or similar result compared to the treatment completion period. No patient showed aggravation of symptoms after drinking cranberry juice, whereas five from the control group did. CONCLUSIONS: Cranberry juice showed an effect in the prevention of a relapse in CPPS patients, with no adverse effects.
Academies and Institutes ; Diagnosis ; Drinking ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Leukocytes ; Levofloxacin ; Pelvic Pain* ; Prostatitis ; Recurrence* ; Urinary Tract Infections ; Vaccinium macrocarpon* ; Volunteers

PURPOSE: To prospectively investigate the change of clinical manifestations after 1 year of administration of anthocyanoside (Tagen-F(R)) to patients with NPDR-associated macular edema. METHODS: One hundred seventy-five eyes in 88 patients were enrolled in this study, at 5 centers, from March, 2005 to October, 2005. Patients took 3 capsules of Vaccinium myrtillus extract (170 mg/capsule, Tagen-F(R), Kukje pharmaceutical) per day. The primary endpoints were corrected visual acuity and contrast sensitivity which were checked at 2 months following the beginning of treatment [East 1]. The secondary endpoints were the number of hard exudates, microaneurysms, leaking points and the changes of foveal thickness. These were examined at the beginning of, 6 months after, and 12 months after treatment. RESULTS: Corrected visual acuity showed no significant changes during 12 months. Contrast sensitivity improved gradually, especially in 12, 16 cycles per degree [East 2]. There was no statistically significant changes in the numbers of hard exudates, microaneurysms, and leaking points. Foveal thickness measured by OCT was maintained and there was no aggravation of macular edema. CONCLUSIONS: There was marked improvement of contrast sensitivity in patients with NPDR after 1 year of administration of anthocyanoside (Tagen-F(R)), and it might contribute to the quality of vision and the satisfaction of patients. Visual acuity and macular edema were maintained without aggravation.
Anthocyanins ; Capsules ; Contrast Sensitivity ; Diabetic Retinopathy ; Exudates and Transudates ; Eye ; Humans ; Macular Edema ; Prospective Studies ; Vaccinium myrtillus ; Vision, Ocular ; Visual Acuity

Increased oxidative stress in obese diabetes may have causal effects on diabetic complications, including dyslipidemia. Lipopolysccharides (LPS) along with an atherogenic diet have been found to increase oxidative stress and insulin resistance. Cranberry has been recognized as having beneficial effects on diseases related to oxidative stress. Therefore, we employed obese diabetic animals treated with an atherogenic diet and LPS, with the aim of examining the effects of cranberry powder (CP) on diabetic related metabolic conditions, including lipid profiles, serum insulin and glucose, and biomarkers of oxidative stress. Forty C57BL/KsJ-db/db mice were divided into the following five groups: normal diet + saline, atherogenic diet + saline, atherogenic diet + LPS, atherogenic diet + 5% CP + LPS, and atherogenic diet + 10% CP + LPS. Consumption of an atherogenic diet resulted in elevation of serum total cholesterol and atherogenic index (AI) and reduction of high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol. However, with 10% CP, the increase in mean HDL-cholesterol level was close to that of the group with a normal diet, whereas AI was maintained at a higher level than that of the group with a normal diet. LPS induced elevated serum insulin level was lowered by greater than 60% with CP (P < 0.05), and mean serum glucose level was reduced by approximately 19% with 5% CP (P > 0.05). Mean activity of liver cytosolic glutathione peroxidase was significantly increased by LPS injection, however it was reduced back to the value without LPS when the diet was fortified with 10% CP (P < 0.05). In groups with CP, a reduction in mean levels of serum protein carbonyl tended to occur in a dose dependent manner. Particularly with 10% CP, a reduction of approximately 89% was observed (P > 0.05). Overall results suggest that fortification of the atherogenic diet with CP may have potential health benefits for obese diabetes with high oxidative stress, by modulation of physical conditions, including some biomarkers of oxidative stress.
Animals ; Biomarkers* ; Blood Glucose ; Cholesterol ; Cytosol ; Diabetes Complications ; Diet ; Diet, Atherogenic ; Dyslipidemias ; Glucose* ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; Insulin ; Insulin Resistance ; Insurance Benefits ; Lipoproteins ; Liver ; Mice* ; Oxidative Stress* ; Vaccinium macrocarpon*

This study was designed to evaluate the pharmacological effects of Vaccinium bracteatum Thunb. methanol extract (VBME) on microglial activation and to identify the underlying mechanisms of action of these effects. The anti-inflammatory properties of VBME were studied using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated BV-2 microglial cells. We measured the production of nitric oxide (NO), inducible NO synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) as inflammatory parameters. We also examined the effect of VBME on intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and the activity of nuclear factor-kappa B p65 (NF-κB p65). VBME significantly inhibited LPS-induced production of NO and PGE₂ and LPS-mediated upregulation of iNOS and COX-2 expression in a dose-dependent manner; importantly, VBME was not cytotoxic. VBME also significantly reduced the generation of the pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6. In addition, VBME significantly dampened intracellular ROS production and suppressed NF-κB p65 translocation by blocking IκB-α phosphorylation and degradation in LPS-stimulated BV2 cells. Our findings indicate that VBME inhibits the production of inflammatory mediators in BV-2 microglial cells by suppressing NF-κB signaling. Thus, VBME may be useful in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases due to its ability to inhibit inflammatory mediator production in activated BV-2 microglial cells.
Cytokines ; Interleukin-1beta ; Interleukin-6 ; Methanol ; Neurodegenerative Diseases ; Nitric Oxide ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; Phosphorylation ; Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; Up-Regulation ; Vaccinium*

PURPOSE: We evaluated the protective effects of cranberry, which is known as a fruit with anti-oxidative effects, on infection-induced oxidative renal damage with using a rabbit vesico-ureteral reflux (VUR) model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: New Zealand male rabbits were divided into 5 groups (the control group, VUR group, E. coli group, cranberry group and melatonin group). VUR was created and confirmed at 2 weeks after the operation. Infection was induced by intravesical instillation of an E. coli suspension. Cranberry powder was supplied with the feed. Melatonin was injected into the peritoneal cavity. The rabbit kidneys were obtained 3 weeks after the operation. Histopathologic examination was performed to evaluate for inflammation, fibrosis and the tubular change. The oxidative renal damage was evaluated by measuring malondialdehyde (MDA) in the renal tissue. RESULTS: Grossly, the refluxing kidney was larger than the contralateral normal kidney and the refluxing ureter was dilated and tortuous. The microscopic observation of the kidneys from the E. coli group showed apparent periglomerular mononuclear cell infiltration, tubular dilatation and atrophy, and interstitial fibrosis. The kidneys from the reflux group, cranberry group and melatonin group showed mild mononuclear cell infiltration without interstitial fibrosis. The MDA level in the kidneys of the E. coli group was significantly higher than that in the control, cranberry and melatonin groups (p<0.05). The MDA level in the cranberry and melatonin groups didn't significantly differ from that in the sterile group. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that cranberry has an anti-inflammatory effect due to an anti-oxidative function and it may prevent infection-induced oxidative renal damage. But application of cranberry in children with VUR needs more clinical studies.
Administration, Intravesical ; Atrophy ; Child ; Dilatation ; Fibrosis ; Fruit ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Kidney ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; Melatonin ; New Zealand ; Peritoneal Cavity ; Rabbits ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; Ureter ; Vaccinium macrocarpon* ; Vesico-Ureteral Reflux*

OBJECTIVETo investigate the chemical constituents from the leaves of Vaccinium bracteatum.

METHODMany column chromatographic techniques were used for the isolation and separation of chemical constituents. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectral analysis and chemical evidences.

RESULTTwelve compounds were isolated from the plant, and they were identified as chrysoeriol (1), scopoletin (2), trans-p-hydroxycinnamic acid (3), trans-p-hydroxycinnamic acid ethyl ester (4), cafeic acid ethyl ester (5), beta-sitosterol (6), iuteolin (7), quercetin (8), esculetin (9), cafeic acid (10), isolariciresinol-9-O-beta-D-xyloside (11), 10-O-trans-p-coumaroylsandoside (12).

CONCLUSIONCompounds 4, 5, 11, 12 were isolated from the genus Vaccinium for the first time, and compounds 1, 2, 9, 10 were isolated from this plant for the first time.

Coumaric Acids ; chemistry ; Flavones ; Flavonoids ; chemistry ; Furans ; chemistry ; Glycosides ; chemistry ; Lignin ; chemistry ; Molecular Structure ; Plant Leaves ; chemistry ; Scopoletin ; chemistry ; Sitosterols ; chemistry ; Umbelliferones ; chemistry ; Vaccinium ; chemistry

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the most common bacterial infections affecting women. One in four of these women will develop a recurrence. Recurrent UTIs are common among otherwise healthy women with anatomically and physiologically normal urinary tracts. These conditions have a significant effect on their quality of life and have a considerable economic impact due to health care costs. This article will review risk factors predisposing pre- and postmenopausal women to recurrent UTIs, and discuss antimicrobial prophylaxis and other non-antimicrobial preventive measures, including modification of behavioral factors, estrogen, and cranberry products.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Antibiotic Prophylaxis ; Bacterial Infections ; Cystitis ; Estrogens ; Female ; Health Care Costs ; Humans ; Pyelonephritis ; Quality of Life ; Recurrence ; Risk Factors ; Urinary Tract ; Urinary Tract Infections ; Vaccinium macrocarpon