Bilberry fruit [Vaccinium myrtillus L]

Bilberry extract is used to treat retinopathy, cataracts, macular degeneration, retinitis pigmentosa and hemorrhagic retinopathy. The anthocyanins in bilberry regenerate rhodopsin, and this is why bilberry is indicated for poor night vision and cataracts. It is also used for microcirculatory disorders, which include varicose veins, atherosclerosis and venous insufficiency.

Mechanism of action

Bilberry stops the enzymes that leucocytes release during inflammation from cleaving collagen. It protects the retina by inhibiting retinal phosphoglucomutase and glucose-6-phosphatase. It reduces microvascular impairments caused by ischemic reperfusion injury, which means the endothelium is preserved, leukocyte adhesion is attenuated and capillary perfusion improves. It also produces a dose dependent inhibition of platelet aggregation and clot retraction. Bilberry decreases the hydrolysis of basement membrane collagen. It does this by significantly reducing the permeability of the blood-brain barrier, and it increases the rate at which the BBB recovers after being affected by agents that raise permeability.