Vaccinium Species (Ericaceae): From Chemical Composition to Bio-Functional Activities

Applied Sciences

Federica Finetti¹  Lorenza Trabalzini¹  Marco Bonesi²  Monica R. Loizzo²  Maria C. Tenuta²  Rosa Tundis²  Brigitte Deguin³ 

[1] Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy;Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy;Université de Paris, UFR de Pharmacie de Paris, U.M.R. n°8038, -CiTCoM- (CNRS, Université de Paris), F-75006 Paris, France;

关键词: Vaccinium species;    phytochemicals;    berry;    leaf;    anti-inflammatory pathways;    endothelial dysfunction;   

DOI  :  10.3390/app11125655

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

The genus Vaccinium L. (Ericaceae) includes more than 450 species, which mainly grow in cooler areas of the northern hemisphere. Vaccinium species have been used in traditional medicine of different cultures and the berries are widely consumed as food. Indeed, Vaccinium supplement-based herbal medicine and functional food, mainly from V. myrtillus and V. macrocarpon, are used in Europe and North America. Biological studies support traditional uses since, for many Vaccinium components, important biological functions have been described, including antioxidant, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic and endothelium protective activities. Vaccinium components, such as polyphenols, anthocyanins and flavonoids, are widely recognized as modulators of cellular pathways involved in pathological conditions, thus indicating that Vaccinium may be an important source of bioactive molecules. This review aims to better describe the bioactivity of Vaccinium species, focusing on anti-inflammatory and endothelial protective cellular pathways, modulated by their components, to better understand their importance for public health.

【 授权许可】

Unknown