Chinese scientists report in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry that doses of a bilberry extract increased antioxidant activity of the blood, which was accompanied by improvements in blood levels of vitamin C and antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx).
The researchers noted that the bilberry extract used in the study – Indena’s branded Mirtoselect ingredient – could protect against endotoxin-induced uveitis (EIU), an animal model of inflammation in the eye.
Source: Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry
Published online ahead of print, doi:10.1021/jf904572a
"Protective Effects of Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) Extract against Endotoxin-Induced Uveitis in Mice"
Authors: N. Yao, F. Lan, R.-R. He, H. Kurihara