In vitro and In vivo Antioxidant Properties ofVaccinium myrtillus

Abstract

In vitro and in vivo antioxidant properties of an anthocyanoside complex extract from Vaccinium myrtillus (AVM) were evaluated. This extract scavenged super-oxide anion in the hypoxanthine-xanthine oxidase system and inhibited CCl 4 -NADPH-stimulated lipid peroxidation in microsomes. It was found that pre-treatment of mice with 250 and 500 mg/kg oral dosages, respectively, of AVM inhibited significantly liver lipid peroxidation stimulated by FeCl 2 -ascorbic acid-ADP mixture. These results suggest that AVM might be useful as a liver protective agent and in the prevention of other diseases caused by oxidative stress.