Caucasian Whortleberry

Generic name: Vaccinium Arctostaphylos
Brand names: Caucasian Blueberry, Cyah-gileh, Qaraqat

Usage of Caucasian Whortleberry

Diabetes

Animal and in vitro data

V. arctostaphylos fruit extract (VFE) was administered at 200 and 400 mg/kg of body weight to Wistar rats with alloxan-induced diabetes. Postprandial blood Glucose levels were reduced (18%) within the first 24 hours following single-dose administration of VFE, as well as longer-term (decrease of 35%) following 3 weeks of daily VFE administration (P<0.0001 for each). The short-term effect of the 400 mg/kg dose was similar to the 52% glucose decrease observed with acarbose 20 mg/kg (positive control) (P<0.0001). Insulin and glucose transporter-4 mRNA gene expression were elevated by VFE (P<0.005 and P<0.0001, respectively) compared with diabetic controls. In vitro data also indicated that VFE inhibited sucrose and maltase activity by 55.6% and 46.4%, respectively. The higher dose of VFE, but not the lower dose, also increased activity of the antioxidant enzymes erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (by 57%), glutathione peroxidase (by 35%), and catalase (by 19%).(Feshani 2011)

Clinical data

In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of Iranian adults with type 2 diabetes (N=74) who were resistant to conventional oral antihyperglycemic medications and who refused insulin therapy, fasting blood glucose, 2-hour postprandial glucose, HbA1c, and liver/kidney function were assessed after administration of a standardized fruit extract from Caucasian whortleberry. The Caucasian whortleberry fruit extract capsules were standardized to 21% anthocyanin content; one 350 mg capsule was taken orally every 8 hours for 2 months with oral antihyperglycemic drugs. Dietary modifications were also encouraged for both groups, including restricting intake of processed carbohydrates. Patients receiving the extract experienced significantly improved fasting blood glucose (P=0.007), 2-hour postprandial glucose (P<0.001), and HbA1c (P=0.005) levels compared with the placebo group. No significant effects were seen in ALT, AST, or creatinine. Percentage reductions in fasting glucose, postprandial glucose, and HbA1c levels were significant in the whortleberry group compared with baseline (16.3%, 13.5%, and 7.3%, respectively; P<0.001 for all); levels increased nonsignificantly in the placebo group (4.7%, 6.5%, and 3.3%, respectively).(Kianbakht 2013) In a 2015 multicenter, randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled trial in adults with type 2 diabetes resistant to oral hypoglycemic agents (N=105), supplementation with whortleberry 1 g/day for 90 days resulted in improvements compared with baseline and controls, but not compared with placebo, for fasting blood glucose, 2-hour postprandial glucose, and insulin sensitivity. However, study methodology was not clearly presented: Some participants were reported as "double-participants" who received 2 study capsules twice daily, the whortleberry preparation was not clearly defined, and placebo data were not reported.(Mirfeizi 2016)

Gastric ulcers

Animal data

In rats gavaged with indomethacin, those treated with a V. arctostaphylos extract demonstrated reduced gastric ulcer development compared with controls.(Fallah Huseini 2013)

Hyperlipidemia

Animal data

In a study in alloxan-diabetic Wistar rats, VFE reduced triglycerides by 41% (P<0.002) at a 200 mg/kg dose and by 75% (P<0.0001) at a 400 mg/kg dose compared to a metformin (100 mg/kg)–treated group. Total cholesterol and VLDL were also reduced by both doses of VFE, without any significant changes in HDL or LDL.(Feshani 2011)

Clinical data

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial assessed the effects of standardized Caucasian whortleberry fruit extract (dosed at 350 mg every 8 hours for 2 months [total anthocyanins per each 350 mg capsule: 2.45 mg]) on biomarkers in Iranian adults with newly diagnosed primary hyperlipidemia (N=80). Patients were advised to restrict their intake of fatty foods. Whortleberry improved all biomarkers compared with placebo: total cholesterol (P<0.001), LDL (P=0.002), HDL (P<0.001), and triglycerides (P=0.002); no significant effects were observed on liver enzymes (ALT, AST) or creatinine. Improvements from baseline were also observed in the extract group compared with the placebo group: Total cholesterol decreased by 27.6% versus 2.2%, triglycerides were reduced by 19.2% versus 9.3%, LDL decreased by 26.3% versus 8.2%, and HDL increased by 37.5% versus 3.3%, respectively. No adverse events were reported.(Kianbakht 2014) In a 2015 meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials evaluating the effects of Vaccinium berries on lipid parameters (16 studies; N=1,109), 2 studies evaluated whortleberry (n=65). Both were conducted in Iran, with data published in 2014. The anthocyanin dosages and durations of Caucasian whortleberry supplementation were 7.35 mg/day for 8 weeks and 90 mg/day for 4 weeks. In contrast to studies of other Vaccinium berries, whortleberry treatment resulted in significant improvements in total cholesterol and triglycerides compared with placebo, with mean differences of −1.44 mmol/L (95% CI, −2.32 to −0.56; P=0.001) and −0.36 (95% CI, −0.49 to −0.24; P=0.02), respectively. Compared to Bilberry, whortleberry showed statistically significant benefits on LDL and HDL cholesterol levels, with mean differences of −0.71 mmol/L (95% CI, −1 to −0.41; P<0.001) and 0.32 mmol/L (95% CI, 0.26 to 0.38; P<0.001), respectively. No adverse effects were observed.(Zhu 2015)

Hypertension

Clinical data

A 3-month, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial investigated the safety and efficacy of V. arctostaphylos berry extract as an adjunct to antihypertensive therapy in 100 overweight and obese Iranian patients. At the end of the study, a statistically significant improvement was seen in both systolic (−10.3 mm Hg, P<0.001) and diastolic (−5.5 mm Hg, P=0.001) blood pressure outcomes with the intervention compared with placebo. No adverse events or adverse drug interactions were observed.(Kianbakht 2019)

Caucasian Whortleberry side effects

No adverse events have been reported in clinical trials. Data are limited.

Before taking Caucasian Whortleberry

Avoid use. Information regarding safety and efficacy in pregnancy and lactation is lacking. Pregnant and breastfeeding women were excluded from studies assessing the effects of Caucasian whortleberry on glycemic or lipid parameters.(Kianbakht 2013, Kianbakht 2014, Mirfeizi 2016)

How to use Caucasian Whortleberry

Diabetes

Clinical trials report standardized Caucasian whortleberry fruit extract (21% anthocyanins) dosages of 350 mg orally every 8 hours for up to 2 months.(Kianbakht 2013)

Hyperlipidemia

Clinical trials report standardized Caucasian whortleberry fruit extract dosages of 350 mg every 8 hours for 2 months (total anthocyanins per each 350 mg capsule: 2.45 mg). Based on results from a 2015 meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials, the 2 studies evaluating whortleberry for hyperlipidemia reported anthocyanin dosages of 7.35 mg/day for 8 weeks and 90 mg/day for 4 weeks.(Kianbakht 2014, Zhu 2015)

Warnings

Accidental poisonings have been reported after mistaken consumption of A. Belladonna, which resembles Caucasian whortleberry.(Cikla 2011)

What other drugs will affect Caucasian Whortleberry

None well documented. Caucasian whortleberry was used in combination with conventional oral hypoglycemic agents in 2 randomized controlled trials, with no interactions or adverse events reported; however, patients taking medications for hyperlipidemia were excluded.(Kianbakht 2013, Kianbakht 2014, Mirfeizi 2016)

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