In vitro and In vivo Antioxidant Properties ofVaccinium myrtillus

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.