Alaskan Bog Blueberry (Vaccinium uliginosum) Extract as an Innovative Topical Approach to Prevent UV-Induced Skin Damage

Our body is continuously exposed to various exogenous aggressors, and, in particular, the skin represents the main target for outdoor stressors, including ultraviolet (UV) radiation. UV exposure is well-known to be associated with the development/worsening of extrinsic photoaging and a multitude of skin conditions. Considering the role of photoprotection in skin health, the research of natural photoprotective molecules becomes of great importance. Therefore, in this work we wanted to evaluate the beneficial protective effects of ripe berries of Vaccinium uliginosum (Alaska bog blueberry (BB)) extract (100 μg/mL) for preventing the cutaneous oxidative, inflammatory, and structural damage induced by exposure to 200 mJ of UVA/UVB radiation. We observed that the topical application of BB extract on human ex vivo skin explants averted the UV-induced cutaneous OxInflammatory phenomenon by quenching the increase in the oxidative and inflammatory marker levels, such as 4-hydroxynonenal (4HNE), heme-oxygenase-1 (HO-1), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2), and aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR); as well as by counteracting the loss of structural proteins (filaggrin and involucrin) induced by UV radiation. Our data propose the use of a topical application of Alaska bog blueberry extract as a natural and valuable approach to ensure photoprotection against UV-induced skin damage and premature aging.

Applying Biotechnology in the Propagation and Further Selection of Vaccinium uliginosum × (V. corymbosum × V. angustifolium) Hybrids

The most serious problem of intergeneric and interspecific hybridization is related to overcoming the reproductive isolation of different species. We assessed the efficiency of reproduction under in vitro conditions and the ex vitro growth capacity of interspecific hybrids of Vaccinium uliginosum × (V. corymbosum × V. angustifolium). The percentage of seed germination in in vitro culture was 88% for V. uliginosum, form No. 8 × (V. corymbosum × V. angustifolium), SC5-8, while it was 42% for V. uliginosum, form No. 8 × (V. corymbosum × V. angustifolium), ‘Northcountry’. The analysis of mean value showed that the multiplication rate increased and the shoot height decreased as the 2-isopentenyl adenine (2iP) concentration was increased in the nutrient medium of the studied hybrids. The maximum rate was achieved using 15 μM 2iP. A detailed analysis of the hybrids indicated that the hybrid variant reliably affected growth and development indicators. Inter simple sequence repeat analysis demonstrated that all analyzed hybrids inherited DNA fragments of the parent plants in various combinations, confirming their hybrid nature. Thus, the use of in vitro methods for the propagation and further selection of genotypes is demonstrated as being an effective approach for developing interspecific hybrids of V. uliginosum × (V. corymbosum × V. angustifolium).

Content of Mobile Elements in the Soil and their Accumulation in the Shoots and Fruits of Highbush Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) and Bogbillberry (V. uliginosum)

Vaccinium uliginosum L. is aboriginal plant species in Ukraine, and Vaccinium corymbosum L. is from the American continent but is widely cultivated in Europe and Ukraine for fruit production. The vegetative part of these plants is practically not used, and their chemical composition has not been studied in detail, although the native Europeans and Americans used the plants for medicinal purposes. Contents of selected elements were determined in samples of forest V. uliginosum L. shoots and fruits harvested in Western Ukraine and cultivated V. corymbosum L. (three cultivars) fruits and shoots. The atomic absorption spectrophotometry with sample aspiration in air-acetylene flame was used to analyze the metal concentration. Chemical analyses of shoots showed significantly greater content for essential elements (Cu, Zn, Mn, Co, Cr) than in fruits of both investigated species. In the fruits of V. corymbosum is much more Cu, Zn, Ni, Mn (2.13-3.17; 3.58-8.84; 0.74-1.18; 3.36-6.52 mgkg-1 DW) compare to V. uliginosum ones. V. corymbosum varieties differ significantly in content elements in the shoots and fruits (especially Co, Cr, Cu, Cd). Correlation between the concentrations of elements in shoots and fruits of V. corymbosum cultivars as well as in shoots and fruits of V. uliginosum and the mobile metal concentrations in soil of their growth were calculated, but direct connections were not found. The element composition of Vaccinium corymbosum shoots and fruits has proven to be promising tools.

Triterpenoids and Other Non-Polar Compounds in Leaves of Wild and Cultivated Vaccinium Species

The purpose of the current study was to identify and quantify triterpenoids and other non-polar compounds in the leaves of three high bush blueberry cultivars (Vaccinium corymbosum L. var. Bluegold, var. Bluecrop and var. Elliott) and three natural populations of Vaccinium species (Vaccinium uliginosum L., Vaccinium myrtillus L. and Vaccinium vitis-idaea L.) by means of gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detector (HPLC-DAD). Metabolite profiles differed significantly among the Vaccinium species analyzed, as well as among the populations of the same species. The populations of V. vitis-idaea predominantly contained relative concentrations of phytosterols (varying between 10.48% of total ion current (TIC) and 22.29% of TIC) and almost twice the content of triterpenes (from 29.84% of TIC to 49.62% of TIC) of the other berry species investigated. The leaves of V. corymbosum varieties biosynthesized the highest relative amount of fatty acids, while the leaves of the populations of V. uliginosum had the highest relative concentrations of fatty alcohols. The results of principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) showed that the diverse populations of each berry species analyzed differed from each other, most likely due to variations in the climatic and geographical conditions of their localities.

The Introduction and Breeding of Vaccinioideae in Russia

This article briefly reviews the history of researching the introduction and breeding of cranberry, blueberry and cowberry in the world. The results and prospects of research in these areas in the CSBS SB RAS and the CEFES ARRISMF are presented. The article shows the effectiveness of selecting from natural populations promising material for introduction and breeding, and also the usage of intraspecific and interspecific hybridization for Vaccinioidaea breeding. As a result of longterm studies, the collections of Vaccinioidae were made in Russia. In CSBG SB RAS it totals 7 species, 1 subspecies, 54 varieties, 8 hybrids, 101 forms, including 64 selections and world’s first 8 varieties of Vaccinium uliginosum. In CE FES ARRISMF it totals 7 species, 1 subspecies, 82 varieties, 40 hybrids, 58 forms including 40 selections and the first Russian 7 varieties of Oxycoccus palustris and 3 varieties of Vaccinium vitis-idaea.

Climate and environmental drivers of berry productivity from the forest–tundra ecotone to the high Arctic in Canada

Berry shrubs are found across the circumpolar North where they are an important source of food for people and animals. However, the environmental controls on berry productivity in these regions is poorly understood. This study presents the results of an ongoing berry productivity monitoring program for Empetrum nigrum L., Vaccinium uliginosum L., and Vaccinium vitis-idaea L. from the forest–tundra ecotone to the high Arctic in Canada. Berry productivity was the highest recorded for these species with up to 119 berries/m2 (E. nigrum) and 661 berries/m2 (V. uliginosum) measured at one plot in Pangnirtung. On average, berry productivity for E. nigrum and V. uliginosum was higher toward the northern edge of the species distribution range. The climate variables important for the productivity of V. uliginosum in high Arctic sites were closely associated with the onset of the growing season and water availability during the growing season, whereas those important in the low Arctic sites reflected conditions during the growing season. None of the climate variables used were associated with the productivity of E. nigrum and V. vitis-idaea, likely due to complex responses and length of the time-series, thus highlighting the importance of continued monitoring in partnership with northern people and institutions.

An Anthocyanin-Enriched Extract from Vaccinium uliginosum Improves Signs of Skin Aging in UVB-Induced Photodamage

Accumulating evidence indicates that botanical extracts affect skin biophysical parameters, such as hydration, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), melanin index, erythema index, and wrinkle development. Vaccinium uliginosum extract contains a high level of anthocyanins as antioxidant and is ideal for use in dietary skin care products. Here, we assessed the photoprotective effects of dietary V. uliginosum extract in ultraviolet B (UVB)-irradiated hairless mice. Quantitative analysis of anthocyanin composition in the ethanol-extracted V. uliginosum sample was performed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Skin parameter analysis and hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining were conducted on skin samples from UVB-irradiated hairless mice to evaluate the effects of V. uliginosum extract on skin conditions. In addition, skin mRNA and protein expression were assessed to characterize the molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of the anthocyanin-enriched extract on skin appearance and condition. Administration of the ethanol-extracted V. uliginosum sample caused significant changes in skin water-holding capacity, TEWL, wrinkle-related parameters, and epidermal thickness in UVB-irradiated hairless mice. In addition, oral administration of V. uliginosum attenuated the gene expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) and increased levels of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP) and antioxidant-related genes. Further, V. uliginosum administration downregulated inflammatory cytokine levels and UVB-induced phosphorylation of extracellular signaling regulated kinase (ERK), as well as Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 protein levels. Oral administration of anthocyanin-enriched V. uliginosum extract can improve the appearance and condition of the skin following UV irradiation.