Exploring Vaccinium vitis-idaea L. as a potential source of therapeutic agents: antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities of extracts and fractions

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Vaccinium vitis-idaea L. (lingonberry) leaves and fruits have traditionally been used in Asian and European countries as a natural solution for urinary tract infections, gastrointestinal distress, neurodegenerative diseases, and related inflammatory disorders, which are overall associated with free radical damage and presence of triggering pathogenic strains in the human body. Considering growing attention to natural products, there are not enough scientific data to confirm predominant specialized metabolites, responsible for the traditional therapeutic use of lingonberries.Aim of the study: The present study aimed at an in-depth study of specialized metabolite profiling and biological activity evaluation of lingonberry crude extracts and isolated fractions.Materials and methods: Crude dry extracts and fractions from lingonberry leaves and fruits were analyzed by the UPLC-MS method. Potential inhibiting properties against different bacterial strains and hyaluronidase, ability to scavenge hydrogen peroxide, and effect on its production in a macrophage culture J774 were examined.Results: Findings suggested the tentative presence of 59 compounds, mainly phenolics, displayed higher bioactivities of particular fractions than that of crude extracts and elucidated particular compounds as candidates in pharmaceuticals. Trimeric and dimeric proanthocyanidins from lingonberry leaves and fruits were shown to have the strongest antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory potential.Conclusions: This study revealed specialized metabolites responsible for the traditional medicinal properties of lingonberries and pointed out demand for further purification and new research directions of proanthocyanidins in the frame of their multipharmacological perspectives.

Automated summary

This study provides an in-depth investigation into the specialized metabolite profiling and biological activity of lingonberry crude extracts and isolated fractions. It identifies 59 compounds, mainly phenolics, which exhibit higher bioactivities in certain fractions compared to crude extracts. Trimeric and dimeric proanthocyanidins from lingonberry leaves and fruits are shown to have the strongest antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory potential.