Maqui Berry

Scientific Name(s): Aristotelia chilensis (Molina) Stuntz.
Common Name(s): Clon, Koelon, Maqui, Queldron, Wineberry

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Dec 27, 2021.

Clinical Overview

Use

Although there are limited clinical trials to support uses, maqui berry, the fruit of the Aristotelia chilensis, has been used as an antioxidant cardioprotectant and as a febrifuge, as well as for scarring injuries, atherosclerosis, hyperglycemia, and cancer. It is also used as food in jams and beverages. In Chilean folk medicine, the berries are used for inflammation, as an antihemorrhagic, and as a febrifuge. The extracts inhibit lipid accumulations. Finally, the fruits protect cells from ischemic/reperfusion conditions.

Dosing

Fruit pulp extract was effective at 0.1 to 10 ppm as an antioxidant. The juice can also be used at 4 mL diluted to approximately 160 to 200 mg/mL as an effective antioxidant. The acetone extract of the fruit pulp showed radical scavenging at 6.1 ppm. A standardized maqui berry extract (Delphinol) has been studied at 450 mg/day for antioxidant effects.

Contraindications

Contraindications have not been identified.

Pregnancy/Lactation

Information regarding safety and efficacy in pregnancy and lactation is lacking.

Interactions

None well documented.

Adverse Reactions

None documented.

Toxicology

Research on antioxidants reported low toxicity in phenolic contents; it is assumed there are no toxic effects at active doses.

Scientific Family

• Elaeocarpaceae

Botany

A. chilensis is a small, evergreen dioecious shrub that grows in dense thickets in central and southern Chilean temperate forests and in southwestern Argentina. It is a member of the Elaeocarpaceae familyEscribano-Bailón 2006 and grows to 3 to 5 millimeters in height. The trunk is divided and the bark is smooth.Céspedes 2010, Schreckinger 2010 The coriaceous leaves are opposite and ovate-lanceolate with serrated edges; venation if prominent. The leaf stalks and young branches are red and the late spring, unisex flowers are white, maturing in the fall to small, purple/black edible berries about 4 to 6 millimeters in diameter with 3 to 8 angled seeds. The plant grows well in slightly acidic, moderately fertile, well-drained soils. It grows rapidly with adequate moisture in abandoned, burned, or overexploited soils, protecting them from erosion.Escribano-Bailón 2006, Plants 2013

History

The antioxidant activity in the leaves was first reported in 1998, and all subsequent reports are built on this original research.Céspedes 2010, Céspedes 2008

The leaves and fruits are astringent and have been used in Chilean folk medicine as an antidiarrheal, a febrifuge, and an antihemorrhage agent. Berries alone have been used for eye health and as a colorant. The intense red color of the aqueous extract of the fruit is due to the presence of anthocyanin pigments and can be used as a natural dye.Escribano-Bailón 2006

The leaves have been used as an anti-inflammatory agent, for kidney pain, stomach ulcers, and digestive ailments.Céspedes 2008 The leaves and fruits have been used in folk medicine to treat a variety of ailments including inflammation, sore throat, kidney pain, and stomach disorders such as tumors, ulcers, and diarrhea. They have also been used as an astringent and antihemorraghic.Plants 2003

Research demonstrates that the varying alcoholic extrac...