Dictionary of Allergies .. Blackberry [(L) Rubus fruticosus]

Blackberry belongs to the family Rubus with other berries (e.g. cloudberry, raspberry, loganberry, boysenberry and youngberry. The berries are sold fresh, frozen, canned. Berry products include jams, juices, wines, fillings, cordials and brandies. Allergenic crossreactivity within the family can be expected. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play a major role in wrinkle formation. Their expression increases with aging and is further enhanced by UV irradiation. Blackberry (Rubus fruticosus) leaf extract has been shown to suppress MMP-1, -2 and -9 in cell-free assays. Moreover, Herrmann M, et al (2007)  found that blackberry leaf extract inhibits IL-1alpha, a cytokine known to induce MMP expression.

At a dosage of 0.2% the inhibition was 40% compared with that of the stimulated control. The extract also exhibited a potent radical scavenging activity comparable to that of alpha-tocopherol as was shown by the ABTS assay. Taken together, these biological activities make blackberry leaf extract a highly efficient multifunctional anti-aging active. Rf211 is the symbol of Blackberry in RAST and CAP immunosystem.

References

Herrmann M, Grether-Beck S, Meyer I, Franke H, Joppe H, Krutmann J, Vielhaber G. Blackberry leaf extract: a multifunctional anti-aging active. Int J Cosmet Sci. 2007 Oct;29(5):411.