*Review Vaccinium* **Species (Ericaceae): From Chemical Composition to Bio-Functional Activities**

**Rosa Tundis 1,\*, Maria C. Tenuta 1,2, Monica R. Loizzo 1, Marco Bonesi 1, Federica Finetti 3, Lorenza Trabalzini 3 and Brigitte Deguin 2**


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**Abstract:** The genus *Vaccinium* L. (Ericaceae) includes more than 450 species, which mainly grow in cooler areas of the northern hemisphere. *Vaccinium* species have been used in traditional medicine of different cultures and the berries are widely consumed as food. Indeed, *Vaccinium* supplementbased herbal medicine and functional food, mainly from *V. myrtillus* and *V. macrocarpon*, are used in Europe and North America. Biological studies support traditional uses since, for many *Vaccinium* components, important biological functions have been described, including antioxidant, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic and endothelium protective activities. *Vaccinium* components, such as polyphenols, anthocyanins and flavonoids, are widely recognized as modulators of cellular pathways involved in pathological conditions, thus indicating that *Vaccinium* may be an important source of bioactive molecules. This review aims to better describe the bioactivity of *Vaccinium* species, focusing on anti-inflammatory and endothelial protective cellular pathways, modulated by their components, to better understand their importance for public health.

**Keywords:** *Vaccinium* species; phytochemicals; berry; leaf; anti-inflammatory pathways; endothelial dysfunction
