Maqui Berry is also called Maqui, Wineberry, Chilean blackberry, and Chilean wineberry, which is inherent to the ancient temperate rainforest on the coast of Southern Chile that extends to Patagonian Argentina. The tree is dioecious, evergreen, and thin trunked which grows upto 4 to 5 meters high and elevations upto 2500 meters. The small flowers are white which blooms from September to December. Berries are 4 to 5 mm in diameter whose color ranges from dark red to deep purple. It provides a sweet and pleasant taste. The rich color is featured in anthocyanins which act as a powerful antioxidant. The pigment of the fruit is used to promote the color of red wines and as organic food colorants. The plant prefers well-drained soil with protection against cold drying winds in full sun. The soil must be slightly acidic with moderate fertility.

When frozen, this fruit maintains its content of anthocyanin which shows an increase in polyphenols. The highest concentration of antioxidants is found in the flesh of the fruit and ORAC values of seeds are similar to other regionally inherent superfruits. The leaves and berries also possess medicinal constituents. This tree is inherent to Mapuche Indians who regarded the plant as a symbol of peaceful intention and goodwill. Historically, both fermented and fresh Maqui beverages are drunk by warriors regularly to increase stamina and strength. Modern Chileans consume Maqui berry either fresh or dehydrated or in the form of teas, liquors, jams, and juices.

Maqui berry contains indole alkaloids, anthocyanins, flavonoids, coumarins, ferulic, and caffeic acid. It also possesses gentisic, gallic acid, vanillic, hydroxybenzoic, making, 8-oxo-9 dehydromakomakine, and 8-oxo-9 dehydrohobartine. Phenolic acids, flavonoids, and anthocyanins are compounds that are found in many plant families. The biological activities such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, cytotoxic, carcinogenic, mutagenic, and infection?, or irritation, often causing pain?, swelling?, heat, or redness. সহজ বাংলা: শরীরের প্রদাহ; ব্যথা, ফোলা বা লালভাব হতে পারে।" data-rx-term="inflammation" data-rx-definition="Inflammation is the body’s response to injury, infection, or irritation, often causing pain, swelling, heat, or redness. সহজ বাংলা: শরীরের প্রদাহ; ব্যথা, ফোলা বা লালভাব হতে পারে।">inflammation?, pain, or swelling. সহজ বাংলা: প্রদাহ/ফোলা/ব্যথা কমায়।" data-rx-term="anti-inflammatory" data-rx-definition="Anti-inflammatory means reducing inflammation, pain, or swelling. সহজ বাংলা: প্রদাহ/ফোলা/ব্যথা কমায়।">anti-inflammatory? properties are shown by research. It also possesses anthocyanidins such as 3,5-glycoside, 3-glycosides, 3-sambubioside 5- and 3-glycosides sambubioside of cyanidin & delphinidin. The important flavonoids such as 3′-dimethyl ether, quercetin 5, malvidin, friedelin, petunidin, and ursolic acid could be found in these berries. Indiole alkaloids such as aristone, aristotelinone, aristoletine, aristotelone, aristotelinine, aristoteline, protopine, hobartinol, serratoline, 8-oxo-9-dehydrohobartine, 8-oxo.9-dehydromakomakine, making and 9-dehydro-8- oxo-makomakine have been identified.

History

Mapuche Indians have been using berries for many centuries. It is consumed fresh, dried for storage, and juiced. Mapuche warriors consume a sacred drink before battle by using maqui fruit as a vital ingredient. Mapuche people were able to defend successfully themselves against Incan civilization moreover to Spanish conquistadors. They became able to retain their original homelands as well as a territory with the maqui tree which is a respected symbol of goodwill. Maqui shrub means peaceful intention and benevolence in the Mapuche language which is one of the sacred plants of the Mapuche people. It is used as a ritual adornment for festive occasions and ceremonies. Still today, it is considered to be the symbol of strength, health, and perseverance. All parts of the tree were used such as stems, leaves, and berry by the Mapuche community. Fruits are used to treat health conditions such s hemorrhoids, ulcers, childbirth, fever?, diarrhea?, and growth of tumors.

Tree

Maqui is a small, evergreen, and dioecious tree which grows from 4 to 5 meters high. The trunk has smooth bark, abundant, flexible, and thin branches. Leaves are opposite, simple, hanging, and oval to lanceolate having serrated edges, coriaceous and naked. The leaf stalk is strong red and leaf venation is well visible. The tree sheds an old cohort at the beginning of spring which is used as a source of carbohydrate for forming new flowers and leaves.

Flowers and berries

The flowers bloom at the end of spring. Flowers are small and unisexual. The tree when reaches seven years of age produces berries upto 10 kg per year. Berries are small, purple to black measuring 4 to 6 mm in diameter containing 4 to 8 angled seeds.

Phytochemicals in Maqui

1. Alkaloids as the Main Bioactive Compounds in Maqui Leaves

Initial studies of the presence of natural plant products in maqui leaves focused on alkaloids. Watson et al. and Céspedes et al. elucidated the presence of indole alkaloids (Aristotelian, making, 8-oxo-9-dehydroho baritone and 8-oxo-9-dehydromakomakine) by high-field NMR spectroscopy. In successive studies, these findings were complemented by the isolation of a quinoline alkaloid, the coumarin scopoletin, and other indole alkaloids, such as makomakine, Hobart line, and serratoline. More recently, Moreno et al. and Robles et al. investigated the structure of indole alkaloids from maqui leaves.

2. Other Plant Natural Products in Maqui Leaves

Complementary to the presence of alkaloids, Muñoz et al. (2011) studied different types of maqui leaf extracts. Aristotelian, airstone, serratoline, and hobartinol were isolated from a crude alkaloid residue, whereas a mixture of triterpenoids (ursolic acid and friedelin) and flavonoids (quercetin 5,3´ -dimethyl ether) were identified in a dichloromethane extract. Moreover, flavonoids (quercetin 3-O-β-D-glucoside and kaempferol) were only identified in a methanol extract; whereas a mixture of alkaloids (protopine, Aristotelian) and phenolic acids was extracted from an aqueous leaf extract (Muñoz et al., 2011).

3. Anthocyanins as the Main Bioactive Compounds in Maqui Fruits

The first focus of attention in maqui fruit was its deep purple color. In a study of 18 maqui genotypes, Fredes et al. (2014b) found different anthocyanin profiles in which three new anthocyanin peaks with absorption at 520 nm were also present in quantifiable amounts in some of the genotypes. The del-3-sa-5-glu was not the most abundant anthocyanin in any of the genotypes, whereas del-3,5-diglu and del-3-glu were the most abundant anthocyanins in 50% of the genotypes.

4. Other Polyphenols in Maqui Fruits

The maqui fruit contains other types of polyphenols, as expected. Not only anthocyanins have been described; Céspedes et al. (2010c) identified phenolic acids (gentisic acid, ferulic acid, gallic acid, p-coumaric acid, sinapic acid, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, and vanillic acid) and flavonoids (gallocatechin gallate, quercetin,  rutin,  myricetin, catechin, epicatechin, and proanthocyanidin B) in maqui fruit. In addition, Gironés-Vilaplana et al. (2012b, 2014a) identified ellagic acid derivatives (granatin B, ellagic acid, and ellagic acid rhamnoside), flavonols (myricetin 3-O-galoyl glucoside, myricetin 3-O-galactoside, myricetin 3-O-glucoside, quercetin  3-O-rutinoside,  quercetin  3O-galactoside, quercetin  3-O-glucoside, quercetin 3-O-xyloside, quercetin  3-O-arabinoside, and quercetin 3-O-rhamnoside),  and 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid in maqui fruit.

Health Benefits of Maqui berry

Maqui berries have a high content of anthocyanins which are the pigments that provide purple color to plants like delphiniums, violas, and other fruits. Anthocyanins provide antioxidant activity. It provides natural infection?, or irritation, often causing pain?, swelling?, heat, or redness. সহজ বাংলা: শরীরের প্রদাহ; ব্যথা, ফোলা বা লালভাব হতে পারে।" data-rx-term="inflammation" data-rx-definition="Inflammation is the body’s response to injury, infection, or irritation, often causing pain, swelling, heat, or redness. সহজ বাংলা: শরীরের প্রদাহ; ব্যথা, ফোলা বা লালভাব হতে পারে।">inflammation?, pain, or swelling. সহজ বাংলা: প্রদাহ/ফোলা/ব্যথা কমায়।" data-rx-term="anti-inflammatory" data-rx-definition="Anti-inflammatory means reducing inflammation, pain, or swelling. সহজ বাংলা: প্রদাহ/ফোলা/ব্যথা কমায়।">anti-inflammatory? activity which helps to treat chronic? problems such as heart disease, stiffness?, or reduced movement. সহজ বাংলা: জয়েন্টের প্রদাহ।" data-rx-term="arthritis" data-rx-definition="Arthritis means joint inflammation causing pain, swelling, stiffness, or reduced movement. সহজ বাংলা: জয়েন্টের প্রদাহ।">arthritis?, cancer, and insulin? is low or not working well. সহজ বাংলা: রক্তে চিনি বেশি থাকার রোগ।" data-rx-term="diabetes" data-rx-definition="Diabetes is a condition where blood sugar stays too high because insulin is low or not working well. সহজ বাংলা: রক্তে চিনি বেশি থাকার রোগ।">diabetes?. Antioxidants assist in the prevention of cholesterol? from being oxidized in the body which lowers the chances of problems such as stroke?, heart attack, and atherosclerosis. Maqui berries have a high content of antioxidants in comparison to acai berries. It supports heart health by balancing the levels of glucose and body weight. Antioxidants help to prevent cholesterol from oxidizing the blood which helps to prevent cardiovascular diseases such as hardening of arteries, stroke, and heart attack. An adequate presence of phytochemicals prevents damage caused due to toxins, sun exposure, and pollution.

1. Lose weight

Maqui berry is known as slimming fruit because it contains a low amount of calories and is used to counteract fat cells. It prevents fat storage which results in weight gain. It helps to balance the level of blood sugar. Maqui berries could prevent hunger pangs which help to suppress appetite. It promotes metabolic rate for the efficient fat-burning process. It is a wonderful diet for those who want to lose weight and improve functions of the body. When added to the diet, it cleanses, detoxifies the body, and also lowers fat in the body that leading to a loss in weight. Maqui berries help to detox the system.

2. Acts as antioxidant

Maqui berries contain 12 times more antioxidants in comparison to other berries. It has a high content of anthocyanins which is a plant compound that is effective against oxidation which damages body cells from free radicals. Anthocyanin help to lower infection?, or irritation, often causing pain?, swelling?, heat, or redness. সহজ বাংলা: শরীরের প্রদাহ; ব্যথা, ফোলা বা লালভাব হতে পারে।" data-rx-term="inflammation" data-rx-definition="Inflammation is the body’s response to injury, infection, or irritation, often causing pain, swelling, heat, or redness. সহজ বাংলা: শরীরের প্রদাহ; ব্যথা, ফোলা বা লালভাব হতে পারে।">inflammation?, promote joints, and is very good for heart health. Antioxidants help to prevent cholesterol? oxidation that results in serious cardiovascular problems. Antioxidants slow down the aging process that improve skin health. It prevents the development of tumors and cancer diseases.

3. Younger skin

Free radicals are responsible for various diseases and conditions such as premature aging. Maqui berries contain high content of antioxidants which helps to counteract infection?, or irritation, often causing pain?, swelling?, heat, or redness. সহজ বাংলা: শরীরের প্রদাহ; ব্যথা, ফোলা বা লালভাব হতে পারে।" data-rx-term="inflammation" data-rx-definition="Inflammation is the body’s response to injury, infection, or irritation, often causing pain, swelling, heat, or redness. সহজ বাংলা: শরীরের প্রদাহ; ব্যথা, ফোলা বা লালভাব হতে পারে।">inflammation? in the body that eases the pain of stiffness?, or reduced movement. সহজ বাংলা: জয়েন্টের প্রদাহ।" data-rx-term="arthritis" data-rx-definition="Arthritis means joint inflammation causing pain, swelling, stiffness, or reduced movement. সহজ বাংলা: জয়েন্টের প্রদাহ।">arthritis?. The intake of Maqui berry supplements on daily basis has experienced relief from pains and aches as well as younger-looking skin. It has anti-aging properties and provides healthier skin. Antioxidants lower the appearance of age blemishes and wrinkles and maintain skin health.

4. Healthy heart

Research shows that antioxidants found in maqui berries are healthy for heart health. Maqui berries have a high content of anthocyanins which prevents cholesterol? oxidation that is associated with heart conditions and enhance the chances of stroke? and heart attack. Berries have anthocyanins that provide a cardio-protective effect on rats. The study shows that maqui extract provides a cardioprotective effect in rats which helps to prevent heart damage.

5. Cure for diabetes?

Maqui berries provide anti-diabetic activity. It provides a beneficial impact on the level of blood sugar and glucose tolerance in obese mice with hyperglycemia. Maqui berries have anthocyanins that show the ability to promote uptake of glucose in insulin-sensitive muscle cells.

6. Eye health

Maqui berries help to alleviate dry eyes. The quality of life was improved and the volume of tear fluid boost significantly for the patients who consumed 60 mg dose of maqui berry a day. The study was carried out in Japan to know the ability of maqui berry to treat dry eye syndrome. It supports natural tear production and lowers light-induced damage to tear glands so it is found to be effective in treating dry eyes in comparison to eye drops. The supplementation of maqui berry along with omega-3 fatty acids helps to enhance the production of the oily layer and slows down the evaporation of tears.

7. Cure for diabetes

Anthocyanin-rich formulation (ANC) from MB promotes insulin resistance and hyperglycemia in obese hyperglycaemic mice to which a high-fat diet is fed. ANC modulates glucose metabolism in skeletal muscle as well as the liver. The study was carried out on the effects of ANC on glucose metabolism in patients with type II diabetes. Delphinidin 3-sambubioside-5-glucoside (D3S5G) is confined which is a distinctive anthocyanin from Maqui berry and its antidiabetic activities are studied. The oral administration of ANC was improved by fasting levels of blood glucose and glucose tolerance in hyperglycaemic obese mice which are fed a high-fat diet. ANC promotes insulin and lowered the production of glucose and provokes the regulation of glucose-6-phosphatase, which is a gluconeogenic enzyme. ANC treatment in L6 myotubes increased both non-insulin and insulin-mediated uptake of glucose. An oral administration of pure D3S5G dose lowered the increasing levels of blood glucose in obese mice and also lowered the production of glucose in rat liver cells. D3S5G increases the uptake of glucose in L6 myotubes which is responsible for the anti-diabetic properties of ANC. (1)

8. Acts as antioxidant

The second-order polynomial model is used to advance the extraction of phenolic compounds of Maqui berry for increasing the total antioxidant activities. The most effective solvent was found to be aqueous acetone to extract antioxidant compounds for being more potent than ethanol and methanol. The statistical tools such as RSM and D-optimal design allowed the experiment with antioxidants extracted from Maqui berry. The results conclude that the predictive model shows the extraction of antioxidants from Maqui berry. (2)

9. Respiratory health

Respiratory diseases are related to inflammatory processes and pulmonary oxidative stress. The study conducted on animal models shows that dietary polyphenols upgrade lung injury but still human studies need to be carried out. The study was conducted to determine the improvement of H2O2 and IL-6 concentrations with an intake of anthocyanin-rich maqui extract in exhaled breath condensates from asymptomatic smokers. The results show that intake of maqui extract promotes EBC concentrations of IL-6 and lowers those of H2O2 in humans having mild smoking habits. The changes show the improvement of resistance to respiratory infections by lowering oxidative stress in the lungs. It supported the double-blind, randomized, and placebo-controlled clinical trials on high numbers of patients with respiratory diseases and smokers to confirm such effects. (3)

10. Lowers oxidative stress

The study characterized and formulated an antioxidant-rich concentration of berries that are produced in Chile. It was used to conduct a crossover study to determine the berry’s effect on the modulation of plasma postprandial oxidative stress as well as antioxidant activity. Results show the oxidative reactions which occur during digestion at the level of the stomach and the vital effect of oxidative reactions which occur during the thermal processing of red meat. (4)

Traditional uses

• The plant is febrifuge, astringent, and poultice.
• It is used to treat intestinal tumors and throat infections.
• Mapuche use dried leaves and berries externally to heal infected wounds and scarring injuries.
• A poultice made from leaves is used as an analgesic, anti-tumor, and antipyretic properties.
• Use the water infusion prepared from berries and leaves internally for digestive, intestinal purposes, inflammation, and kidney pains.
• Gargle with the infusion made from leaves for the mouth, throat ulcers, and tonsillitis.
• It provides a youthful look.
• This fruit increases energy, endurance and makes the body strong.
• Maqui berry rejuvenates cells and wards off chemicals and toxins.
• It is used to treat sore throats, tumors, hemorrhoids, and ulcers.
• Leaves infusion is used to gargle in case of inflammation of oropharyngeal mucosa.
• Fruits are used externally for the treatment of infected wounds by Mapuches.

Precautions      

• People who are allergic to Maqui berries should stay away from them.
• Consume it in moderate amounts.
• People with health problems should consult the doctor for use.

How to Eat

• Consume it fresh or add it to desserts, yogurt, and fruits salads.
• It is used to extract the juice and prepare in the form of jam, jelly, and preserves.
• Maqui berry is used to make teas as well.
• Dry the berries and store them for later use.
• Add it to pies and muffins.

References