Blackberry extract is a rich source of anthocyanins which have various health benefits. It is found in some dietary supplements.

Benefits, nutritional value
Abundant with antioxidants and important vitamins, blackberry helps against free radicals.

It is low in calories and rich in dietary fiber. Blackberries are a good source of vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin K, folic acid, and manganese. They also contain protein and essential omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. The deep purple coloring indicates plenty of anthocyanins. Antioxidants include the polyphenols ellagic acid, tannins, ellagitannins, quercetin, gallic acid, anthocyanins, and cyanidins. It has a high tannin content.

Blackberry extract may fight cancer
An extract derived from fresh blackberries has been seen to reduce cancerous tumors and prevent the proliferation of cancer cells in animal models. Researchers, led by cell biologist Min Ding and plant physiologist Shiow Wang, identified the water-soluble flavonoid cyanidin-3-glucoside (C3G) as the active compound responsible for blackberries' antioxidant benefits. Ding and Wang set about testing the anti-cancer potential of C3G, and their findings were published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry in June, 2006. First, they tested the C3G on a group of mice that had skin tumors. In the mice that received the C3G supplement, they observed a significant reduction in the growth and spreading of tumors compared to those that did not. They also looked at its effect in lung-cancer cells of immune-suppressed mice; lung cancer is more likely than other forms of the disease to spread to other organs. However they observed that the C3G reduced growth of the cancer cells in the mice, and inhibited their spread.
   Dr. Sahelian comments: There are countless substances in fruits, vegetables, and herbs that have anti-tumor activity. I'm not sure if blackberry extract is more important that other herbal extracts.

Blackberry extracts inhibit activating protein 1 activation and cell transformation by perturbing the mitogenic signaling pathway.
Nutr Cancer. 2004.
Blackberries are natural rich sources of bioflavonoids and phenolic compounds that are commonly known as potential chemopreventive agents. Here, we investigated the effects of fresh blackberry extracts on proliferation of cancer cells and neoplastic transformation induced by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate, as well as the underlying mechanisms of signal transduction pathways. Using electron spin resonance, we found that blackberry extract is an effective scavenger of free radicals, including hydroxyl and superoxide radicals. Blackberry extract inhibited the proliferation of a human lung cancer cell line, A549. Pretreatment of A549 cells with blackberry extract resulted in an inhibition of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) formation induced by ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiation. Blackberry extract decreased TPA-induced neoplastic transformation. Pretreatment of JB6 cells with blackberry extract resulted in the inhibition of both UVB- and TPA-induced AP-1 transactivation. Our results indicate that an extract from fresh blackberry may inhibit tumor promoter-induced carcinogenesis and associated cell signaling, and suggest that the chemopreventive effects of fresh blackberry may be through its antioxidant properties by blocking reactive oxygen species-mediated AP-1 and mitogen-activated protein kinase activation.

Blackberry research, circulation
Effect of anthocyanins contained in a blackberry extract on the circulatory failure and multiple organ dysfunction caused by endotoxin in the rat.
Planta Med. 2004.
Anthocyanins are a group of naturally occurring phenolic compounds related to the colouring of plants, flowers and fruits. These pigments are important as quality indicators, chemotaxonomic markers and for their antioxidant activities. Here we have investigated the therapeutic efficacy of anthocyanins contained in a blackberry extract on circulatory failure, multiple organ dysfunction and activity of the inducible isoforms of nitric oxide (NO) synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX-2) in anaesthetised rats with endotoxic shock. Pretreatment with anthocyanins present in the blackberry extract (5 mg/kg, i. v. 30 min before LPS) prevented the hypotension induced by LPS. Endotoxaemia also caused rises in the serum levels of (i) glutamyl oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), glutamyl pyruvic transaminase (GPT), alkaline phosphates and bilirubin (hepatic dysfunction) (ii) creatinine (renal dysfunction), (iii) amylase and lipase (pancreatic injury), (iii) NOx and 6-keto-PGF1 alpha. Anthocyanins attenuated the hepatic and pancreatic injury, the renal dysfunction and decreased NOx and 6-keto-PGF1 alpha levels. Endotoxaemia for 6 h resulted in a substantial increase in iNOS and COX activity in rat lung, which was attenuated in rats pretreated with anthocyanins. Moreover, anthocyanins inhibited in vitro iNOS and COX activity from lung of LPS-treated rats. Polymorphonuclear (PMN) infiltration (myeloperoxidase activity), lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde levels), as well as tissue injury (histological examination) induced by LPS in rat lung and ileum was reduced by anthocyanins. Furthermore, endotoxaemia induced the formation of nitrotyrosine and poly(ADP-ribose) synthetase (PARS) activation as determined by immunohistochemical analysis of lung and ileum tissues. The degree of staining was lowered by anthocyanin treatment. These results indicate that the anthocyanins contained in the blackberry extract exert multiple protective effects in endotoxic shock.

Blackberry herb and extract questions
Can a blackberry herb be taken the same day as AHCC?
   I don't see any reason why it can't be combined with this supplement.

Is blackberry supplement useful for sexual enhancement?
   I have not seen any research in this area and I don't think it has an effect on libido.

I'm wondering if you know where to purchase blackberry extract in bulk? We supply raw materials to contract manufacturers and are currently looking for blackberry extract standardized to anthocyanins.
   NP Nutra company is one source. NP Nutra offers a blackberry freeze-dried powder along with juice concentrate, juice powder and extracts. They are located in the greater Los Angeles area.