Botanical and Medicinal Overview of Fragaria vesca:

Botanical characteristics:

Fragaria vesca is a member of the Rosaceae family, a diverse family that includes many
economically important fruit-bearing plants. This herbaceous perennial plant typically exhibits a
low, trailing or creeping growth habit. It is characterized by runners, or stolons, that spread along
the ground, producing new plants at nodes. The leaves of Fragaria vesca are compound,
consisting of three leaflets. They are toothed at the edges and possess a distinctive appearance.
The plant produces white flowers with five petals, typical of Rosaceae family members. The
flowers give rise to the small, aromatic fruits known as wild strawberries. Wild strawberries, the
aromatic fruits of Fragaria vesca, are typically smaller than their cultivated counterparts. The
fruiting period is usually in midsummer. (Najda et al., 2014)

Fragaria vesca, commonly known as wild strawberry, is an epigeal perennial herb belonging to the Rosaceae
family. It is native to Europe and temperate regions of Asia, thriving in subtropical zones of the Northern
hemisphere. The plant is characterized by its small, delicate leaves and red berries. Fragaria vesca is recognized
for its sprawling growth habit and is often found in woodland areas, meadows, and along the edges of forests.
(Ivanov,2018)

Phytochemical Composition:

The plant contains flavonoids, tannins, volatile oils, methyl salicylate, and borneol. (Najda et al.,
2014). The plant contains flavonoids, phenolic acids, ellagitannins, and proanthocyanidins, which are
associated with diverse biological activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimelanogenic
effects.

The leaves and roots of wild strawberry have been employed in traditional medicine for various purposes. The
plant is considered a valuable source of biologically active substances, including tannins, procyanidins,
anthocyanidins, flavonoids, phenolic acids, organic acids, vitamins, and essential minerals such as calcium,
magnesium, potassium, iron, copper, manganese, and zinc.(Ivanov,2018)

Medicinal Applications: Historically, various parts of Fragaria vesca, including the berries,
leaves, and roots, have been utilized for medicinal purposes. The roots were once used as a
remedy for diarrhea, while the stalks were applied for wound healing. The berries, leaves, and
roots have all been employed in the treatment of various ailments, including liver and kidney
complaints, rheumatism, and gout (Najda et al., 2014)
Fragaria vesca leaves have been traditionally recognized for their antiseptic properties. The
presence of bioactive compounds, such as flavonoids, phenolic acids, and ellagitannins,
contributes to the dermatological Traditional uses of Fragaria vesca in traditional medicine
include its anti-inflammatory, anticoagulant, vasodilatory, and antioxidant effects. The diverse
polyphenolic compounds, particularly ellagitannins, are credited with antioxidant properties,
providing protective actions on the skin. Fragaria vesca leaves, rich in ellagitannins, exhibit
antimelanogenic activities. Ellagitannins contribute to a decrease in the expression of tyrosinase,
an enzyme involved in melanin production, suggesting potential benefits for skin pigmentation.
(Cuoto et al., 2020)

Throughout history, Fragaria vesca has been esteemed for its therapeutic role in addressing liver
and kidney complaints. The plant's application in traditional medicine suggests a historical
recognition of its potential benefits for these vital organs. Traditional medicinal practices have
also embraced Fragaria vesca for its perceived efficacy in treating rheumatism and gout. This
historical application hints at the plant's involvement in managing conditions related to joint and
musculoskeletal health.

In traditional medicinal phytotherapy, the leaves of Fragaria vesca are known for their gentle
astringency. They have been used to address gastrointestinal and skin disorders, as well as conditions
related to sclerosis. The plant's antioxidant properties have been recognized in studies, and it has been
explored for its potential in treating inflammatory, cardiovascular, anti-thrombotic, and antibacterial
conditions.

The historical uses of Fragaria vesca in traditional medicine highlight its versatile applications, ranging
from digestive health to skincare. The plant's rich phytochemical profile contributes to its therapeutic
potential, making it a valuable resource in herbal medicine.( Ivanov,2018)

Fragaria vesca has been recognized not only for its aromatic fruits but also for its leaves
(Fragariae folium) and roots (Fragariae radix) as herbal materials used in traditional medicine.
(Najda et al., 2014)

Recent studies of fragaria vesca

Cosmetic Formulation:

The information provided indicates a contemporary application of Fragaria vesca in cosmetic

formulations. An extract of F. vesca leaves is incorporated into a hydrogel with antioxidant
properties, demonstrating cutaneous compatibility and acceptability. (Cuoto et al., 2020)
Recent studies have identified antioxidant properties in the fruit, adding a valuable dimension to
its traditional medicinal uses. The antioxidant capacity of the fruit makes it a potential preventive
agent against cancer. (Najda et al., 2014)

Fruits of F. vesca contain salicylic acid and flavonoids, contributing to anti-inflammatory effects.

The antioxidant properties of EFFV may play a crucial role in managing IBD. (Kanodia et al.,
2011)

Ellagic acid and a whole range of flavonoids, carotenoids and terpenoids present in Fragaria vesca
(strawberries) and Rubus idaeus (raspberries) have been reported to be responsible for antioxidant
activity. These chemicals block various hormone actions and metabolic pathways that are associated
with the development of cancer.(Madhuri& panday, 2009)

Leaves of wild strawberries Fragaria vesca L. (Fragaria), as the literature data indicate, are rich and
underestimated sources of substances with proven beneficial effects on the body. For centuries, they
were a valuable raw material used in natural medicine for the treatment of diseases of the digestive and
circulatory system. They are popularly used as decoctions for the treatment of hypertension due to their
detoxifying, diuretic, stimulant and protective dermatological properties. They possess antioxidant,
anticancer, gastrointestinal, antiangiogenic, anti-inflammatory, anti-aging, anti-melanogenic,
radioprotector against UVB and γ-radiation-induced toxicity in human peripheral blood lymphocytes and
fibroblasts, vasodilatory and anxiolytic documented activities. These valuable properties are mainly
responsible for the active compounds they contain, among which polyphenolic compounds constitute
the dominant group. The main class of polyphenolics in aqueous extracts of the leaves are ellagotanins,
in particular, casuarinin and its trimmer lambertianin C. These compounds are characterised by
relatively large size and rather hydrophilic nature, because of the large number of hydroxyl groups they
contain in the structure. This makes them effective substances against free radicals and explains their
high antioxidant activity, demonstrated in the standard antioxidant tests, i.e., by the ABTS (2,20 -azino-
bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6 sulfonic acid) radical scavenging and ferric-reducing antioxidant power
(FRAP) assay [19]. Despite the importance and the popular cultivation of Fragaria and Rubus species,
studies on biological activity of their leaves in relation to the cells and biological membranes are still
scarce and have so far focused on the fruit of the plants. After harvesting the fruit, the leaves of these
plants are treated as a by-product; however, they are a rich source of bioactive compounds for the
cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries.(Cyboran-Mikołajczyk, Męczarska et al. 2022)

Fragaria vesca, wild strawberry, is a rich source of biologically active phenolic compounds such as
tannins, anthocyanins, flavonoids, and phenolic acids [4]. Anti-inflammatory, anticoagulant,
vasodilatory, and antioxidant effects are some of the reported activities [5,6]. F. vesca leaves contain
flavonoids, proanthocyanidins, ellagitannins, phenolic acids, volatile oils, catechins, methyl salicylate,
ellagic acid, borneol and also trace amounts of alkaloids, with ellagitannins being the main phenolic
compound [5–9]. Due to the presence of a great diversity of polyphenolic compounds and their
antioxidant properties, F. vesca leaves provide a protective action on the skin [10]. Moreover,
hydrolyzable tannins, namely the ellagitannins have antioxidant and antimelanogenic activities, through
 a mechanism involving the decrease in the expression of tyrosinase, an essential enzyme catalyzing the
first steps of endogenous melanin production [11,12]. Ellagic acid, produced from the hydrolysis of
ellagitannins, has also been reported to suppress melanogenesis [11,13]. The depigmenting effect seems
to be related to the tyrosinase antioxidant capacity [12]. Another suggested possible mechanism is the
inhibition of tyrosinase activity by ellagic acid, which regulates melanin production at the basal
epidermal layer by quenching copper ions at the active site(Couto, Figueirinha et al. 2020)

1. Anti-Inflammatory Mechanisms:
 Review studies investigating the mechanisms through which Fragaria vesca exhibits anti-inflammatory
effects.
Discuss interactions with inflammatory pathways and cellular processes

References:

Najda, A., Dyduch-Sieminska, M., Dyduch, J., & Gantner, M. (2014). Comparative analysis of
secondary metabolites contents in Fragaria vesca L. fruits. Annals of Agricultural and
Environmental Medicine, 21(2)
Couto, J., Figueirinha, A., Batista, M. T., Paranhos, A., Nunes, C., Gonçalves, L. M., ... & Pina, M. E. (2020). Fragaria vesca L.
extract: a promising cosmetic ingredient with antioxidant properties. Antioxidants, 9(2), 154.

Kanodia, L., Borgohain, M., & Das, S. (2011). Effect of fruit extract of Fragaria vesca L. on experimentally induced inflammatory
bowel disease in albino rats. Indian journal of pharmacology, 43(1), 18.

Ivanov, I. G. (2018). Determination of biologically active substances with antioxidant potential in different extracts of Fragaria vesca
L. leaves and flowers. Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry, 7(5), 2733-2737

Madhuri, S., & Pandey, G. (2009). Some anticancer medicinal plants of foreign origin. Current science, 779-783.

based on the information provided address the question : Explore the botanical characteristics of Fragaria vesca
and its historical uses in traditional medicine?
Couto, J., et al. (2020). "Fragaria vesca L. extract: a promising cosmetic ingredient with antioxidant
properties." Antioxidants 9(2): 154.

Cyboran-Mikołajczyk, S., et al. (2022). "Protection of Erythrocytes and Microvascular Endothelial Cells
against Oxidative Damage by Fragaria vesca L. and Rubus idaeus L. Leaves Extracts—The Mechanism of
Action." Molecules 27(18): 5865.