The Therapeutic Potential of Berry-Derived and Berry-Based Interventions in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Comprehensive Systematic Review of Preclinical and Clinical Evidence

Introduction: Berry-derived and berry-based interventions have gained increasing attention for their potential health benefits. Berries are rich in diverse bioactive compounds, including polyphenols and anthocyanins, which are associated with a broad range of biological activities, particularly antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Over the last decade, numerous studies have focused on berries, particularly those from the Ericaceae family (blueberry, cranberry and bilberry), the Solanaceae family (goji berry, Solanum nigrum berries) and the Elaeocarpaceae family (maqui berry). Berries are considered among the best dietary sources of bioactive compounds (BACs). Among chronic gastrointestinal disorders, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) mainly includes Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), both chronic inflammatory conditions of the gastrointestinal tract. The multifactorial nature of IBD significantly impairs quality of life and makes disease management particularly challenging, increasing interest in complementary approaches, in addition to pharmacological treatments, such as phytotherapeutic strategies based on plant-derived bioactive compounds and, in particular, berry-derived and berry-based interventions. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted using PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases. Specific inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied to identify relevant articles published up to July 2026. After the removal of duplicates and a thorough screening of titles, abstracts, and full texts, a total of 19 studies were included, comprising 16 studies conducted on animal models and 3 clinical studies involving patients. The 3 clinical studies corresponded to 5 publications and involved a total of 68 unique participants, as two publications were secondary analyses of the same patient cohorts. These investigations evaluated the possible effects of berry-derived and berry-based interventions in both experimental models and clinical settings. Results: Preclinical studies suggested potential protective effects against intestinal inflammation by reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines, improving epithelial barrier integrity, and restoring gut microbiota composition. The included clinical studies reported improvements in disease activity, fecal calprotectin levels, quality of life, and remission rates in patients with ulcerative colitis. Nevertheless, the available clinical evidence remains limited and heterogeneous, preventing definitive conclusions regarding clinical efficacy. Conclusions: The current clinical data should therefore be considered preliminary. Larger and more rigorous randomized controlled trials are needed to determine whether the biological effects observed in preclinical models translate into clinically relevant benefits in patients with IBD. Overall, preclinical evidence complements clinical findings by providing mechanistic insights that help contextualize and interpret outcomes observed in human studies.