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Health effects of sea buckthorn berries; research and strategies at the university of Turku, Finland
Abstract
Sea buckthorn (SB) has been a target of scientific investigations at the University of Turku since the 1980s. In addition to taxonomic, chemical and sensory research of the berries, their health effects have deserved special attention. Nutritional effects of both entire berries and of their oil and ethanol soluble fractions have been investigated. Many of the hypotheses were based on Eastern, especially on Chinese traditions, claims and knowledge. Berries in the Scandinavian countries, both cultivated and wild ones, are commonly regarded as health promoting food ingredients also in Finland. The major genera are Vaccinium (bilberry, lingonberry), Rubus (cloudberry, raspberry, arctic bramble), Ribes (currants), Empetrum (crowberry) and Hippophaë (sea buckthorn). Sea buckthorn berries rich in flavonoids, oil-soluble antioxidants and vitamin C were shown to lower concentration of the sensitive CRP in plasma. In addition, consumption of the juice indicated increase of the ratio of HDL cholesterol to LDL cholesterol and elongation of the lag phase of LDL cholesterol oxidation. Berries and especially their ethanolsoluble fraction suppressed the postprandial insulin peak. It was further shown, that the bioavailability of flavonoids was increased by coincide supplementation of sea buckthorn oil. The results of consumption of SB thus indicate possible reduction of the risk of cardiovascular diseases in healthy people. Sea buckthorn seed and pulp oils have been of special interest. The very recent studies showed the unexceptionally high protective, antioxidative effects of SB oils on the isolated DNA in vitro. The same was the case with DNA of rat liver homogenate in vitro. Whether the positive effects of sea buckthorn oils on dry eyes and atopic skin have the same mechanistic background, is not known. The oils investigated have all been isolated by aseptic CO2 extraction.
... Vitamin C is present in very high amounts (up to 900 mg%). In comparison with citric fruits, sea buckthorn berries have about a 14-fold higher amount of vitamin C than oranges [17][18][19]. The amount of vitamin C is conditioned by the variety of the plant and its geographical location. ...
... The berries contain vitamin E (110-160 mg%), vitamin A (up to 60 mg%), and B vitamins (B 1 − up to 0.035 mg%, B 2 − up to 0.056 mg%, and B 6 − up to 0.079 mg%) [17][18][19][20][21]23]. The amount of carotenoids is high. ...
... The amount of beta-carotene may be 40-100 mg%, while other carotenoids (lycopene, cryptoxanthin, physalien, and zeaxanthin) may reach 180-250 mg% [24][25][26]. The fruits contain phenolic (salicylic, p-coumaric, m-coumaric, p-hydroxyphenyl lactic acid, and gallic acid) and amino acids, sugars, numerous minerals (Table 3), and flavonoids (flavan-3-ols, catechin, epicatechin, gallocatechin, epigallocatechin, kaempferol, quercetin, isorhamnetin, myricetin, rutin, and proanthocyanidins) [17][18][19][21][22][23]. Zadernowki et al. (2005) determined the composition of phenolic acids in several varieties of sea buckthorn berries. ...
Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L., Elaeagnaceae.) is a thorny shrub that has small, yellow to dark orange, soft, juicy berries. Due to hydrophilic and lipophilic ingredients, berries have been used as food and medicine. Sea buckthorn (SB) oil derived from berries is a source of valuable ingredients for cosmeceuticals. The unique combination of SB oil ingredients, in qualitative and quantitative aspects, provides multiple benefits of SB oil for internal and external use. Externally, SB oil can be applied in both healthy and damaged skin (burns or skin damage of different etiology), as it has good wound healing properties. Due to the well-balanced content of fatty acids, carotenoids, and vitamins, SB oil may be incorporated in cosmeceuticals for dry, flaky, burned, irritated, or rapidly ageing skin. There have been more than 100 ingredients identified in SB oil, some of which are rare in the plant kingdom (e.g., the ratio of palmitoleic to γ-linolenic acid). This review discusses facts related to the origin and properties of SB oil that make it suitable for cosmeceutical formulation.
... Fatty acid deficiency weakens blood vessels, lowers immunity, disturbs the process of blood clotting and favours the development of atherosclerosis [7][8][9]. One of the natural glycerides is seabuckthorn oil which has a rich chemical composition and unique properties [9][10][11][12][13][14]. This oil is obtained as a result of mechanical cold pressing or extraction from fruit or seeds of the plant [12]. ...
... This oil is obtained as a result of mechanical cold pressing or extraction from fruit or seeds of the plant [12]. The latest scientific studies confirm the presence of many active ingredients in the extract of common sea-buckthorn (Hippophaes rhamnoides) obtained by cold extraction from the fruit of the plant [10,11,14], including antioxidants, vitamin C, flavonoids, polyphenols and polysaccharides. Nowadays, both the fruit of sea-buckthorn (Fructus Hippophae) and its seeds (Semen Hippophae) are not only raw materials for food industry, a medicinal product, but also commonly used ingredient of cosmetic products, the properties of which are beneficial for the skin [12]. ...
... Nowadays, both the fruit of sea-buckthorn (Fructus Hippophae) and its seeds (Semen Hippophae) are not only raw materials for food industry, a medicinal product, but also commonly used ingredient of cosmetic products, the properties of which are beneficial for the skin [12]. After taxonomic, chemical and sensory tests of common sea-buckthorn fruit carried out at a university in Finland, where sea-buckthorn is considered to be a plant with special pro health properties, it was proved that the fruit of Hippophaes rhamnoides significantly increases the level of beneficial high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol fraction [11]. These results may help to prevent cardiovascular diseases in healthy people [9]. ...
Vegetable oils are obtained by mechanical extraction or cold pressing of various parts of plants, most often: seeds, fruits, and drupels. Chemically, these oils are compounds of the ester-linked glycerol and higher fatty acids with long aliphatic chain hydrocarbons (min. C14:0). Vegetable oils have a variety of properties, depending on their percentage of saturation. This article describes sea-buckthorn oil, which is extracted from the well characterized fruit and seeds of sea buckthorn. The plant has a large number of active ingredients the properties of which are successfully used in the cosmetic industry and in medicine. Valuable substances contained in sea-buckthorn oil play an important role in the proper functioning of the human body and give skin a beautiful and healthy appearance. A balanced composition of fatty acids give the number of vitamins or their range in this oil and explains its frequent use in cosmetic products for the care of dry, flaky or rapidly aging skin. Moreover, its unique unsaturated fatty acids, such as palmitooleic acid (omega-7) and gamma-linolenic acid (omega-6), give sea-buckthorn oil skin regeneration and repair properties. Sea-buckthorn oil also improves blood circulation, facilitates oxygenation of the skin, removes excess toxins from the body and easily penetrates through the epidermis. Because inside the skin the gamma-linolenic acid is converted to prostaglandins, sea-buckthorn oil protects against infections, prevents allergies, eliminates inflammation and inhibits the aging process. With close to 200 properties, sea-buckthorn oil is a valuable addition to health and beauty products.
... Several scientific studies confirm the presence of many active ingredients in the extract of common sea buckthorn (Hippophaes rhamnoides) fruits obtained by cold extraction [1][2][3][4][5]. Oleoresins can be extracted from various plant sources and from different plant parts. ...
The aim of this study was to encapsulate the oleoresins rich in carotenoids extracted from sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) fruits into a blend of sodium-alginate and κ-carrageenan microbeads (2% w/v) coated by a sodium-alginate (2% w/v) layer prepared using an ionotropic gelation technique with calcium chloride (2% w/v) by dropping method. The fresh obtained coated microbeads had a “fried eggs” like appearance with a size distribution ranging from 4 to 6 mm. The coated microbeads were analyzed for their SEM and fluorescence. The encapsulation efficiency was 92%. Their stability was investigated by evaluation of the physical integrity performance in aqueous media with different pH to mimic the gastrointestinal tract for 24 h at 37 °C under laboratory conditions. The results demonstrated the limitation of the coated microbeads swelling ability under pH 7. The coated microbeads could be a good tool to guarantee oleoresins rich in carotenoids stability and colon delivery. The present study shows an attractive encapsulation system of oleoresins, in order to obtain stable products for further applications.
This chapter summarizes the medicinal and nutraceutical applications of seabuckthorn in preventive as well as therapeutic effects in different diseases. This plant is recently gaining a lot of attention all over the world and explored for its bioactive constituents as well as medicinal activity. Traditionally, this plant has been extensively used in folklore treatment for several diseases such as stomach malfunctioning, ulcers, liver injury, tendon and ligament injuries, and cardiovascular and skin diseases. Researchers have investigated the pharmacological activities in seabuckthorn using several in vitro studies, relevant preclinical models, and some clinical trials. Several traditional uses of seabuckthorn have been scientifically analyzed, and the biological activities such as antioxidant, anti-stress, adaptogenic, anti-cancer, immunomodulatory, hepatoprotective, radioprotective, anti-atherogenic, and wound healing have been reported. Hence, the present knowledge identifies the development of herbal medicines and nutraceuticals from seabuckthorn.
Intraspecific genetic diversity is an important characteristic of the evolutionary potential, fitness, and conservation status of any species. Monitoring this characteristic is particularly important in rare, vulnerable, or endangered species with small fragmented populations and in domesticated or cultivated species. Humans have been exploiting seabuckthorn (Hippophae L., Elaeagnaceae) for thousands of years, but its considerable economic potential has only recently been appreciated. Studies of genetic resources in the genus have accumulated valuable information on evolutionary history, biogeography, genetic diversity within populations, population structure, and genes with putative specific adaptive functions in its different species and taxa. The further utilization of genetic resources in seabuckthorn strongly depends on understanding the mechanisms behind genetic patterns in its wild populations and specific evolutionary and ecological mechanisms of adaptations of these populations to local environments. Monitoring and preservation of genetic diversity across the genus have so far been an underappreciated issue, which should be included in further research programs on this plant. Further studies should focus on monitoring genetic diversity in poorly studied taxa, identification of endangered populations under threat of genetic erosion, and on identification of genes controlling important adaptive functions and important agricultural traits. These genes can be a part of genomic regions underlying the adaptation to changing environments, resistance and tolerance to diseases, pests, and abiotic stresses, or biochemical pathways of synthesis of bioactive secondary metabolites with strong potential for local and international marketing. Identification and characterization of these genes can lead to a better understanding of molecular mechanisms of adaptation to past and future climatic fluctuations and environmental modifications. Ultimately, this knowledge will help breeding plants with the desired combination of traits. Specifically, the breeding of varieties of high ecological, medicinal, or nutritional value, adapted to the areas of their cultivation, will be greatly facilitated.
This chapter reports essential information about the protective action of antioxidants against LDL oxidation. The activity of individual compounds (tocopherols, vitamin C, phenolic compounds) as well as extracts obtained from plant material (cereals, fruits, legumes, nuts, mushrooms, by-products of food industry) is reported. The structure-antioxidant activity relationship of phenolic compounds is discussed. This article summarizes the findings to date of both in vitro and in vivo studies using foods or phenolic extracts isolated from foodstuffs at inhibiting the incidence of LDL oxidation. This chapter summarizes also the reportings to date of in vivo studies using foods or beverages at inhibiting the incidence of LDL oxidation.
Rokitnik zwyczajny to roślina bogata w liczne składniki biologicznie aktywne, takie jak: witaminy, flawonoidy, karotenoidy czy nienasycone kwasy tłuszczowe, mające korzystny wpływ na zdrowie człowieka. Roślina ta zasługuje na szczególne zainteresowanie, ze względu na obecność stabilnej witaminy C. Sok z rokitnika może więc z powodzeniem zastąpić cytrynę w codziennej diecie. Ze względu na dużą zawartość witaminy C i flawonoidów, owoce rokitnika są cennym surowcem o właściwościach przeciwutleniających. Co ważne, rokitnik zachowuje swoje właściwości nawet po gotowaniu czy suszeniu. Celem tego artykułu jest przybliżenie właściwości prozdrowotnych rokitnika zwyczajnego wynikających z zawartości dużej liczby związków o właściwościach przeciwutleniających, ze szczególnym uwzględnieniem witaminy C, która w przypadku rokitnika zwyczajnego charakteryzuje się wysoką stabilnością.
This study was designed to determine the cytoprotective activity of flavones of seabuckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) against tert-butyl hydroperoxide (tert-BOOH), used as an oxidant to induce oxidative damage, with lymphocytes as the model system. Addition of tert-BOOH (250 microM) to the cells resulted in enhanced cytotoxicity and free radical production. The intracellular calcium levels, caspase activity, and apoptosis were significantly increased following tert-BOOH treatment. Seabuckthorn flavones at the concentration of 100 microg/mL significantly inhibited tert-BOOH-induced cytotoxicity and free radical production and also restored the antioxidant status to that of control cells. Seabuckthorn flavones also significantly restricted tert-BOOH-induced apoptosis by decreasing intracellular calcium levels and caspase activity. The extract also decreased tert-BOOH-induced formation of DNA breaks by 30%. These observations suggest that the flavones of seabuckthorn have marked cytoprotective properties, which could be attributed to the antioxidant activity.
The present study investigated the composition and the antioxidative activities of oils from the seeds and the soft parts of a range of northern berries extracted by supercritical CO2. The seed oils of the species of Rubus, Vaccinium, Empetrum, Fragaria and Hippophaë were rich in linoleic (18:2n-6, 34–55% of total fatty acids) and α-linolenic (18:3n-3, 29–45% of total) acids with n-6:n-3 ratios of 1:1–1:2. The seed oils of the species Ribes contained, in addition to linoleic and α-linolenic acids, γ-linolenic (18:3n-6) and stearidonic (18:3n-4) acids. In seed oils from European rowanberry (Sorbus aucuparia L.) and snowball berry (Viburnum opulus L.), linoleic and oleic (18:1n-9) acids together exceeded 90% of the total fatty acids. The sea buckthorn (SB) pulp oil had palmitoleic (16:1n-7), palmitic (16:0) and oleic acids as the major fatty acids. The SB pulp oil and snowball berry seed oil were rich in α-tocopherol (120 and 110mg/100g oil, respectively), whereas raspberry seed oil contained a high level of γ-tocopherol (320mg/100g oil). Seed oils of cranberry (180mg/100g oil), Arctic cranberry (190mg/100g oil) and lingonberry (120mg/100g oil) are rich sources of γ-tocotrienol. The berry seed oils and the SB pulp oil showed varying peroxyl radical scavenging efficacies (300–2300μmol α-tocopherol equivalent per 100g oil) and inhibitory effects on perioxidation of microsomal lipids (250–1200μmol trolox equivalent per 100g oil) in vitro. The peroxyl radical scavenging activity positively correlated with the total content of tocopherols and tocotrienols of the oils (r=0.875, P=0.001). The SB seed oil and pulp oil were active in scavenging superoxide anions produced by xanthine–xanthine oxidase system and inhibited Cu2+-induced LDL oxidation in vitro. The SB oils also protected purified DNA and rat liver homogenate from UV-induced DNA oxidation in vitro. The current research suggests potential of supercritical CO2-extracted oils from northern berries as nutraceuticals and ingredients of functional foods.
Wild berries of Hippophaë rhamnoides ssp. sinensis were collected from nine natural growth sites in China in three consecutive years in order to get an overall profile of the sugars, sugar alcohols, fruit acids, and ascorbic acid, and especially of the influence of the latitude and altitude of the growth place on these components. The contents of fructose, glucose, and l-quebrachitol in the berry juice varied in the ranges of 0.01–7.17, 0.05–7.85 and 0.21–1.09g/100mL, respectively, those of malic, quinic, and ascorbic acids were 1.55–8.84, 0.07–2.94, and 0.25–1.66g/100mL, respectively. The berries from Hebei and Inner Mongolia were characterized by high contents of sugars and l-quebrachitol and low contents of malic acid and ascorbic acid. In contrast, the berries from Sichuan and Qinghai contained lower contents of sugars and higher contents of malic acid and ascorbic acid than the berries from other growth areas. The berries from Sichuan differed considerably from others by the remarkably low contents of sugars and the exceptionally high contents of acids. The contents of fructose, glucose, and total sugar decreased as the altitude increased and as the latitude decreased (p
The distribution of vegetative microbial cells and their spores in a supercritical CO2 extraction process was studied. The seed and flesh/skin fractions of the press residue of sea buckthorn berries (Hippophaë rhamnoides) from a juice factory were used as raw materials. A pilot-scale extraction plant was operated at 30 MPa at temperatures of
40 and 60°C. The number of yeasts, moulds and bacteria in the pulp/skin fraction, in the extraction residues, in the extracted
oils as well as in the water phases separated from the extracted oils was estimated by the spread plate technique. The microbial
content of the flesh/skin material was increased in some extractions by the addition of bacterial spores. In general, the
extraction process led to a decrease in the bacterial count of the extracted material, whereas no microbial growth was detected
in the oils extracted or in the water phases separated from them. Neither yeasts nor moulds were found in any samples after
the extraction process. The microbial status of seed oil and flesh/skin oil obtained by industrial-scale CO2 extraction at 40°C and at 30 MPa before and after gelatine encapsulation remained unchanged. This proves that supercritical
CO2 can be used to manufacture edible oil products free of living micro-organisms and their spores.
Flavonol glycosides are an important group of bioactive components of sea buckthorn (Hippophaë rhamnoides). The content and profile of flavonol glycosides of some major subspecies and most cultivars as well as the variation amongst the harvesting years and dates are largely unknown. This study investigated flavonol glycosides in wild berries of two major subspecies H. rhamnoides ssp. rhamnoides and ssp. sinensis and berries of eight cultivars of ssp. rhamnoides and mongolica by reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography combined with diode array detection. The major flavonol glycosides were isorhamnetin-3-O-glucoside-7-O-rhamnoside, isorhamnetin-3-O-rutinoside, isorhamnetin-3-O-glucoside, isorhamnetin-3-O-sophoroside-7-O-rhamnoside, quercetin-3-O-rutinoside, quercetin-3-O-glucoside and quecertin-3-O-sophoroside-7-O-rhamnoside. The total content of flavonol glycosides fell in the range of 27–130 mg per 100 g fresh berries with considerable variation amongst the origins and the harvesting years. Compared with the berries of ssp. sinensis and ssp. mongolica, the berries of ssp. rhamnoides contained high levels of isorhamnetin-3-O-glucoside-7-O-rhamnoside and isorhamnetin-3-O-glucoside and lower levels of quercetin-3-O-rutinoside and quercetin-3-O-glucoside. In the wild berries of ssp. sinensis, the contents of flavonol glycosides reached maxima around late September to early October and decreased thereafter, whereas a general decreasing trend was seen in the cultivated berries of ssp. rhamnoides from the end of August to the end of October.
Evaporative dry eye is associated with meibomian gland dysfunction and abnormalities of the tear film lipids. Dry eye is known to be affected positively by intake of linoleic and γ-linolenic acids and n-3 fatty acids. Oral sea buckthorn (Hippophaë rhamnoides) (SB) oil, which contains linoleic and α-linolenic acids and antioxidants, has shown beneficial effects on dry eye. The objective was to investigate whether supplementation with SB oil affects the composition of the tear film fatty acids in individuals reporting dry eye.
One hundred participants were randomized to this parallel, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, which 86 of them completed. The participants daily consumed 2 g of SB or placebo oil for 3 months. Tear film samples were collected at the beginning, during, and at the end of the intervention and 1 to 2 months later. Tear film fatty acids were analyzed as methyl esters by gas chromatography.
There were no group differences in the changes in fatty acid proportions during the intervention (branched-chain fatty acids: P = 0.49, saturated fatty acids: P = 0.59, monounsaturated fatty acids: P = 0.53, and polyunsaturated fatty acids: P = 0.16).
The results indicate that the positive effects of SB oil on dry eye are not mediated through direct effects on the tear film fatty acids. Carotenoids and tocopherols in the oil or eicosanoids produced from the fatty acids of the oil may have a positive effect on inflammation and differentiation of the meibomian gland cells.
Sea buckthorn (Hippophaë rhamnoides) seed and pulp oils have traditionally been used for treating skin diseases in China and Russia, but are not widely used in other countries. A placebo-controlled, parallel study was carried out to investigate the effects of these oils on the fatty acid composition of skin glycerophospholipids of patients with atopic dermatitis. Sixteen patients ate 5 g of sea buckthorn seed oil, pulp oil, or paraffin oil daily for 4 months. Skin fatty acids were analyzed with gas chromatography before and after treatment. The seed oil slightly increased the proportion of docosapentaenoic acid (22:5n-3) and decreased the proportion of palmitic acid (16:0) in skin glycerophospholipids (0.05 < P < 0.1). The levels of the other fatty acids remained stable. The results show that the fatty acid composition of skin glycerophospholipids is well buffered against short-term dietary modification.
Sterols in seeds, pulp/peel fractions, and whole berries of sea buckthorn (Hippophaë rhamnoides L.) samples belonging to two major subspecies (sinensis and rhamnoides) from Finland and China were analyzed as TMS derivatives by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry after saponification of the oils. The total sterol contents in the seeds, the fresh pulp/peel, and the whole berries were 1200-1800, 240-400, and 340-520 mg/kg, respectively. The corresponding values in the extracted oils were 12-23, 10-29, and 13-33 g/kg. Sitosterol constituted 57-76 and 61-83%, respectively, of the seed and pulp/peel sterols. The sterol content and composition showed little variation between subspecies and collection sites. Different harvesting dates showed significant effects on the levels of some sterols both in the seeds and in the pulp/peel. The sterol profiles obtained are useful for characterizing sea buckthorn and detecting adulterations of the valuable oils. The information provided by the present investigation is also important for further chemical investigation of sea buckthorn sterols and industrial utilization of the berries as a raw material of functional foods.
Vitamin C, tocopherols, and tocotrienols in berries of wild and cultivated sea buckthorn (Hippophaë rhamnoides L.) of different origins and harvesting dates were determined with HPLC. Wild berries of subsp. sinensis, native to China, contained 5-10 times more vitamin C in the juice fraction than the berries of subsp. rhamnoides from Europe and subsp. mongolica from Russia (4-13 vs 0.02-2 g/L juice). Genetic background and berry-harvesting date were two primary factors determining the vitamin C content in the berries. Crossing different subspecies influenced the vitamin C content to some extent. For bushes cultivated in southwest Finland, the best berry-harvesting date for high vitamin C content was the end of August. The seeds of subsp. sinensis contained less tocopherols and tocotrienols (average 130 mg/kg) compared with seeds of subsp. rhamnoides (average 290 mg/kg) and mongolica (average 250 mg/kg). The fruit flesh of sinensis berries had contents of tocopherols and tocotrienols 2-3 times higher than those found in the other two subspecies (120 mg/kg vs 40 mg/kg in rhamnoides and 50 mg/kg in mongolica). The fresh whole berries of subsp. sinensis were clearly the best source of total tocopherols and tocotrienols. The total content of tocopherols and tocotrienols in the soft parts of the berries reached the maximum level around early- to mid-September, whereas the content in seeds continued to increase until the end of November. The excellent combination of the highest content of vitamin C and tocopherols and tocotrienols makes the berries of subsp. sinensis an optimal raw material for nutritional investigation as a candidate for functional foods with special antioxidative properties.
Oils from sea buckthorn (Hippophaë rhamnoides L.) seeds and berries have traditionally been used in the treatment of disorders of skin and mucosa in China. Compared with the negative control, oral administration of CO(2)-extracted seed and pulp oils, 7.0 ml x kg(-1) x day(-1) significantly reduced ulcer formation in water-immersion (P < 0.05) and reserpine-induced (P < 0.01) models in rats. In addition, administration of the two oils, 3.5 ml x kg(-1) x day(-1), significantly reduced the index of pylorus ligation-induced gastric ulcer (P < 0.05) and sped up the healing process of acetic acid-induced gastric ulcer (P < 0.01). The results suggested that the CO(2)-extracted sea buckthorn seed and pulp oils have both preventive and curative effects against experimental gastric ulcers in rats.
The present investigation was undertaken to determine the protective effects of flavonoids from seabuckthorn (FSBT), a traditional Chinese medicine, on endothelial cell line EA.hy926 injury induced by oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL). Possible mechanisms were then explored. The effects of quercetin and isorhamnetin, 2 major components of FSBT, were examined as well. Indices such as cell viability, lactate dehydrogenase, nitric oxide (NO), superoxide dismutase, and superoxide were measured. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, Western blot, and immunocytochemistry were employed to determine the endothelial constitutive NO synthase (eNOS) and lectinlike low-density lipoprotein receptor-1 (LOX-1) expression. Cell viability decreased significantly after 24 hours treatment with ox-LDL, accompanied with apparent secretion disorders such as NO reduction and lactate dehydrogenase increase. FSBT pretreatment could remarkably prevent both cell death and secretion disorders in a concentration-dependent manner. Besides, it was observed that ox-LDL triggered superoxide production and suppressed the superoxide dismutase activity, both of which could be prevented by FSBT pretreatment. Moreover, ox-LDL inhibited eNOS expression and increased LOX-1 expression, whereas FSBT pretreatment partly abolished these effects. Similar effects were obtained with quercetin and isorhamnetin, implying that they may contribute, at least in part, to the protective effects of FSBT. The data indicate that the protective effects of FSBT against ox-LDL induced endothelial cell injuries might derive from its antioxidant activity and its capability in modulating the expression of eNOS and LOX-1. And quercetin and isorhamnetin may contribute to these effects of FSBT.
Sea buckthorn (Hippophaë rhamnoides L.) is a rich source of flavonols, especially isorhamnetin. Most prospective cohort studies have indicated some degree of inverse association between flavonoid intake and coronary heart disease. Animal and human studies suggest that sea buckthorn flavonoids may scavenge free radicals, lower blood viscosity, and enhance cardiac function. The effects of flavonol aglycones derived from sea buckthorn on the risk factors of cardiovascular disease as well as their absorption were studied in humans. The flavonols, ingested with oatmeal porridge, did not have a significant effect on the levels of oxidized low-density lipoprotein, C-reactive protein, and homocysteine, on the plasma antioxidant potential, or on the paraoxonase activity. Flavonols at two dosages in oatmeal porridge were rapidly absorbed, and a relatively small amount of sea buckthorn oil added to the porridge seemed to have increased the bioavailability of sea buckthorn flavonols consumed at the higher dose.
Plants are an abundant source of medicinal compounds, some of which are useful in combating free radical-mediated oxidative stress. In the present study, initially two fractions designated REC-1001 (flavonoid-rich fraction) and REC-1002 (flavonoid-poor fraction) of Hippophae rhamnoides were screened on the basis of their reducing power in the aqueous phase. REC-1001 was selected for further study, since it exhibited 27.38 times higher antioxidant activity than REC-1002. REC-1001 also showed significant (P < .05) membrane protection potential at 50 microg/mL, which was attributed to its ability to scavenge peroxyl radicals (64.82 +/- 1.25% scavenging within 1,440 min). A significant (P < .05) difference of 67.02% in free radical scavenging activity at 1,000 ng/mL between REC-1001 and vitamin E demonstrated the extract fraction's worth in radiation protection. Such activities were attributed to the presence of quercetin, isorhamnetin, and kaempferol in this fraction. Further, REC-1001 was found to be nontoxic up to 200 mg/kg of body weight. This research suggests that the REC-1001 fraction of H. rhamnoides extract is a safe and effective antioxidant nutraceutical product.