Fruit Of Crataegus Pinnatifida Research Articles

Evaluation of Hypolipidemic and Antioxidant Effects in Phenolrich Fraction of Crataegus pinnatifida Fruit in Hyperlipidemia Rats and Identification of Chemical Composition by Ultra-performance Liquid Chromatography Coupled with Quadropole Time-of-flight Mass Spectrometry.

Background:Hawthorn (Crataegus pinnatifida) fruit has enjoyed a great popularity as a pleasant-tasting food associated with hypolipidemic and antioxidant effects.Objective:Our aim was to screen the effective fraction of hawthorn fruit in the treatment of hyperlipidemia rats. Materials and Methods: In this study, ethanol extract of hawthorn fruit (Fr.1) and four fractionated extracts (Fr.2, Fr.3, Fr.4, and Fr.5) were compared to total phenol content evaluated using Folin–Ciocalteu method, and hypolipidemic and antioxidant effects were assessed in hyperlipidemic rats.Results:Total phenol content of Fr.4 was higher than other fractions by at least 2 fold. Furthermore, this fraction possessed the strongest hypolipidemic and antioxidant effects in hyperlipidemic rats. On this basis, 15 phenolic compounds and four organic acids in Fr.4 were positively or tentatively identified using ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadropole time-of-flight mass spectrometry. In addition, 5-O-caffeoyl quinic acid butyl ester was first reported in hawthorn fruit.Conclusion:Phenol-rich fraction in hawthorn fruit exhibited satisfactory hypolipidemic and antioxidant effects, and this could be exploited for further promotion of functional foods.SUMMARY Phenol-rich fraction in hawthorn fruit possesses most potent hypolipidemic and antioxidant effects in hyperlidemia rats. Abbreviations used: UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS: Ultra performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadropole time-of-flight mass spectrometry; TC: Total cholesterol; TG: Triglyceride; LDL-C: Low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol; HDL-C: High-density lipoprotein-cholesterol; GSH-Px: Glutathione peroxidase; SOD: Superoxide dismutase; MDA: Malondialdehyde; CAT: Catalase; NO: Nitric oxide; NOS: Nitric oxide synthase; ROS: Reactive oxygen species; •OOH: Superoxide anions, •OH: Hydroxyl radicals.

Comparation of Hypolipidemic and Antioxidant Effects of Aqueous and Ethanol Extracts of Crataegus pinnatifida Fruit in High-Fat Emulsion-Induced Hyperlipidemia Rats.

Background:Hawthorn (Crataegus pinnatifida) is a Chinese medicinal plant traditionally used in the treatment of hyperlipidemia. Recently, studies indicated free radical scavenging was one of the major pathways to alleviate hyperlipidemia. Moreover, hawthorn fruit is a rich source of phenols, which quench free radical and attenuate hyperlipidemia. However, the phenols vary with processing methods, especially solvent type.Objective:Our aim was to compare hypolipidemic and antioxidant effects of aqueous and ethanol extracts of hawthorn fruit in hyperlipidemia rats.Materials and Methods:After a 4-week treatment of high-fat emulsion, lipid profile levels and antioxidant levels of two extracts were determined using commercial analysis. Total phenols content in the extract of hawthorn fruit was determined colorimetrically by the Folin–Ciocalteu method.Results:Both ethanol and aqueous extracts of hawthorn fruit possessed hypolipidemic and antioxidant activities. Simultaneously, stronger activities were observed in ethanol extract. Besides, total phenols content in ethanol extract from the same quality of hawthorn fruit was 3.9 times more than that in aqueous extract.Conclusion:The obvious difference of hypolipidemic and antioxidant effects between ethanol extract and aqueous extract of hawthorn fruit was probably due to the presence of total phenols content, under the influence of extraction solvent.SUMMARY Ethanol extract of hawthorn fruit exhibited more favorable hypolipidemic and antioxidant effects than aqueous extract. The higher effects could be due to the higher content of total phenols that varies with extraction solvent. Abbreviations used: TC: Total cholesterol, TG: Triglyceride, LDL-C: Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, HDL-C: High-density lipoprotein cholesterol, GSH-Px: Glutathione peroxidase, SOD: Superoxide dismutase, MDA: Malondialdehyde, CAT: Catalase, NO: Nitric oxide, NOS: Nitric oxide synthase, SR-BI: Scavenger receptor Class B Type I

Analysis of γ-Aminobutyric Acid Content in Fermented Plant Products by HPLC/UV

-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) content in fermented plant products and their main plant materials (aerial part of Acanthopanax sessiliflorus, fruit of Crataegus pinnatifida, and whole plant of Morus alba) was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. GABA was quantified using a reverse-phase column with a gradient elution program (water:acetonitrile =90:10 to 0:100 for 40 min). UV detection was conducted at 280 nm. GABA content was measured in fermented plant products (15.07 mg/g), aerial part of A. sessiliflorus (4.49 mg/g), fruit of C. pinnatifida (10.59 mg/g), and whole plant of M. alba (2.31 mg/g). The presence of GABA in fermented plant products, including A. sessiliflorus, C. pinnatifida, and M. alba is important in industrial application for health supplements.

Phytochemical composition, antioxidant activity and neuroprotective effect of Crataegus pinnatifida fruit

Various neurodegenerative diseases e.g., Alzheimer's affect many elderly people that eventually leads to disability and premature death. No effective treatment for these neurodegenerative diseases has been developed yet. Oxidative stress-mediated neurodegeneration is one of the key pathophysiological factors involved in these diseases. Since numerous botanic components are well-known potent antioxidants, in this study, we aim to examine the neuroprotective effects of phytochemical compositions from the water, methanolic, and 95% ethanolic extracts of the Crataegus pinnatifida fruit against hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced cytotoxicity in PC12 neuronal cells. Our results revealed that the methanolic extract showed the most favorable antioxidant activities in scavenging various sources of free radicals. All three extracts concentration (0.5–5μg/ml)-dependently protected PC12 against H2O2-induced cell death with the methanolic extract being the most potent one. Component elucidation revealed that the methanolic extract contained the greatest amounts of total phenolic compounds, flavonoids and tannin content. Conversely, the water soluble and 95% ethanolic extracts yielded a comparable amount of total triterpenoid. Our results indicated that methanolic and 95% ethanolic extracts of C. pinnatifida fruit show the potential to be novel neuroprotective agents to be considered in nutraceutical products for preventing oxidative-related disorders. Further investigation is necessary to verify the neuroprotective efficacy and mechanisms in vivo.

Cholesterol lowering and vascular protective effects of ethanolic extract of dried fruit of Crataegus pinnatifida, hawthorn (Shan Zha), in diet-induced hypercholesterolaemic rat model

Consumption of functional foods for managing plasma cholesterol level has gained acceptance globally. The hypocholesterolaemic and vascular protective effects of the dried fruit of Crataegus pinnatifida, hawthorn (Shan Zha), were investigated in rats fed with normal diet, high cholesterol diet (HCD) or HCD plus Shan Zha 80% ethanolic extract treatment (30 or 100mg/kg/day, p.o.) for 4weeks. Shan Zha extract markedly reversed the increased plasma total cholesterol and high density lipoprotein cholesterol induced by HCD with a dose-dependent improvement on the atherogenic index. It also demonstrated good hepatoprotective function by reducing lipid content in the liver. The blunted endothelium-mediated aortic relaxation in HCD-fed rats was restored by high dosage of Shan Zha extract treatment. The current results showed that Shan Zha extract could provide its cholesterol lowering effect by up-regulating hepatic CYP7A1 mRNA expression which leads to enhanced bile acid biosynthesis. It is postulated that the hypocholesterolaemic effect is the primary beneficial effect given by Shan Zha extract; it then leads to other secondary beneficial effects such as vascular protective and hepatoprotective functions. Thus, Shan Zha extract could provide an overall improvement on the hepatic and vascular systems that may be important in relieving hypercholesterolaemia-related complications.

An extract of Crataegus pinnatifida fruit attenuates airway inflammation by modulation of matrix metalloproteinase-9 in ovalbumin induced asthma.

Background Crataegus pinnatifida (Chinese hawthorn) has long been used as a herbal medicine in Asia and Europe. It has been used for the treatment of various cardiovascular diseases such as myocardial weakness, tachycardia, hypertension and arteriosclerosis. In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of Crataegus pinnatifida ethanolic extracts (CPEE) on Th2-type cytokines, eosinophil infiltration, expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9, and other factors, using an ovalbumin (OVA)-induced murine asthma model.Methods/Principal FindingAirways of OVA-sensitized mice exposed to OVA challenge developed eosinophilia, mucus hypersecretion and increased cytokine levels. CPEE was applied 1 h prior to OVA challenge. Mice were administered CPEE orally at doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg once daily on days 18–23. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was collected 48 h after the final OVA challenge. Levels of interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-5 in BALF were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent (ELISA) assays. Lung tissue sections 4 µm in thickness were stained with Mayer’s hematoxylin and eosin for assessment of cell infiltration and mucus production with PAS staining, in conjunction with ELISA, and Western blot analyses for the expression of MMP-9, intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1 protein expression. CPEE significantly decreased the Th2 cytokines including IL-4 and IL-5 levels, reduced the number of inflammatory cells in BALF and airway hyperresponsiveness, suppressed the infiltration of eosinophil-rich inflammatory cells and mucus hypersecretion and reduced the expression of ICAM-1, VCAM-1 and MMP-9 and the activity of MMP-9 in lung tissue of OVA-challenged mice.ConclusionsThese results showed that CPEE can protect against allergic airway inflammation and can act as an MMP-9 modulator to induce a reduction in ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 expression. In conclusion, we strongly suggest the feasibility of CPEE as a therapeutic drug for allergic asthma.

The antialgal activity of 40 medicinal plants against Microcystis aeruginosa

In search of a botanical algicide, 40 traditional medicinal plants were screened for antialgal activity against the bloom-forming cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa using coexistence culture system assay. The results of the coexistence assay showed that significant inhibition of the algae at 800 mg L−1 were observed for methanolic extracts of the root of Salvia miltiorrhiza (Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae), rhizome of Acorus tatarinowii (Rhizoma Acori), rhizome of Polygonum cuspidatum (Rhizoma Polygoni), cortex of Phellodendron amurense (Cortex Phellodendri), and fruits of Crataegus pinnatifida (Fructus Crataegi). Methanol extract of these plants were further partitioned with petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and acetone to obtain allelopathically active fractions with various polarity. Among these fractions tested, the ethyl acetate extract of S. miltiorrhiza was observed to be more efficient than the other plant extracts with the inhibitory rate (IR) of 91.3% at 800 mg L−1 and 50% effective concentrations (EC50) values 98.9 mg L−1 after 7 days, followed by chloroform extracts of A. tatarinowii, S. miltiorrhiza, and P. cuspidatum, and the petroleum ether extracts of A. tatarinowii with EC50 102.5, 111.5, 122.9, and 130.0 mg L−1, respectively.

Decrease of Blood Lipids Induced by Shan-Zha (Fruit of Crataegus pinnatifida) is Mainly Related to an Increase of PPARα in Liver of Mice Fed High-Fat Diet

Hyperlipidemia is an important risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Agents for the treatment of hyperlipidemia are well-developed in the clinic while PPARα is a target for lipid-lowering agents. Shan-Zha (Crataegus pinnatifida) is a traditional Chinese medicine used to increase digestion. Also, Shan-Zha fruit extract showed merit to improve obesity and hyperlipidemia in hamsters; however, the mechanism remained obscure. In the present study, hypertriglycemia and hypercholesterolemia were induced by high fat diet in C57BL/6 J male mice. Then, they were orally administered with Shan-Zha fruit extract at an effective dose of 250 mg/kg for 7 days. The liver was removed to estimate the expressions of PPARα and β-oxidation-related enzyme. Oral intake of Shan-Zha extract significantly improved hyperlipidemia in high fat diet-fed mice with an increase of PPARα expression in liver. Also, expression of PPARα-regulated β-oxidation-related enzymes was raised in liver by Shan-Zha extract. However, adipose tissue and others were not modified by this treatment of Shan-Zha fruit extract. Thus, Shan-Zha can increase the expression of PPARα to facilitate β-oxidation-related enzymes in liver for lipid degradation and blood lipid decrement. Also, this is the first report showing Shan-Zha fruit extract can influence liver to lower hyperlipidemia prior to the action in adipose tissue.

Consumption of dried fruit of Crataegus pinnatifida (hawthorn) suppresses high-cholesterol diet-induced hypercholesterolemia in rats

The hypocholesterolemic and atheroscleroprotective potentials of dietary consumption of hawthorn (dried fruit of Crataegus pinnatifida, Shan Zha) were investigated by monitoring plasma lipid profiles and aortic relaxation in Sprague–Dawley rats fed with either normal diet, high-cholesterol diet (HCD) or HCD supplemented with hawthorn powder (2%, w/w) (4 weeks). In HCD-fed rats, an increased plasma total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol with a decreased HDL-cholesterol was observed, and consumption of hawthorn markedly suppressed the elevated total cholesterol and LDL-lipoprotein levels plus an increased HDL-cholesterol level. The blunted acetylcholine-induced, endothelium-dependent relaxation of isolated aortas of HCD-fed rats was improved by hawthorn. The development of fatty liver, an increased nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity and an elevated oxidative stress (as estimated by the attenuated levels of anti-oxidant enzymes) associated with HCD were attenuated by hawthorn. Thus, the results demonstrated that hawthorn consumption provides overall beneficial effects on reversing HCD associated detrimental changes.

Effects of polyphenols derived from fruit of Crataegus pinnatifida on cell transformation, dermal edema and skin tumor formation by phorbol ester application

The dried fruits of Crataegus pinnatifida have been used traditionally as oriental medicine and local soft drink material recently. Previously, we demonstrated that C. pinnatifida exhibited anti-oxidation and anti-inflammatory potential. To clarify the active components in anti-transformation and anti-tumor promotion, we collected the polyphenol fraction (CF-TP) of hot-water extracts from dried fruits of C. pinnatifida for the following study. By anchorage-independent transformation assay, CF-TP significantly inhibited 12- O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced cell transformation in JB6 P + cells. Moreover, we found that CF-TP inhibited the expression of osteopontin (OPN), a transformational marker, and the activation of NF-κB and AP-1 induced by TPA in JB6 P + cells. In addition, we evaluated the effect of CF-TP on TPA application to ICR mouse skin with measurement of H 2O 2 production, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, edema formation, epidermal thickness and leukocyte infiltration. As a result, CF-TP significantly inhibited the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the phenomena of inflammation induced by TPA. It also suppressed the expression of COX-2 and iNOS, and the activation of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC). Furthermore, CF-TP inhibited benzo[ a]pyrene (B[ a]P)/TPA-induced skin tumor formation and decreased the incidence of tumor. These results indicate that CF-TP possesses potential as a cancer chemopreventive agent against tumor promotion.

Anti-inflammatory Potential of Flavonoid Contents from Dried Fruit of Crataegus pinnatifida in Vitro and in Vivo

The dried fruits of Crataegus pinnatifida, a local soft drink material and medical herb, demonstrated antioxidant effect in a previous study. The present study investigates the anti-inflammatory potential of flavonoid contents from dried fruit of C. pinnatifida (CF-Fs). The preliminary investigation showed that CF-Fs (0.25-0.75 mg/mL) decreased the release of PGE2 and nitric oxide as induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS, an endotoxin) in macrophage RAW 264.7 cells. The in vivo assay showed that pretreatment of rats with CF-Fs (50-200 mg/kg dosed by gavage) for 5 days significantly decreased the serum levels of the hepatic enzyme markers alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase induced by the 6-h treatment with LPS (i.p.; 5 mg/kg). Histopathological evaluation of the rat livers revealed that CF-Fs reduced the incidence of liver lesions such as neutrophil infiltration and necrosis induced by LPS. Furthermore, it was found that pretreatment with CF-Fs decreased the hepatic expression of iNOS and COX-2 induced by LPS in rats. These results demonstrate that CF-Fs present anti-inflammatory potential in vitro and in vivo and that they may play a role in hepatoprotection.

Furo-1,2-naphthoquinones fromCrataegus pinnatifidawith ICAM-1 Expression Inhibition Activity

Two new furo-1,2-naphthoquinones, crataequinones A (1) and B (2), were isolated from the fruits of Crataegus pinnatifida. The structures of two new compounds were determined as 11,12-dimethoxy-3,4-furo-1,2-naphthoquinone (1) and 11,12-dimethoxy-5-hydroxy-3,4-furo-1,2-naphthoquinone (2) by spectroscopic analysis. The two compounds 1 and 2 showed significant inhibitory activity with IC50 values of 33 and 90 microM, respectively, against the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1).

Inhibitory Effect of Hot-Water Extract from Dried Fruit of Crataegus pinnatifida on Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) Oxidation in Cell and Cell-Free Systems

The dried fruit of Crataegus pinnatifida, a local soft drink material and medical herb, was found to possess potential against oxidative stress. In the preliminary study, the antioxidant potential of a hot-water extract obtained from the dried fruit of C. pinnatifida (CF-H) was evaluated in terms of its capacity of quenching 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl free radicals (EC(50) = 0.118 mg/mL). After content analysis, it was found that CF-H is mainly composed of polyphenols including flavonoids (6.9%), procyanidins (2.2%), (+)-catechin (0.5%), and (-)-epicatechin (0.2%). The antioxidative bioactivity of CF-H had been assess previously using the models of CuSO(4) as cell-free system and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) plus macrophage RAW 264.7 cells as cell system to induce human low-density lipoprotein oxidation. CF-H was found to inhibit relative electrophoretic mobility and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances at the concentration of 0.5-1.0 mg/mL in the cell-free system and at 0.01-0.10 mg/mL in the cell system. Furthermore, it was found that CF-H decreased the SNP-induced cell lipid peroxidation and reduced glutathione depletion.