Hawthorn Flowers Research Articles

Comparative study between homemade and commercial hawthorn (Crataegus spp.) extracts regarding their phenolic profile and antioxidant activity

Crataegus species (hawthorn) have been commonly used in traditional medicine, especially for the treatment of congestive heart failure. Many studies confirmed that they are rich in polyphenols, thus exhibiting strong antioxidant activity, which contribute to the beneficial effects of hawthorn on the cardiovascular system. In the market, there are many herbal medicinal products based on hawthorn, which consumption as adjuvant therapy in heart-related issues is supported by European Medicines Agency. Since there is a global trend of making homemade herbal preparations, this study aimed to compare whether there is a difference in polyphenol profile and antioxidant potential between homemade and commercial ethanol extracts of hawthorn. Polyphenol profile was evaluated by determination of total phenolic and flavonoid contents, and by quantitative analysis of selected polyphenols by liquid chromatography? mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry. Antioxidant potential was examined by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, ferric ion reducing antioxidant power and lipid peroxidation inhibition assays. The results of this study suggest that homemade ethanol extracts of hawthorn flowers, leaves and fruits are just as good source of polyphenols and antioxidants as commercial ones, and their utilization should be supported. Furthermore, hawthorn extracts made of leaves and flowers are better source of bioactive polyphenols and have higher antioxidant activity compared with the same of fruits, regardless of the method of preparation.

LC-MS-based lipidomic analysis of liver tissue sample from spontaneously hypertensive rats treated with extract hawthorn fruits.

At present, many experiments provide support for the cardiovascular protective effect of hawthorn (Crataegus oxyacantha) flower, leaf and fruit extracts. The aim of this study was to investigate the intervention mechanism of hawthorn fruit extract on spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and its effect on their lipid metabolic pattern. After SHR was intervened by hawthorn extract (1.08 g/kg/d) for 6 weeks, the blood pressure and liver histopathology of rats were evaluated. An UHPLC-Q Extractive metabolomics approach was used to collect information on rat liver lipid metabolites, combined with multivariate data analysis to identify significantly different substances and potential biomarkers through mass spectrometry and database searches. Histomorphology of the liver was partially restored in the hawthorn-treated group. Hawthorn extract interferes with sphingolipid metabolism, glycerophospholipid metabolism and glycerolipids metabolism, improving partially disturbed metabolic pathways. This study showed that hawthorn could partially restore liver histomorphology and has anti-hypertensive effect by regulating lipid metabolism.

Comparative Evaluation of the Content of Antioxidant Polyphenolic Compounds in Selected Bulgarian Medicinal Plants

Abstract Polyphenols are strong antioxidants of plant origin that exhibit protective role against the development of several chronic degenerative diseases. Quantitative data on the content of polyphenolic antioxidants in Bulgarian medicinal plants are sporadic and unsystematic. The aim of the study is to determine polyphenols content in series of extracts, infusions and decocts of selected Bulgarian medicinal plants and fruits and to compare their polyphenolic profile. Materials and Methods: In the present study 18 Bulgarian medicinal plants and fruits have been analyzed for Total Phenolic and Total Flavonoids content, along with HPLC analysis for their level of the individual flavonoids (+)-Catechin, (-)-Epicatechin and Rutin. Comparative evaluation of the content of antioxidant polyphenolic compounds was performed by hierarchical cluster analysis. The results show that infusions of Hawthorn (Crategus monogyna) flowers have the highest values of Total Phenolic and Total Flavonoids content, forming a separate Cluster in the analysis of the Agglomeration schedule coefficients. Within fruits, data for Total Phenolics and Total Flavonoids content are more homogenic as the cluster analysis shows distribution of 6 elements in a high mean value group. Elderberry (Sambicus nigra) flowers and fruits are the richest source of Rutin in the selected plants studied. Conclusion: In the present study new data for polyphenolic content in selected Bulgarian medicinal plants and fruits are presented and their degree of similarity in methanolic extracts, infusions and decocts have been assessed in order to provide new data for development of effective antioxidant medicinal plant compositions.

Study of the flavonoid content in the cormus of some species of the genus Crataegus L.

The hawthorn (Crataegus L.) flowers and fruits are successfully used in medical practice as the cardiotonic drugs. The promising hawthorn raw materials are cormus collected at the flowering stage of the plant. A comparative analysis of the electronic spectra of extracts from the raw materials of three hawthorn types showed that extracts from the cormus of Crataegus monogyna Jacq. and Crataegus sanguinea Pall. are characterized by a maximum of absorption at 392 nm, while for extracts of Crataegus submollis Sarg. the maximum of absorption is 412 nm. The cormus of the Crataegus monogyna Jacq. harvested at the flowering stage of the plant are characterized by the highest content of flavonoids — 3.58 ± 0.18% (calculated on vitexin 2II-O-rhamnoside). The hawthorn cormus are a promising species of medicinal plant raw materials. Crataegus submollis Sarg. is a promising type of medicinal plants.

Psychological effects of the course reception of multicomponent herbal blend "Antistress

The study of the effectiveness of the course intake of multicomponent herbal blend "Antistress" (rhizomes with roots of valerian officinalis, motherwort grass, hawthorn flowers, peppermint leaf, lemon balm leaf, herba hyperici) was conducted. The subjects were 20 students of a medical university, 45% of them worked with patients with coronavirus infection. The deadline for receiving the herbal blend is 20 days. The psychological state was assessed using the methods "Coping behavior in stressful situations", "Taylor Scale of anxiety manifestations", "Emotional burnout" by V. Boyko. After taking the herbal medicine, the overly emotional response to stress disappeared, anxiety decreased. Initially inflated indicators of emotional burnout have decreased to normal or close to normal: tension has decreased; forced resistance to adverse circumstances that have generally ceased to be perceived as such; emotional reserves that can be spent productively and with pleasure in professional activities have increased. In many respects, this result was obtained due to the combination of medicinal plants in the herbal blend: along with soothing and improving the functional state of the cardiovascular and nervous system components, herba hyperici, which is a natural antidepressant, was also included in the blend.

Development of the quantitative test methods to determine the number of flavonoids in flowering shoots of semi-soft hawthorn

Flowers, fruits and shoots of various genus Hawthorn (Crataegus L.) species are used in domestic and foreign medical practice as cardiotonic agents. It is also possible to use hawthorn raw material for the prevention of cardiovascular system diseases among medical and pharmaceutical personnel. We consider semi-soft hawthorn Crataegus submollis Sarg. to be a prospective raw material species as its flowering shoots are chemically similar to the red-haw hawthorn flowers. We developed the quantitative test method to determine the number of flavonoids expressed as hyperoside in flowering shoots of semi-soft hawthorn using differential spectrophotometry with an analytical wavelength of 412 nm.

Study of dietary supplements containing hawthorn extracts

In the Russian Federation, dietary supplements with hawthorn flowers (Crataegi flores) and berries (Crataegi fructus) are used as recommended supplements for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases. We have conducted a study of the content of flavonoid amounts in popular dietary supplements containing hawthorn extracts. It has been found that total flavonoid content in medications is comparable to the therapeutic dosages in some cases.

Phenolic composition and antioxidant capacity of hawthorn (Crataegus oxyacantha L.) flowers and fruits grown in Algeria.

Background To the best of our knowledge, up to now, there are no reports on the antioxidant activity of phenolic compounds of Crataegus oxyacantha flowers and fruits. Such detailed information is essential to advance the existing knowledge and to promote the use of this species growing in Africa. Therefore, the objective of this investigation was to analyze the content of phenolic compounds as well as the antioxidant activities of flowers and fruits of C. oxyacantha from Bejaia (Northeastern Algeria) by different analytical methods, and to determine the relationship between them. Methods Phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity of Algerian hawthorn flowers and fruits (C. oxyacantha L.) were studied. Total phenolics, flavonoids and flavonols were determined using colorimetric methods. The phenolic profile was analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection, and the in vitro antioxidant activity was measured using scavenging assay (FRAP) and Fremy's salt, using electronic paramagnetic resonance. Results Different classes of phenolic compounds were identified and quantified. Hawthorn flowers contained higher levels of hydroxycinnamic acids, vitexin derivatives and flavonols compared to fruits, while anthocyanins were present only in fruits. Significant correlations were found between phenolic content and antioxidant activity. The results also showed that although the phenolic content of the two parts was different, their antioxidant capacity was not statistically different. Conclusions The results of this study indicate that hawthorn flowers and fruits of C. oxyacantha may be considered as a natural source of bioactive compounds.

COMPARATIVE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE INFLUENCE OF TECHNOLOGY OF EXTRACTION ON ANTIOXI-DANT PROPERTIES FOR THE FARRY AND FLOWERS OF THE TENDER (CRATAEGUS)

The purpose of this work is to determine the most optimal method for extracting hawthorn fruits and flowers (Crataegus) with antioxidant properties. Flowers hawthorn rich in chemicals (choline, essential oil, acetylcholine, trimethylamine, flavone glycosides, caffeic, chlorogenic, ursolic and other various acids) and hawthorn fruit consist of fatty oil, triterpene saponins, choline, acetylcholine, tannins, sorbitol and organic acids. In order to determine the most optimal method for extracting a complex of substances with antioxidant properties from hawthorn fruit and flower extracts, the content of dry substances, phenols, flavonoids was studied, and antioxidant activity was determined using two methods: by trapping free radicals and by using the FRAP (restoring force) method. By all indicators (the content of dry substances, phenols, flavonoids, antioxidant activity), studied in the work, hawthorn flowers had high values. In this work, three extraction technologies were used: traditional – infusion (37 °С, 2 h), and innovative – using microwave (800 W, 1 min) and ultrasonic irradiation (0.5 W, 2 h). Of all the types of extraction considered, the most efficient and effective, according to the results of experiments, is extraction using ultrasonic radiation.

Application of HPLC for Evaluation and Standardisation of Hawthorn Flower Herbal Substance

The process of harmonisation of Russian and foreign approaches and requirements in the field of medicines quality assurance calls for revision of quality control procedures included in various regulations and guidelines. The monograph FS.2.5.0062.18 “Hawthorn flowers” of the State Pharmacopoeia of the Russian Federation XIV edition includes a test procedure for determination of flavonoids by a chromatospectrophotometric method. This procedure does not take into account current scientific capabilities and has a number of shortcomings, therefore it was necessary to revise the existing test procedure and develop a new approach to the standardisation of the hawthorn flower herbal substance.The objectiveof the studywas to develop an assay method for standardisation and evaluation of hawthorn flower using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).Materials and methods:the study was performed using samples of hawthorn flowers by Russian manufacturers. Quercetin (USP RS) and Hyperoside (HWI, primary standard) were used as the reference standards. The HPLC analysis was performed using an Infinity II 1260 DAD LC system (Agilent), and the UV spectra were recorded on a Cary 100 Varian spectrophotometer. A TLC Visualizer (CAMAG) was used to obtain digital images of thin layer chromatography plates.Results:the authors developed an HPLC test procedure for quantitative determination of total flavonoids, expressed as hyperoside, in hawthorn flowers. The developed procedure gives reliable and reproducible results and is characterised by high sensitivity and selectivity. The results of quantitative determination of the total flavonoid content in hawthorn flowers were used to propose the standard for the total content of flavonoids, expressed as hyperoside, of “not less than 0.5%”.Conclusions:the developed assay method for determination of active pharmaceutical ingredients in hawthorn flower products by HPLC can be recommended for inclusion into the Assay part of the “Hawthorn Flowers” monograph of the State Pharmacopoeia of the Russian Federation.

De novo assembly and transcriptome analysis of differentially expressed genes relevant to variegation in hawthorn flowers

Flower color variegation has been observed in many plant species. However, pink flowers on the white-blooming hawthorn trees found by our group earlier have never been reported. To better understand the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in variegated hawthorn flowers, white and pink flowers at different developmental stages (S1 and S2) underwent transcriptome sequencing separately. Approximately 34.28 Gb of high-quality data were obtained and assembled into 100,013 unigenes with an average length of 706.93 bp. These unigenes were further subjected to functional annotation and biochemical pathway analysis, and DEGs of two types of hawthorn flowers at different developmental stages were studied. Based on the enrichment analysis of DEGs, eight anthocyanin-modified enzyme genes or other enzyme genes that indirectly affect anthocyanin synthesis (5AT, 3GGT, and AI, β-Glu, two Aux/IAAs, two PODs), eight structural genes (UFGT, DFR, CHI, two F3Hs, and three PALs), and three transcription factors (one MYB and two bHLHs) were also identified. We randomly selected 15 genes, and the trends in the expression levels of these genes in the organs of white and pink flowers at different developmental stages were verified by quantitative real-time PCR. Mass sequence data obtained by RNA-seq of variegated hawthorn flowers provided basic sequence information and a unique opportunity to uncover the genetic mechanisms underlying flower color variegation.

A comparative study of antidepressant and diuretic activity of semi-mild hawthorn liquid extracts

Introduction . The raw materials of the hawthorn plants (Crataegus L.) are flowers and fruits that are used as cardiotonic medicines. Leaves and shoots are prospective types of hawthorn raw materials. Currently, 12 species of hawthorn plants are used, but not all of them are widely grown on the territory of the Russian Federation. At the same time in our country is widely cultivated North American Quebec hawthorn - Crataegus submollis Sarg. The purpose of this work is a comparative study of the antidepressant activity and diuretic action of liquid extracts based on flowers, shoots, leaves and fruits of Quebec hawthorn. Materials and methods. The Desperation test was used to determine the antidepressant activity of liquid extracts based on flowers, fruits, shoots and leaves of Quebec hawthorn. Diuretic activity was determined in chronic experiments by collecting 4 and 24 hours portions of urine. Results. The study of the comparative antidepressant activity of liquid extracts based on flowers, leaves, shoots and fruits of Quebec hawthorn allowed to reveal antidepressant activity for all studied medicines comparable with amitriptyline at a dose of 5 mg/kg. In this liquid extracts of flowers, shoots and leaves of hawthorn semi-soft showed antidiuretic properties. Conclusions. Liquid extracts based on flowers, leaves, shoots and fruits of Quebec hawthorn have a neurotropic effect. Antidepressant activity of herbal preparations increases in the following series: liquid extract of Quebec hawthorn leaves - liquid extract of Quebec hawthorn fruits - liquid extract of Quebec hawthorn shoots - liquid extract of Quebec hawthorn flowers.

THE DEVELOPMENT OF METHOD OF QUANTITATIVE DETERMINATION OF TOTAL FLAVONOIDS IN THE FLOWERS OF CRATAEGUS SUBMOLLIS SARG.

The flowers and fruits of various species of the hawthorn genus (Crataegus L.) are widely used in domestic and foreign medical practice as cardiotonic preparations. In our opinion, Crataegus submolls Sarg. is a perspective species for collection of the raw materials. Crataegus submolls Sarg. is successfully cultivated in the Russian Federation and is distinguished by its rapid growth and high yield compared with wild-growing species. Moreover, the fresh fruits of Crataegus submolls Sarg. are used in nutrition. The flowers of Crataegus submollis Sarg. contain flavonoids, among of which, like in the case of Hawthorn blood-red the hyperoside is present. It was determined that the maximum of the absorption curve of the solution of Crataegus submollis Sarg. flowers with a solution of aluminum chloride is 412 nm. The method of quantitative determination by the differential spectrophotometry of the total flavonoids calculated on hyperoside in the Crataegus submollis Sarg. flowers has been developed. It was established that the appropriate extragent for this raw material is 70% ethanol. The level of total flavonoid in Crataegus submollis Sarg. flowers has been studied. It was established that separate parts of Crataegus submollis Sarg. flowers differ markedly in the content of total flavonoids and their specific weight in raw materials. It was established that the content of total flavonoids calculated on hyperoside is varied from 2.05±0.08% tо 3.00±0.12%. It was determined that the content of total flavonoids calculated on hyperoside in different parts of hawthorn flowers ranges from 0.98% (receptacle and calyx) to 4.53% (petals). In our opinion, Crataegus submollis Sarg. flowers are the promising type of medicinal plant raw materials.

Study on antioxidant activity of certain indigenous vegetal products

The paper presents the results obtained in determining the antioxidant activity of three indigenous plant products: hawthorn (Crataegus oxyacantha) flowers, valerian (Valerianae officinalis) roots, garlic (Allium sativum) bulbs. They were selected and studied in order to obtain nutritional supplements with high antioxidant properties. The aim is to reduce oxidative stress and the negative consequences generated by the excess of free radicals in the body. Starting from human mechanisms of defense and fighting the harmful effects of the free radicals excess, researches in the last decades have brought to the fore the importance of improved natural food, rich in antioxidants, and the need for supplementing the diet by exogenous of active substances with antioxidant properties. They can diminish the important damaging effects the free radicals excess, in the context of the growing environmental pollution and food processing. The results obtained by modern physico-chemical and current biochemical methods have confirmed outstanding antioxidant activities and high content in compounds with properties of capturing free radicals.

Flavonoids profile and antioxidant activity in flowers and leaves of hawthorn species (Crataegus spp.) from different regions of Iran

ABSTRACTThis study was undertaken to determine the total quantity of phenolic and flavonoids, as well as to find out about the HPLC quantification of some individual phenolic compounds (i.e. chlorogenic acid, vitexin 2”-O-rhamnoside, vitexin, rutin, hyperoside, quercetin, and isoquercetin) in flowers and leaves of 56 samples of different hawthorn species (Crataegus spp.) collected from different geographical regions of Iran. The amount of total phenolics ranges from 7.21 to 87.73 mg GAE/g in dry weight of the plant, and the total amount of flavonoids varied amongst species and in different plant organs ranging from 2.27 to 17.40 mg/g dry weight. Chlorogenic acid, vitexin, and vitexin 2”-O-rhamnoside were found to be the most abundant phenolic compounds in the extracts of hawthorn leaves. Meanwhile, chlorogenic acid, hyperoside, and rutin were the most abundant phenolic compounds in the extracts of hawthorn flowers in most genotypes. The antioxidant activity widely varied in species and in different organs of each individual plant, ranging from 0.9 to 4.65 mmol Fe++/g DW plant, calculated through the ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) method. Thus, this could provide valuable data for developing breeding strategies and plans; it can also help us in selecting genotypes with high phenolic contents for producing natural antioxidants and other bioactive compounds beneficial for food or the pharmaceutical industries.

The study of physico-chemical and technological properties of active substances and their mixture for the development of a plant medicine with cardiotonic and immunomodulating action

INTRODUCTION: To develop phytomedicine with a cardiotonic and immunomodulating effect in the form of hard gelatin capsules, to predict the rational composition and optimal technology for obtaining a combined medicine the determination of physico-chemical and pharmaco-technological properties of the lyophilized sunflower protein substance, the dry extract of hawthorn flowers and fruits and the mixture of these biologically active substances in the ratio 1.4: 1 have been used. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Physical and technological methods on State Pharmacopoeia of Ukraine 2.0 have been used. RESULTS: The results of the studies of microscopy, bulk volume, settled volume, settling qualities, bulk density, tapped density, flowability, angle of repose and moisture absorption of the lyophilized sunflower protein substance, the dry hawthorn extract and their mixture were analyzed. The extract does not have flowability because of the fineness of the powder and rough surface of particles. It was necessary to grind additionally the protein substance to achieve the homogeneity of the mixture of the two active substances. The re-milled protein substance showed good flowability. But the flow rate of the mixture was lower. The mixture of powders was characterized by the low bulk density and tapped density, a significant settling quality of the mixture. CONCLUSION: Analyses of the data obtained pointed to the need to additionally grind the lyophilized sunflower protein substance and to introduce glidants into the mass for the incapsulation, or the obtaining granules. Moisture regulators must be added to the composition for the incapsulation because of the signif- icant moisture absorption of the powder mixture.

HPLC-UV Method for Determing Flavonoids in Hawthorn Flowers and Leaves

An HPLC technique with UV spectrophotometric detection was developed for qualitative and quantitative determination of vitexin, rutin, hyperoside, and quercetin in Crataegus sanguinea hawthorn herbs (flowers and leaves). The separation used a Luna C18(2) column (4.6 × 150 mm, 5 μm) and a stepwise gradient. Calibration curves for the four flavonoids exhibited good linearity (r 2 > 0.995) in the studied ranges. The analytical recoveries over one day/week were 95.9-104.3%/95.6 – 102.9% for vitexin; 94.0 – 102.2%/93.5 – 101.5% for rutin; 98.0 – 102.2%/97.5 – 102.9% for hyperoside; and 96.0 – 109.8%/97.2 – 111.0% for quercetin. The intra- and interday coefficients of variation (RSD, %) were <3%. The relative error (e, %) of a single determination at confidence level 95% was <3% for rutin, hyperoside, and vitexin and <4% for quercetin.

The comparative chemical study of the fatty acid composition of hawthorn flowers of Sanguineae Sarg. section

The comparative chemical study of the fatty acid composition of hawthorn flowers of Sanguineae Sarg. section

Effect of flavonoids content on antioxidant activity of commercial cosmetic plant extracts

Abstract The aim of this work was to evaluate the antioxidant capacity and flavonoids content in 10 commercial cosmetic plant extracts used in cosmetics industry. Antioxidant activity of plant extracts were measured using two methods: FRAP (Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power) and TEAC (Trolox Equivalent Antioxidant Capacity). The relationship between flavonoids content and antioxidant capacity of plant extracts were checked. As a result of this research it was found that FRAP and TEAC values of plant extracts significantly depend on the flavonoids content. The highest antioxidant activity, both in FRAP and TEAC assays, was observed for arnica flowers, hawthorn flowers and lungwort herb extracts. These extracts can be used as source of natural antioxidants for the prolongation of the oxidative stability of cosmetic products. Additionally, they can replace synthetic antioxidants

Hawthorn - A Health Food

The genus of Crataegus (hawthorn) is cultivated in many parts of the world. and regarded as medicinal plant in many countries. Hawthorn fruit is commonly used to cure scurvy, constipation and digestive disorders, Hawthorn flowers and leaves are often used against mild cardiac disorders. Modern studies found extracts of Hawthorn fruits, flowers and leaves possess a wide range of pharmacological properties, the pharmacological properties of Hawthorn are mostly related to the involved phenolic compounds including flavonoids. In this article, the active chemical properties and medicinal value of Hawthorn are reviewed.