Traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and safety concerns of hawthorn (Crataegus genus): A comprehensive review

Preclinical safety studies of a SEDDS formulation of the vasorelaxing methanol extract from Crataegus rosei eggl. Leaves

The present study aimed to assess, via acute and subacute toxicity studies, the safety of the use of the methanol extract obtained from Crataegus rosei leaves as a self-emulsifying drug delivery system (Cr-SEDDS). For the acute toxicity test, female rats were intragastrically administered single 300 and 2000 mg/kg body weight (bw) doses and followed by an observation period of 14 days. For the subacute toxicity study, female and male rats received a daily 300, 500, and 1000 mg/kg bw dose for 28 days. No decrease in food consumption, body weight, signs of apparent toxicity, or deaths were observed. Macro and microscopic necropsies were performed on the main organs, as were blood chemistry, lipidic parameters, and biometry studies. No significant differences in the levels of liver and kidney biomarkers, the levels of red and white blood cells, or structural alterations were observed in the organs of both the treated and control groups. Therefore, the results of these studies demonstrated that the Cr-SEDDS is non-toxic at repeated doses of up to 1000 mg/kg bw. These data enable the establishment of safe dose levels necessary to continue with in vivo pharmacological studies of this SEDDS for the subsequent development of a phytomedicine for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.

Formation of polyphenol-based nanoparticles in dried hawthorn with enhanced cellular absorption over free polyphenols

Plant-derived nanoparticles are gaining attention for enhancing the delivery and bioavailability of bioactive compounds, though the mechanisms remain unclear. This study aims to investigate dried hawthorn-derived nanoparticles (DHNPs), focusing on their composition, molecular interactions and impact on polyphenol absorption. The results showed that DHNPs, averaging 275.7 nm, were primarily composed of polysaccharides and high content of polyphenolic compounds (∼25%), with covalent and non-covalent interactions forming between them. Saponification increased the polyphenol release, and metabolomics identified 252 polyphenolic compounds, with 195 showing a relative increase post-treatment, including caffeic acid and (-)-catechin. An in vitro intestinal absorption test using Caco-2 cell monolayer model demonstrated that DHNPs-bound polyphenols exhibited significantly higher permeability (27.90%) compared to free polyphenols (12.38%), indicating that endocytosis may serve as a potential pathway through which DHNPs enhance polyphenol absorption. This study provides new insights into the role of plant-derived nanoparticles contributing to bioactive compound delivery and bioavailability.

Inhibition of pancreatic lipase and cholesterol by hawthorn extract: A study of binding mechanisms and inhibitor screening

Inhibiting the activity of pancreatic lipase and reducing intestinal cholesterol absorption are potential strategies to combat obesity. This study investigated the mechanisms by which hawthorn (Crataegus pinnatifida) extract affects pancreatic lipase (PL) and disrupts cholesterol micelle formation. Enriched with bioactive compounds, hawthorn extract (HE) inhibited PL activity through reversible mixed inhibition, with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 2.92 mg/mL. Infrared spectroscopy, circular dichroism and fluorescence quenching experiments demonstrated that HE binding to PL induces conformational changes in both tertiary and secondary structures. This interaction facilitated the transformation of β-turns to random coils and quenched the fluorescence of the protein through a static quenching mechanism. HPLC, immobilized enzymes and molecular docking studies collectively revealed that rutin, chlorogenic acid, and isoquercitrin in HE exhibited strong binding affinity with PL, serving as key components in inhibiting PL activity. Furthermore, HE increased the particle size of cholesterol micelles while decreasing their solubility, which makes it more difficult for lipases to function in the intestine. Overall, our study suggests that HE may serve as an effective pancreatic lipase inhibitor, presenting potential applications in the development of functional foods for obesity reduction and lipid-lowering.

Effect of Hawthorn Powder on Physical, Functional, and Sensory Characteristics of Set-Type Yogurt

Plant powders have exhibited great potential to enhance the antioxidant activity of yogurt. This study aims to evaluate the effects of hawthorn powder (1.0-3.0%, w/w) addition on the antioxidant activity and physical properties of set-type yogurt. The results demonstrated that yogurt containing 1-2% hawthorn powder exhibited improvements in quality, water-holding capacity, and texture. Notably, the antioxidant activities, including the DPPH radical, hydroxyl radical scavenging rate, and Fe2+ chelating activity, reached 68.2 ± 4.9%, 81.6 ± 0.5%, and 72.2 ± 2.0%, respectively, and were higher than those of ordinary yogurt. Microstructural observation revealed that appropriate hawthorn powder concentration promoted homogeneous protein network formation, contributing to improved texture stability. In conclusion, this research is of interest to the development of functional dairy products.

Innovative findings on three endemic Crataegus spp. from Türkiye: flavonoid-enriched extracts with cardiovascular benefits demonstrated by reduction of oxidative and inflammatory markers on rat aorta tissue

Türkiye is a significant genetic diversity center for Crataegus species. The fruits, leaves, flowers, and sprouts of Crataegus sp. are widely used in traditional medicine, mainly for cardiovascular diseases. Products containing Crataegus monogyna Jacq. subsp. monogyna ("alıç") are recognized as therapeutic agents used alongside conventional treatments. Thus, investigating the chemical composition and biological activity of other Crataegus species is essential to explore their medicinal potential. This study provides the first report on total flavonoid content and detailed phytochemical profiling of leaf and immature fruit extracts from three endemic species-Crataegus peshmenii Dönmez, Crataegus petrodavisii Dönmez, and Crataegus christensenii Dönmez-using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). A comparative analysis with C. monogyna subsp. monogyna was also included. Notably, C. peshmenii leaf extract was the richest in compounds linked to cardiovascular benefits, including vitexin and hyperoside. Its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties were further evaluated using isolated rat thoracic aortas. The release of inflammatory and oxidative markers was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). C. peshmenii leaf extract significantly reduced the levels of oxidative and inflammatory markers (MDA, MPO, TNF-α, and IL-1β) in isolated aortas, supporting its potential as a cardiovascular protective agent.

Effects of different lactic acid bacteria on the physicochemical properties, functional characteristics and metabolic characteristics of fermented hawthorn juice

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) fermentation enhances the flavour and functionality of juice substrates; however, research on hawthorn juice is limited. We hypothesize that due to strain specificity, the changes in hawthorn juice after fermentation with different LAB may vary. After selecting LAB strains based on pH and sensory evaluation, the physicochemical properties and anti-inflammatory potential in a lipopolysaccharide-induced RAW 264.7 macrophage model were analysed in vitro. Non-targeted metabolomics revealed fermentation-driven metabolic changes. All strains exhibited increased total acidity and decreased reducing sugar and flavonoid contents. In particular, the Lactobacillus plantarum SC-1.3 and FWDG (strain preservation number) strains suppressed the pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-6 and tumour necrosis factor-α, with FWDG exhibiting the strongest effect. Moreover, fermentation resulted in the enrichment of bioactive metabolites, including prunetin and glycitein, which are unique to FWDG. The results provided a basis for the industrialization of hawthorn juice as a dietary product.

A Novel Formulation Based on Resveratrol and Water Extracts from Equisetum arvense, Crataegus curvisepala, Vitex agnus-castus, and Glycine max Inhibits the Gene Expression of Inflammatory and Osteoclastogenic Biomarkers on C2C12 Cells Exposed to Oxidative Stress

Medicinal plants and natural compounds have been considered alternative therapeutic options for counteracting postmenopausal disorders thanks to their different concomitant effects, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and the regulation of hormone activity. It is important to highlight that the efficacy of medicinal plants and natural compounds increases when used in combination, thus making the development of herbal formulations rational. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the phytochemical and pharmacological properties of an innovative formulation consisting of resveratrol and water extracts from Equisetum arvense, Crateagus curvisepala, Vitex agnus-castus, and Glycine max. The phenolic composition and radical scavenger properties were evaluated using chromatographic and colorimetric (ABTS) methods, whilst the limits of biocompatibility were assessed through allelopathy, the Artemia salina (brine shrimp) lethality test, and Daphnia magna cardiotoxicity assay. The protective effects were evaluated on C2C12 cell lines exposed to the pro-oxidant stimulus, which consisted of hydrogen peroxide. The gene expression of estrogen 1 (ESR1, also known as ERα) and prolactin (PRLR) receptors, interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα), and receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-Β ligand (RANKL) was measured. The results of the phytochemical analysis showed that the main phytochemicals were hydroxycinnamic and phenolic acids, in particular coumaric acid (7.53 µg/mL) and rosmarinic acid (6.91 µg/mL), respectively. This could explain the radical scavenger effect observed from the 2,2-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) assay. According to the ecotoxicological models' results, the formulation was revealed to be non-toxic, with a LC50 value > 1 mg/mL. Therefore, a biocompatible concentration range (200-1000 µg/mL) was used in C2C12 cells, where the formulation blunted the hydrogen peroxide-induced upregulation of TNFα, IL-6, RANKL, ESR1, and PRLR. Overall, the results of this study corroborate the use of the formulation for facing the oxidative stress and inflammation, which forms the basis of the osteoclastogenic process.

Mechanism of salvianolic phenolic acids and hawthorn triterpenic acids combination in intervening atherosclerosis: network pharmacology, molecular docking, and experimental validation

Background

This study employs network pharmacology and molecular docking methods in conjunction with animal experimentation to elucidate the underlying mechanism by which the combination of salvianolic phenolic acids and hawthorn triterpenic acids (SHC) exerts its therapeutic effect on carotid atherosclerosis (AS) in ApoE-/- mice.

Methods

A network pharmacology research approach was used to predict potential core targets for SHC intervention in atherosclerosis. The predictions were subsequently validated through the implementation of animal in vivo experiments. ApoE-/- mice were randomly assigned to three experimental groups, namely, a model group, an atorvastatin group, and an SHC group. After the administration period, the plaque area in the carotid artery and aortic arch, blood lipid levels, malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), and nitric oxide (NO) content were measured. Additionally, the expression of PI3K, Akt, NF-κB, JNK1, ERK1/2, and p38-MAPK in the aortic arteries was analyzed. Based on the protein expression results, molecular docking was used to predict the binding activity between the core compounds and core targets.

Results

A total of 23 core compounds were identified in SHC, and 55 core targets of SHC were screened as potential targets for intervention in AS. The results of the enrichment analysis indicated that the principal mechanisms through which SHC exerts its effects in AS are associated with lipid metabolism and the PI3K-Akt and MAPK pathways. The results from animal experiments demonstrated that atorvastatin and SHC markedly reduced the area of carotid plaque and downregulated the levels of TC and LDL-C in ApoE-/- mice. The administration of SHC was associated with an increase in SOD activity and a reduction in NO levels in the livers of mice. Furthermore, SHC was observed to downregulate the expression of NF-κB and p38-MAPK in the carotid region. The results of molecular docking demonstrated that the core compounds of SHC, including salvianolic acid A, B, and C, maslinic acid, ursolic acid, and oleic acid, were capable of stably binding to the core targets NF-κB and MAPK14.

Conclusion

It is hypothesized that SHC may reduce lipid deposition and plaque formation in AS by regulating blood lipids, a process that may be closely linked to the inhibition of inflammatory regulator expression, including NF-κB and p38-MAPK.

Analysis of Adverse Reactions Associated with the Use of Crataegus-Containing Herbal Products

Background/Objectives: Products from various parts of Crataegus species are traditionally applied as a cardiotonic. In Europe and the USA, mainly Crataegus monogyna Jacq. (Lindm.) and Crataegus laevigata (Poir.) DC (synonym Crataegus oxyacantha L.) are used, but worldwide, other Crataegus species are also used. Phytotherapeutic preparations with a standardised content of flavonoids and/or oligomeric procyanidins are commercially available. The products are generally considered as safe and are at most associated with minor and atypical adverse reactions. The aim of this study was to critically assess the information about the safety of Crataegus-containing products in humans. Methods: A scoping review of the literature about adverse reactions associated with Crataegus-containing products was performed. Next, individual case safety reports (ICSRs) were assessed, which were included in VigiBase (the World Health Organisation's global database of adverse event reports for medicines and vaccines) and in the database of the Netherlands Pharmacovigilance Centre Lareb. The findings are discussed in relation to the literature. Results: The scoping review yielded 23 clinical studies with single-herb and 14 with multi-herb preparations, from which only a few minor gastrointestinal and cardiac events had been reported. A total of 1527 reports from VigiBase, from 1970 to 2023, were analysed, as well as 13 reports from Lareb. The most frequently reported adverse reactions belonged to the system organ classes 'gastrointestinal disorders', 'skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders', 'general disorders and administration site conditions', 'cardiac disorders' or 'nervous system disorders'. In 277 reports of VigiBase, a single-herb product was the only suspect for causing the adverse reaction(s). Of these, 12.6% were graded as serious. Conclusions: The results of our study provide deeper insight in the adverse reaction profile of Crataegus-containing products and should contribute to their safe application in the treatment of less severe forms of cardiac failure.

Investigation of Algerian Crataegus monogyna Jacq Phenolic Compounds (Using LC-ESI-MS/MS Analysis, Antioxidant Activity, and Enzyme Inhibition) and Their Potential Implications for Food and Nutraceutical Applications

Investigations into the phenolic constituents of the butanolic fraction of Crataegus monogyna were optimized using LC-ESI-MS/MS analysis, identifying and quantifying at least 23 fingerprint phytochemical compounds. The major phenolic compounds were epicatechin (99.916 ± 2.208 mg/g), isoquercetrin (53.31 ± 1.172 mg/g), chlorogenic acid (47.457 ± 1.010 mg/g), quinic acid (37.819 ± 1.406 mg/g), rutin (29.98 ± 0.740 mg/g), hesperidin (5.296 ± 0.177 mg/g, detected for the first time in the C. monogyna species), astragalin (1.774 ± 0.020 mg/g), and nicotiflorin (1.482 ± 0.016 mg/g). The antioxidant properties of the lyophilized butanolic fraction were evaluated using DPPH, GOR, ABTS, CUPRAC, and reducing power assays, all of which demonstrated that there was strong activity. Additionally, the neuroprotective effect was evaluated in vitro, showing a potent inhibitory effect on acetylcholinesterase (AChE) with an IC50 of 43.65 ± 2.10 µg/mL. The antidiabetic effect was investigated through α-amylase inhibition (IC50 = 91.19 ± 0.10 µg/mL), showing high inhibitory activity. In addition, the butanolic extract exhibited significant urease inhibition with an IC50 of 26.36 ± 0.05 µg/mL. These results suggest that Algerian C. monogyna has potential as a therapeutic agent for managing diabetes complications and as a natural source of AChE inhibitors, making it a promising subject for the treatment of urease-related conditions. Its high concentrations of natural antioxidants, such as epicatechin, isoquercetrin, chlorogenic acid, quinic acid, rutin, hesperidin, and astragalin, make it suitable for integration into medicine, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and the food sector.

Effect of chemical components on color variation during processing of Crataegi Fructus

The color and chemical composition of Crataegi Fructus (CF) vary greatly during processing, but few studies have explored the relationship between them. To address this issue, the effect of chemical composition on the color change of CF during processing was evaluated by mass spectrometry and color detection. A total of 107 compounds, including organic acids, flavonoids, furans, terpenoids, lignans and alkaloids, were identified from 26 representative samples by UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS, among them, the first three compounds changed most significantly during CF processing. Based on Spearman's rho correlation and multiple linear regression analysis, 85 variables from 107 compounds were identified to be associated with color value (P < 0.01). There are 12 compounds that are considered to be the key substances that cause color changes. This study not only realized the objectification of color evaluation, but also verified the relationship between color and chemical composition in food processing.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10068-024-01576-2.

A Comprehensive Review on the Isolation, Bioactivities, and Structure-Activity Relationship of Hawthorn Pectin and Its Derived Oligosaccharides

Hawthorn (Crataegus pinnatifida Bunge) has been highlighted as an excellent source of a variety of bioactive polymers, which has attracted increasing research interest. Pectin, as a kind of soluble dietary fiber in hawthorn, is mainly extracted by hot water extraction and ultrasonic or enzymatic hydrolysis and is then extensively used in food, pharmaceutical, and nutraceutical industries. Numerous studies have shown that hawthorn pectin and its derived oligosaccharides exhibit a wide range of biological activities, such as antioxidant activity, hypolipidemic and cholesterol-reducing effects, antimicrobial activity, and intestinal function modulatory activity. As discovered, the bioactivities of hawthorn pectin and its derived oligosaccharides were mainly contributed by structural features and chemical compositions and were highly associated with the extraction methods. Additionally, hawthorn pectin is a potential resource for the development of emulsifiers and gelling agents, food packaging films, novel foods, and traditional medicines. This review provides a comprehensive summary of current research for readers on the extraction techniques, functional characteristics, structure-activity relationship, and applications in order to provide ideas and references for the investigation and utilization of hawthorn pectin and its derived oligosaccharides. Further research and development efforts are imperative to fully explore and harness the potential of hawthorn pectin-derived oligosaccharides in the food and medicine fields.

Hawthorn with "homology of medicine and food": a review of anticancer effects and mechanisms

Over the past few years, there has been a gradual increase in the incidence of cancer, affecting individuals at younger ages. With its refractory nature and substantial fatality rate, cancer presents a notable peril to human existence and wellbeing. Hawthorn, a medicinal food homology plant belonging to the Crataegus genus in the Rosaceae family, holds great value in various applications. Due to its long history of medicinal use, notable effects, and high safety profile, hawthorn has garnered considerable attention and plays a crucial role in cancer treatment. Through the integration of modern network pharmacology technology and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), a range of anticancer active ingredients in hawthorn have been predicted, identified, and analyzed. Studies have shown that ingredients such as vitexin, isoorientin, ursolic acid, and maslinic acid, along with hawthorn extracts, can effectively modulate cancer-related signaling pathways and manifest anticancer properties via diverse mechanisms. This review employs network pharmacology to excavate the potential anticancer properties of hawthorn. By systematically integrating literature across databases such as PubMed and CNKI, the review explores the bioactive ingredients with anticancer effects, underlying mechanisms and pathways, the synergistic effects of drug combinations, advancements in novel drug delivery systems, and ongoing clinical trials concerning hawthorn's anticancer properties. Furthermore, the review highlights the preventive health benefits of hawthorn in cancer prevention, offering valuable insights for clinical cancer treatment and the development of TCM with anticancer properties that can be used for both medicinal and edible purposes.

Crataegus pentagyna willd. Fruits, leaves and roots: phytochemicals, antioxidant and antimicrobial potentials

BACKGROUND

The hawthorn has recently been used as a popular herbal medicine in food applications and phytotherapy, especially for the cardiovascular system.

METHODS

In this study, phytochemicals were evaluated by LC-ESI-MS, GC-MS, and biological activity, including antioxidant (DPPH test) and antibacterial (broth dilution assay), in different extracts of Crataegus pentagyna fruit, leaf, and root.

RESULTS

Globally, 49 phenolics were tentatively identified using HPLC-ESI-MS/MS in the hydro-methanolic extract of the fruit (major apigenin, caffeoylquinic acid derivative, and 4-O-(3'-O-glucopyranosyl)-caffeoyl quinic acid), 42 in the leaf (major salicylic acid, naringenin-6-C-glucoside, and naringin), and 33 in the root (major naringenin-7-O-neohesperidoside, isovitexin-2″-O-rhamnoside, and 4-O-(3'-O-glucopyranosyl)-caffeoyl quinic acid). The major group compounds analyzed by GC-MS in petroleum ether extracts were hydrocarbons (63.80%) and fatty acids and their derivatives (11.77%) in fruit, hydrocarbons (49.20%) and fatty acids and their derivatives (13.85%) in leaf, and hydrocarbons (53.96%) and terpenes (13.06%) in root. All samples exhibited promising phytochemical profile (total phenol, flavonoid, phenolic acid, and anthocyanin), antioxidant and antibacterial capacities, especially in hydro-methanolic extract of fruit (210.22 ± 0.44 mg GAE/g DE; 79.93 ± 0.54 mg QE/g DE; 194.64 ± 0.32 mg CAE/g DE; 85.37 ± 0.13 mg cyanidin 3-glucoside/100 g FW; DPPH: 15.43 ± 0.65 µg/mL; MIC: 0.15-0.62 µg/mL; and MBC: 0.62-1.25 mg/mL), followed by the leaf and root extracts, respectively. The PCA and heatmap analysis results distinguished metabolite profile differences for samples.

CONCLUSION

The results of the present work provide scientific support for C. pentagyna as antimicrobial agents and natural antioxidants in human health and food preservation.