Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) Phenolic Extract Modulates Lymphocyte Subsets and Humoral Immune Response in Mice

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

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The genus Crataegus (hawthorn), a member of the Rosaceae family, encompasses several species with broad geographical distribution across the Northern Hemisphere, including Asia, Europe, and the Americas. Hawthorn is recognized as an edible medicinal plant with applications related to strengthening the digestive system, promoting blood circulation, and resolving blood stasis.

AIM OF THE REVIEW

This study critically summarized the traditional uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacological properties to provide a theoretical basis for further studies on hawthorn and its applications in medicine and food.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The available information on hawthorn was gathered from scientific databases (including Google Scholar, Web of Science, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Baidu Scholar, CNKI, online ethnobotanical databases, and ethnobotanical monographs, and considered data from 1952 to 2023). Information about traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and safety concerns of the collected data is comprehensively summarized in this paper.

RESULTS

The literature review revealed that hawthorn includes more than 1000 species primarily distributed in the northern temperate zone. Traditional uses of hawthorn have lasted for millennia in Asia, Europe, and the Americas. Within the past decade, 337 chemical compounds, including flavonoids, lignans, fatty acids and organic acids, monoterpenoids and sesquiterpenoids, terpenoids and steroids, have been identified from hawthorn. Modern pharmacological studies have confirmed numerous bioactivities, such as cardiovascular system influence, antitumor activity, hepatoprotective activity, antimicrobial properties, immunomodulatory functions, and anti-inflammatory activities. Additionally, evaluations have indicated that hawthorn lacks toxicity.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on its traditional uses, chemical composition, and pharmacological studies, hawthorn has significant potential as a medicinal and edible plant with a diverse range of pharmacological activities. Traditional uses of the hawthorn include the treatment of indigestion, dysmenorrhea, and osteoporosis. However, modern pharmacological research primarily focuses on its cardiovascular and cerebrovascular system effects, antitumor effects, and liver protection properties. Currently, there is a lack of correlative research involving its traditional uses and pharmacological activities. Moreover, phytochemical and pharmacological research has yet to focus on many types of hawthorn with traditional applications. Therefore, it is imperative to research the genus Crataegus extensively.

Effect of Shan Zha (Hawthorn or Crataegus) on gastrointestinal cancer: A network pharmacology and molecular docking study

Background

Shan Zha (Hawthorn or Crataegus) is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) most commonly used for the treatment of hyperlipidemia. Gastrointestinal cancer is closely correlated with blood lipid levels. This study illustrates the potential anticancer effects of Shan Zha on gastrointestinal tumors based on network pharmacology and molecular docking.

Methods

Hawthorn's bioactive ingredients and drug targets were obtained from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP), Integrative Pharmacology-based Research Platform of Traditional Chinese Medicine version 2.0 (TCMIP v2.0), and Herbal Ingredients' Targets Platform (HIT 2.0) databases. Validated disease targets of gastrointestinal cancer were obtained from the Therapeutic Targets Database (TTD) and HIT 2.0 databases. Protein-protein interaction analysis of intersecting genes was performed using the Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes (STRING) database. The functions of these genes were further analyzed by performing gene ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses. Molecular docking verification was performed using Molecular Operating Environment (MOE) software.

Results

Four main bioactive components were identified in Shan Zha. A total of 271 potential drug targets were identified, and 393 gastrointestinal-tumor targets were obtained. Through protein interaction analysis of intersecting targets, the main components of Shan Zha were found to interact more closely with proteins such as tumor protein p53 (TP53), AKT serine/threonine kinase 1 (AKT1), JUN proto-oncogene (JUN), interleukin 6 (IL6), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA). KEGG pathway enrichment analysis showed a total of 127 pathways, mainly involving pathways in multiple types of cancer, the Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-Akt (PI3K-Akt) signaling pathway, and EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance. Combined with The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) differential analysis, key targets, including TP53, cyclin D1 (CCND1), EGFR, and VEGFA, were screened. Molecular docking results showed that quercetin and kaempferol had the good binding potential for TP53, CCND1, EGFR, and VEGFA.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that Shan Zha exerts its effects on gastrointestinal cancers through a multitarget, multi-component, and a multi-pathway mechanism.

Ultrasound-Treated and Thermal-Pasteurized Hawthorn Vinegar: Antioxidant and Lipid Profiles in Rats

The hawthorn fruit, a member of the Rosaceae family, is a medicinal plant with numerous therapeutic properties. It has a wide range of variants, with Crataegus tanacetifolia being the most widely recognized species in the world. The hawthorn fruit has various biological activities, including anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antioxidant, immune-modulating, and anti-carcinogenic properties. This study focused on improving the antioxidant activity of hawthorn vinegar via different methods. We also aimed to investigate the influence of its hepatic antioxidant abilities on health and extend the shelf life of the vinegar. In the study, the vinegar was produced from the hawthorn fruit, and thermal pasteurization and ultrasound techniques were applied. A total of 56 female adult Wistar-Albino rats were allocated into seven groups and administered hawthorn fruit vinegar via oral gavage on a daily basis. The experimental groups included rats treated with pasteurized vinegar (HVP), ultrasound-treated rats (HVU), and an untreated group that received regular vinegar (HVN) at two different dosage levels (0.5 and 1 mL/kg). The SOD, MDA, and CAT antioxidant levels were measured using the ELISA method in plasma and liver tissue samples. The total plasma cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL, LDL, AST, and ALT values were quantified using commercially available kits. The levels of SOD and CAT in the plasma and liver were found to be significantly higher in the HVU1 group compared to all other groups. Furthermore, the HVU1 cohort exhibited the highest HDL value in plasma. The plasma LDL levels were comparably low in both the thermal-pasteurized and ultrasound-treated groups. There were significant expressions of both CAT and SOD in the liver tissues of the HVU groups (analyzed immunohistochemically). These results indicated that hawthorn vinegar administration with 1 mL/kg in group HVU1 could significantly enhance antioxidant capacity in the liver and, consequently, overall health. It can be suggested that the possible therapeutic effects of hawthorn vinegar may boost its antioxidant capabilities and contribute to an overall improvement in quality of life.

Food Applications and Potential Health Benefits of Hawthorn

Hawthorn (Crataegus) is a plant of the Rosaceae family and is widely grown throughout the world as one of the medicinal and edible plants, known as the “nutritious fruit” due to its richness in bioactive substances. Preparations derived from it are used in the formulation of dietary supplements, functional foods, and pharmaceutical products. Rich in amino acids, minerals, pectin, vitamin C, chlorogenic acid, epicatechol, and choline, hawthorn has a high therapeutic and health value. Many studies have shown that hawthorn has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, anti-cardiovascular disease, and digestive enhancing properties. This is related to its bioactive components such as polyphenols (chlorogenic acid, proanthocyanidin B2, epicatechin), flavonoids (proanthocyanidins, mucoxanthin, quercetin, rutin), and pentacyclic triterpenoids (ursolic acid, hawthornic acid, oleanolic acid), which are also its main chemical constituents. This paper briefly reviews the chemical composition, nutritional value, food applications, and the important biological and pharmacological activities of hawthorn. This will contribute to the development of functional foods or nutraceuticals from hawthorn.

In Vitro Immuno-Modulatory Potentials of Purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) Polysaccharides with a Chemical Selenylation

The soluble polysaccharides from a non-conventional and edible plant purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.), namely PSPO, were prepared by the water extraction and ethanol precipitation methods in this study. The obtained PSPO were selenylated using the Na₂SeO₃-HNO₃ method to successfully prepare two selenylated products, namely SePSPO-1 and SePSPO-2, with different selenylation extents. The assay results confirmed that SePSPO-1 and SePSPO-2 had respective Se contents of 753.8 and 1325.1 mg/kg, while PSPO only contained Se element about 80.6 mg/kg. The results demonstrated that SePSPO-1 and SePSPO-2 had higher immune modulation than PSPO (p < 0.05), when using the two immune cells (murine splenocytes and RAW 264.7 macrophages) as two cell models. Specifically, SePSPO-1 and SePSPO-2 were more active than PSPO in the macrophages, resulting in higher cell proliferation, greater macrophage phagocytosis, and higher secretion of the immune-related three cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and IL-1β. Meanwhile, SePSPO-1 and SePSPO-2 were more potent than PSPO in the concanavalin A- or lipopolysaccharide-stimulated splenocytes in cell proliferation, or more able than PSPO in the splenocytes to promote interferon-γ secretion but suppress IL-4 secretion, or more capable of enhancing the ratio of T-helper (CD4⁺) cells to T-cytotoxic (CD8⁺) cells for the T lymphocytes than PSPO. Overall, the higher selenylation extent of the selenylated PSPO mostly caused higher immune modulation in the model cells, while a higher polysaccharide dose consistently led to the greater regulation effect. Thus, it is concluded that the employed chemical selenylation could be used in the chemical modification of purslane or other plant polysaccharides, when aiming to endow the polysaccharides with higher immuno-modulatory effect on the two immune cells.

Botanical, Phytochemical, Anti-Microbial and Pharmaceutical Characteristics of Hawthorn (Crataegusmonogyna Jacq.), Rosaceae

Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna Jacq.) is a wild edible fruit tree of the genus Crataegus, one of the most interesting genera of the Rosaceae family. This review is the first to consider, all together, the pharmaceutical, phytochemical, functional and therapeutic properties of C. monogyna based on numerous valuable secondary metabolites, including flavonoids, vitamin C, glycoside, anthocyanin, saponin, tannin and antioxidants. Previous reviews dealt with the properties of all species of the entire genera. We highlight the multi-therapeutic role that C. monogyna extracts could have in the treatment of different chronic and degenerative diseases, mainly focusing on flavonoids. In the first part of this comprehensive review, we describe the main botanical characteristics and summarize the studies which have been performed on the morphological and genetic characterization of the C. monogyna germplasm. In the second part, the key metabolites and their nutritional and pharmaceutical properties are described. This work could be an essential resource for promoting future therapeutic formulations based on this natural and potent bioactive plant extract.

Ethanol Extract of Chinese Hawthorn (Crataegus pinnatifida) Fruit Reduces Inflammation and Oxidative Stress in Rats with Doxorubicin-Induced Chronic Heart Failure

Background

Chinese hawthorn (Crataegus pinnatifida) fruit is a traditional Chinese medicine for treatment of digestive system and cardiovascular diseases. The fruit contains polyphenol compounds, such as epicatechin, that have anti-inflammatory activity. This study aimed to investigate the effects of an alcohol extract of hawthorn fruit (HAE) on inflammation and oxidative stress in rats with doxorubicin-induced chronic heart failure (CHF).

Material/Methods

Rats were intraperitoneally injected with doxorubicin to induce CHF and subsequently treated with HAE intragastrically once daily for 6 weeks. At the end of the experiment, echocardiographic and hemodynamic parameters were assessed, and enzyme-linked immunoassays were used to detect the levels of cardiac injury markers (brain natriuretic peptide, creatine kinase-MB, aspartate aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, copeptin, and adrenomedullin), oxidative stress markers (glutathione peroxidase and malondialdehyde), and inflammatory cytokines (interleukin [IL]-6, IL-8, IL-1β, and tumor necrosis factor-α). The IL-1β, IL-6, glutathione peroxidase-1, and catalase mRNA levels were also measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction.

Results

Our findings indicated that HAE exerts a cardioprotective effect, as shown by improved echocardiographic and hemodynamic parameters, decreased activity of serum myocardial enzymes, reduced serum levels of CHF markers, and inhibited inflammatory response in cardiac tissue. In addition, HAE treatment downregulated the mRNA expression of IL-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α and upregulated the mRNA expression of glutathione peroxidase-1 and catalase compared with untreated doxorubicin-induced CHF rats.

Conclusions

HAE shows promise for the prevention and treatment of CHF. The cardioprotective effect of HAE appears to be related to inhibition of both the inflammatory response and oxidative stress in vivo.

The effect of hawthorn flower and leaf extract (Crataegus Spp.) on cardiac hemostasis and oxidative parameters in Sprague Dawley rats

Cardiovascular diseases are described as disorders of heart and vessels that involve stroke and coronary heart diseases. People in the Middle East converged to complementary medicine as an economic alternative to expensive healthcare services. Crataegus monogyna Jacq. (Lindm.) Rosacea is among the most commonly used herb for the treatment of declining cardiac performance, hypertension, and arrhythmias. Previously, we had shown that Crataegus Spp. (Hawthorn) extract increased the tendency of bleeding among patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. Herein, the effects of Crataegus Spp. extract on oxidative stress, cardiac and hematological parameters were evaluated in Sprague Dawley rats. Male rats were randomly assigned into four groups. Group 1 served as control while groups 2-4 served as the experimental groups and were administered extract at doses of 100, 200, and 500 mg/kg. All the doses were given orally once/day and the treatment was continued for three weeks. Hawthorn treatment resulted in a significant decrease in the liver thiobarbituric acid reactive substances level in a dose-dependent manner compared to the control (1.258 (3, 24); P < 0.0001). We found a significant increase in the cardiac antithrombin III among hawthorn treated group compared to the control (4.18 (3, 24); P < 0.0001). On the other hand, hawthorn treatment decreased significantly the liver factor-X level (0.1341 (3, 22); P < 0.0001), while no significant changes were seen in soluble-platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (P-value = 0.0599). In conclusions, hawthorn extract possesses an antioxidant effect and blood-thinning properties. Hence, we recommend attention when using this herbal extract with other anticoagulation and/or antiplatelet drugs or undergoing major cardiac surgery.

The effect of hawthorn flower and leaf extract (Crataegus Spp.) on cardiac hemostasis and oxidative parameters in Sprague Dawley rats

Cardiovascular diseases are described as disorders of heart and vessels that involve stroke and coronary heart diseases. People in the Middle East converged to complementary medicine as an economic alternative to expensive healthcare services. Crataegus monogyna Jacq. (Lindm.) Rosacea is among the most commonly used herb for the treatment of declining cardiac performance, hypertension, and arrhythmias. Previously, we had shown that Crataegus Spp. (Hawthorn) extract increased the tendency of bleeding among patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. Herein, the effects of Crataegus Spp. extract on oxidative stress, cardiac and hematological parameters were evaluated in Sprague Dawley rats. Male rats were randomly assigned into four groups. Group 1 served as control while groups 2–4 served as the experimental groups and were administered extract at doses of 100, 200, and 500 mg/kg. All the doses were given orally once/day and the treatment was continued for three weeks. Hawthorn treatment resulted in a significant decrease in the liver thiobarbituric acid reactive substances level in a dose-dependent manner compared to the control (1.258 (3, 24); P < 0.0001). We found a significant increase in the cardiac antithrombin III among hawthorn treated group compared to the control (4.18 (3, 24); P < 0.0001). On the other hand, hawthorn treatment decreased significantly the liver factor-X level (0.1341 (3, 22); P < 0.0001), while no significant changes were seen in soluble-platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (P-value = 0.0599). In conclusions, hawthorn extract possesses an antioxidant effect and blood-thinning properties. Hence, we recommend attention when using this herbal extract with other anticoagulation and/or antiplatelet drugs or undergoing major cardiac surgery.