Various parts of sea buckthorn [Elaeagnus rhamnoides (L.) A. Nelson], particularly the berries, known also as seaberries, or Siberian pineapples, are characterized by a unique composition of bioactive compounds: phenolic compounds, vitamins (especially vitamin C), unsaturated fatty acids, and phytosterols such as beta-sitosterol. These berries, together with the juices, jams, and oils made from them, have a range of beneficial antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer effects. This short review discusses whether sea buckthorn may represent a “golden mean” for the treatment of cancers: It has anti-proliferation properties and can induce apoptosis and stimulate the immune system, and sea buckthorn oil counteracts many side effects of chemotherapy by restoring kidney and liver function, increasing appetite, and keeping patients in general good health. Although the anticancer activity of sea buckthorn has been confirmed by many in vitro and animal in vivo studies, the treatment and prophylactic doses for humans are unknown. Therefore, greater attention should be paid to the development of well-controlled and high-quality clinical experiments in this area.

This work presented characteristics of sea buckthorn (H. rhamnoides), the bioactive compounds they contain and their pro-health, anti-cancer and radioprotective activity. Studies have shown that antioxidants contained in the fruits of plant, such as vitamins A, E and phenolic compound, reduce oxidative damage and also inhibit the formation of carcinogenic compounds, such as aflatoxin B1 or N-nitrosamide. Bioactive substances included in sea buckthorn inhibit the growth and proliferation of malignant cells in a variety of systems: digestive, respiratory, reproductive, blood circulation and lymphatic. In addition, experiments conducted on mice and rats demonstrated the effect of sea buckthorn extracts on the apoptosis of the lung, breast, sarcoma, melanoma and lymphoid leukemia tumor cells.