Hawthorn (Crataegus): Biological Activity and New Strategies for Quality Control

Extraction optimization, purification and antioxidant activity of procyanidins from hawthorn (C. pinnatifida Bge. var. major) fruits

“…The pharmacological effects of Crataegus have mainly been attributed to their polyphenolic contents, and oligomeric procyanidins (OPCs) are abundant in hawthorn. The species most often used medicinally are Crataegus monogyna and Crataegus laevigata, and these two groups are used for standardization and quality control (Sticher & Meier, 1998;Wittig et al, 2002). The active constituents and the antioxidant effects of the extracts of the leaves and flowers of C. oxyacantha or C. monogyna have been widely studied (Bahorun et al, 2003;Hosseinimehr, Azadbakht, Mousavi, Mahmoudzadeh, & Akhlaghpoor, 2007;Kirakosyan et al, 2003;Sokol-Letowska, Oszmianski, & Wojdylo, 2007;Svedstrom et al, 2002;Tadic et al, 2008).…”

Applied environmental stresses to enhance the levels of polyphenolics in leaves of hawthorn plants

“…leaves, flowers, and both green (unripe) and red (ripe) berries are used to make herbal preparations to treat patients with severe heart disease. The two species of hawthorn used to make such medicinal preparations are Crataegus laevigata (native to Europe and North America) and Crataegus monogyna (native to Europe, Asia, and North Africa) (Sticher and Meier 1998).…”

“…Hawthorn extracts have also been shown to increase myocardial contractility, reduce reperfusion arrhythmias, dilate peripheral arteries, and mildly decrease blood pressure (Von Eiff et al 1994, Weihmayr and Emst 1996, Zhang et al 2001). When standardized extracts of the leaves and flowers have been used for treatment of patients with chronic heart failure, no significant adverse side‐effects have been reported (Ody 1993, Sticher and Meier 1998). A standardized extract of the leaves and flowers is approved by the German Commission E for treatment of heart failure (Sticher and Meier 1998).…”

“…When standardized extracts of the leaves and flowers have been used for treatment of patients with chronic heart failure, no significant adverse side‐effects have been reported (Ody 1993, Sticher and Meier 1998). A standardized extract of the leaves and flowers is approved by the German Commission E for treatment of heart failure (Sticher and Meier 1998). It is widely used in Europe, especially in Germany, as a cardiotonic in the treatment of chronic heart failure, and high blood pressure (Schussler et al 1995, Weihmayr and Emst 1996).…”

“…The flavonols are chains of catechin and/or (‐)‐epicatechin linked by 4→8 or 4→6 bonds. The primary flavonoids present in hawthorn include, vitexin‐2′′‐ O ‐rhamnoside, acetylvitexin‐2′′‐ O ‐ rhamnoside, vitexin, isovitexin, quercetin, hyperoside, and rutin (Rehwald 1995, Sticher and Meier 1998).…”