Sea buckthorn extract mitigates chronic obstructive pulmonary disease by suppression of ferroptosis via scavenging ROS and blocking p53/MAPK pathways.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides), a traditional Tibetan medicinal herb, exhibits protective effects against cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. Although Sea buckthorn extract (SBE) has been confirmed to alleviate airway inflammation in mice, its therapeutic effect and underlying mechanism on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) requires further clarification. AIM OF THE STUDY: To elucidate the alleviative effect and molecular mechanism of SBE on lipopolysaccharides (LPS)/porcine pancreatic elastase (PPE)-induced COPD by blocking ferroptosis. METHODS: The anti-ferroptotic effects of SBE were evaluated in human BEAS-2B bronchial epithelial cells using CCK8, RT-qPCR, western blotting, and transmission electron microscopy. Transwell was employed to detect chemotaxis of neutrophils. COPD model was induced by intranasally administration of LPS/PPE in mice and measured by alterations of histopathology, inflammation, and ferroptosis. RNA-sequencing, western blotting, antioxidant examination, flow cytometry, DARTS, CETSA, and molecular docking were then used to investigate its anti-ferroptotic mechanisms. RESULTS: In vitro, SBE not only suppressed erastin- or RSL3-induced ferroptosis by suppressing lipid peroxides (LPOs) production and glutathione (GSH) depletion, but also suppressed ferroptosis-induced chemotactic migration of neutrophils via reducing mRNA expression of chemokines. In vivo, SBE ameliorated LPS/PPE-induced COPD phenotypes, and inhibited the generation of LPOs, cytokines, and chemokines. RNA-sequencing showed that p53 pathway and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) pathway were implicated in SBE-mediated anti-ferroptotic action. SBE repressed erastin- or LPS/PPE-induced overactivation of p53 and MAPK pathway, thereby decreasing expression of diamine acetyltransferase 1 (SAT1) and arachidonate 15-lipoxygenase (ALOX15), and increasing expression of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) and solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11). Mechanistically, erastin-induced elevation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was reduced by SBE through directly scavenging free radicals, thereby contributing to its inhibition of p53 and MAPK pathways. CETSA, DARTS, and molecular docking further showed that ROS-generating enzyme nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase 4 (NOX4) may be the target of SBE. Overexpression of NOX4 partially impaired the anti-ferroptotic activity of SBE. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrated that SBE mitigated COPD by suppressing p53 and MAPK pro-ferroptosis pathways via directly scavenging ROS and blocking NOX4. These findings also supported the clinical application of Sea buckthorn in COPD therapy.

Preparation and characteristics of soy protein isolate - Sea buckthorn flavone emulsion and their effects of on quality and heterocyclic amines of roasted mutton granules.

A soy protein isolate (SPI) - sea buckthorn flavonoid emulsion was developed to study its effects on roasted lamb quality and heterocyclic amine (HAAs) precursors. The emulsion was stable with uniformly dispersed, well-encapsulated droplets averaging 0.1 to 10 µm. CLSM confirmed its good physical stability, small particle size, and uniform dispersion. FTIR the existence of hydrogen bond, hydrophobic interaction and physical adhesion between SPI and sea-buckthorn flavonoids. The emulsion improved lamb pellet texture by reducing chewiness and hardness, increasing adhesion, and decreasing browning. The emulsion-treated roasted mutton showed a 47.95-53.56 % increase in DPPH scavenging activity and MDA content reduction from 60.78 to 17.80 nmol/mg, indicating strong antioxidant activity and lipid oxidation inhibition. For both precursors and HAAs, there was a significant intensity of inhibition, where creatine decreased by about 44.91-68.34 %, glucose by 84.47 %-97.74 %, and the seven HAAs, Norharman, Harman, IQ, MeIQ, MeIQx, AαC, and PhIP, were inhibited by 79.64 %, respectively, 88.76 %, 65.07 %, 87.27 %, 96.16 %, 89.30 % and 49.44 %, respectively. This study aimed to develop a novel soy protein isolate-sea buckthorn flavonoid emulsion and evaluate its potential to improve roasted lamb quality while inhibiting the formation of harmful HAAs.

Preparation and Keep-Refreshing Effect of Chitosan/Sea Buckthorn Polysaccharide Composite Film on the Preservation of Yellow Cherry Tomatoes.

In this study, sea buckthorn polysaccharides (SBP) were added as functional substances to chitosan (CS), and chitosan/sea buckthorn polysaccharide (SCS) composite films were prepared using the casting method. The effects of SBP addition on the optical properties, physical properties, mechanical properties, structure, antioxidant activity, and antibacterial activity of the SCS composite films were studied, and the prepared SCS composite films were used to preserve yellow cherry tomatoes. The results showed that SCS composite films exhibited good UV resistance, water solubility, and antioxidant activity, but its apparent structure, hydrophobicity, and mechanical properties needed further improvement. Meanwhile, SBP has inhibitory effects on all 8 experimental strains. In addition, the SCS composite film with the addition of 200 mg/L SBP could reduce the weight loss rate of yellow cherry tomatoes, maintain hardness, delay the decrease of total soluble solids, titratable acid, and Vitamin C content, and inhibit the accumulation of malondialdehyde. SCS composite films are beneficial for enhancing the quality of yellow cherry tomatoes during storage, and their application in fruit and vegetable preservation has development prospects.

Effect of Lactiplantibacillus and sea buckthorn pomace on the fermentation quality and microbial community of paper mulberry silage.

Background: Paper mulberry is a promising alternative fodder source due to its high protein and the abundance of active components. However, paper mulberry often faces susceptibility to contamination during silage fermentation, and there is a need to improve the quality of silage fermentation of paper mulberry through exotic additives. Sea buckthorn pomace (BP) is a feed additive containing antimicrobial and antioxidant substances that help to enhance silage fermentation. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of BP and Lactiplantibacillus as additives on silage fermentation and bacterial community of paper mulberry. Results: The results showed that BP and Lactiplantibacillus significantly reduced the pH and ammonium nitrogen content of paper mulberry silage (P < 0.05) and significantly increased the content of lactic acid and acetic acid (P < 0.05), resulting in more residual water-soluble carbohydrate and crude protein contents and less fiber content relative to the control. The key microorganisms in paper mulberry silage fermentation are Lactiplantibacillus pentosus and Weissella cibaria. Among these, Lactiplantibacillus favored a rapid increase in Lactiplantibacillus pentosus abundance during the pre-silage fermentation period, whereas BP favored the promotion of Lactiplantibacillus pentosus growth, resulting in higher contents of lactic and acetic acid than those of the control. Conclusions: Simultaneously adding Lactiplantibacillus and BP can effectively improve the quality of paper mulberry silage and increase the abundance of beneficial microorganisms in paper mulberry silage.

Comparative phytochemical, antioxidant, and hemostatic studies of fractions from raw and roasted sea buckthorn seeds in vitro.

Various seeds, including sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) seeds, are sources of different bioactive compounds. They can show anti-inflammatory, hypoglycemic, anti-hyperlipidemic, antibacterial, antioxidant, or other biological properties in in vitro and in vivo models. Our preliminary in vitro results have demonstrated that the extracts from raw (no thermal processing) and roasted (thermally processed) sea buckthorn seeds have antioxidant potential and anticoagulant activity. However, it was unclear which compounds were responsible for these properties. Therefore, in continuation of our previous study, the extracts were fractionated by C18 chromatography. Phytochemical analysis of three fractions (a, b, and c) from raw sea buckthorn seeds and four fractions (d, e, f, and g) from roasted sea buckthorn seeds were performed. Several in vitro assays were also conducted to determine the antioxidant and procoagulant/anticoagulant potential of the fractions and two of their major constituents-isorhamnetin 3-O-ß-glucoside7-O-α-rhamnoside and serotonin. LC-MS analyses showed that serotonin is the dominant constituent of fractions c and f, which was tentatively identified on the basis of its HRMS and UV spectra. Moreover, fractions c and f, as well as b and e, contained different B-type proanthocyanidins. Fractions b and e consisted mainly of numerous glycosides of kaempferol, quercetin, and isorhamnetin. The results of oxidative stress assays (measurements of protein carbonylation, lipid peroxidation, and thiol groups oxidation) showed that out of all the tested fractions, fraction g (isolated from roasted seeds and containing mainly dihexoses, and serotonin) demonstrated the strongest antioxidant properties.

Effects of cholesterol-lowering probiotic fermentation on the active components and in vitro hypolipidemic activity of sea buckthorn juice.

Sea buckthorn has lipid-lowering properties and is widely used in the development of functional foods. In this study, a probiotic (Lactobacillus plantarum, Lp10211) with cholesterol-lowering potential and acid and bile salt resistant was screened for the fermentation of sea buckthorn juice. Changes in the active ingredients, such as sugars and phenolics, before and after fermentation, as well as their in vitro lipid-lowering activities, were compared. The contents of reducing and total sugars decreased substantially after fermentation. Lp10211 primarily utilized fructose for growth and reproduction, with a utilization rate of 76.9%. The phenolic compound content of sea buckthorn juice increased by 37.06% after fermentation and protected the phenolic components from degradation (protocatechuic and p-coumaric acids) and produced new polyphenol (shikimic acid). Enhanced inhibition of pancreatic lipase activity (95.42%) and cholesterol micellar solubility (59.15%) was evident. The antioxidant properties of the fermentation broth were improved. Notably, Lp10211 preserved the color and reversed browning in sea buckthorn juice. The collective findings indicate that fermentation of sea buckthorn juice by Lp10211 may enhance the functional components and lipid-lowering activity of sea buckthorn, which may provide a new approach for the development of lipid-lowering foods.

The anabolism of volatile compounds during the pasteurization process of sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) pulp.

Pasteurization (PS) causes the abnormal changes in volatiles and off-flavors in juices and limit the commercial production of juices. Herein, the first study on the biochemical reaction of volatile and nonvolatile compounds in response to PS factors during the process of sea buckthorn pulp (SBP) was evaluated. Processing conditions (mainly 80 °C for 20 min) had significant effects on the volatile and nonvolatile compounds. The restricted unsaturated fatty acid metabolism led to the greatest decrease of 20.25% in esters with fruity odor, and furans, smelling like caramel and toast, exhibited the highest increase of 136.40% because of the enhancement of the Maillard reaction. Dimethyl sulfide and dimethyl trisulfide elicited a cooked onion-like off-flavor, generated mainly from Strecker degradation of sulfur-containing amino acids, strengthened by the high pH and sufficient substrates due to the highest consumption rates of 4.66% and 12.01% for organic acids and sugars. Reasonable temperature and time control are crucial to the improvement of the process for PS for the SBP industry. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13197-024-05943-z.

Quality analysis and assessment of representative sea buckthorn fruits in northern China.

Sea buckthorn (SB) primarily grows in northern China and is rich in nutritional components, making it popular among consumers. This study aims to select suitable SB varieties for processing by analyzing physicochemical components, color, taste, and volatile compounds. The results showed that the physicochemical content of Chinese SB from Gansu were as follows: total soluble solids 13.50 ± 0.37°Brix, titratable acidity 6.46 ± 0.39 %, ascorbic acid 578 mg/100 g, polyphenols 517 mg/100 g, and flavonoids 194 mg/100 g, which were higher than those of the other four SB samples; the content of organic acids was relatively abundant. Taste analysis via electronic tongue indicated that Chinese SB had the highest ANS (sweetness) value and the lowest SCS (bitterness) value, exhibiting the richest flavor. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis showed that Gansu Chinese SB had a rich variety of volatile components, totaling 74. In summary, Gansu Chinese SB is a variety suitable for processing.

Stability and Bioaccessibility of Carotenoids from Sea Buckthorn Pomace Encapsulated in Alginate Hydrogel Beads.

Carotenoids, the natural pigments that confer the bright orange color of sea buckthorn berries, are also associated with several health benefits, such as antioxidant activity and skin and eye protection. Due to their lipophilic nature and localization, carotenoids are largely retained in the sea buckthorn pomace (SBP) resulting from juice production. Carotenoids from SBP (70.03 mg/100 g DW), extracted and characterized by HPLC-PDA, contained zeaxanthin (free and esterified) and beta-carotene as major compounds. The SBP carotenoids-enriched sunflower oil was further encapsulated in Ca-alginate hydrogel beads (98.4% encapsulation efficiency) using ionotropic gelation. The hydrogel beads were characterized by confocal laser scanning microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Fairly good stability (>64%) of the encapsulated carotenoids in the alginate hydrogel beads during storage (30 days, 4 °C and 25 °C) was found, with zeaxanthin esters being the most stable compounds, for all the experimental conditions. The bioaccessibility of the total carotenoids (INFOGEST protocol) was 42.1 ± 4.6% from hydrated, and, respectively, 40.8 ± 4% from dehydrated SBP alginate hydrogel beads. The addition of yogurt to the dehydrated hydrogel beads had a positive effect on the bioaccessibility of free and esterified zeaxanthin, but not on that of the carotenes. In conclusion, SBP is a valuable source of carotenoids which can be protected by encapsulation in alginate hydrogel beads, thus still retaining a good bioaccessibility.

Semi-quantitative analysis on sea buckthorn phenolic-rich extract coating bone-like open porous NiTi-based alloy.

This study investigates the feasibility of coating Ni-Ti alloy with sea buckthorn extract via a hydrothermal method for targeted delivery of beneficial phenolic compounds to bone tissue. The qualitative analysis confirmed the presence of flavonoids and tannins in sea buckthorn extract, supporting its osteogenic potential. The microhardness of the NiTi alloy substrate was suitable for biomedical applications, and successful coating was achieved without compromising its properties. NiTi alloy samples were coated with 18.1, 20.1, and 12.4 mg of extract, respectively. Comprehensive evaluations confirmed the successful integration of the extract onto the alloy's surface. The coated system exhibited sustained release properties over five days, with the highest release occurring on the first day (on average 32.1 % for the first peak and 72.1 % for the second peak), as determined by HPLC analysis. The findings demonstrate the potential of this novel approach in developing dual-functionality implants for bone health promotion. Overall, this study underscores the promising potential of Ni-Ti alloy coated with sea buckthorn extract as a targeted drug delivery system for bone tissue.

Hippophae Rhamnoides-derived Phytomedicine Nano-System Modulates Bax/Fas Pathways to Reduce Proliferation in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most common primary tumor of the breast with limited effectual drug availability. Therefore, the aim of the study is to develop an innovative phyto-nanomedicine (PNM) to cure TNBC with the least genotoxicity. Hereinafter, the sea buckthorn' extracted polyphenols (SBP), combine with metformin (MET), are synthesized as a novel PNM to evaluate its anti-tumor properties, effectiveness, and mechanism of action in TNBC in vitro and in vivo models. The SBP exhibits 16 new kinds of polyphenols that are been reported earlier which regulated cell development, proliferation, and programmed cell death (PCD) effectively. SBP-MET PNM inhibits MDA-MB-231 (47%), MDA-MB-436 (46%), and 4T1 (46%) cell proliferation but does not affect L929 normal murine cell development and successfully induce PCD (73.19%) in MDA-MB-231 cells. Mechanistically, in vivo SBP-MET proteome expression profiling reveals upregulation of proapoptotic Bax protein and activation of Fas signaling pathways convince downstream Daxx and FADD proteins, which further triggers Caspase-3 that prompts apoptosis in human TNBC cells by cleaving PARP-1 protein. Current findings establish innovative highly biocompatible phyto-nanomedicine that has significant potential to inhibit TNBC cell growth and induce regulated cell death (RCD) in vivo model, thereby opening a new arena for TNBC therapy.

Phytochemical and Functional Diversity of Enzyme-Assisted Extracts from Hippophae rhamnoides L., Aralia cordata Thunb., and Cannabis sativa L.

Plant leaves are a source of essential phenolic compounds, which have numerous health benefits and can be used in multiple applications. While various techniques are available for recovering bioactive compounds from by-products, more data are needed on enzyme-assisted extraction (EAE). The aim of this study was to compare EAE and solid-liquid extraction (SLE), to evaluate the impact on bioactive compounds' extraction yield, phytochemical composition, and the antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antidiabetic properties of Aralia cordata leaves and roots, sea buckthorn Hippophae rhamnoides, and hemp Cannabis sativa leaves. The results indicate that EAE with Viscozyme L enzyme (EAE_Visc) extracts of the tested plant leaves possess the highest yield, antioxidant activity, and total phenolic content. Moreover, the EAE_Visc extract increased by 40% the total sugar content compared to the control extract of A. cordata root. Interestingly, the sea buckthorn leaf extracts exhibited α-glucosidase inhibitory activity, which reached an almost 99% inhibition in all extracts. Furthermore, the sea buckthorn leaves SLE and EAE_Visc extracts possess antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus. Additionally, scanning electron microscopy was used to examine changes in cell wall morphology after EAE. Overall, this study shows that EAE can be a promising method for increasing the yield and improving the functional properties of the resulting extracts in a fast and sustainable way compared to SLE.

Effects of Emulsifiers on Physicochemical Properties and Carotenoids Bioaccessibility of Sea Buckthorn Juice.

The need to improve the physicochemical properties of sea buckthorn juice and the bioavailability of carotenoids is a major challenge for the field. The effects of different natural emulsifiers, such as medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), tea saponins (TSs) and rhamnolipids (Rha), on the physical and chemical indexes of sea buckthorn juice were studied. The particle size of sea buckthorn juice and the carotenoids content were used as indicators for evaluation. The effects of different addition levels of MCT, Rha and TS on the bioavailability of carotenoids in sea buckthorn juice were investigated by simulating human in vitro digestion tests. The results showed that those emulsifiers, MCT, Rha and TS, can significantly reduce the particle size and particle size distribution of sea buckthorn juice, improve the color, increase the soluble solids content, turbidity and physical stability and protect the carotenoids from degradation. When the addition amount of Rha was 1.5%, the total carotenoids content (TCC) of sea buckthorn juice increased by 45.20%; when the addition amount of TS was 1.5%, the total carotenoids content (TCC) of sea buckthorn juice increased by 37.95%. Furthermore, the bioaccessibility of carotenoids was increased from 36.90 ± 2.57% to 54.23 ± 4.17% and 61.51 ± 4.65% through in vitro digestion by Rha and TS addition, respectively. However, the total carotenoids content (TCC) of sea buckthorn juice and bioaccessibility were not significantly different with the addition of MCT. In conclusion, the findings of this study demonstrate the potential of natural emulsifiers, such as MCT, Rha and TS, to significantly enhance the physicochemical properties and bioavailability of carotenoids in sea buckthorn juice, offering promising opportunities for the development of functional beverages with improved nutritional benefits.

Protective Effect of Polyphenolic Extracts from Hippophae rhamnoides L. and Reynoutria japonica Houtt. on Erythrocyte Membrane.

Sea buckthorn and Japanese knotweed are known in many traditional medicine systems to be a great source of bioactive substances. This research aims to compare the bioactivity and protective effects of the phenolic extracts of leaves from sea buckthorn and roots and leaves from the Japanese knotweed on erythrocytes. The polyphenol composition of the extract was analyzed using UPLC-PDA-ESI-MS/MS. The extracts' toxicity and impact on the erythrocytes' osmotic fragility were measured spectrophotometrically. The antioxidant activity was determined based on the inhibition of oxidation of erythrocytes and their membrane induced by 2,2'-Azobis(2-methylpropionamidine) dihydrochloride (AAPH),measured spectrophotometrically and using fluorimetry. To find the possible mechanism of the extracts' action, extract-modified cells were observed under a microscope, and the potential localization of the extract's phytochemical composition was checked using fluorescent probes. The results showed that the used extracts are not toxic to erythrocytes, increase their osmotic resistance, and successfully protect them against free radicals. Extract components localize on the outer part of the membrane, where they can scavenge the free radicals from the environment. Altogether, the presented extracts can greatly protect living organisms against free radicals and can be used to support the treatment of diseases caused by excess free radicals.

Effects of Sea-Buckthorn Flavonoids on Growth Performance, Serum Inflammation, Intestinal Barrier and Microbiota in LPS-Challenged Broilers.

The experiment investigated the effects of sea-buckthorn flavonoids (SF) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-challenged broilers. A total of 288 one-day-old male broilers were randomly assigned to 4 groups, with 6 replicates of 12 broilers each. The experiment lasted for 20 days. The diet included two levels of SF (0 or 1000 mg/kg) and broilers intraperitoneally injected with 500 µg/kg LPS on 16, 18, and 20 days, or an equal amount of saline. LPS challenge decreased final body weight, average daily gain, and average daily feed intake, increased feed-to-gain ratio, and elevated serum IL-1ß, IL-2, TNF-α, D-LA, and endotoxin levels. Moreover, it resulted in a reduction in the IL-10 level. LPS impaired the intestinal morphology of the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum, down-regulated the mRNA relative expression of Occludin, ZO-1, and MUC-2 in the jejunum mucosa, up-regulated the mRNA relative expression of TLR4, MyD88, NF-κB, and IL-1ß, and increased the relative abundance of Erysipelatoclostridium in broilers (p < 0.05). However, SF supplementation mitigated the decrease in growth performance, reduced serum IL-1ß, IL-2, and D-LA levels, increased IL-10 levels, alleviated intestinal morphological damage, up-regulated mRNA expression of Occludin and ZO-1, down-regulated the mRNA expression of TLR4, NF-κB, and IL-lß in jejunum mucosal (p < 0.05), and SF supplementation presented a tendency to decrease the relative abundance of proteobacteria (0.05 < p < 0.1). Collectively, incorporating SF can enhance the growth performance, alleviate serum inflammation, and improve the intestinal health of broilers, effectively mitigating the damage triggered by LPS-challenges.

Antioxidant and Stress Resistance Properties of Flavonoids from Chinese Sea Buckthorn Leaves from the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.

The unique ecological environment of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau has endowed Chinese sea buckthorn leaves with rich bioactivities. In this study, we investigated the bioactivity and stress resistance mechanisms of flavonoids derived from Chinese sea buckthorn leaves (FCL) native to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Our analysis identified a total of 57 flavonoids, mainly flavonol glycosides, from FCL, of which 6 were novel flavonoids. Isorhamnetin glycosides, quercetin glycosides and kaempferol glycosides were the three most dominant classes of compounds in FCL. In particular, isorhamnetin-3-O-glucoside-7-O-rhamnoside emerged as the most abundant compound. Our results showed that FCL possesses potent antioxidant properties, as evidenced by its ability to effectively scavenge DPPH free radicals and demonstrate ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) levels comparable to Trolox, a well-known antioxidant standard. Furthermore, FCL showed remarkable efficacy in reducing reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels while enhancing the activities of key antioxidant enzymes, namely superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), in Caenorhabditis elegans, a widely used model organism. Mechanistically, we elucidated that FCL exerts its stress resistance effects by modulating of transcription factors DAF-16 and HSF-1 within the insulin/insulin-like growth factor-1 signaling pathway (IIS). Activation of these transcription factors orchestrates the expression of downstream target genes including sod-3, ctl-1, hsp16.2, and hsp12.6, thus enhancing the organism's ability to cope with stressors. Overall, our study highlights the rich reservoir of flavonoids in Chinese sea buckthorn leaves as promising candidates for natural medicines, due to their robust antioxidant properties and ability to enhance stress resistance.

Research on the mechanism of sea buckthorn leaf Fu tea in the treatment of hyperlipidemia.

Background: Hyperlipidemia (HLP) presents a significant challenge to global public health. Mounting evidence suggests that statins, the recommended first-line lipid-lowering agents, have significant adverse effects. Consequently, the quest for natural and efficacious alternative therapies is steadily emerging as a research priority for HLP prevention and treatment. Consumption of tea, which is rich in diverse biologically active compounds with the capacity to regulate lipid metabolism and combat obesity, has emerged as a promising alternative therapy. Sea buckthorn leaves are rich in a multitude of biologically active substances, have a hypolipidemic effect, and can be used as a raw material for tea because of their unique flavor. There is a suggestion that combining Aspergillus cristatus with tea could modify or boost the lipid-lowering active compounds present in tea, thereby increasing its efficacy in regulating lipid metabolism. Results: Sea Buckthorn Leaf Fu Tea (SBLFT) was obtained by fermentation when sea buckthorn leaves contained 42 % moisture, inoculated with Aspergillus cristatus 0.2 mL/g, and incubated for 8 d at constant temperature. Animal experiments demonstrated that SBLFT significantly inhibited body weight gain in HLP rats and reduced lipid content and serum oxidative stress. In addition, liver tissue sections and functional indices showed that SBLFT can improve liver morphology and function abnormalities. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction results indicated that the expression of Liver kinase B1 (LKB1), adenosine 5'-monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK), acetyl CoA carboxylase 1 (ACC1), and sterol-regulatory element binding protein-1 (SREBP1c) gene related to lipid metabolism was altered. Conclusion: SBLFT improved HLP, specifically via promoting the expression of LKB1 in the liver of HLP rats, activating AMPK, and inhibiting ACC1 and SREBP1c expression, resulting in the inhibition of fatty acid and triglyceride synthesis-related enzymes at the transcriptional level.

Research progress on antitumor effects of sea buckthorn, a traditional Chinese medicine homologous to food and medicine.

Sea buckthorn (Hippophae Fructus), as a homologous species of medicine and food, is widely used by Mongolians and Tibetans for its anti-tumor, antioxidant and liver-protecting properties. In this review, the excellent anti-tumor effect of sea buckthorn was first found through network pharmacology, and its active components such as isorhamnetin, quercetin, gallic acid and protocatechuic acid were found to have significant anti-tumor effects. The research progress and application prospect of sea buckthorn and its active components in anti-tumor types, mechanism of action, liver protection, anti-radiation and toxicology were reviewed, providing theoretical basis for the development of sea buckthorn products in the field of anti-tumor research and clinical application.

Effects of Pulsed Electric Field and High-Pressure Processing Treatments on the Juice Yield and Quality of Sea Buckthorn.

Sea buckthorn juice has high nutritional value and a rich flavor that consumers enjoy. Traditional sea buckthorn thermal processing (TP) technology has problems such as low juice yield, poor quality, and poor flavor. Sea buckthorn berries are processed using a technique combining pulsed electric field (PEF) and high-pressure processing (HPP) to increase juice yield and study its impact on the quality and volatile aroma of sea buckthorn juice. Results have show that, compared with TP, under the condition of PEF-HPP, the juice yield of sea buckthorn significantly increased by 11.37% (p > 0.05); TP and PEF-HPP treatments could effectively kill microorganisms in sea buckthorn juice, but the quality of sea buckthorn juice decreased significantly after TP treatment (p > 0.05), whereas PEF-HPP coupling technology could maximally retain the nutrients of sea buckthorn juice while inhibiting enzymatic browning to improve color, viscosity, and particle size. The flavor of sea buckthorn juice is analyzed using electronic nose (E-nose) and gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometer (GC-IMS) techniques, and it has been shown that PEF-HPP retains more characteristic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) of sea buckthorn while avoiding the acrid and pungent flavors produced by TP, such as benzaldehyde, (E)-2-heptenal, and pentanoic acid, among others, which improves the sensory quality of sea buckthorn juice. PEF-HPP technology is environmentally friendly and efficient, with significant economic benefits. Research data provide information and a theoretical basis for the sea buckthorn juice processing industry.

Genome-wide analysis of the MADS-box gene family of sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides ssp. sinensis) and their potential role in floral organ development.

Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides ssp. sinensis) is a deciduous shrub or small tree in the Elaeagnaceae family. It is dioecious, featuring distinct structures in female and male flowers. The MADS-box gene family plays a crucial role in flower development and differentiation of floral organs in plants. However, systematic information on the MADS-box family in sea buckthorn is currently lacking. This study presents a genome-wide survey and expression profile of the MADS-box family of sea buckthorn. We identified 92 MADS-box genes in the H. rhamnoides ssp. Sinensis genome. These genes are distributed across 12 chromosomes and classified into Type I (42 genes) and Type II (50 genes). Based on the FPKM values in the transcriptome data, the expression profiles of HrMADS genes in male and female flowers of sea buckthorn showed that most Type II genes had higher expression levels than Type I genes. This suggesting that Type II HrMADS may play a more significant role in sea buckthorn flower development. Using the phylogenetic relationship between sea buckthorn and Arabidopsis thaliana, the ABCDE model genes of sea buckthorn were identified and some ABCDE model-related genes were selected for qRT-PCR analysis in sea buckthorn flowers and floral organs. Four B-type genes may be involved in the identity determination of floral organs in male flowers, and D-type genes may be involved in pistil development. It is hypothesized that ABCDE model genes may play an important role in the identity of sea buckthorn floral organs. This study analyzed the role of MADS-box gene family in the development of flower organs in sea buckthorn, which provides an important theoretical basis for understanding the regulatory mechanism of sex differentiation in sea buckthorn.