Preparations from Various Organs of Sea Buckthorn (Elaeagnus rhamnoides (L.) A. Nelson) as Important Regulators of Hemostasis and Their Role in the Treatment and Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases

Abstract

Numerous studies on the chemical composition of various organs of sea buckthorn (Elaeagnus rhamnoides (L.) A. Nelson) have found the plant to be a rich source of vitamins, phenolic compounds, amino acids, fatty acids, and micro- and macro-elements. Furthermore, other studies on preparations from various organs have found them to have significant anti-cancer, anti-ulcer, and hepatoprotective properties, as well as various antibacterial and antiviral activities. This paper reviews the current literature concerning the effect of different sea buckthorn preparations, i.e., extracts and fractions with various chemical contents, on hemostasis, and their positive role in the treatment and prevention of cardiovascular diseases. It also sheds new light on the mechanisms involved in their action on hemostasis both in vivo and in vitro. For these studies, biological materials, including blood platelets, plasma, and blood, were isolated from healthy subjects and those with cardiovascular risk factors. In addition, it describes the cardioprotective potential of commercial products from different organs of sea buckthorn.

Keywords: food product; hemostasis; platelets; safety; sea buckthorn.

Figure 1

Proposed mechanism of action of preparations from sea buckthorn on blood platelets. These preparations induce a decrease in reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. The decrease in intracellular ROS level may be accompanied by the recovery of phosphatase activity. Reactivated phosphatases may inhibit the activity of tyrosine kinases, and thus platelet aggregation (by inhibition of GPIIb/IIIa exposition). Sea buckthorn preparations also reduce the activity of cyclooxygenase (COX) and reduce arachidonic acid (AA) metabolism. However, the antiplatelet potential of the preparations is not dependent on the P₂Y₁₂ receptor.

Figure 2

Sea buckthorn food products and their cardiovascular potential.