Search

The aim of this study is to explore the feasibility of detection and quantification of two cheap adulterants (maltodextrin and starch) in Chinese functional food, hawthorn fruits powder (HFP), by using near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy coupled with chemometrics methods. The partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) models were developed to discriminate the adulterated HFP from the authentic HFP, while the partial least squares regression (PLSR) models were employed to determine the contents of adulterants. In order to yield the best results, various spectra pretreatment methods and wavelength selection methods were carefully investigated. The models' qualities were assessed by the self-consistency test, the independent test and the rigorous leave-one-out cross-validation test. The metrics for the PLS-DA discriminative model included error rate, true positive rate, true negative rate and F1 score, while the metrics for the PLSR quantitative model were determination coefficient, root mean square error and residual prediction deviation. Finally, very satisfying results were obtained, which indicate that our method is quite robust and applicable, and thus has great potential for rapid detection of adulteration in powder of many other herbal plants or functional foods.

Highlights • Screen potential anti-COVID-19 bioactive natural ingredients from food sources through high-throughput molecular docking. • Quercetin, Luteolin and Isorhamnetin as antiviral active phytocompounds • Red wine, Chinese hawthorn and blackberry are rich dietary sources of polyphenols with reported health benefits, and they are recommended as preventive supplements, Objective Through molecular docking of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) 3CL hydrolytic enzyme (3CLpro) and angiotensin-converting enzyme Ⅱ (ACE2), to seek potential natural compounds that can resist Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) using computer virtual screening technology. Methods Molecular docking was achieved by using the Autodock Vina software in this paper. The natural phytocompounds acting on 3CLpro and ACE2 were then selected from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP). Afterward, the mechanism of action of phytocompounds was speculated. Results A total of six potential natural anti- COVID-19 phytocompounds were selected, which were evaluated by the “Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism and Excretion (ADME)” and "Lipinski” rules. The content of the six phytocompounds in various fruits and vegetables was determined by the literature mining. Red wine and Chinese hawthorn and blackberry were recommended as supplements because they contained antiviral phytocompounds. Conclusion Red wine and Chinese hawthorn and blackberry are theoretically proven to resist COVID-19 and are thus recommended as supplements to prevent the infection of COVID-19 during its outbreak period.

In order to evaluate the release of phenolics and the changes in antioxidant activities, fruits of Crataegus pinnatifida were subjected to in vitro digestion including simulated oral, gastric, small/large intestine digestion. Results showed that totally 37.41 ± 3.09 and 31.51 ± 2.35 mg GAE/g fruit, DW of phenolics were released for Shanlihong and Dajinxing, respectively, and the phenolics released were mainly flavonoids. Catechin, chlorogenic acid, procyanidine B2, epicatechin, paracoumaric acid, hyperoside and isoquercitrin were identified in the soluble fractions by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Results indicated that procyanidine B2, epicatechin, chlorogenic acid and catechin are four major released antioxidants. Oxygen radical absorption capacity and rapid peroxyl radical scavenging capacity were significantly positive-correlated with the release amount of total phenolics or flavonoids, demonstrating the major roles of phenolics and flavonoids in antioxidant activities. Our results implied that Shanlihong and Dajinxing could be considered as good sources of natural antioxidants.

The fruits of Chinese hawthorn (Crataegus pinnatifida) have been used as the functional food and folk medicine due to potent antioxidant activity. In this study, polyphenols were extracted from the fruits of Chinese hawthorn and further added into chitosan-gelatin blend films to develop active packaging. The microstructure, physical, mechanical, barrier and antioxidant properties of the films were investigated in details. Results showed epicatechin, chlorogenic acid and procyanidin B2 were the main polyphenols in the extract of hawthorn fruits. The inner microstructure of chitosan-gelatin blend films became more compact when the extract was incorporated. The intermolecular interactions between film matrix and the extract were through hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interactions. The incorporation of the extract remarkably increased the thickness, tensile strength and elongation at break of chitosan-gelatin blend films. However, the moisture content, water vapor permeability and light transmittance of chitosan-gelatin blend films were significantly reduced by the addition of the extract. Moreover, chitosan-gelatin blend films containing the extract exhibited potent free radical scavenging ability. Our results suggest Chinese hawthorn fruit extract can be used as a natural antioxidant to improve the mechanical, barrier and antioxidant properties of chitosan-gelatin blend films.

Sooty blotch and flyspeck (SBFS), a disease complex comprised of as many as 30 putative species of fungi, occurs on the cuticle of pome fruits in moist production regions worldwide, inciting cosmetic damage that causes significant economic losses (1). Chinese hawthorn (Crataegus pinnatifida Bge.) is an economically important tree species in China. Its fruit are sold fresh or dried and are used as a culinary spice as well as an ingredient in Chinese traditional medicine. In October of 2007, Chinese hawthorn fruit exhibiting SBFS signs were sampled from supermarkets in Yangling, Shaanxi Province and Luoyang, Henan Province, China. Thalli directly from the hawthorn fruit were transferred onto potato dextrose agar (PDA) slants under a dissecting microscope and cultured at 22 ± 1°C in darkness. DNA was extracted from pure isolates and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the nuclear ribosomal DNA (nrDNA) was amplified and sequenced using primers ITS-1F and ITS4 (3). Phylogenetic analysis of the ITS sequences revealed that the 35 isolates generated in this study included five species in three genera: Dissoconium sp. (18 isolates), Mycosphaerella sp. (5 isolates), and Peltaster sp. 1 (4 isolates), Peltaster sp. 2 (4 isolates), and Peltaster sp. 3 (4 isolates). To fulfill Koch's postulates and verify that these fungi could also infest apple fruit, two representative isolates of each putative species were inoculated onto mature intact hawthorn and apple (cv. Fuji) fruit that had been surface disinfested with 75% ethanol and allowed to dry. Inoculum was prepared by comminuting 1-month-old cultures growing on PDA into a suspension of mycelial fragments and conidia (105 to ~106 CFU/ml) in a blender with sterile deionized water (SDW). Each isolate was inoculated on three hawthorn and three apple fruit by using cotton swabs. As controls, two surface-disinfested hawthorn and apple fruit were swabbed with SDW. After the inoculated hawthorn and apple fruit had been incubated in a moist chamber at 22 ± 1°C for 1 month, all inoculated hawthorn and apple fruit exhibited SBFS signs similar to those of the original colonies on hawthorn fruit, but the controls did not. Reservoir hosts have been inferred to play an important role in SBFS by providing the fungi with overwintering habitat and inoculum for infestations on apple. Many reservoir hosts have been reported in the United States and Japan (2). To our knowledge, this is the first report of fungi in the SBFS complex on hawthorn fruit and the first confirmation that fungi growing on hawthorn fruit can produce SBFS signs on apple fruit. These results identify hawthorn as a potential inoculum source for SBFS in apple orchards. References: (1) J. C. Batzer et al. Mycologia 97:1283, 2005. (2) K. Hemnani et al. Phytopathology 98(suppl):S66, 2008. (3) T. J. White et al. PCR Protocols: A Guide to Methods and Applications. M. A. Innis et al., eds. Academic Press, San Diego, 1990.

Phytochemical investigation on the seeds of hawthorn (Crataegus spp.) led to the isolation of a new compound, (7′R, 8′R, 8S)-isolariciresinol (1), along with six known compounds (2–7). The structures of all compounds were determined based on spectroscopic data interpretation. The Aβ1–42 inhibition activity of all isolated compounds was evaluated in vitro. As a result, compounds 5 and 6 showed stronger inhibition of Aβ1–42 aggregation than curcumin, with inhibition rates of 70.59 and 68.14% at 20 μM. The possible mechanism of interaction between Aβ1–42 and the active compounds 5 and 6 was also investigated by molecular docking.

The Chinese hawthorn (Crataegus pinnatifida Bge. var. major N.E.Br.) is uniquely originated in northern China. The ecological and horticultural importance of Chinese hawthorn is considerable and some varieties are valued for their fruit or medicine extracts. Its taxonomy and phylogeny remain poorly understood. Apart from general plant morphological traits, pollen is an important trait for the classification of plants and their evolutionary origin. However, few studies have investigated the pollen of Chinese hawthorn. Here, an analysis of plant and pollen morphological characteristics was conducted in 57 cultivars from the Shenyang region. Thirty plant morphological characters and nine pollen grain characters were investigated. The plant morphological analysis revealed that the coefficient of variation for 13 traits was >20%, which indicates a high degree of variability. We also found that the pollen grains varied greatly in size, shape (from prolate to perprolate), and exine pattern (striate-perforate predominantly). The number of apertures was typically three. Based on these findings, we suggest that pollen morphology associated with plant morphological traits can be used for classification and phylogenetic analysis of Chinese hawthorn cultivars. In sum, our results provide new insights and constitute a scientific basis for future studies on the classification and evolution of Chinese hawthorn.

Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) calibrations were developed for the discrimination of Chinese hawthorn (Crataegus pinnatifida Bge. var. major) fruit from three geographical regions as well as for the estimation of the total sugar, total acid, total phenolic content, and total antioxidant activity. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used for the discrimination of the fruit on the basis of their geographical origin. Three pattern recognition methods, linear discriminant analysis, partial least-squares-discriminant analysis, and back-propagation artificial neural networks, were applied to classify and compare these samples. Furthermore, three multivariate calibration models based on the first derivative NIR spectroscopy, partial least-squares regression, back-propagation artificial neural networks, and least-squares-support vector machines, were constructed for quantitative analysis of the four analytes, total sugar, total acid, total phenolic content, and total antioxidant activity, and validated by prediction data sets.

Chinese hawthorn (Crataegus pinnatifida Bge.) fruits are rich in polyphenols (e.g., epicatechin, procyanidin B2, procyanidin B5, procyanidin C1, hyperoside, isoquercitrin and chlorogenic acid)-active compounds that exert beneficial effects. This review summarizes all information available on polyphenolic content and methods for their quantification in Chinese hawthorn berries and the relationships between individual polyphenolic compounds as well. The influence of species or cultivars, the locality of cultivation, the stage of maturity, and extract preparation conditions on the polyphenolic content were discussed as well. Currently, only fruits of C. pinnatifida and C. pinnatifida var. major are included in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. Recent trials have demonstrated the efficacy of Chinese hawthorn fruit in lowering blood cholesterol and the risk of cardiovascular diseases. The fruit has also demonstrated anti-inflammatory and anti-tumour activities. This review deals mainly with the biological activity of the fruit related to its antioxidant properties. Čínský hloh (Crataegus pinnatifida Bge.) je bohatý na polyfenoly (např., epicatechin, procyanidin B2, procyanidin B5, procyanidin C1, hyperoside, isoquercitrin and chlorogenic acid)-aktivní sloučeniny, které projevují blahodárné účinky. Tento článek sumarizuje všechny dostupné informace o polyfenolickém obsahu a metodách pro jejich stanovení v plodech čínského hlohu a vztahu jednotlivých polyfenolických sloučenin.

The cytotoxicity and antiproliferative effect of phytochemicals presenting in the fruits of Chinese hawthorn (Crataegus pinnatifida) were evaluated. Shanlihong (Crataegus pinnatifida Bge. var. major N.E.Br.) variety possessed significant levels of flavonoids and triterpenoids, and showed potent antiproliferative effect against HepG2, MCF-7 and MDA-MB- 231 human cancer cells lines. Triterpenoids-enriched fraction (S9) prepared by Semi-preparative HPLC, and its predominant ingredient ursolic acid (UA) demonstrated remarkably antiproliferative activities for all the tested cancer cell lines. DNA flow cytometric analysis showed that S9 fraction and UA significantly induced G1 arrest in MDA-MB-231 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Western blotting analysis revealed that S9 fraction and UA significantly induced PCNA, CDK4, and Cyclin D1 downregulation in MDA-MB-231 cells, followed by p21Waf1/Cip1 up-regulation. Additionally, flow cytometer and DNA ladder assays indicated that S9 fraction and UA significantly induced MDA-MB-231 cells apoptosis. Mitochondrial death pathway was involved in this apoptosis as significantly induced caspase-9 and caspase-3 activation. These results suggested that triterpenoids-enriched fraction and UA exhibited antiproliferative activity through the cell cycle arrest and apoptosis induction, and was majorly responsible for the potent anticancer activity of Chinese hawthorn.

Hawthorn (Crataegus spp.) fruits are increasingly popular as raw materials for nutraceuticals and functional foods. As a major group of bio-active components of hawthorn, the phenolic compounds of the fruits have not been well characterized so far. After extraction with 80% aqueous ethanol, the phenolics of the fruits of a major Chinese hawthorn variety, Crataegus pinnatifida Bge. var. major, were separated by polyamide column chromatography, followed by analyses by high performance liquid chromatography combined with diode array UV spectrometry and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. Ideain (cyanidin-3-O-galactoside), chlorogenic acid, procyanidin B2 [epicatechin-(4β → 8)-epicatechin], epicatechin, hyperoside (quercetin-3-O-galactoside) and isoquercitrin (quercetin-3-O-glucoside) were identified with UV spectra, mass spectra and reference compounds. In addition, 35 compounds were tentatively identified based on UV and mass spectra. These compounds were mostly B-type procyanidins (PA) and their glycosides including aglycons of 3 dimers, 3 trimers, 8 tetramers, 4 pentamers, 2 hexamers and 2 glycosides of PA monomers, 7 glycosides of PA dimers, 1 glycoside of a PA trimer, 2 glycosides of PA tetramers, 1 glycoside of a PA pentamer, and 2 glycosides of quercetin. This is the first systematic study of phenolic compounds in Chinese hawthorn fruits and the first report of the presence of glycosylated procyanidins in hawthorn.

The extraction conditions of procyanidins (PC) from the Chinese hawthorn ( Crataegus pinnatifida Bge. var. major N.E.Br.) fruits were optimized by response surface methodology (RSM). Results showed that 93.4 ± 0.21% of the PC could be recovered. The crude extract was then purified by using a LSA-10 resin column, which showed excellent adsorption and desorption properties for PC purification. A fraction with PC content above 83.2% and mainly consisting of EC, a singly-charged dimer and trimer as identified by HPLC/MS, was obtained by isolation on LSA-10 resin. The antioxidant activity of hawthorn PC was tested in vitro with different systems. In solution systems, the OH and O 2 − scavenging ability of hawthorn PC were higher than vitamin C. In a liposome peroxidation system, hawthorn PC exhibited much higher antioxidant activity than vitamin E. In addition, hawthorn PC (0.02% w/v) was efficient to inhibit lipid peroxidation during enzymatic hydrolysis of porcine meat at 50 °C for 24 h.

Acids, sugars, and sugar alcohols in the fruits of 22 cultivars/origins of three species of hawthorn (Crataegus spp.) were analyzed by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. Citric acid (2.0-8.4 g/100 g dry mass [DM]), quinic acid (0.5-5.6 g/100 g DM), malic acid (0.3-1.1 g/100 g DM), fructose (5.5-18.4 g/100 g DM), glucose (5.3-16.6 g/100 g DM), sorbitol (3.0-15.7 g/100 g DM), and myo-inositol (0.1-0.3 g/100 g DM) were found in all the samples. Sucrose was present only in C. scabrifolia and three cultivars of C. pinnatifida var. major. C. scabrifolia differed from other species by its high content of quinic acid. The cultivars of C. pinnatifida var. major and C. brettschneideri had a higher content of total sugars and a higher sugar/acid ratio than the natural origins of C. pinnatifida and C. scabrifolia (P < 0.05). The hawthorn samples analyzed fell into two groups rich in sugars and acids respectively. This is the first report of the profiles of sugars and sugar alcohols and the occurrence of quinic acid in hawthorn fruits.

Hawthorn (Crataegus spp.) is an important plant with a long history as an ornamental and a source of medicine. A protocol is outlined for adventitious bud regeneration from leaf and cotyledon explants of Chinese hawthorn (C. pinnatifida Bge. var. major N.E.Br.). Adventitious buds were induced on both the leaves of sprouting winter buds and the leaves of in vitro plants, but the percentage of bud regeneration from leaves of in vitro plants was very low—less than 6%. On N6 medium supplemented with 31.08 μM BA and 9.67 μM NAA, the percentages of bud regeneration from leaves of sprouting winter buds of cultivars “Liaohong” and “Qiujinxing” were 31.4% and 17.6%, respectively. The regeneration abilities of three kinds of cotyledon explants, immature cotyledon, mature cotyledon, and cotyledon leaf, were compared. The percentage of bud regeneration from cotyledon leaves was higher. On MS media supplemented with 4.44 μM BA and 4.54–9.08 μM TDZ, the percentages of bud regeneration from cotyledon leaves of cultivars “Qiujinxing” and “Xiajinxing” were 27.7 ± 7.8% and 20.1 ± 4.7%, respectively, and the numbers of buds per explant were 5.9 ± 1.6 and 3.2 ± 0.7, respectively. On B5 medium supplemented with 2.22 μM BA, 2.32 μM Kn, and 0.57 μM IAA, adventitious buds grew quickly and 80–100% of buds developed into shoots. The shoots rooted successfully with the two-step rooting method. Ninety days after transplantation, more than 80% plants were survived. This system of adventitious bud regeneration from leaf and cotyledon explants could be useful for the genetic transformation and polyploidization of Chinese hawthorn.

It is evident from various epidemiological studies that consumption of fruits and vegetables is essential to maintain health and in the disease prevention. Present study was designed to examine phenolic contents and antioxidant properties of three varieties of Crataegus pinnatifida (Chinese hawthorn). Shanlihong variety exhibited elevated levels of total phenolics and flavonoid contents, including free and bond phenolics. Procyanidin B2 was most abundant phenolic compound in all samples, followed by epicatechin, chlorogenic acid, hyperoside, and isoquercitrin. The free ORAC values, and free hydro-PSC values were 398.3-555.8 μmol TE/g DW, and 299.1-370.9 μmol VCE/g DW, respectively. Moreover, the free cellular antioxidant activity (CAA) values were 678-1200 μmol of QE/100 g DW in the no PBS wash protocol, and 345.9-532.9 μmol of QE/100 g DW in the PBS wash protocol. C. pinnatifida fruit could be valuable to promote consumer health.

Microwave coupled with hot air drying kinetics and characteristics of hawthorn slices at different drying hot air temperatures, hot air velocities, and microwave power densities was investigated. The research results showed that drying occurred mainly in the falling rate period and in the accelerating period. Twelve mathematical models were selected to describe and compare the drying kinetics of hawthorn slices. By comparing three criterions including correlation coefficient, chi-square, and root mean square error, we determined that Weibull distribution model obtained the best fit and could best predict the experimental values. Consequently, Weibull distribution model could be used to aid dryer design and promote the efficiency of dryer operation by simulation and optimization of the drying processes. Moisture transfer from hawthorn slice was described by applying Fick’s second law and the effective diffusivity values were calculated by simplified Fick’s second law. The variable law of effective diffusivity values was consistent with the variable law of moisture ratio.

All hawthorn fruits used in this study were collected from four provinces of the China namely Shandong, Shanxi, Hebei, and Liaoning. Hawthorn fruits were prepared for hawthorn fruit juices. Volatile compounds in the juices of 12 cultivars of hawthorn were determined by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC–MS) coupled with headspace solid-phase micro-extraction (HS–SPME) method. Semi-quantitative analysis was employed for the analysis of volatile constituents in hawthorn juice. Among 61 volatile compounds detected in the 12 samples, 21 volatiles were found in all samples. Esters and alcohols were the main volatiles present in the hawthorn fruit. Aldehydes, aromatic compounds, furans, terpenes, acids, and sulfurs also made great contributions to the total volatiles of the hawthorn fruits. Ethyl acetate, 3-methylbutanol, 3-octanone, acetic acid, furfural, dimethyl sulfide, and p-menth-1-en-8-ol were suggested to the major volatile compounds in all samples. For most volatile compounds identified in the current research, their content in sample 7 was highest than the others and the sample with lowest contents was sample 6.

Hawthorn polyphenol (HP) was prepared by ethyl acetate treatment of the ethanol extract (HE) of Chinese hawthorn fruit. The concentrations of 15 polyphenols in the HP, HE, extraction residue (HJ), and a hawthorn leaf extract (HF) were determined by HPLC. For HP, the total content of the 15 polyphenols was 21.4%, comprised of 19.7% of procyanidins, 1.21% of chlorogenic acid, and 0.48% of flavonoids, compared to 2.55% for the HE. The yields of procyanidin monomer, dimer, trimer, tetramer, and pentamer were 50.5%, 30.3%, 23.0%, 14.6%, and 12.5% respectively, and the mean degree of polymerization was reduced to 1.39 (HP) from 1.65 (HE). Seven different physiological actions of the four extracts were investigated. The HP showed strong O(2)(-) and (.-)OH scavenging capacities (IC(50) values of 6.3 microg/ml and 1.1 microg/ml respectively), as well as selective prolyl endopeptidase inhibition (IC(50) of 60 microg/ml). The active constituents appeared to be procyanidins.

Proanthocyanidins were isolated from fruit stone of Chinese hawthorn (Crataegus pinnatifida Bge. var. major N.E.Br.). Their structures were analyzed and elucidated by methods of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) and high performance liquid chromatography electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS). The results demonstrated that these compounds are complicated mixtures of homo- and heteropolymers consisting of procyanidin/procyanidin gallate and prodelphinidin. They possessed structural heterogeneity in monomer units, polymer length, and interflavan linkage (A-type and B-type). Their antityrosinase and antioxidant activity were then investigated. The results revealed that they can inhibit tyrosinase activities, including the monophenolase activity and the diphenolase activity. In addition, proanthocyanidins possessed potent antioxidant activity. Our studies revealed that proanthocyanidins isolated from fruit stone of Chinese hawthorn may be applied in food, agriculture, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries.

In the manufacture of flavonoids-enriched hawthorn juice, a high concentration of organic acids is the main problem. In order to produce high quality juice and facilitate its use in many food products, an investigation on the deacidification of Chinese hawthorn juice using an ion exchange process was initiated. Among the tested five resins, D301G was found to perform the best, allowing the production of hawthorn juice with the lowest acidity and highest content of flavonoids. After optimization, a temperature of 30 °C and a flow rate of 10 BV/h were selected, respectively. When one cycle of processing (23 BV) was finished, the physiochemical characteristics of combined juices were analyzed. It was found that over 55 % of initial acid was removed; the concentrated flavonoids reached 3.8 g/kg; and the sugars and minerals contained in the juice underwent negligible changes. Additionally, after regeneration of D301G with 20 cycles, the resin still possessed strong capacity to reduce organic acids and retain flavonoids. Therefore, the current investigation proved that an adsorption processing of hawthorn juice with weakly basic anion exchange resins enabled production of flavonoids-enriched juices with low amount of titratable acidity and without affecting sugars and minerals.

Objective To develop an LC-MS method for identification of flavonoids in Chinese hawthorn fruits and an HPLC method for quantification of 5 flavonoids. Method Accurate molecular weights of the target flavonoids were acquired by time-of-flight mass spectrometer (TOF-MS) in both positive and negative ion modes. The flavoniods were then further confirmed by standards. An RP-HPLC method was established to quantitatively analysis five major flavonoids (chlorogenic acid, procyanidin B2, epicatechin, hyperoside and isoquercitrin) in hawthorn fruits from ten different regions. Results The molecular formulae of 8 components were determined by TOF-MS. In the quantitative method validation, the method is linear over the studied range of 1.8-178.5, 2.2-284.8, 2.7-270. 6,1.5-150.0, 1.5-150.0 mg x L(-1) for chlorogenic acid, procyanidin B2, epicatechin, hyperoside and isoquercitrin, respectively. The correlation coefficient for each analyze was greater than 0.999. The inter-day precision of the analysis was lower than 4%, The RSDs of precision and stability were lower than 5%. The recovery rate was from 98.5% to 102.5%, and RSDs were less than 3.5%. Conclusion The method is simple, specific and reliable, and is suitable for quality control of Chinese hawthorn.

BACKGROUND: Crataegus pinnatifida (Chinese hawthorn) has long been used as a herbal medicine in Asia and Europe. It has been used for the treatment of various cardiovascular diseases such as myocardial weakness, tachycardia, hypertension and arteriosclerosis. In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of Crataegus pinnatifida ethanolic extracts (CPEE) on Th2-type cytokines, eosinophil infiltration, expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9, and other factors, using an ovalbumin (OVA)-induced murine asthma model. METHODS/PRINCIPAL FINDING: Airways of OVA-sensitized mice exposed to OVA challenge developed eosinophilia, mucus hypersecretion and increased cytokine levels. CPEE was applied 1 h prior to OVA challenge. Mice were administered CPEE orally at doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg once daily on days 18-23. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was collected 48 h after the final OVA challenge. Levels of interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-5 in BALF were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent (ELISA) assays. Lung tissue sections 4 µm in thickness were stained with Mayer's hematoxylin and eosin for assessment of cell infiltration and mucus production with PAS staining, in conjunction with ELISA, and Western blot analyses for the expression of MMP-9, intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1 protein expression. CPEE significantly decreased the Th2 cytokines including IL-4 and IL-5 levels, reduced the number of inflammatory cells in BALF and airway hyperresponsiveness, suppressed the infiltration of eosinophil-rich inflammatory cells and mucus hypersecretion and reduced the expression of ICAM-1, VCAM-1 and MMP-9 and the activity of MMP-9 in lung tissue of OVA-challenged mice. CONCLUSIONS: These results showed that CPEE can protect against allergic airway inflammation and can act as an MMP-9 modulator to induce a reduction in ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 expression. In conclusion, we strongly suggest the feasibility of CPEE as a therapeutic drug for allergic asthma.

Neurodegenerative disorders (NDD) have become the common global health burden over the last several decades. According to World Health Organization (WHO), a staggering 30 million people will be affected by Alzheimer’s disease in Europe and the USA by 2050. Effective therapies in this complex field considering the multitude of symptoms associated with NDD indications, have not been found yet. Based on the results of NDD related studies, prevention appears to be the promise alternative. Antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties are hypothesized for natural phenolics, a group of plant secondary products that may positively impact neurodegenerative diseases. In these studies, phenolic-rich extracts from less common fruit species: Blue honeysuckle (Lonicera edulis, Turcz. ex. Freyn), Saskatoon berry (Amelanchier alnifolia Nutt.), and Chinese hawthorn (Crateagus pinnatifida Bunge) were obtained and analyzed to detect neuroprotective substances content and establish a potential therapeutic value. High performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection was optimized and further applied on analysis of the extracts of less common fruit species. It was observed that Chinese hawthorn and Blue honeysuckle extracts are potent source of neuroprotective phenolic antioxidants. In accordance the results, it appears that the fruit or formulated products may have the potential for the prevention of neurodegenerative diseases.

Various berries and fruit types of less common fruit species are known to contain antioxidants. Consumption of high amounts of antioxidant flavonoids, which display a variety of biological properties, including antiproliferative and anti-inflammatory activity, may have a positive impact on human health, particularly for the prevention of cancer and other inflammatory diseases. In these studies, based on the hypothesis that the fruit extract with the highest content would possess significantly higher health benefits, flavonoid-rich extracts were obtained from some less common fruit species - Blue Honeysuckles (Lonicera Kamtschatica and Lonicera edulis, Turcz. ex. Freyn), Saskatoon berry (Amelanchier alnifolia Nutt.) and Chinese Hawthorn (Crataegus pinnatifida BUNGE) - grown from germplasm held at the Mendel University of Agriculture and Forestry in Brno, Czech Republic and then characterized in terms of biological value based on the results from a relative antioxidant capacity assessment. The antioxidant content evaluation was based on the total flavonoid amount, determined by liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection (HPLC-ED). A DPPH center dot test was applied as a reference. The antioxidant content measured in Chinese Hawthorn fruit extract identified it as a potent source of flavonoid antioxidants, with a content 9-fold higher than that seen in Amelanchier fruit. The multifunctional HPLC-ED array method coupled with a DPPH center dot reference appears to be the optimal analytical progress, accurately reflecting the nutritive-therapeutic properties of a fruit.