Bioactive Compound Analysis and Health Benefits of Sea Buckthorn

Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) is recognised as a prolific source of nutritionally active substances, encompassing polyphenols, flavonoids, carotenoids, unsaturated fatty acids, vitamins and phytosterols. Advancements in analytical chemistry—such as high-performance liquid chromatography, gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and proton nuclear magnetic resonance metabolomics—have enabled detailed profiling of these bioactive constituents. Polyphenolic compounds including quercetin derivatives and hydrocinnamic acids deliver potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects by scavenging reactive oxygen species. Carotenoids such as lutein and β-carotene contribute to photoprotective and ocular health, while essential fatty acids like α-linolenic and linoleic acids underpin cardiometabolic and dermatological benefits. Beyond antioxidant capacity, sea buckthorn extracts exert immunomodulatory, anti-obesity, hepatoprotective and neuroprotective actions in vitro and in vivo. Such multifaceted bioactivity has informed the development of functional foods, nutraceuticals and cosmeceuticals, with promising applications in metabolic disorders, oncology support and skin photo-protection.

Research from Nature Portfolio

A recent study employing 1H NMR-based metabolomics has demonstrated robust discrimination between seven Hippophaë species and subspecies, identifying key interspecific markers such as organic acids, L-quebrachitol and simple carbohydrates. Quantitative NMR analysis and multivariate statistics revealed significant variation in metabolite profiles that informs species authentication and quality assurance. This approach underscores the power of untargeted metabolomic profiling for comprehensive compound analysis and standardisation in sea buckthorn products.

Bioactive Compound Analysis and Health Benefits of Sea Buckthorn publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in bioactive compound analysis and health benefits of sea buckthorn across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Polyphenols: A diverse class of plant secondary metabolites characterised by multiple phenolic rings, known for antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities.

Carotenoids: Lipid-soluble pigments in plants, including lutein and β-carotene, that absorb light and confer photoprotective and antioxidant properties.

Fatty acids: Carboxylic acids with long aliphatic chains, classified as saturated or unsaturated, crucial for energy metabolism and cell membrane integrity.

Metabolomics: The systematic study of small-molecule metabolites within biological samples, providing a global chemical fingerprint of physiological or pathological states.

1H NMR (proton nuclear magnetic resonance): A spectroscopic technique that identifies and quantifies organic compounds based on the magnetic properties of hydrogen nuclei.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS): Chemically reactive molecules derived from oxygen, including free radicals and peroxides, which can cause cellular oxidative damage.

References

1. Advanced Research on the Antioxidant Activity and Mechanism of Polyphenols from Hippophae Species—A Review. Molecules (2020).
2. The Anticancer Activity of Sea Buckthorn [Elaeagnus rhamnoides (L.) A. Nelson]. Frontiers in Pharmacology (2018).
3. Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) as a potential source of nutraceutics and its therapeutic possibilities - a review. Acta Veterinaria Brno (2015).
4. The Effect of Sea Buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) Seed Oil on UV-Induced Changes in Lipid Metabolism of Human Skin Cells. Antioxidants (2018).
5. Sea Buckthorn in Plant Based Diets. An Analytical Approach of Sea Buckthorn Fruits Composition: Nutritional Value, Applications, and Health Benefits. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (2021).
6. Metabolic discrimination of sea buckthorn from different Hippophaë species by 1H NMR based metabolomics. Scientific Reports (2017).
7. The impact of sea buckthorn oil fatty acids on human health. Lipids in Health and Disease (2019).
8. Seabuckthorn Leaves Extract and Flavonoid Glycosides Extract from Seabuckthorn Leaves Ameliorates Adiposity, Hepatic Steatosis, Insulin Resistance, and Inflammation in Diet-Induced Obesity. Nutrients (2017).
9. Phytochemistry, health benefits, and food applications of sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.): A comprehensive review. Frontiers in Nutrition (2022).