Cynatine 50 Sea buckthorn fruit extract
Also known as: Sea buckthorn fruit extract, seabuckthorn, sandthorn, sea buckthorn, Hippophae rhamnoides L. fruit extract
Overview
Sea buckthorn fruit extract, derived from the berries of Hippophae rhamnoides, is a botanical nutraceutical rich in a diverse array of bioactive compounds, including flavonoids (such as isorhamnetin and quercetin), essential fatty acids (like palmitoleic acid), and various vitamins (C and E) and carotenoids. It is primarily utilized for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cytoprotective properties, making it a popular ingredient in supplements aimed at promoting skin health, supporting anti-aging efforts, aiding wound healing, and potentially offering cardiovascular and anti-cancer benefits. The extract's efficacy stems from its complex phytochemical profile, which allows it to modulate various biological pathways within the body. While research on sea buckthorn is ongoing, it has reached a moderate level of maturity with numerous in vitro, in vivo, and clinical trials, including some systematic reviews, supporting its traditional and emerging uses. The quality of evidence is generally good, with several peer-reviewed studies and systematic reviews, though large-scale randomized controlled trials are still needed to solidify some of its broader claims.
Benefits
Sea buckthorn fruit extract offers several evidence-based benefits, primarily due to its rich content of flavonoids and fatty acids. It has shown significant promise in improving skin health, with studies indicating enhanced elasticity, hydration, and recovery. For instance, small clinical studies have noted improvements in skin elasticity and keratinocyte proliferation, suggesting its utility in managing skin damage and inflammatory conditions. Furthermore, a randomized controlled trial involving 116 postmenopausal women demonstrated that 3 g/day of sea buckthorn oil significantly improved the vaginal health index, highlighting its benefits for mucosal health. Beyond skin and mucosal benefits, sea buckthorn flavonoids, particularly isorhamnetin and quercetin, exhibit potential anti-cancer properties by inducing apoptosis in breast and prostate cancer cells in vitro and in vivo models. These flavonoids also show protective effects on bone and breast tissue. The fatty acids, such as palmitoleic acid, have been linked to improved vaginal health and inhibition of melanogenesis, suggesting potential applications in skin pigmentation disorders. While many benefits are supported by moderate-quality evidence, including systematic reviews and some RCTs, larger and more diverse clinical trials are needed to confirm effect sizes and clinical significance across all potential applications.
How it works
Sea buckthorn fruit extract exerts its therapeutic effects through multiple biological pathways. Its rich flavonoid content, including isorhamnetin and quercetin, provides potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions, helping to neutralize free radicals and reduce cellular damage. These flavonoids also modulate apoptosis pathways, specifically influencing regulators like Bcl-2 and Bax, and caspases 3 and 9, which contributes to its potential anti-cancer effects. The fatty acids present in sea buckthorn oil, such as palmitoleic acid, play a role in modulating lipid metabolism and inflammatory responses. Additionally, these compounds can inhibit enzymes involved in melanogenesis, like tyrosinase, which is relevant for skin pigmentation. The various components of sea buckthorn interact with different body systems, influencing skin cells (keratinocytes, fibroblasts), bone tissue, breast tissue, and vaginal mucosa, thereby promoting cellular health and tissue repair. The fatty acids and flavonoids are bioavailable and can reach target tissues, as evidenced by observed clinical effects.
Side effects
Sea buckthorn fruit extract is generally considered safe with a low incidence of adverse effects in clinical studies. No significant common adverse effects have been reported in high-quality research. Uncommon side effects, occurring in 1-5% of users, may include mild gastrointestinal discomfort or rare allergic reactions. Serious adverse events are not commonly reported. Regarding drug interactions, there are no well-documented interactions, but caution is advised for individuals taking anticoagulants due to sea buckthorn's potential, albeit unconfirmed, effects on platelet aggregation. Contraindications include hypersensitivity to sea buckthorn. While postmenopausal women have been studied for vaginal health benefits, the safety of sea buckthorn during pregnancy or lactation is not well established, and therefore, its use in these populations should be approached with caution. Overall, its safety profile is favorable, but individuals with pre-existing conditions or those on medication should consult a healthcare professional before use.
Dosage
The optimal dosage for sea buckthorn fruit extract varies widely depending on the specific formulation, the target outcome, and the concentration of active compounds. For sea buckthorn oil, a dose of 3 grams per day has been shown to be effective for improving vaginal health in postmenopausal women. Other sea buckthorn extract doses can range from 100 mg to several grams daily. The maximum safe dose is not clearly established, but doses of sea buckthorn oil up to 5 grams per day have been used safely in clinical trials. Sea buckthorn is typically administered orally on a daily basis, and the timing relative to meals is not considered critical. For optimal consistency and efficacy, standardized extracts or sea buckthorn oil capsules are generally preferred. As sea buckthorn oil is rich in fatty acids, its absorption may be enhanced when consumed with dietary fat. No specific cofactors are identified as necessary for its efficacy.
FAQs
Can sea buckthorn extract help with skin aging?
Yes, evidence supports improvements in skin elasticity and hydration through its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms, contributing to anti-aging effects.
Are these supplements safe long-term?
Current data indicate good safety profiles for sea buckthorn, but long-term studies are limited. It is generally considered safe for extended use based on available evidence.
Should sea buckthorn be taken with food?
While not critical, taking fatty acid-rich sea buckthorn oil with dietary fat may optimize its absorption.
Research Sources
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11497132/ – This systematic review of in vitro and in vivo studies highlights that sea buckthorn flavonoids, particularly isorhamnetin and quercetin, possess protective effects on bone and breast tissue, demonstrating anti-osteoporotic and anti-cancer properties. The review suggests promising preclinical findings but notes the need for more clinical confirmation.
- https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/endocrinology/articles/10.3389/fendo.2023.1244300/full – This evidence-based review focuses on the mechanistic insights of sea buckthorn constituents, showing their ability to induce apoptosis in cancer cells and modulate inflammatory pathways. The findings are primarily derived from in vitro data, indicating a strong mechanistic basis but a current lack of large-scale randomized controlled trials to confirm clinical efficacy.
- https://digitalcommons.kansascity.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1928&context=studentpub – This literature review, incorporating findings from multiple small RCTs, suggests that sea buckthorn oil improves skin elasticity, promotes keratinocyte proliferation, and aids in skin recovery. While promising, the review points out the limitations of small sample sizes and heterogeneity in formulations, indicating a need for larger, more standardized trials.
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6589177/ – This study, which includes an RCT with 116 postmenopausal women, found that 3 g/day of sea buckthorn oil significantly improved the vaginal health index. It also notes that palmitoleic acid, a component of sea buckthorn, inhibits melanogenesis enzymes. The study is considered high quality for its RCT design regarding vaginal health, though it suggests the need for replication.