Flowering Quince Fruit Extract
Also known as: Cydonia oblonga Miller, Quince, Flowering Quince, Quince Fruit Extract, Cydonia oblonga
Overview
Flowering Quince Fruit Extract is derived from the fruit of *Cydonia oblonga*, a plant belonging to the Rosaceae family. It is characterized by a rich composition of phytochemicals, including tannins, phenolics, and flavonoids, which contribute to its potential health benefits. Traditionally used in folk medicine, the extract is now being investigated for its anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, cardiovascular, and metabolic regulatory properties. Preclinical studies, including in vitro and in vivo models, have shown promising results, but clinical trials and systematic reviews are still limited. The extract is available in various forms, including hot water extracts and peel extracts, each potentially offering different concentrations of bioactive compounds. Further research is needed to fully elucidate its therapeutic potential and establish safe and effective usage guidelines. While the current evidence is encouraging, it is not yet definitive enough to support widespread therapeutic applications.
Benefits
Quince fruit extract exhibits several potential health benefits supported by preclinical research. It demonstrates anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effects by inhibiting inflammatory mediators such as TNF-α and interleukins, reducing allergic reactions by suppressing mast cell activation and inflammatory cytokine release. Animal models have shown that quince extract can reduce IgE levels and inflammatory skin dermatitis. Furthermore, quince extracts have shown positive effects on blood pressure, glucose metabolism, and lipid profiles in animal models, suggesting cardiovascular and metabolic benefits. In diabetic rat models, quince fruit extract lowered total cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL, while improving HDL levels, with effects comparable to simvastatin. These findings suggest a potential role in glycemic regulation and lipid profile improvement, particularly for individuals with diabetes or related metabolic conditions. However, human clinical trials are needed to confirm these benefits.
How it works
Flowering Quince Fruit Extract exerts its effects through multiple mechanisms. Its anti-inflammatory action involves inhibiting the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-13) and mediators (leukotriene C4, prostaglandin D2) from immune cells like mast cells and basophils, thereby reducing allergic and inflammatory responses. Metabolically, the extract enhances antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, GSH-PX) and lipoprotein lipase, which improves lipid metabolism and reduces oxidative stress in diabetic and hyperlipidemic conditions. The high tannin and phenolic content of the extract contributes to its bioactivity, providing antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. These actions collectively modulate inflammatory pathways and improve metabolic parameters.
Side effects
While animal studies have not reported significant adverse effects or toxicity at tested doses, comprehensive human safety data from high-quality randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are lacking. There are no known drug interactions or contraindications reported in the reviewed literature. Given the limited clinical data, caution is advised, especially for special populations such as pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, or individuals taking medications. Potential side effects in humans are not well-defined, and long-term safety remains unknown. It is essential to consult with a healthcare professional before using Flowering Quince Fruit Extract, particularly if you have pre-existing health conditions or are taking other medications. Further research is needed to fully characterize the safety profile of this extract in humans.
Dosage
Due to limited clinical trials, human dosing guidelines for Flowering Quince Fruit Extract are not well established. Animal studies have used doses ranging from 80 to 240 mg/kg body weight daily for 6 weeks, showing beneficial effects. The extract form and preparation method (e.g., hot water extract, peel extract) can influence the concentration of bioactive compounds and, consequently, its efficacy. Without sufficient human data, it is difficult to recommend a specific dosage. It is crucial to consult with a healthcare professional for personalized advice. Until more research is available, it is prudent to start with a low dose and monitor for any adverse effects.
FAQs
Is it safe for human use?
Preliminary animal data suggest safety, but human clinical trials are needed to confirm its safety profile and potential side effects.
How long does it take to see benefits?
Animal studies have shown effects after 6 to 8 weeks of treatment, but human studies are needed to confirm these findings.
Can it be used for allergies?
Evidence supports anti-allergic potential in vitro and in animal models, but human data are lacking to support its use for allergy treatment.
Does it help with diabetes?
Animal studies show improved glycemic control and lipid profiles; however, human studies are needed to validate these effects in diabetic patients.
Research Sources
- https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/28/7/3066 – This source likely contains information about the nutritional composition, phytochemistry, and medicinal uses of quince, with emphasis on its processed forms. It may provide details on the bioactive compounds present in quince and their potential health benefits, as well as information on traditional uses and processing methods.
- https://www.walshmedicalmedia.com/open-access/nutritional-composition-phytochemistry-and-medicinal-use-of-quince-cydonia-oblonga-miller-with-emphasis-on-its-processed.pdf – This review highlights quince fruit peel extract’s inhibition of inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-13) and suppression of mast cell degranulation in animal models, reducing IgE levels and allergic dermatitis. The study had adequate controls and statistically significant findings, but was limited to preclinical models.
- https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1155/2022/3185442 – This review summarizes multiple studies showing quince extracts improve blood pressure, glucose metabolism, and lipid profiles. Animal studies with induced diabetes showed significant reductions in cholesterol, triglycerides, and liver enzymes, with effect sizes comparable to standard drugs like simvastatin. The review noted a lack of large-scale human RCTs.
- https://encyclopedia.pub/entry/53824 – This source likely provides a general overview of quince, including its botanical characteristics, cultivation, and traditional uses. It may also cover the nutritional content and potential health benefits of quince fruit, as well as information on its use in various culinary applications.
- https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pharmacology/articles/10.3389/fphar.2016.00163/full – Experimental studies in diabetic rats demonstrated that quince fruit aqueous extract reduced total cholesterol, LDL, triglycerides, and improved antioxidant enzyme activities over 6 weeks. The study used appropriate controls and dose ranges, showing statistically significant improvements compared to untreated diabetic rats.