Scientific name: Hippophae rhamnoides

Common names: Hippophae

Ayurvedic names:

Chinese names:

Bangladesh names:

Arabic names:    النبق المسهل البحري (annabiqu’lmus-hil al bahree)

Rain Forest names:

Family: Fabaceae?

Approximate number of species known:

Common parts used: Flowers, fruit, leaves, seeds

Collection:

Annual/Perennial:

Height: 0.5 to 6 m

Actions: used in cutaneous eruptions, dye for woollen stuffs

Known Constituents: vitamin E33, beta-carotene , chrysin, sterols, polyunsaturated fatty acids, free amino acids, flavonols, tocopherols, tocotrienols, phenolic acids, phylloquinone, trans-resveratrol, catechin, vitamin C 16,7,11,29,5,34,35,36,37,38,39,33

Constituents Explained:

Description: 

The berries have been used to make juice from. It has been used for colds and respiratory complaints, and cirulcation problems and artherosclerosis.

Traditional Use:

Clinical Studies:

Dengue virus occurs as four distinct serotypes, called Dengue 1, 2, 3, and 4. Symptomatic dengue virus infection ranges from a self limited febrile illness, dengue fever (DF), to a more severe disease, dengue hemorrhagic fever/dengue shock syndrome (DHF/DSS). 

The anti-Dengue treatment is severely hampered as no specific therapeutic agents are available. Even present treatment strategies for Dengue are more supportive than curative.

In the present study anti-dengue activity of Hippophae rhamnoides (Seabuckthorn, SBT) leaf extract was evaluated in Dengue virus type-2 infected blood-derived human macrophages as macrophages are the primary target of Dengue virus infection.

Infected cells were treated with SBT leaf extract and compared with commercially available anti-viral drug, Ribavirin. The extract was able to maintain the cell viability of Dengue-infected cells at par with Ribavirin.

Anti-dengue activity of SBT extract was further determined by the traditional plaque assay. These observations suggest that the SBT leaf extract has a significant anti-dengue activity and has the potential for the treatment of Dengue.

Sea buckthorn (Hippophaë rhamnoides L.) is a rich source of flavonols, especially isorhamnetin. Most prospective cohort studies have indicated some degree of inverse association between flavonoid intake and coronary heart disease.

Animal and human studies suggest that sea buckthorn flavonoids may scavenge free radicals, lower blood viscosity, and enhance cardiac function. The effects of flavonol aglycones derived from sea buckthorn on the risk factors of cardiovascular disease as well as their absorption were studied in humans. 

Flavonols at two dosages in oatmeal porridge were rapidly absorbed, and a relatively small amount of sea buckthorn oil added to the porridge seemed to have increased the bioavailability of sea buckthorn flavonols consumed at the higher dose.

References:

Jain M, Ganju L, Katiyal A, Padwad Y, Mishra KP, Chanda S, Karan D, Yogendra KM, Sawhney RC. “Effects Of Hippophae Rhamnoides Leaf Extract Against Dengue Virus Infection In Human Blood-Derived Macrophages.” 2008 October http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18586478

Suomela JP, Ahotupa M, Yang B, Vasankari T, Kallio H. “Absorption Of Flavonols Derived From Sea Buckthorn (Hippophae Rhamnoides L.) And Their Effect On Emerging Risk Factors For Cardiovascular Disease In Humans.” 2006 September. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16968106