The important role of sea buckthorn can be divided into two categories; one category is its important role in ecological construction, and the other category is its important role in human health. Regarding the important role of sea buckthorn on human health, my country has a documented history of research and utilization of sea buckthorn for more than 1,200 years. In ancient my country, Tibetan and Mongolian medicine used sea buckthorn fruit as a commonly used medicine to treat diseases. It has the pharmacological effects of eliminating phlegm, benefiting the lungs, nourishing the stomach, strengthening the spleen, activating blood circulation, and removing blood stasis. Sea buckthorn fruit has dual uses as medicine and food, and has attracted more and more people's attention and reuse at home and abroad. After more than 40 years of research in the former Soviet Union, it was discovered that there are more than 190 active ingredients in sea buckthorn fruits, and 106 active ingredients in sea buckthorn oil, including 6 fat-soluble vitamins, 22 fatty acids, 42 lipids, flavonoids and 36 kinds of phenols. These many active ingredients show that sea buckthorn is a very precious medicinal plant that can be made into various medicines, functional foods, and many other products needed by humans. In 1977, my country's Ministry of Health officially listed sea buckthorn in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia for the first time. Sea buckthorn has special and important functions and effects in treating various diseases, preventing various diseases, strengthening the body and prolonging life. Judging from the results of research on seabuckthorn so far, it is not an exaggeration to call seabuckthorn a guardian of human health.
Sea buckthorn contains extremely rich biologically active substances and has broad prospects for development and utilization in human medical and health care.
1. Vitamins.
Sea buckthorn fruit is rich in vitamin C. Its vitamin C content is the highest among all vegetables and fruits, 20 times that of hawthorn, 2-3 times that of kiwi, 6 times that of oranges, 200 times that of apples, and 80 times that of tomatoes; moreover, the vitamin C contained in sea buckthorn is quite stable. .
In addition to vitamin C, vitamin E, and beta-carotene, seabuckthorn also contains B vitamins. Seabuckthorn is a vitamin "source" plant. The physiological functions of β-carotene, in addition to the known functions of vitamin A after being converted into vitamin A, such as treating night blindness, bone hyperplasia, promoting the development of male and female germ cells, protecting the growth and differentiation of epithelial cells and preventing gland atrophy, etc. , in recent years, it has been found that β-carotene can prevent lung cancer. It also has a preventive effect on cervical cancer, ovarian cancer, esophageal cancer, laryngeal cancer, oral cancer and nasal cancer. There are currently 4 types of sea buckthorn vitamin E known. Its physiological and pharmacological functions are mainly: protecting biological membranes, resisting free radicals and lipid peroxidation, improving immune function, promoting liver cell detoxification, lowering blood lipids and preventing atherosclerosis, and delaying atherosclerosis. It has the functions of aging, preventing and treating brown spots, protecting the nervous system and preventing and treating anemia.
2. Flavonoids.
The flavonoids in sea buckthorn fruits and leaves that have been identified include: quercetin, isorhamnetin, kaempferol and its glycosides, myricetin, chlorogenic acid, sudinin, and catechu Acid, astragaloside, etc. Seabuckthorn juice contains 7 kinds of flavonoids, mainly isorhamnetin, isorhamnetin-3-β-D-glucoside, isorhamnetin-3-β-rutinoside and quercetin.
The flavonoids in sea buckthorn fruits mainly include anthocyanins, catechins, flavonols and a small amount of flavanones. Isorhamnetin, quasammonin, camellin, etc. are isolated from the flavonols. . Flavonoids and other phenolic compounds are substances that enhance the body's tolerance, reduce the permeability of capillary walls, and prevent vitamin C from being damaged. The physiological effect of flavonoids on the blood vessel wall can be achieved through the participation of vitamin C. Its activity can stabilize vitamin C in the body and can also restore oxidized vitamin C. These substances also inhibit the development of atherosclerosis, lower blood cholesterol levels, normalize hyperthyroidism, and also have anti-inflammatory effects.
3. Triterpenes and steroid compounds.
Experts from the former Soviet Union have isolated dozens of triterpenes and steroid compounds from sea buckthorn leaves, fruits and oil.
4. Oils and fatty acids.
The pulp, seeds, peel, stem bark and leaves of sea buckthorn all contain fatty oil, and the content and properties of the oil vary with different parts.
In addition, the oil content and properties of sea buckthorn in different terrains and regions also vary. At the same time, the fatty acid content of different parts of sea buckthorn is also very different. Research has found hundreds of active ingredients in oil.
5. Amino acids and proteins.
Sea buckthorn pulp, juice, and seeds all contain protein, and the content is quite high. Sea buckthorn pulp and juice contain a full range of amino acids, including 8 essential amino acids that cannot be synthesized by the human body.
6. Phenols and organic acids.
The polyphenolic compounds in sea buckthorn include ursolic acid, coumarin, β-coumarin, phenolic acids, etc. Seabuckthorn contains various organic acids such as malic acid, citric acid, tartaric acid, oxalic acid and succinic acid, as well as pectin, tannin and other ingredients. The phenolic compounds in sea buckthorn have antioxidant effects and can maintain the activity of many biologically active substances. It also has anti-tumor and anti-radiation effects. For example, anthocyanin compounds have anti-tumor effects, and quassamine has obvious anti-tumor and anti-radiation effects.
Sea buckthorn leaves and fruits contain coumarin, which has the effects of enhancing capillary function, hemostasis, and anticoagulation, and has antispasmodic, anti-vitiligo, anti-tumor, anesthesia, antipyretic, and choleretic effects. . The triterpenes contained in it are mainly represented by ursolic acid, which can inhibit sodium and chloride ions in the body without affecting the metabolism of potassium. It is used to treat copper-colored skin diseases (adrenocortical hormone deficiency) and has the effect of treating wounds and ulcers. , erosive inflammation and other lesions.