Hawthorn Berry: Powerful Antioxidant & Anti-Inflammatory?

study PMID: 39683943

Quick Summary: New research suggests that hawthorn berries, leaves, and flowers are packed with antioxidants and may help fight inflammation. The study found that hawthorn flower extracts showed the strongest effects in the lab.

What The Research Found

Scientists looked at extracts from the berries, leaves, and flowers of six different types of hawthorn. They found:

Strong Antioxidant Power: Hawthorn flower extracts were the most effective at fighting free radicals, which can damage cells.

Anti-Inflammatory Potential: Some hawthorn extracts showed promising results in reducing inflammation in the lab.

Study Details

Who was studied: Extracts from the berries, leaves, and flowers of six different hawthorn species.

How long: This was a lab study, so there was no set "duration" like a human trial.

What they took: Researchers tested the extracts at different concentrations in a lab setting.

What This Means For You

This research is exciting, but it's important to remember:

Antioxidant Benefits: Hawthorn might help protect your cells from damage.

Potential for Inflammation Relief: Hawthorn could help reduce inflammation in the body.

Focus on Flowers: The study suggests that hawthorn flower extracts might be the most potent.

Important Note: This study was done in a lab, not on people. More research is needed to see if these benefits translate to humans.

Study Limitations

Lab Study Only: The results were found in a lab setting, not in people. We don't know if hawthorn would have the same effects in your body.

Not All Hawthorn is the Same: The study looked at specific hawthorn species. Other types might have different effects.

No Human Dosage: The study didn't determine the right amount of hawthorn to take for potential benefits.

More Research Needed: We need more studies to confirm these findings and understand how hawthorn works in the body.

Key Findings

This 2024 in vitro study evaluated bioactive powders derived from berries, leaves, and flowers of six Crataegus species (e.g., C. monogyna, C. laevigata). Flower powders exhibited the highest antioxidant activity (85–92% inhibition in DPPH and ABTS assays), followed by berries (78–88%) and leaves (65–76%). Three species demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory effects via COX-2 inhibition (60–70% suppression at 50 mg/mL). The study concluded that hawthorn preparations, particularly flower-derived powders, could serve as functional ingredients for nutraceuticals targeting oxidative stress and inflammation.

Study Design

The study was a laboratory-based comparative analysis of six hawthorn species. Researchers prepared lyophilized powders from fruits, leaves, and flowers, then assessed antioxidant capacity (DPPH, ABTS assays) and anti-inflammatory activity (COX-2 inhibition) in vitro. No human or animal trials were conducted. Sample size refers to six species × three plant parts, with triplicate testing for each.

Dosage & Administration

Powders were administered in vitro at concentrations of 10–50 mg/mL for antioxidant and anti-inflammatory assays. The study did not involve human dosing protocols or delivery methods (e.g., capsules, tinctures).

Results & Efficacy

Antioxidant Activity: Flower powders showed 85–92% free radical scavenging (DPPH: IC₅₀ = 12–18 mg/mL; ABTS: IC₅₀ = 9–15 mg/mL), significantly higher than berries (p < 0.01) and leaves (p < 0.05).
Anti-Inflammatory Effects: Three species’ flower powders inhibited COX-2 by 60–70% at 50 mg/mL (p < 0.05 vs. control).
Polyphenol Content: Flower powders contained 22–28% total polyphenols, exceeding berries (15–20%) and leaves (10–14%) (p < 0.01).

Limitations

In Vitro Only: Results lack human clinical validation; bioavailability and safety in vivo remain untested.
Species Variability: Findings may not generalize to all hawthorn species or preparations (e.g., standardized extracts vs. whole-plant powders).
Mechanistic Gaps: The study did not identify specific active compounds or long-term stability of powders.
No Dose-Response: Human-relevant dosing ranges were not established.

Clinical Relevance

While the study supports hawthorn’s potential as a natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent, current evidence is insufficient to guide supplementation. Practitioners should note that flower-derived powders may outperform berries in bioactivity, but human trials are critical to confirm efficacy and safety. For consumers, these findings suggest hawthorn-based nutraceuticals could emerge as functional ingredients, though existing supplements (typically berry-derived) require further validation. Future research should prioritize pharmacokinetic studies and clinical trials to bridge the gap between in vitro results and real-world applications.

Note: The study did not report human demographics, as it was conducted entirely in vitro. All results are preliminary and context-specific to the tested concentrations and species.