Rosehip (Rosa canina) and hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) - rich horticultural sources of bioactive compounds from Romania's wild flora. A review.

Abstract

Rosehips (Rosa canina) and hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) are considered important forest fruits from Romania's wild flora by Rosaceae family. According to research conducted on this topic, the horticultural sources above-mentioned are associated with many benefits for human health due to their richness in natural bioactive compounds. Increasing attention has been recently paid to the bioactive nutrients from rosehips and hawthorn. Rosa canina considered pseudo-fruit has been known to be an important medicinal plant since 2,000 years ago and includes several subspecies. Compounds of interest for human health included: flavonoids, carotenoids, fatty acids, high vitamin content (especially vitamin C), antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents. As for their specific composition, it can be influenced by various climatic or technologic factors like all other plant products. It has been shown that several components of the rosehip can be used in medicine, especially due to its anti-inflammatory effect. Moreover, the consumption of this fruits may reduce symptoms associated with arthritic conditions) and also can be correlated with beneficial effects in the treatment of numerous diseases, such as: HIV infection, eye disorders (myopia, astigmatism), cardiovascular diseases (angina pectoris, arrhythmia, hypertension, myocardial injuries, etc). Furthermore, the plant of Crataegus monogyna has various interesting physiological and pharmacological activities due to the presence of different bioactive natural compounds. The most representative of phytochemicals from whole plant of Crataegus monogyna are represented by: flavan-3-ols (catechin, epicatechin), procyanidins (procyanidin B2, procyanidin B4, procyanidin B5), flavones and flavonols (hyperoside, vitexin, methoxykaempherol), anthocyanins and anthocyanidins (cyanidin-3-galactoside), chloregenic acids, triterpenes (oleanolic acid, ursolic acid, betulinic acid, butyrospermol, cycloartenol). The aim of this study was to make an inventory of the species, subspecies and varieties of hawthorn and rosehip, the health benefits provided by the use of these species and the ecological conditions that influence their growth and development