Hippophae rhamnoides

Sea buckthorn/Drug Interactions:

  • Agents that affect clottingAgents that affect clotting: According to human, animal, and laboratory research, sea buckthorn may inhibit platelet aggregation; however, the results of available research lack consistency. In healthy human subjects, ingestion of sea buckthorn berry oil resulted in a decreased rate of adenosine-5'-diphosphate (ADP)-induced platelet aggregation and maximum aggregation (31). Further, in a mouse thrombosis model and in vitro research, sea buckthorn flavones prevented thrombogenesis and reduced whole blood platelet aggregation (63). However, ingestion of sea buckthorn juice by healthy human subjects lacked an effect on platelet aggregation (30).
  • AntibioticsAntibiotics: In vitro, sea buckthorn inhibited five strains of Helicobacter pylori (29).
  • AntidiabeticsAntidiabetics: In overweight or obese subjects, sea buckthorn berries reduced plasma glucose (51). In normal mice, flavonoids from sea buckthorn seed residue and fruit residue decreased blood glucose (64). However, in normolipidemic men, sea buckthorn oil lacked effect on serum glucose compared to coconut oil (control) (31). More recent human trials of higher quality have found mixed results, with a higher glucose response observed with dried sea buckthorn berries compared to the control at 90 minutes postingestion, but no significant effect on plasma glucose with ingestion of sea buckthorn extracted with CO2 or sea buckthorn extracted with CO2 and ethanol (76).
  • Antigout agentsAntigout agents: According to secondary sources, sea buckthorn may interact with antigout agents.
  • AntihypertensivesAntihypertensives: According to a meta-analysis and systematic review, sea buckthorn may reduce systolic and diastolic blood pressure (68). Reportedly, combined use of sea buckthorn and a calcium channel blocker (specific drug not specified) may result in enhanced blood pressure lowering and greater improvements in left ventricular posterior wall thickness and interventricular septum thickness (68). According to human and animal research, sea buckthorn flavones may reduce blood pressure by various mechanisms, such as reducing the activity of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, reducing sympathetic nervous activity, decreasing peripheral resistance, and modulating capillary enzyme activity (28; 65; 66; 67).
  • Anti-inflammatoriesAnti-inflammatories: In laboratory research, various constituents of sea buckthorn displayed anti-inflammatory effects (33; 41; 78). In healthy subjects and overweight or obese subjects, sea buckthorn was also found to reduce C-reactive protein concentrations (45; 51).
  • AntilipemicsAntilipemics: The effects of sea buckthorn on lipids are unclear. In animal research, sea buckthorn flavonoids and seed residues were found to reduce serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels (64; 39; 21). However in human research, sea buckthorn preparations (berries, berry oil, phenolic extract) lacked effect on lowering lipid concentrations, particularly LDL cholesterol levels; however, increases in HDL were noted (79; 31; 30; 4; 24; 51). More recent human trials of higher quality have found increased plasma triacylglycerol (TAG) and delayed lipemia based on incremental areas under the response curves (iAUC) in response to fatty meals with ingestion of sea buckthorn and sea buckthorn extracted with CO2,but no effect with ingestion of sea buckthorn extracted with CO2 and ethanol (76).
  • AntineoplasticsAntineoplastics: In vitro, extracts of sea buckthorn showed dose- and time-dependent anticancer effects (35; 38; 39; 36; 8). According to laboratory evidence, sea buckthorn oil decreased the cytogenetic action of cyclophosphamide and epirubicin (farmorubicin) but lacked an effect on dioxadet action (69).
  • Antiobesity agentsAntiobesity agents: In overweight or obese subjects, sea buckthorn berries and the phenolic extract were found to have a modest effect on body weight and composition (51). Sea buckthorn berries significantly reduced waist circumference, while the phenolic extract only slightly reduced weight, but this lacked significance.
  • Antiulcer agentsAntiulcer agents: In animal and human research, sea buckthorn oil reduced ulcer formation (80; 81; 82).
  • AntiviralsAntivirals: When compared to traditional dengue fever treatment (the commercially available antiviral drug Ribavirin?), sea buckthorn showed similar antidengue activity, as evidenced by its ability to maintain the cell viability of infected cells along with decreasing TNF-alpha and increasing IFN-gamma (44).
  • Cardiovascular agentsCardiovascular agents: In patients with hypertension, sea buckthorn total flavones reduced heart rate after exercise (67). According to a meta-analysis, in patients with hypertension treated with total flavones of Hippophae rhamnoides L. (TFH), peripheral edema and arrhythmia were reported (68). In addition, according to a meta-analysis and systematic review, sea buckthorn may reduce systolic and diastolic blood pressure (68). According to human and animal research, sea buckthorn flavones may reduce blood pressure by various mechanisms, such as reducing the activity of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, reducing sympathetic nervous activity, decreasing peripheral resistance, and modulating capillary enzyme activity (28; 65; 66; 67).
  • Cytochrome P450-metabolized agentsCytochrome P450-metabolized agents: According to in vitro research, sea buckthorn may have hepatoprotective effects and may protect cytochrome P450 enzymes from damage (11).
  • Gastrointestinal agentsGastrointestinal agents: According to secondary sources, sea buckthorn may interact with gastrointestinal agents.
  • Heart rate-regulating agentsHeart rate-regulating agents: In patients with hypertension, sea buckthorn total flavones reduced heart rate after exercise (67). According to a meta-analysis, in patients with hypertension treated with total flavones of Hippophae rhamnoides L. (TFH), peripheral edema and arrhythmia were reported (68).
  • HepatotoxinsHepatotoxins: In human, animal, and laboratory research, sea buckthorn demonstrated hepatoprotective effects (47; 62; 11; 83). In subjects with cirrhosis, sea buckthorn supplementation shortened the normalization rate of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (62).
  • ImmunostimulantsImmunostimulants: In animal and in vitro research, sea buckthorn had immunomodulatory activity (15; 49; 51).
  • ImmunosuppressantsImmunosuppressants: In animal and in vitro research, sea buckthorn had immunomodulatory activity (15; 49; 51).
  • Wound-healing agentsWound-healing agents: In animal research, sea buckthorn increased wound healing (58; 59; 60) and increased blood flow to the wound area (60).

    • Sea buckthorn/Herb/Supplement Interactions:

  • Agents that may increase risk of bleeding or clottingAgents that may increase risk of bleeding or clotting: According to human, animal, and laboratory research, sea buckthorn may inhibit platelet aggregation; however, the results of available research are not consistent. In healthy human subjects, ingestion of sea buckthorn berry oil resulted in a decreased rate of ADP-induced platelet aggregation and maximum aggregation (31). Further, in a mouse thrombosis model and in vitro research, sea buckthorn flavones prevented thrombogenesis and reduced whole blood platelet aggregation (63). However, ingestion of sea buckthorn juice by healthy human subjects lacked effect on platelet aggregation (30).
  • AntiarrhythmicsAntiarrhythmics: In patients with hypertension, sea buckthorn total flavones reduced heart rate after exercise (67). According to a meta-analysis, in patients with hypertension treated with total flavones of Hippophae rhamnoides L. (TFH), peripheral edema and arrhythmia were reported (68).
  • AntibacterialsAntibacterials: In vitro, sea buckthorn inhibited five strains of Helicobacter pylori (29).
  • Antigout agentsAntigout agents: According to secondary sources, sea buckthorn may interact with antigout agents.
  • Anti-inflammatoriesAnti-inflammatories: In laboratory research, various constituents of sea buckthorn have displayed anti-inflammatory effects (33; 41; 78). In healthy subjects and overweight or obese subjects, sea buckthorn has also been found to reduce C-reactive protein concentrations (45; 51).
  • AntilipemicsAntilipemics: The effects of sea buckthorn on lipids are unclear. In animal research, sea buckthorn flavonoids and seed residues have been found to reduce serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels (64; 39; 21). However, in human research, sea buckthorn preparations (berries, berry oil, phenolic extract) lacked an effect on lowering lipid concentrations, particularly LDL cholesterol levels; however, increases in HDL were noted (79; 31; 30; 4; 24; 51). More recent human trials of higher quality have found increased plasma triacylglycerol (TAG) and delayed lipemia based on incremental areas under the response curves (iAUC) in response to fatty meals with ingestion of sea buckthorn and sea buckthorn extracted with CO2,but no effect with ingestion of sea buckthorn extracted with CO2 and ethanol (76).
  • AntineoplasticsAntineoplastics: In vitro, extracts of sea buckthorn showed dose- and time-dependent anticancer effects (35; 38; 39; 36; 8).
  • Antiobesity agentsAntiobesity agents: In overweight or obese subjects, sea buckthorn berries and the phenolic extract were found to have a modest effect on body weight and composition (51). Sea buckthorn berries significantly reduced waist circumference, while the phenolic extract only slightly reduced weight, but this lacked significance.
  • AntioxidantsAntioxidants: Various laboratory, animal, and human studies have found sea buckthorn to have antioxidant activity (7; 8; 9; 10; 11; 12; 13; 14; 15; 16; 17; 18; 19; 20; 21).
  • Antiulcer agentsAntiulcer agents: In animal and human research, sea buckthorn oil reduced ulcer formation (80; 81; 82).
  • AntiviralsAntivirals: When compared to traditional dengue fever treatment, (the commercially available antiviral drug Ribavirin?), sea buckthorn showed similar antidengue activity, as evidenced by its ability to maintain the cell viability of infected cells along with decreasing TNF-alpha and increasing IFN-gamma (44).
  • Cardiovascular agentsCardiovascular agents: In patients with hypertension, sea buckthorn total flavones reduced heart rate after exercise (67). According to a meta-analysis, in patients with hypertension treated with total flavones of Hippophae rhamnoides L. (TFH), peripheral edema and arrhythmia were reported (68). In addition, according to a meta-analysis and systematic review, sea buckthorn may reduce systolic and diastolic blood pressure (68). According to human and animal research, sea buckthorn flavones may reduce blood pressure by various mechanisms, such as reducing the activity of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, reducing sympathetic nervous activity, decreasing peripheral resistance, and modulating capillary enzyme activity (28; 65; 66; 67).
  • Cytochrome P450-metabolized agentsCytochrome P450-metabolized agents: In vitro, sea buckthorn may have hepatoprotective effects and may protect cytochrome P450 enzymes from damage (11).
  • Fatty acidsFatty acids: The available research results on the effects of sea buckthorn supplementation on fatty acid composition lack consistency. In patients with atopic dermatitis, sea buckthorn seed oil and pulp oil modified fatty acid composition of skin glycerophospholipids. In phospholipids, the proportion of alpha-linolenic acid increased, which correlated with an increase in eicosapentaenoic acid (4). Supplementation with seed oil has also been found to increase the proportion of docosapentaenoic acid (22:5n-3) (84). Additionally, pulp oil supplementation was found to increase the proportion of palmitoleic acid (4), but, in other research, the seed oil decreased the proportion of palmitic acid in skin glycerophospholipids (84). In individuals with dry eye, significant changes in fatty acid proportions with sea buckthorn were lacking (2).
  • Gastrointestinal agentsGastrointestinal agents: According to secondary sources, sea buckthorn may interact with gastrointestinal agents.
  • HepaticsHepatics: In human, animal, and laboratory research, sea buckthorn demonstrated hepatoprotective effects (47; 62; 11; 83). In subjects with cirrhosis, sea buckthorn supplementation shortened the normalization rate of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (62).
  • HypoglycemicsHypoglycemics: In overweight or obese subjects, sea buckthorn berries reduced plasma glucose (51). In normal mice, flavonoids from sea buckthorn seed residue and fruit residue decreased blood glucose (64). However, in normolipidemic men, sea buckthorn oil lacked a significant effect on serum glucose compared to coconut oil (control) (31). More recent human trials of higher quality have found mixed results, with a higher glucose response observed with dried sea buckthorn berries compared to the control at 90 minutes postingestion, but no significant effect on plasma glucose with ingestion of sea buckthorn extracted with CO2 or sea buckthorn extracted with CO2 and ethanol (76).
  • HypotensivesHypotensives: According to a meta-analysis and systematic review, sea buckthorn may reduce systolic and diastolic blood pressure (68). According to human and animal research, sea buckthorn flavones may reduce blood pressure by various mechanisms, such as reducing the activity of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, reducing sympathetic nervous activity, decreasing peripheral resistance, and modulating capillary enzyme activity (28; 65; 66; 67).
  • ImmunomodulatorsImmunomodulators: In animal and in vitro research, sea buckthorn had immunomodulatory activity (15; 49; 51).
  • Vulnerary agentsVulnerary agents: In animal research, sea buckthorn increased wound healing (58; 59; 60) and increased blood flow to the wound area (60).

    • Sea buckthorn/Food Interactions:

  • Fatty acid-containing foodsFatty acid-containing foods: The available research results on the effects of sea buckthorn supplementation on fatty acid composition are not consistent. In patients with atopic dermatitis, sea buckthorn seed oil and pulp oil modified the fatty acid composition of skin glycerophospholipids. In phospholipids, the proportion of alpha-linolenic acid increased, which correlated with an increase in eicosapentaenoic acid (4). Supplementation with seed oil has also been found to increase the proportion of docosapentaenoic acid (22:5n-3) (84). Additionally, pulp oil supplementation was found to increase the proportion of palmitoleic acid (4), but, in other research, the seed oil decreased the proportion of palmitic acid in skin glycerophospholipids (84). In individuals with dry eye, significant changes in fatty acid proportions with sea buckthorn were lacking (2).
  • Oatmeal porridgeOatmeal porridge: In human research, a small amount (exact quantity not specified) of sea buckthorn oil added to oatmeal porridge resulted in increased sea buckthorn flavonol bioavailability (79).

    • Sea buckthorn/Lab Interactions:

  • AdiponectinAdiponectin: In overweight or obese subjects, sea buckthorn berry oil reduced levels of adiponectin (51).
  • Antioxidant enzymesAntioxidant enzymes: In animal research, pretreatment with a sea buckthorn-based formulation protected against hexachlorocyclohexane-induced oxidative stress, as evidenced by a reduction in hepatic lipid peroxide levels and increased antioxidant enzyme activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, glutathione (GSH), GSH-peroxidase, and GSH-reductase (20). Further, in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats, the aqueous extract of sea buckthorn seed residues (400mg/kg of body weight) was found to reduce nitric oxide levels and increase serum SOD activity and GSH levels (21).
  • Bile acidsBile acids: In subjects with cirrhosis, sea buckthorn supplementation reduced serum levels of total bile acids (62).
  • Blood pressureBlood pressure: According to meta-analysis, systematic review, and animal research, sea buckthorn may reduce systolic and diastolic blood pressure (66; 68).
  • Body weightBody weight: In overweight or obese subjects, sea buckthorn berries and the phenolic extract were found to have a modest effect on body weight and composition (51). Sea buckthorn berries significantly reduced waist circumference, while the phenolic extract only slightly reduced weight, but not significantly.
  • Coagulation panelCoagulation panel: According to human, animal, and laboratory research, sea buckthorn may inhibit platelet aggregation; however, the results of available research are inconsistent. In healthy human subjects, ingestion of sea buckthorn berry oil resulted in a decreased rate of adenosine-5'-diphosphate (ADP)-induced platelet aggregation and maximum aggregation (31). Further, in a mouse thrombosis model and in vitro research, sea buckthorn flavones prevented thrombogenesis and reduced whole blood platelet aggregation (63). However, ingestion of sea buckthorn juice by healthy human subjects resulted in a lack of effect on platelet aggregation (30).
  • CatecholaminesCatecholamines: In patients with hypertension, treatment with sea buckthorn resulted in significantly smaller increases in catecholamine (noradrenaline and adrenaline) levels after exercise, compared to nifedipine and verapamil ER (67).
  • Collagen types III and IVCollagen types III and IV: In subjects with cirrhosis, sea buckthorn supplementation reduced serum levels of collagen types III and IV (62).
  • C-reactive protein (CRP)C-reactive protein (CRP): In healthy subjects, sea buckthorn berries reduced C-reactive protein concentrations (45). Additionally, in overweight or obese subjects, the berry oil also reduced C-reactive protein concentrations (51).
  • Electrocardiogram (ECG)Electrocardiogram (ECG): In patients with ischemic heart disease, sea buckthorn total flavone supplementation resulted in ECG improvements (75).
  • Fatty acidsFatty acids: The available research results on the effects of sea buckthorn supplementation on fatty acid composition are inconsistent. In patients with atopic dermatitis, sea buckthorn seed oil and pulp oil modified the fatty acid composition of skin glycerophospholipids. In phospholipids, the proportion of alpha-linolenic acid increased, which correlated with an increase in eicosapentaenoic acid (4). Supplementation with seed oil has also been found to increase the proportion of docosapentaenoic acid (22:5n-3) (84). Additionally, pulp oil supplementation was found to increase the proportion of palmitoleic acid (4), but, in other research, the seed oil decreased the proportion of palmitic acid in skin glycerophospholipids (84). In individuals with dry eye, significant changes in fatty acid proportions with sea buckthorn were lacking (2).
  • FlavonolsFlavonols: In human research, sea buckthorn berry supplementation for three months increased fasting plasma concentrations of quercetin and isorhamnetin (24).
  • Glucose levels (blood, plasma and serum)Glucose levels (blood, plasma and serum): In overweight or obese subjects, sea buckthorn berries reduced plasma glucose (51). In normal mice, flavonoids from sea buckthorn seed residue and fruit residue decreased blood glucose (64). However, in normolipidemic men, sea buckthorn oil lacked significant effect on serum glucose compared to coconut oil (control) (31). More recent human trials of higher quality have found mixed results with a higher glucose response observed with dried sea buckthorn berries compared to the control at 90 minutes postingestion, but no significant effect on plasma glucose with ingestion of sea buckthorn extracted with CO2 or sea buckthorn extracted with CO2 and ethanol (76).
  • Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c)Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c): In overweight or obese subjects, sea buckthorn berries, the berry oil, and the phenolic extract reduced HbA1c (51).
  • Heart rateHeart rate: In patients with hypertension, sea buckthorn total flavones reduced heart rate after exercise (67). According to a meta-analysis, in patients with hypertension treated with total flavones of Hippophae rhamnoides L. (TFH), peripheral edema and arrhythmia were reported (68).
  • Helicobacter pyloritestsHelicobacter pyloritests: In vitro research, sea buckthorn inhibited five strains of Helicobacter pylori (29).
  • Hyaluronic acidHyaluronic acid: In subjects with cirrhosis, sea buckthorn supplementation reduced serum levels of hyaluronic acid (62).
  • Immune testsImmune tests: Various animal and laboratory studies have found sea buckthorn to exert immunomodulatory activity (15; 25; 49; 50; 51). According to animal research, sea buckthorn may increase macrophage counts (49). In human research, various preparations of sea buckthorn (leaf extract, berries, phenolic extract) reduced tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) (51; 44; 62). In subjects with cirrhosis, sea buckthorn supplementation reduced interleukin-6 (IL-6) (62).
  • Intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)Intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM): In overweight or obese subjects, sea buckthorn phenolic extract reduced ICAM (51). However, in healthy subjects, sea buckthorn juice showed a lack of effect on these levels (30).
  • LamininLaminin: In subjects with cirrhosis, sea buckthorn supplementation reduced serum levels of laminin (62).
  • Lipid profileLipid profile: The effects of sea buckthorn on lipids are unclear. In animal research, sea buckthorn flavonoids and seed residues have been found to reduce serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels (64; 39; 21). However, in human research, sea buckthorn preparations (berries, berry oil, phenolic extract) showed a lack of effect on lowering lipid concentrations, particularly LDL cholesterol levels; however, increases in HDL were noted (79; 31; 30; 4; 24; 51). More recent human trials of higher quality have found increased plasma triacylglycerol (TAG) and delayed lipemia based on incremental areas under the response curves (iAUC) in response to fatty meals with ingestion of sea buckthorn and sea buckthorn extracted with CO2,but no effect with ingestion of sea buckthorn extracted with CO2 and ethanol (76).
  • Liver function testsLiver function tests: In subjects with cirrhosis, sea buckthorn supplementation shortened the normalization rate of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (62). According to in vitro research, sea buckthorn may have hepatoprotective effects and may protect cytochrome P450 enzymes from damage (11).
  • Radiation therapyRadiation therapy: According to mouse studies, sea buckthorn may enhance macrophage counts and reduce oxidative damage induced by radiation therapy (85; 49).
  • Vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1)Vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1): In overweight or obese subjects, sea buckthorn berry oil reduced VCAM-1 (51). Sea buckthorn berry and the phenolic extract also reduced VCAM-1 values, but this lacked significance. Of note, with sea buckthorn berry use, lean subjects had the most reduction in VCAM values, but the phenolic extract of sea buckthorn produced greater reductions in overweight or obese subjects.
  • Viral loadViral load: When compared to traditional dengue fever treatment (the commercially available antiviral drug Ribavirin?), sea buckthorn showed similar antidengue activity, as evidenced by its ability to maintain the cell viability of infected cells, along with decreasing TNF-alpha and increasing IFN-gamma (44).
  • Waist circumferenceWaist circumference: In overweight or obese subjects, sea buckthorn berries and the phenolic extract were found to have a modest effect on body weight and composition (51). Sea buckthorn berries significantly reduced waist circumference, while the phenolic extract only slightly reduced weight, but not significantly.