Protective effects of Cornus walteri W. extracts on t-BHP-induced cell damage through antioxidant activity

A comprehensive review of Cornus officinalis: health benefits, phytochemistry, and pharmacological effects for functional drug and food development

Introduction

Cornus officinalis sieb. et zucc, a deciduous tree or shrub, is renowned for its "Cornus flesh" fruit, which is widely acknowledged for its medicinal value when matured and dried. Leveraging C. officinalis as a foundational ingredient opens avenues for the development of environmentally friendly health foods, ranging from beverages and jams to preserves and canned products. Packed with diverse bioactive compounds, this species manifests a spectrum of pharmacological effects, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antidiabetic, immunomodulatory, neuroprotective, and cardiovascular protective properties.

Methods

This study employs CiteSpace visual analysis software and a bibliometric analysis platform, drawing upon the Web of Science (WOS) database for literature spanning the last decade. Through a comprehensive analysis of available literature from WOS and Google Scholar, we present a thorough summary of the health benefits, phytochemistry, active compounds, and pharmacological effects of C. officinalis. Particular emphasis is placed on its potential in developing functional drugs and foods.

Results and Discussion

While this review enhances our understanding of C. officinalis as a prospective therapeutic agent, its clinical applicability underscores the need for further research and clinical studies to validate findings and establish safe and effective clinical applications.

New Triterpenoids from the Stems of Cornus walteri

A new 28-norlupane triterpenoid, 3-acetate-28-norlup-20(29)-en-3β-hydroxy-17β-hydroperoxide (1) and a new tirucallane triterpenoid, cornusalterin M (2), together with one known triterpenoid, 3-acetate-28-norlup-20(29)-en-3β,17β-diol (3), were isolated from a MeOH extract of the stems of Cornus walteri. The chemical structures of the new compounds (1 and 2) were elucidated based on comprehensive one- and two-dimensional (1D and 2D) NMR spectroscopic experiments and high resolution-electrospray ionization (HR-ESI)-MS. Among the isolates, compound 1 was a relatively rare triterpenoid identified as a 28-norlupane-type triterpene with a 17β-hydroperoxide group and compound 3 was previously reported but only as a synthetic product. The cytotoxic activities of the isolated compounds 1-3 were evaluated by determining their inhibitory effects on human tumor cell lines (A549 (non-small cell lung carcinoma), SK-OV-3 (ovary malignant ascites), SK-MEL-2 (skin melanoma), and HCT-15 (colon adenocarcinoma)).