Changes in Physicochemical and Bioactive Properties of Quince (Cydonia oblonga Mill.) and Its Products

Quinces (Cydonia oblonga, Chaenomeles sp., and Pseudocydonia sinensis) as Medicinal Fruits of the Rosaceae Family: Current State of Knowledge on Properties and Use

In recent years, the evaluation of many plant-derived compounds as potential new drugs or functional foods has become an active research topic. The morphological characteristics of quinces of the genera Cydonia sp., Chaenomeles sp., and Pseuocydonia sp. are largely similar, which is why these fruits are often confused. Although they have been appreciated in Asia for centuries as a valuable component of local ethnomedicine, they are less known in Western countries, and scientific knowledge about their health benefits remains fragmentary. This literature review summarizes studies on the content of chemical compounds responsible for the health-promoting and functional properties of the quince fruit. It focuses on the content of carotenoids, vitamins, minerals, and carboxylic acids, although the main emphasis is on the content and diversity of bioactive polyphenols, which are extremely abundant in these fruits. The quince fruits are rich in antioxidants and compounds with proven anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antiallergic, and immunomodulatory effects. Their phytochemicals effectively regulate glycemia and improve the blood lipid profile, suggesting potential antidiabetic and cardioprotective benefits. Analysis of chemical characteristics showed that the Chaenomeles fruits. are underestimated as functional food ingredients. Studies on the molecular effects of their bioactive compounds and species-specific genomic analyses are sorely lacking in the scientific literature.

Effects of Quince Gel and Hesperidin Mixture on Experimental Endometriosis

OBJECTIVES

Endometriosis (EM) is the presence of endometrial tissue outside the uterus. This study aimed to examine the effects of quince gel and hesperidin treatment on uterine tissue in an experimental endometriosis model.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty-two rats were categorized into four groups as sham, EM, EM+quince gel (QG), and EM+QG+Hesperidin (HES). The endometriosis (EM) model was induced with surgical intervention. Estradiol benzoate (EB) was used to induce endometrial hyperplasia. In the EM group, EB was given to rats for 7 days. The EM+QG group received 2 cc QG for 21 days. HES treatment was given for 21 days after EM induction. At the end of the experiment, blood was taken from the animals and the serum total antioxidant status (TAS) and total oxidant status (TOS) values were studied. Uterine tissues were dissected and processed for histological paraffin embedding. Tissues were fixed in 4% glutaraldehyde solution and processed for ultrastructural analysis.

RESULTS

After EM, QG and HES treatment significantly increased the TAS and decreased the TOS value. EM caused epithelial and glandular degeneration, thinning of the basal membranes, and vascular dilatation with increased fibrosis and edema. QG+HES restored the pathology and showed protective effects in uterine tissues. Caspase-3 expression was increased in the epithelium, glands, and muscle layers of the EM group. In EM+QG+HES, hesperidin protected cell survival and decreased Caspase-3 expression in uterine tissues. TNF-α expression was intense in inflammatory cells and the muscle layer in the EM group. HES reduced inflammation by decreasing the TNF-α expression. MAPK expression was increased after EM induction in epithelial, glandular, and inflammatory cells in the EM group. After HES treatment, MAPK expression was mainly negative in cells of uterine tissue in the EM+QG+HES group. Ultrastructurally, in the EM group, organelles were disrupted and dilated and degenerated after EM induction. QG and HES treatment improved cellular organelles.

CONCLUSION

Local vaginal applications can be an alternative treatment method in the endometriosis model via QG+HES treatment promoting cell proliferation and angiogenesis and preventing cell death.