Research

Sea Buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides)

30 peer-reviewed studies curated from PubMed and Semantic Scholar.

1
Meta-analyses
2
Systematic reviews
21
RCTs
6
Other studies
Meta-analyses (3%)
Systematic reviews (7%)
RCTs (70%)
Observational (3%)

Studies

Sorted by quality and recency

2026·Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania)·Maria Andrada Hincu, Doina Alina Nicoara, Elena Niculet, et al

Rosacea and: A Phytonutrient Approach to Skin Repair (The Systematic Review).

Systematic reviewSkin Hair Health

Systematic review of studies on sea buckthorn extracts, oils, or bioactive compounds, focusing on their effects on rosacea-related mechanisms. Sea buckthorn compounds modulate inflammation, oxidative stress, vascular and immune responses, and barrier function in preclinical models, suggesting potential benefits for inflammatory skin disorders like rosacea. Most evidence is preclinical, with limited clinical data for rosacea.

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2025·Scientific reports·Yi Yu, Qing Li, Yuankui Cao, et al

A prospective study of vaginal topical pretreatment of compound sea-buckthorn oil suppository in postmenopausal women prior to colposcopy.

RCTn = 368Womens Health

RCT evaluating the clinical efficacy of compound sea-buckthorn oil suppository as a topical vaginal pretreatment in postmenopausal women prior to colposcopy. The study found that sea-buckthorn oil improved the integrity of vaginal epithelium and satisfaction of colposcopy without significant side effects, compared to estrogen ointment.

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2024·Frontiers in nutrition·Duojie Xu, Ling Yuan, Fandi Meng, et al

Research progress on antitumor effects of sea buckthorn, a traditional Chinese medicine homologous to food and medicine.

Systematic reviewLongevity

This systematic review discusses the anti-tumor, antioxidant, and liver-protecting properties of sea buckthorn, a traditional Chinese medicine. It highlights the active components such as isorhamnetin, quercetin, gallic acid, and protocatechuic acid, which have significant anti-tumor effects. The review provides a theoretical basis for the development of sea buckthorn products in anti-tumor research and clinical application.

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2022·Phytotherapy research : PTR·Yaping Geng, Jing Wang, Ke Chen, et al

Effects of sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) on factors related to metabolic syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trial.

Meta-analysisHeart Health Nutrition -

This meta-analysis of 15 RCTs explored the effects of sea buckthorn supplementation on factors related to metabolic syndrome. Sea buckthorn reduced triglycerides, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, particularly in people with abnormal lipid metabolism. It had no effect on blood sugar, blood pressure, and BMI.

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2026·Nutrients·Maria Vittoria Morone, Gaia Spadarella, Alessandro Di Minno, et al

L. Fruit Extract Relieves Chronic Idiopathic Constipation and Improves Bowel Function: A Monocentric, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Clinical Trial.

RCTn = 90Gut Health

This randomized clinical trial evaluated the efficacy and tolerability of sea buckthorn fruit extract in adults with chronic idiopathic constipation. The extract significantly improved spontaneous complete bowel movements and normalized stool consistency compared to placebo, with reductions in bloating, abdominal pain, and heaviness.

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2021·Maturitas·Francesco De Seta, Salvatore Caruso, Giovanni Di Lorenzo, et al

Efficacy and safety of a new vaginal gel for the treatment of symptoms associated with vulvovaginal atrophy in postmenopausal women: A double-blind randomized placebo-controlled study.

RCTn = 60Womens Health Sexual Health

RCT assessing the efficacy and safety of a new vaginal gel containing sea buckthorn oil, aloe vera, 18β-glycyrrhetic acid, hyaluronic acid, and glycogen in postmenopausal women with vulvovaginal atrophy. The gel significantly improved vaginal health and sexual function over 12 weeks.

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2021·Wound repair and regeneration : official publication of the Wound Healing Society [and] the European Tissue Repair Society·Mehrdad Abdullahzadeh, Saeed Shafiee

To compare the effect of sea buckthorn and silver sulfadiazine dressing on period of wound healing in patients with second-degree burns: A randomized triple-blind clinical trial.

RCTn = 55Skin Hair Health

Randomized triple-blind clinical trial comparing sea buckthorn cream to 1% silver sulfadiazine for second-degree burn healing in 55 patients. Sea buckthorn cream resulted in a shorter healing period, demonstrating greater clinical efficacy.

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2014·Clinical drug investigation·Ananya Sadhu, Prabhat Upadhyay, Aruna Agrawal, et al

Management of cognitive determinants in senile dementia of Alzheimer's type: therapeutic potential of a novel polyherbal drug product.

RCTn = 232Brain Health Inflammation

A randomized double-blind placebo- and active-controlled clinical trial evaluated a polyherbal formulation containing Bacopa monnieri, Hippophae rhamnoides, and Dioscorea bulbifera in 109 healthy elderly subjects and 123 SDAT patients. The formulation improved cognitive functions and reduced inflammation and oxidative stress in SDAT patients compared to donepezil, and showed protective effects in healthy elderly subjects.

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2009·European journal of nutrition·Petra S Larmo, Baoru Yang, Saija A M Hurme, et al

Effect of a low dose of sea buckthorn berries on circulating concentrations of cholesterol, triacylglycerols, and flavonols in healthy adults.

RCTn = 229

RCT with 229 healthy participants consuming 28 g of sea buckthorn berries (SBB) or placebo daily for 3 months. SBB increased plasma concentrations of flavonols quercetin and isorhamnetin but did not affect serum cholesterol or triacylglycerol concentrations. No correlation was found between changes in flavonol and CRP concentrations.

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2007·European journal of clinical nutrition·P Larmo, J Alin, E Salminen, et al

Effects of sea buckthorn berries on infections and inflammation: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

RCTn = 254Inflammation Immunity -

Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial with 254 healthy volunteers to study the effect of sea buckthorn berries on common cold infections, digestive and urinary tract infections, and serum C-reactive protein concentrations. Sea buckthorn did not prevent common cold or digestive tract infections but significantly reduced serum CRP concentrations, indicating a positive effect on inflammation.

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2018·Contact lens & anterior eye : the journal of the British Contact Lens Association·Petra Larmo, Riikka Järvinen, Jarmo Laihia, et al

Effects of a sea buckthorn oil spray emulsion on dry eye.

RCTn = 52

RCT investigating the effects of a sea buckthorn oil and sodium hyaluronate-containing eyelid spray emulsion on dry eye symptoms. The study found that the SB spray significantly decreased OSDI scores and symptoms of dryness and watering compared to a reference spray and untreated control.

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2015·Lin chuang er bi yan hou tou jing wai ke za zhi = Journal of clinical otorhinolaryngology head and neck surgery·Wenjun Xin, Xiaotong Zhang, Long Cui, et al

[Comparative study of the clinical observation on traumatic perforation of tympanic membrane].

RCTn = 199

Prospective, randomized study of 199 outpatients with traumatic perforation of tympanic membrane comparing sea buckthorn oil treatment to self-healing. The treatment group showed higher healing rates and shorter healing times for middle and large perforations compared to the control group, suggesting sea buckthorn oil is beneficial for these cases.

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2014·Maturitas·Petra S Larmo, Baoru Yang, Juha Hyssälä, et al

Effects of sea buckthorn oil intake on vaginal atrophy in postmenopausal women: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

RCTn = 116Womens Health

RCT of 116 postmenopausal women comparing 3g daily sea buckthorn oil to placebo for three months. Sea buckthorn oil showed beneficial effects on vaginal health, improving the integrity of vaginal epithelium and showing a trend towards better vaginal health index.

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2013·Hellenic journal of nuclear medicine·Mantian Xiao, Xiaoshan Qiu, Dianchao Yue, et al

Influence of hippophae rhamnoides on two appetite factors, gastric emptying and metabolic parameters, in children with functional dyspepsia.

RCTn = 120Nutrition

RCT in 120 children with functional dyspepsia comparing hippophae rhamnoides, domperidone, and their combination. Hippophae rhamnoides increased plasma levels of leptin and neuropeptide Y, improved gastric emptying, and enhanced growth and development indicators.

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2013·The American journal of clinical nutrition·Petra S Larmo, Antti J Kangas, Pasi Soininen, et al

Effects of sea buckthorn and bilberry on serum metabolites differ according to baseline metabolic profiles in overweight women: a randomized crossover trial.

RCTn = 80

Randomized crossover trial with 80 overweight women studying the effects of sea buckthorn and bilberry on serum metabolome. Interventions included dried sea buckthorn berries, sea buckthorn oil, sea buckthorn phenolics ethanol extract with maltodextrin, and frozen bilberries. Significant effects on metabolic profiles were observed, with variations depending on baseline cardiometabolic risk profiles.

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2013·The Journal of the Association of Physicians of India·Rana Gopal Singh, Parampal Singh, Praveen Kumar Singh, et al

Immunomodulating and antiproteinuric effect of Hippophae rhamnoides (Badriphal) in idiopathic nephrotic syndrome.

RCTn = 56Immunity Inflammation

RCT with 56 patients of idiopathic nephrotic syndrome comparing standard treatment to Hippophae rhamnoides (Badriphal) as add-on. The herbal group showed improvement in symptoms like oedema, anorexia, oliguria, and significant decrease in urinary protein and inflammatory cytokines.

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2013·Avian diseases·V Patial, R K Asrani, R D Patil, et al

Pathology of ochratoxin A-induced nephrotoxicity in Japanese quail and its protection by sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.).

RCTInflammation

The study investigated the protective effect of sea buckthorn (SBT) against renal damage induced by ochratoxin A (OTA) in Japanese quail. Quail chicks were divided into groups receiving different treatments, including SBT leaf powder and extract. SBT-treated groups showed less severe renal damage compared to the group fed OTA alone, indicating partial protection against OTA-induced nephropathy.

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2011·Cornea·Riikka L Järvinen, Petra S Larmo, Niko L Setälä, et al

Effects of oral sea buckthorn oil on tear film Fatty acids in individuals with dry eye.

RCTn = 100Inflammation

RCT of 100 participants with dry eye, comparing 2 g daily oral sea buckthorn oil to placebo for 3 months. No significant changes in tear film fatty acid composition were observed, suggesting benefits may be due to carotenoids, tocopherols, or eicosanoids affecting inflammation and meibomian gland cell differentiation.

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2010·The Journal of nutrition·Petra S Larmo, Riikka L Järvinen, Niko L Setälä, et al

Oral sea buckthorn oil attenuates tear film osmolarity and symptoms in individuals with dry eye.

RCTn = 100

Double-blind, randomized trial of 100 participants with dry eye symptoms consuming 2 g of sea buckthorn oil or placebo daily for 3 months. Sea buckthorn oil attenuated the increase in tear film osmolarity and positively affected dry eye symptoms compared to placebo.

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2006·Journal of agricultural and food chemistry·Jukka-Pekka Suomela, Markku Ahotupa, Baoru Yang, et al

Absorption of flavonols derived from sea buckthorn (Hippophaë rhamnoides L.) and their effect on emerging risk factors for cardiovascular disease in humans.

RCTHeart Health -

RCT studying the absorption of flavonols derived from sea buckthorn and their effect on cardiovascular risk factors in humans. Flavonols were rapidly absorbed but did not significantly affect oxidized LDL, CRP, homocysteine levels, plasma antioxidant potential, or paraoxonase activity.

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2003·World journal of gastroenterology·Ze-Li Gao, Xiao-Hong Gu, Feng-Tao Cheng, et al

Effect of sea buckthorn on liver fibrosis: a clinical study.

RCTn = 50

RCT of 50 cirrhotic patients comparing sea buckthorn extract to vitamin B complex over 6 months. Sea buckthorn treatment significantly reduced serum levels of LN, HA, collagen types III and IV, and total bile acid, and shortened the duration for normalization of aminotransferases, suggesting potential benefits for liver fibrosis.

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2017·European journal of nutrition·Maria Wichmann Mortensen, Camilla Spagner, Cătălina Cuparencu, et al

Sea buckthorn decreases and delays insulin response and improves glycaemic profile following a sucrose-containing berry meal: a randomised, controlled, crossover study of Danish sea buckthorn and strawberries in overweight and obese male subjects.

RCTn = 18Nutrition

Randomised, controlled, crossover study in 18 overweight or obese male subjects examining the effects of sea buckthorn and strawberry on postprandial glycaemia and insulinemia. Sea buckthorn improved glycaemic profile and decreased insulin response compared to control, while strawberry had no such effects.

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2012·Journal of renal nutrition : the official journal of the Council on Renal Nutrition of the National Kidney Foundation·Ylva Rodhe, Therese Woodhill, Royne Thorman, et al

The effect of sea buckthorn supplement on oral health, inflammation, and DNA damage in hemodialysis patients: a double-blinded, randomized crossover study.

RCTn = 45Inflammation -

This randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled crossover study evaluated the effects of sea buckthorn oil (SBO) on oxidative stress, saliva production, and inflammation in 45 hemodialysis patients. The study found no significant changes in DNA breaks, oxidative DNA lesions, salivary flow rates, or inflammation after SBO supplementation, although plasma levels of phosphate and sodium increased and plasma levels of iron decreased.

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2012·Journal of veterinary internal medicine·N K Huff, A D Auer, F Garza, et al

Effect of sea buckthorn berries and pulp in a liquid emulsion on gastric ulcer scores and gastric juice pH in horses.

RCTn = 8

This study tested the efficacy of SeaBuck SBT Gastro-Plus, a sea buckthorn berry and pulp formulation, on gastric ulcers in horses. The study found that while nonglandular ulcer scores increased with feed deprivation, glandular ulcer scores were significantly lower in SBT-treated horses compared to controls, suggesting potential efficacy in preventing glandular ulcers.

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2025·Pharmaceuticals·I. Popescu, E. Codrici, Sevinci Pop, et al

Potential of Newly Synthesized Sea Buckthorn Phytocarriers as Anti-Inflammatory Active Agents

In vitroInflammation

The study assessed the morphology, intracellular delivery, and anti-inflammatory effect of sodium cholate and sodium deoxycholate-based phytocarriers loaded with sea buckthorn berry extract. NaC-derived phytocarriers loaded with sea buckthorn extract showed anti-inflammatory properties by lowering IL-8 cytokine production in human monocytes.

Semantic ScholarRead on Semantic Scholar
2011·International journal of food sciences and nutrition·Kaisa M Linderborg, Henna-Maria Lehtonen, Riikka Järvinen, et al

The fibres and polyphenols in sea buckthorn (Hippophaë rhamnoides) extraction residues delay postprandial lipemia.

Cross-sectional

Postprandial cross-over study with healthy normal-weight male volunteers examining the triacylglycerol response to fatty meals containing sea buckthorn berries and extraction residues. All berry meals delayed lipemia compared to the control, with the effect largely attributed to fiber rather than polyphenols.

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2023·Frontiers in Endocrinology·Michal Mihaľ, S. Roychoudhury, A. Sirotkin, et al

Sea buckthorn, its bioactive constituents, and mechanism of action: potential application in female reproduction

ReviewWomens Health

This narrative review examines the bioactive constituents of sea buckthorn and their potential mechanisms of action in female reproductive health. It discusses the plant's compounds, such as flavonoids and fatty acids, and their possible roles in managing gynecological issues and improving postmenopausal symptoms.

Semantic ScholarRead on Semantic Scholar
2022·Frontiers in Nutrition·Zhen Wang, Fenglan Zhao, Panpan Wei, et al

Phytochemistry, health benefits, and food applications of sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.): A comprehensive review

Review

This comprehensive review discusses the phytochemistry, nutrients, health benefits, and food applications of sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.). It highlights the plant's antioxidant, anticancer, anti-hyperlipidemic, anti-obesity, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiviral, dermatological, neuroprotective, and hepatoprotective activities, as well as its potential in the human food industry.

Semantic ScholarRead on Semantic Scholar
2021·Food Reviews International·Ke Dong, Warnakulasuriya M.A.D. Binosha Fernando, Rosalie Durham, et al

Nutritional Value, Health-promoting Benefits and Food Application of Sea Buckthorn

ReviewInflammation Skin Hair Health Heart Health

This narrative review discusses the nutritional value and health-promoting benefits of sea buckthorn (SB) berries, highlighting their bioactive compounds such as vitamin C, flavonoids, free fatty acids, and carotenoids. It covers SB's anti-inflammatory, skin healing, and cardiovascular disease risk reduction properties.

Semantic ScholarRead on Semantic Scholar
2012·ISRN Pharmacology·C. Patel, K. Divakar, D. Santani, et al

Remedial Prospective of Hippophae rhamnoides Linn. (Sea Buckthorn)

ReviewInflammation Heart Health Immunity Stress

The paper reviews the pharmacological actions of sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides), highlighting its rich vitamin and antioxidant content. It discusses its potential benefits in reducing inflammation, improving heart health, exerting anti-cancer effects, and providing anti-stress and adaptogenic activity. Further research is needed to explore its mechanisms and effects on various conditions.

Semantic ScholarRead on Semantic Scholar