Investigators at Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa Report New Data on Psychology and Psychiatry (Chromatographic analysis of Crataegus azarolus and possible psychiatric implications).

This article focuses on new research from Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa in Turkiye investigating the chemical composition and potential psychiatric effects of Crataegus azarolus (hawthorn), a medicinal plant traditionally used for health and culinary purposes. Using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and ion chromatography, the study identified 13 major compounds, including flavonoids quercetin and lucenin-2, which have been associated with neuroprotection and possible anxiolytic and antidepressant activities in preclinical studies. Although the biochemical complexity of hawthorn suggests potential mental health relevance, the research emphasizes that direct preclinical and clinical evidence for psychiatric applications is currently lacking. The study concludes that further investigations are necessary to clarify hawthorn’s psychiatric implications. [Extracted from the article]