Development of a waste-free technology for comprehensive processing of Cornus mas (dogwood) fruits: Production of natural viscous extract and medical suppositories with potential anti-hemorrhoidal activity

Resumo

Background: Cornus mas (dogwood) is well known for its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, making it a promising candidate for hemorrhoid treatment. Traditional medicine recommends consuming dogwood with seeds due to their oil content, which provides lubrication and alleviates symptoms such as pain, itching, and bleeding. Scientific medicine shows particular interest in ripe fruits and dogwood seeds for their ability to strengthen local immunity and aid in treating early-stage hemorrhoids. This growing interest has increased demand for multifunctional products such as biologically enriched nutraceuticals that combine therapeutic and preventive effects, necessitating precise qualitative and quantitative enrichment with bioactive compounds.

Objective: The development of an advanced technology designed to fulfill the criteria for the isolation and preservation of biologically active substances in their native form, as well as for the production of medicinal formulations based on them, remains relevant. Highly efficient methods for isolating fatty acids and anthocyanins without changing native structures and with high chemical yields (≥ 90%) and purified from mineral salts will be developed. Optimal conditions for obtaining medical suppositories based on isolated native BAS will be selected. 

Methods: The qualitative and quantitative determination of fatty acid composition via gas chromatography was conducted. The elemental analysis of the seeds and pulp was performed using an inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer (Agilent 5800 VDV ICP-OES) and the total anthocyanins content in the viscous extract was estimated by spectrophotometric method. The production of medicinal suppositories was carried out using the fusion-molding method. 

Results: A waste-free technology for complex utilization of dogwood fruits has been formulated, allowing the production of natural dogwood viscous extract, as well as mixtures of anthocyanins and fatty acids from primary production meals (pits and peel of pulp). Using fatty acid mixture, laboratory samples of medical suppositories with potential antihemorrhoidal activity have been obtained. 

Novelty: The novelty of this study lies in the development of a method that preserves the integrity of bioactive compounds (BACs) and enables their use in medicinal products, particularly in suppositories with potential antimicrobial and antihemorrhoidal effects.

Conclusion: The development of a waste-free technology for the comprehensive processing of Cornus mas fruits presents a promising, eco-friendly alternative to conventional synthetic methods for producing agents with potential antimicrobial and antihemorrhoidal activity. This natural-based approach not only reduces environmental impact and production costs but also offers considerable social benefits by providing sustainable and accessible medicines. 

Keywords: Cornus mas, anthocyanins, fatty acids, hemorrhoidal disease, natural extracts, bioactive compounds, functional foods, therapeutic potential.