# Comparative Review of Cardioprotective Potential of Various Parts of Sambucus nigra L., Sambucus williamsii Hance, and Their Products

## TL;DR

This paper reviews how different parts of two elderberry species may protect the heart and compares their potential uses.

## Contribution

The study provides a comparative review of the cardioprotective effects of Sambucus nigra and Sambucus williamsii parts and their products.

## Key findings

- Sambucus species contain bioactive compounds with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cardioprotective properties.
- Fruits and flowers of Sambucus nigra are particularly rich in bioactive components.
- The cardioprotective mechanisms of Sambucus constituents are summarized for future research.

## Abstract

The genus Sambucus L. consists of about 29 recognized species (including 7 different genera that have berry fruit) distributed in all regions of the world. The most popular species are Sambucus nigra L., Sambucus cerulean Raf., and Sambucus javanica Blume, of which the European elderberry is widely used commercially. S. williamsii Hance (commonly known as Jiegumu) is endemic to China and is a valued variety of elderberry. S. nigra L. is one of the oldest medicinal plants. The herbal materials used in treatment and nutrition are its fruits, flowers, roots, leaves, and bark. Various parts of S. williamsii, including its fruit, flower, root, leaf, and stem, are also specifically used in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Additionally, berries and flowers of S. nigra L. have become a very popular inclusion in supplements, beverages, and foods in recent years. It is important that Sambucus plants are rich sources of various bioactive compounds, which determine their biological activities, such as antioxidant, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammation. However, one of the most extensively studied species is S. nigra L. Among the different parts of this plant, the fruits and flowers are of particular interest due to their rich bioactive components. The aim of the present review is to provide and compare an overview of the cardioprotective potential of various parts not only of S. nigra L., but also of S. williamsii Hance, and their products in various models. Moreover, cardioprotective mechanisms of their main chemical constituents were demonstrated in this paper to provide a basis for further study and development.