From Desert Greening to Human Health: A Systematic Review of the Extraction, Unique Structure, and Bioactivity of Sea Buckthorn Proanthocyanidins

Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) is an ecologically significant shrub that has been effectively employed to combat desertification. Recently, its economic potential has garnered substantial scientific interest. Sea buckthorn proanthocyanidins (SBPs), which are key antioxidant bioactive compounds found in sea buckthorn, exhibit remarkable free radical scavenging capacity and multi-target biological activities, including anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, vision protection, and cardiovascular protection effects. These attributes highlight the potential applications of SBPs in functional foods, nutritional supplements, and skincare products. This review summarizes the current state of research regarding extraction methods, structural characteristics, and associated biological activities of sea buckthorn proanthocyanidins, while also exploring future research directions to provide a reference for their further development and utilization.