Systematic and Phytochemical Diversification of Hybrid Central European Species of the Genus Crataegus and Their Pharmacological Potential

The main theme of the project is to characterize less known Central European hawthorn hybrid species at the molecular, karyological and morphological level, coupled with an analysis of their metabolic composition. Due to their more complex phytochemical composition, hybrid species represent a potentially better source of a combination of biologically active compounds than common hawthorn species. Testing of the antioxidant effect of the obtained extracts and their effect on angiogenesis and tumour cell proliferation may demonstrate their more pronounced therapeutic potential. Angiogenesis will be studied by in ovo and ex ovo methods in the chorioallantoic membrane model of the avian embryo (CAM model). In our case, the avian embryo will be the domestic chicken and Japanese quail. The use of this model does not conflict with ethical and legal obligations. The antiproliferative effect will be tested on different tumor cell lines using molecular, colorimetric, spectrophotometric and cytometric assays.