From Hamamelis virginiana

A. Deters, A. Dauer, E. Schnetz, M. Fartasshc and A. Hensel, High molecular compounds (polysaccharides and proanthocyanidins) from Hamamelis virginiana bark influence on human skin keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation and influence on irritated skin. Phytochemistry 58 (2001) 949-958. 

Messerschmidt, W. Steam Distillate from Hamamelis virginiana Leaves. II. Planta Med. suppl. 1967, 102 (Ger.) Chem. Abstr. 68, 36 759x (1968). 

The family Hamamelidaceae consists of 26 genera and about 100 species of shrubs or tress known to contain tannins and iridoids. The leaves are alternate, simple, and often palmately lobed. The flowers are small and appear in spikes. The fruits are woody, capsular, and scepticidal. In Western medicine, the dried leaves of Hamamelis virginiana (hamamelis, British Pharmaceutical Codex, 1963), yielding not less that 20% of alcohol (45%)-soluble extractive, have been used as astringents for the treatment of hemorrhoids. Hamamelis water (British Pharmaceutical Codex, 1969) made from the stems has been used as a cooling application to sprains and bruises and as a styptic remedy. It is also used in cosmetics and as active ingredient of eye lotions. 

Dauer, A., Rimpler, H., and Hensel, A., Polymeric proanthocyanidins from the bark of Hamamelis virginiana, Planta Med, 69, 89, 2003. 

Radioactive isoprene was liberated from leaf surfaces of Hamamelis virginiana and Quercus borealis when labelled intermediates of the glycolate pathway and labelled mevalonate were fed to them.55 It is not clear whether MVA was an obligate precursor of isoprene, although inhibition studies showed a distinct similarity between the biosynthetic pathway to isoprene and that to /3-carotene. 

Fig. 197.—Hamamelis virginiana. Upper figure shows this shrub as.it ap-. pears in autumn alter the leaves have fallen. Note that the plant is in blossom. Lower figure shows a flowering branch from the same plant. The bright yellow flowers occur in axillary clusters appearing at the same time as the fipening of fruits from blossoms of the previous year.

Staphylococci are responsible for most of the nosocomial infections. Since these bacteria are resistant to several antibiotics, there is an urgent need for novel drugs against Staphylococci infections. Quorum-sensing inhibitors that block the cell-to-cell communication between Staphylococci and thereby inhibit their virulence could represent an alternative to antibiotics. A pharmacophore-based screening retrieved hamamelitannin (7, Figure 5.11) from the bark and leaves of Hamamelis virginiana. 

C20H20O14 484.37 Tannin from witch hazel Hamamelis virginiana. Also in Quercus rubra and Castanea sativa (sweet chestnut). Prisms or needles + IfeHjO (H2O). 

Mixed polysaccharides from animal connective tissue. Nonalcoholic steam distillate of parts of Hamamelis virginiana. Sodium salt of hyaluronic acid [9004-61-9]. 

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