Exploring Carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.): A Comprehensive Assessment of Its Characteristics, Ethnomedicinal Uses, Phytochemical Aspects, and Pharmacological Activities

Abstract

The carob tree (Ceratonia siliqua L.) is currently considered one of the most valuable fruit and forest trees in various fields and sectors of activity. It is a versatile plant, belonging to the Fabaceae family. It is widely used in traditional medicine to treat many diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and gastrointestinal disorders, given that all its parts (leaves, flowers, pods, seeds, wood, bark, and roots) are useful and hold value in many areas. Its importance has increased significantly in recent years. Originating from the Middle East, it is recognized for its ecological and industrial significance. Previous studies conducted on Ceratonia siliqua L. have revealed the presence of several compounds, including polyphenols, flavonoids, carbohydrates, minerals, and proteins. The carob tree demonstrates antihypertensive, antidepressant, anti-obesity, and antihyperglycemic activities. This plant is known for its medicinal and therapeutic virtues. Moreover, it is particularly interesting to consider the pharmacological activities of the major phytochemical compounds present in the different extracts of this plant, such as phenolic acids, for example, coumaric and gallic acids, as well as flavonoids such as kaempferol and quercetin. Therefore, this review aims to analyze some aspects of this plant, especially the taxonomy, cytogeography, traditional uses, phytochemical constituents, and pharmacological activities of Ceratonia siliqua L., in addition to its biological properties.

Antioxidant Activity of Carob Tree (Ceratonia siliqua L.) Leaf Extracts Obtained by Advanced Extraction Techniques

“…Flavonols were the predominant group of carob leaf polyphenols, represented mostly by myricetin and quercetin-3-rhamnoside, which are known to usually be the most abundant flavonoids in carob [6,38,39]. Phenolic acids were the second most significant group of polyphenols, with gallic acid making up approximately 90% of them, which is consistent with the literature, since gallic acid was shown to be the main representative of phenolic acids in carob leaves [3,6]. As for the influence of the extraction techniques, UAE yielded the lowest concentration of both flavonols and phenolic acids even though the optimal temperature and time were the same as in MAE.…”

“…Carob is resistant to drought and soil salinity and can tolerate high temperatures, enabling it to thrive in challenging environments, expanding agricultural possibilities and contributing to food security in areas prone to arid conditions [1,2]. Its significance is appreciated not only for its resilience and economic value, but also for the nutritional value of all parts of the plant (pods, pulp, seeds, leaves), which are used in the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries due to their biological activities [3]. Carob pods consist of 90% pulp and 10% seeds.…”

“…Polyphenols have an antioxidant effect and can contribute to various health benefits [8]. As a result of the high content of bioactive molecules, carob is not only a source of powerful antioxidants, but also has antimicrobial, antiproliferative and anti-inflammatory effects, being used as a diuretic, an anti-diarrheal agent and for treating obesity [3,6,9].…”

Natural riches of Al Hoceima: Inventory of plants with medicinal and aromatic properties

“…This practice showcasing the diverse applications of these plants in both medicinal and aromatic domains. This intricate tapestry of plant usage highlights the botanical wealth of Al Hoceima Province and emphasizes the enduring legacy of ethnomedicinal practices deeply embedded in the region's cultural heritage [23][24][25].…”

Nutritional Benefits and Antihyperglycemic Potential of Carob Fruit (<i>Ceratonia siliqua</i> L.) - An Overview

“…Carob has pharmacological properties in the digestive system, including antidiarrheal, antibacterial, anti-ulcer, and anti-inflammatory effects. It also has a laxative effect on gastrointestinal motility (Dahmani et al, 2023). Furthermore, carob can be used as a natural antioxidant in the form of a supplement to reduce oxidative stress damage (Rtibi et al, 2015).…”