Flavonoid content of commercial capers ( Capparis spinosa, C. sicula and C. orientalis ) produced in mediterranean countries

Effect of Tunisian Capparis spinosa L. extract on melanogenesis in B16 murine melanoma cells

“…The extract might stimulate not only tyrosinase but also TRP-1 and TRP-2; however, the expression level of enzymes TRP-1and TRP-2 and the expression level of the tyrosinase mRNA were not determined. Cells at a density of 3 9 10 6 cells/100-mm dish were incubated overnight after which they were treated with the C. spinosa extract and incubated further for 5, 24, and 48 h Buds of C. spinosa are the most widely used part of the plant and analysis of commercial capers shows that they are rich in flavonoids, with quercetin and kaempferol being the main constituents [22]. Quercetin can stimulate melanogenesis in human melanocytes and melanoma [13], B16 melanoma [23], and in a three-dimensional human epidermal model [24].…”

Bioactive Components of Caper (Capparis spinosa L.) from Sicily and Antioxidant Effects in a Red Meat Simulated Gastric Digestion

“…Caper has appeared to be a relatively rich source of antioxidant phytochemicals such as flavonoids (11,12,14). The flavonoid profile has appeared common to a large number of Capparis species, with quercetin and kaempferol glycosides being the most represented, but the relative amounts of individual flavonoids has appeared quite different (11).…”

“…Other investigations showed that raw floral buds contain lipids, alkaloids, glucocapperin as major glucosinolate, and a number of antioxidant phytochemicalssuchasflavonoidsandotherpolyphenols (2,(10)(11)(12)(13)(14). Quercetin-3-rutinoside (rutin) has appeared to be common to most species and varieties, as well as the most abundant flavonoid in C. spinosa (10)(11)(12)14). In addition, antioxidant properties of methanolic extracts of raw floral buds have been shown in various in vitro models (12,14), and the potential use in oxidative stress-based pathological conditions has been suggested (12,15).…”

The discovery of Capparis spinosa L. (Capparidaceae) in the Yanghai Tombs (2800 years b.p.), NW China, and its medicinal implications

“…Fruits and root bark were used to treat sciatica and spleen disease Rivera et al (2003) Dioscorides Ancient Greek 1st century Fruits and root bark were used to treat spleen disease, expels urine and bloody excrement, help the sciatica, good for ruptures and convulsions, drive out the menstrual discharge and the mucus from the head; root bark and leaves were used with honey were used for cleaning ulcers; fruits, root bark or seeds in vinegar for toothache; roots bark was used for taking away white vitiligo spots; root and leaves kill worms in the ears or as analgesic for ear ache Rivera et al (2003) Assaph Ancient Egypt 6th century Roots were used to treat all kinds of pains, women afflictions, insanity, and worms in the ears. It was also used as a diuretic drug, to cure the kidney and mouth sores, to treat rotting teeth and gums, scorpion stings, wounds and stomach problems, and also to accelerate menstruation Muntner (1969) Al-Kindi Ancient Arab 9th century Root skins were used to bandage the spleen, cure hemorrhoids, and dispel bad odors spirits Ibn Sina (1877) Pickled in salt water or vinegar as a condiment; also used in diverse plates of pasta, fish or meat Hill (1952), Uphof (1968), Inocencio et al (2000) Egypt (Ducros, 1930) Convulsions Fruits, root bark Ancient Greek (Rivera et al, 2003) Cough Fruits, leaves Arabs of Israel (Palevitch et al, 1985) Ancient Xinjiang, China (Anonymous, 2005a) Somali (Thulin, 1993) Diabetic Fruits Arabs of Israel (Palevitch et al, 1985); Fez-Boulemane and Tafilalet regions of Morocco (Jouad et al, 2001;Eddouks et al, 2002) Diuretic Root bark, fruits Ancient Babylonia (Ibn al-Baytar, 1874; Levey, 1966); ancient Egypt (Muntner, 1969); ancient Roma and Greek (Rivera et al, 2003) Iraq (Al-Rawi and Chakravarty, 1964); India (Kiritikar and Basu, 1987) Dispel (Osborn, 1968;Levey, 1978;Goodman and Hobbs, 1988 (Palevitch et al, 1985) Egypt (Ducros, 1930) Infertility Roots Arabs of Israel (Palevitch et al, 1985) Insanity Roots Ancient Egypt …”