Juglans regia Linn.: A Natural Repository of Vital Phytochemical and Pharmacological Compounds

Abstract

Juglans regia Linn. is a valuable medicinal plant that possesses the therapeutic potential to treat a wide range of diseases in humans. It has been known to have significant nutritional and curative properties since ancient times, and almost all parts of this plant have been utilized to cure numerous fungal and bacterial disorders. The separation and identification of the active ingredients in J. regia as well as the testing of those active compounds for pharmacological properties are currently of great interest. Recently, the naphthoquinones extracted from walnut have been observed to inhibit the enzymes essential for viral protein synthesis in the SARS-CoV-2. Anticancer characteristics have been observed in the synthetic triazole analogue derivatives of juglone, and the unique modifications in the parent derivative of juglone have paved the way for further synthetic research in this area. Though there are some research articles available on the pharmacological importance of J. regia, a comprehensive review article to summarize these findings is still required. The current review, therefore, abridges the most recent scientific findings about antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-fungal, and anticancer properties of various discovered and separated chemical compounds from different solvents and different parts of J. regia.

Influence of Cold Stress on Physiological and Phytochemical Characteristics and Secondary Metabolite Accumulation in Microclones of Juglans regia L.

“…During cold stress, the expansion of the stem's conductive and parenchymal tissues compared to the control is necessary to manage an increased flow of water and organic compounds. This adjustment leads to a higher total water content in the tissues of walnut microclones under cold stress, which may be an indicator of J. regia microclones' adaptation to cold [58][59][60].…”

Discovery of 5-Hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (Juglone) Derivatives as Dual Effective Agents Targeting Platelet-Cancer Interplay through Protein Disulfide Isomerase Inhibition

“…Juglone (JUG, 7 , Figure ), 5-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone, is an allelochemical found in walnut plants such as Juglans regia (J. regia) . Walnut extracts are widely used in folk medicine for treating arthritis, stomach aches, skin disorders, and infectious diseases. , Besides, JUG has been used as a natural dye and colorant in cosmetics and foods despite its potentially hazardous effects . Previous studies have shown the anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, and antiviral effects of JUG, , and a number of JUG derivatives have been synthesized and biologically evaluated. − Recently, we have reported that JUG exhibited antiplatelet effects which were associated with inhibition of platelet surface PDI activity …”

“… 28 Walnut extracts are widely used in folk medicine for treating arthritis, stomach aches, skin disorders, and infectious diseases. 29 , 30 Besides, JUG has been used as a natural dye and colorant in cosmetics and foods despite its potentially hazardous effects. 31 Previous studies have shown the anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, and antiviral effects of JUG, 32 , 33 and a number of JUG derivatives have been synthesized and biologically evaluated.…”

In Vitro Antiproliferative Apoptosis Induction and Cell Cycle Arrest Potential of Saudi Sidr Honey against Colorectal Cancer

“…There are over ten million cancer cases diagnosed each year throughout the world, and more than half of patients die from it [2,3]. Cancer ranks as the second leading cause of death in many countries after cardiovascular diseases [4,5]. Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a type of cancer that affects the colon (large intestine) and rectum [6].…”