Phytochemical and Biological Activities of Four Wild Medicinal Plants

Abstract

The fruits of four wild plants, namely, Capparis decidua, Ficus carica, Syzygium cumini, and Ziziphus jujuba, are separately used as traditional dietary and remedial agents in remote areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. The results of our study on these four plants revealed that the examined fruits were a valuable source of nutraceuticals and exhibited good level of antimicrobial activity. The fruits of these four investigated plants are promising source of polyphenols, flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, and saponins. These four plants' fruits are good sources of iron, zinc, copper, manganese, selenium, and chromium. It was also observed that these fruits are potential source of antioxidant agent and the possible reason could be that these samples had good amount of phytochemicals. Hence, the proper propagation, conservation, and chemical investigation are recommended so that these fruits should be incorporated for the eradication of food and health related problems.

Bu-Shen-Ning-Xin decoction suppresses osteoclastogenesis <i>via </i>increasing dehydroepiandrosterone to prevent postmenopausal osteoporosis

“…Saponins and flavonoids are active ingredients that suppress the central nervous system (46). Flavonoids and saponins in Spina Date seed also have antibacterial and antifungal action (53).…”

Phytochemical composition of smoothies combining pomegranate juice (Punica granatum L) and Mediterranean minor crop purées (Ficus carica, Cydonia oblonga, and Ziziphus jujube)

“…Regarding Mg and Zn, the highest contents were obtained when using quince purée. A previous study indicated the lower content of Mg and Zn in figs than jujube …”

“…A previous study indicated the lower content of Mg and Zn in figs than jujube. 29 On the other hand, the content of the predominant mineral, potassium (K), was affected by all three studied factors ( Table 3). The amount of K was higher in smoothies with 60% purée (191 mg 100 g −1 ), with 'Wonderful' pomegranate juice (205 mg 100 g −1 ) and with fig purée (197 mg 100 g −1 ).…”

Evaluating Antiinflammatory and Antiandrogenic Effects of Garden Cress (Lepidium sativum L.) in HaCaT cells

“…Isothiocyanates protect laboratory animals against chemically-induced cancer through inhibition of phase I enzymes and/or induction of glutathione-Stransferase [6]. Flavonoids are phenolic compounds which have significant role in preventing diseases and improving the health of humans [7,8]. The phenolic compounds of Brassicaceae are water soluble molecules which were shown to be potent antioxidants protecting the human body from oxidative stress [3,4,7].…”

“…Flavonoids are phenolic compounds which have significant role in preventing diseases and improving the health of humans [7,8]. The phenolic compounds of Brassicaceae are water soluble molecules which were shown to be potent antioxidants protecting the human body from oxidative stress [3,4,7]. In addition to their antiaging and skin protections effects, phenolics have also have attracted attention due to their use in skin care such as dryness, eczema and acne [9].…”