The Chemical Composition and Health-Promoting Effects of the Grewia Species—A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Globally grown and organoleptically appreciated Grewia species are known as sources of bioactive compounds that avert the risk of communicable and non-communicable diseases. Therefore, in recent years, the genus Grewia has attracted increasing scientific attention. This is the first systematic review which focusses primarily on the nutritional composition, phytochemical profile, pharmacological properties, and disease preventative role of Grewia species. The literature published from 1975 to 2021 was searched to retrieve relevant articles from databases such as Google Scholar, Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science. Two independent reviewers carried out the screening, selection of articles, and data extraction. Of 815 references, 56 met our inclusion criteria. G. asiatica and G. optiva were the most frequently studied species. We found 167 chemical compounds from 12 Grewia species, allocated to 21 categories. Flavonoids represented 41.31% of the reported bioactive compounds, followed by protein and amino acids (10.7%), fats and fatty acids (9.58%), ash and minerals (6.58%), and non-flavonoid polyphenols (5.96%). Crude extracts, enriched with bioactive compounds, and isolated compounds from the Grewia species show antioxidant, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective/radioprotective, immunomodulatory, and sedative hypnotic potential. Moreover, antimicrobial properties, improvement in learning and memory deficits, and effectiveness against neurodegenerative ailments are also described within the reviewed article. Nowadays, the side effects of some synthetic drugs and therapies, and bottlenecks in the drug development pathway have directed the attention of researchers and pharmaceutical industries towards the development of new products that are safe, cost-effective, and readily available. However, the application of the Grewia species in pharmaceutical industries is still limited.

Antioxidant Effect of Ocimum basilicum Essential Oil and Its Effect on Cooking Qualities of Supplemented Chicken Nuggets

“…It can be stated that high antioxidant activity could be attained by adding the bioactive compounds quantified in this study. A plethora of literature showed a positive relationship between specific bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity [ 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 ]. In an earlier study, the antioxidant activity of OB-EO was reported as IC 50 6.68 mg/mL and 62.2 mg ascorbic acid equivalent (AAE)/g in DPPH and FRAP assay, respectively, and was ascribed to the presence of α-pinene, γ-terpinene, 1,8-cineole, limonene, linalool, and linalyl acetate [ 45 ], supporting the findings of the present study.…”

Grewia tenax bark extract mediated silver nanoparticles as an antibacterial, antibiofilm and antifungal agent

“…There were around 30 identified compounds, in which tetracontane showed maximum area % and has already been reported to show antimicrobial and antioxidant properties [17][18][19][20][21]. In the literature, GCMS of Grewia tenax methanol-based fruit extract showed the presence of 82 compounds, predominantly 5,9-undecadien-2-ol, 6,10-dimethyl-as 11.60% whereas in aqueous extract it was 3.18% [10,17]. The green synthesis of AgNPs using GTB extracts showed a change in colour from light yellowish brown to dark brown within 10 min at room temperature and under continuous shaking.…”

“…Grewia tenax is a tropical, deciduous shrub and a potentially threatened species of the Thar Desert of India. It is a multipurpose but underutilised species having antioxidant, anticholinesterase and antibacterial properties [10]. The plant contains phytochemicals such as alkaloids, saponins, tannins, flavonoids, terpenoids, etc [11].…”

An Ayurvedic Management of Paroxysmal Supraventricular Tachycardia

“…Nagabala acts as a rasayana so it promotes both physical and mental health, and also improves the status of rasa dhatu. It contains compounds like oleic acid, linoleic acid, terpenes, myristic acid, gingerol, aldehyde, and alcoholic compounds, the leaves of Nagabala contain an alkaloid named ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, its roots and seeds also contain ephedrine, vasicinol, N-Methyl tryptophan which having cardiovascular, analgesic, antiinflammatory, and antioxidant effects (24).…”