JUJUBE RESEARCH LIBRARY
A collection of published studies reporting on the various benefits of the jujube.
ANTI-ALLERGY
Scientific research shows that jujube has an antiallergic function with its organic compounds helping prevent or alleviate allergy symptoms.
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Chinese jujube (Zizyphus jujube Mill.) and Indian jujube (Ziziphus mauritiana Lamk.) are largely used in traditional Asian medicine because of its high nutritional composition. Jujube contains 23 types of amino acids that are not found in most other kinds of fruits, and it has numerous health beneficial so it has famous as traditional and functional Chinese food.
The major minerals in jujube is phosphorus, potassium, calcium and manganese. There are also high amounts of sodium, zinc, copper and iron in addition tovitamin C, riboflavin and thiamine. Jujube usage in combination with other medicinal herbs and fruits have been used safely and effectively in traditional Chinese medicine for many years for various indications. Jujube has numerous important pharmacological activities and it can be considered as a valuable source of nutraceuticals.
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With the study of anti-allergy medicine, it proves traditional Chinese medicine has anti-allergic effects and several other functions, such as protecting and stabilizing the target cell membrane (reduce or prevent degranulation, release the allergy mediators, increase the intracellular cAMP levels), inhibiting the formation of IgE, against allergies media, neutralizing the allergen and so on. In addition, it has good clinical effects and no significant adverse reactions. This paper takes reference to a variety of literature and introduces the anti-allergic effect of single herb and compound traditional Chinese medicine. On the basis of it, we compared the advantages of the traditional Chinese medicine with the western medicine in the treatment of allergy.
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Allergic rhinitis is one of the most commonly diagnosed allergic diseases, the prevalence of which is increasing globally. The purpose of this case report is to outline the Iranian traditional medicine (ITM) approach to diagnose and treat chronic allergic rhinitis. A 29-year-old woman with a long history of symptoms of runny nose, sneezing and itchy throat was diagnosed with seasonal allergic rhinitis and treated with antihistamines. Lifestyle essentials and prohibited foods were explained to the patient, followed by drug therapy to cleanse the head region and body and to eliminate the underlying causes of the disease. The post 45-day treatment assessment showed a significant reduction in the severity and frequency of symptoms. Clinical decision-making in ITM is based on a holistic view of the patient rather than the disease, which is the case in conventional medicine. This case report is an example of a patient-based treatment protocol in the Iranian medical system. The systemic approach of ITM in dealing with a patient with allergic rhinitis and simultaneous attention to brain and whole-body cleansing along with the six essentials of lifestyle modification resulted in significant improvement.
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To examine the beneficial role of jujube in regulating the immune response, we investigated the anti-allergic effects of jujube extract and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), a functional compound of jujube extract, using a mouse allergy model and rat basophilic leukemia (RBL)-2H3 mast cells. The investigations of the immunomodulatory effects of jujube extract on RBL-2H3 mast cell degranulation showed that the release of β-hexosaminidase (β-hex) was inhibited. In mice with ovalbumin (OVA)-induced allergic rhinitis, cAMP reduced the secretion of IgE and histamine in the plasma. cAMP regulated both Th1 and Th2 cytokines levels in the plasma. In addition, cAMP inhibited β-hex release and blocked extracellular Ca2+ influxes in RBL-2H3 cells. Our results demonstrate that jujube, as well as cAMP, suppressed cytokine production in the allergic response pathway, which resulted in prevention or alleviation of allergy symptoms.
Link: Journal of Functional Foods Volume 60, September 2019, 103414
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The composition disclosed is a unique formulation of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) extracts created to reduce the debilitating symptoms of allergies. It combines a number of organically grown, but, non-organically extracted, standardized formulations of natural ingredients which have been used individually for hundreds of years for symptomatic relief of allergies. These include Ginseng and Gan Cao, which provide a natural anti-inflammatory effect; Bai Gao, which prevent the smooth muscle spasms associated with allergic reactions; Suan Zao ren (jujube), which provides an antihistamine effects without the usual sedative effect; and Wu Mai, which reduces the local swelling associated with allergies. Combined, it was unexpectedly found that these ingredients provide a natural, non-drying, non-sedating alternative to antihistamines, without inhibiting the natural healing mechanisms.
Link: Patent No.: US 6,180,106 B1 “SYMPTOMATIC RELEF OF ALLERGIC REACTIONS”, 2001.
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This paper reviews the role of herbal-based medicines in the treatment of asthma and allergic rhinitis. Various derivatives from specific medicinal plants were identified as the anti-asthma components and some mechanisms of action were explored. The results show positive effects of these herbs on bronchodilation, pulmonary function tests, and antagonism of asthma mediators such as histamine and platelet activating factor, corticosteroid levels, and clearance of mucus. Improved symptoms were also seen in patients with allergic rhinitis specifically on histamine-induced reactions, e.g., rhinorrhea, sneezing, and itching. From the review, there has been a role for some herbal medicines in the treatment of asthma and allergic rhinitis. Usage of herbal medicines has increased in recent years. Many of these medicinal plants provided relief of symptoms equal to allopathic medicines used. Specific chemical derivatives have been isolated from many of these plant products which act on the mechanisms and mediators that cause asthma and allergies. The amount of research on these products, especially in the United States, is limited. Yet, many have fewer side effects than current therapy.
Link: “Herbal Interventions in Asthma and Allergy”, Journal of Asthma, 1999; 36(1): 1-65.
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The present study reports the anti-allergic activity of ethanolic extract of Zizyphus jujuba (ZJ) Mill., Rhamnaceae, and its possible mode of action. The effect of extract of ZJ at different doses was simulated on studied animal models of asthma and allergy. Treatment with ZJ extract at all doses significantly prevented the milk-induced eosinophilia and compound 48/80 induced degranulation of mesenteric mast cells; decreased passive cutaneous and active anaphylactic reactions. In addition, ZJ extract inhibited acetylcholine as well as histamine induced tracheal chain contraction, and also antigen induced contraction of sensitized guinea pig ileum (ShultzDale inhibition test). Furthermore, it also exhibited free radicals scavenging activity (in vitro). The observed anti-allergic and anti-anaphylactic activity of extract of Z. jujuba may be largely through the stabilization of mast cells by the membrane presence of phytoconstituents (steroidal saponins and flavonoids).
ANTIBACTERIAL
Reports show a strong correlation between the jujube’s phenols, flavonoids and tannins and antimicrobial activity.
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Ziziphus jujuba (ZJ) belongs to family Rhamnaceae widely distributed in subtropical and tropical countries. It is used traditionally for several pharmacological purposes including anti-inflammation, antidiarrhoeal and antibacterial, as well as a tonic and sometimes as a hypnotic (sedative). The aim of this study is to determine the in vivo antidiarrhoeal, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities of ZJ fruit ethanolic extract (EEZJ). EEZJ possesses antidiarrhoeal and antibacterial activity in a dose depending manner and may provide a pharmacological basis for its clinical use in diarrheal diseases. The activity may partially be due to the presence of betulinic acid and quercetin.
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Betulinic acid, a pentacyclic triterpene isolated from Jujube tree (Zizyphus jujuba Mill), has been known for a wide range of biological and medicinal properties such as antibacterial, antimalarial, anti-inflammatory, antihelmintic, antinociceptive, and anticancer activities. In the study, we investigated the antiviral activity on influenza A/PR/8 virus infected A549 human lung adenocarcinoma epithelial cell line and C57BL/6 mice. Betulinic acid showed the anti-influenza viral activity at a concentration of 50 μM without a significant cytotoxicity in influenza A/PR/8 virus infected A549 cells. Also, betulinic acid significantly attenuated pulmonary pathology including increased necrosis, numbers of inflammatory cells and pulmonary edema induced by influenza A/PR/8 virus infection compared with vehicle- or oseltamivir-treated mice in vivo model. Based on the obtained results, it is suggested that betulinic acid can be the potential therapeutic agent for virus infection via anti-inflammatory activity.
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This study was undertaken to examine the chemical compositions of essential oil and tested the efficacy of oil and organic extracts from seeds of Zizyphus jujuba against food-borne pathogens. Twenty three compounds of Z. jujuba displayed a remarkable antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhimurium and Escherichia coli.
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Plants are very useful, self-generating machines, producing a variety of useful bioactive products. Keeping in view this idea, the crude methanolic extract and various fractions of Zizyphus jujuba were screened for antibacterial, phytotoxic and haemagglutination activities. The findings of the present study revealed that Z. jujuba (Rhamnaceae) contain potent antimicrobial property.
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The medicinal potential of this plant are because of some allied substances such as ascorbic acid, thiamine, riboflavin and bioflavonoids and pectin-A. Therefore, this plant is a valuable source of phytochemicals, bioactives, vitamins etc. which makes it to be effective in curing or prevention from various diseases. This study offers some preliminary information about antibacterial and anticancer potential of the jujube. The exciting feature of the study particularly indicates the phytomedicinal properties of fruits of Ziziphus species.
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A study was conducted to determine the activities of jujube leaf extracts against Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp., Pseudomonas spp., Proteus vulgaris and Bacillus subtilis. The solvent extracts used were methanol, acetone, chloroform, solvent ether and petroleum ether. Results showed that the methanol extract exhibited the highest antibacterial activity against all bacteria tested, followed by acetone extract.
ANTICANCER
Research from institutions around the world indicate that the jujube is a natural agent to inhibit and treat human cancers.
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Chemoprevention is an attempt to use nontoxic natural and synthetic substances or their mixtures to intervene the relatively early stages of carcinogenesis, before invasive characteristics are manifested. The consumption of fruits is well known to reduce the risk of human cancers. Although most fruits are available only on a seasonal basis, recent advances in food processing technologies have made it possible to extend the shelf life of fruits and fruit-products. Fruits can be preserved by applying different drying processes to reduce the moisture content. Different varieties of dried fruits are now sold in supermarkets, thereby making them readily accessible to consumers. Since oxidative stress and chronic inflammation play important roles in cancer development, dried fruits with antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties hold promise for cancer chemoprevention. The antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and chemopreventive activities of dried fruits are largely attributed to their polyphenols and vitamins. Dried fruits contain adequate amounts of bioactive principles, such as anthocyanins, acetogenins, catechins, coumarins, phenolic acids, terpenes, xanthones, and others. Since numerous health beneficial phytochemicals in fruits are conserved even after processing, regular intake of dried fruits can help prevent cancer. This review addresses the chemopreventive potential of representative dried fruits and their active constituents.
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Phytochemical data combined with information about biological activity confirm that jujube fruits are rich in bioactive compounds that can benefit human health. This review article shows that among the bioactive compounds present in jujube fruit, triterpenic acids and polysaccharides have antiproliferative and anticancer effects on various cancer cell lines. It seems that the induction of apoptosis is one of the main mechanisms for the anticancer activities of the jujube fruit, due to the presence of the bioactive compounds.
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The medicinal potential of this plant are because of some allied substances such as ascorbic acid, thiamine, riboflavin and bioflavonoids and pectin-A. Therefore, this plant is a valuable source of phytochemicals, bioactives, vitamins etc. which makes it to be effective in curing or prevention from various diseases. This study offers some preliminary information about antibacterial and anticancer potential of the jujube. The exciting feature of the study particularly indicates the phytomedicinal properties of fruits of Ziziphus species.
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An Italian group found that jujube extracts inhibited the growth of selected cancer cell lines. The group indicated that triterpenic acids resulted the from bioactive compounds present in the most effective extracts and showed that they inhibited the growth and induced apoptosis in MCF-7 and SKBR3 breast cancer cell lines
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The discovery that gut microbiota profoundly influences the efficiency of immune checkpoint blockade therapy in patients inspired the efforts to enhance cancer treatment using live microorganisms to modify gut microbiome. Here we present a new idea of modifying gut microbiota to enhance anti-PD-L1 efficiency, that is, using natural nutrients. In this work, we demonstrate this idea using mouse MC38 colon tumor model and jujube, a most frequently used adjuvant drug in traditional Chinese medicine, as natural nutrient. The enhancing effects of jujube components were examined, as well as the responsive changes of gut microbiota. We found that jujube powder increased the species richness of Lachnospiraceae while decreased the abundance of Prevotellaceae, and improved both the response rate and therapeutic efficiency of anti-PD-L1. These findings are important to apprehend the underpinned mechanism of jujube as immune adjuvants and thus enable a fully display of healthy and medical function of jujube.
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Water extract of dried fruit of Zyzyphus Jujube was tested for its possible anticancer effect and induction of apoptosis on human tumor cell lines, HEp-2, HeLa and Jurkat cell lines. The inhibitory effect of water extract of this fruit on cell proliferation was assessed by MTT colorimetric assay. The induction of apoptosis of this extract was analyzed by DNA fragmentation analysis. Zyzyphus Jujube extract showed inhibitory effects on mentioned cell lines. Jurkat leukemic line was found the most sensitive cells with IC50 of 0.1 μg mL−1. Our study also showed a typical DNA laddering in this cell line. The present study showed cytotoxic activity of Zyzyphus Jujube on tumor cells. Although Zyzyphus Jujube has useful compounds for medical applications.
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Jujube pulp extracts are rich in polyphenol compounds exhibiting admirable pharmacological activities. In present, free and bound polyphenols extracted from jujube pulp were named JPFP and JPBP, respectively. Interesting, we found only JPBP exhibited prominent anti-tumor activity in HepG2 cells, and especially, it also had the same effect in nude mice tumor model. Further, the study showed that p-Coumaric acid and ferulic acid might be main active components in JPBP. Mechanically, JPBP decreased mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) via blocking AKT/NF-κB/Bcl-2 signal axis. Subsequently, the decrease of MMP induced mitochondria-mediated intrinsic apoptotic pathway and the overproduction of intracellular ROS in HepG2 cells, which contributed to cell apoptosis. Meantime, JPBP suppressed cell proliferation through promoting HepG2 cell cycle arrest in S phase. Collectively, this study sheds light on the potential application of JPBP on the prevention and therapy of hepatocellular carcinoma.
ANTI-INFLAMMATORY
Scientists believe the jujube’s organic compounds plays an important role in boosting immune systems.
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Ziziphus jujuba belongs to family Rhamnaceae widely distributed in subtropical and tropical countries. It is used traditionally for several pharmacological purposes including anti-inflammation, antidiarrhoeal and antibacterial, as well as tonic and sometimes as hypnotic (sedative).
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This study demonstrates that jujube extracts have significant antioxidant effects. Edible parts of jujube carry phytochemicals, phenolics, flavonoids, alkaloids, and glycosides giving them consideration as candidates for use as antibiotics.
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Jujubes are used traditionally as tonic and aphrodisiac and sometimes as Hypnotic-sedative and Anxiolytic, anticancer (Melanoma cells), Antifungal, Antibacterial, Antiulcer, Anti-inflammatory, Cognitive, Antispastic, Antifertility/contraception, Hypotensive and Antinephritic, Cardiotonic, Antioxidant, Immunostimulant, and Wound healing properties. The present review discusses photo-chemistry, pharmacology, medicinal properties and biological activities of Z. jujuba and its usage in different ailments.
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According to research findings, phenolics and ascorbic acid are more abundant in jujube than in the other types of common fruits. Moreover, the assessments of the antioxidant capacity of jujube extract were carried out based on a decrease in power using scavenging methods to unveil the differences in the antioxidant capacity and free radical scavenging capacity of different jujube cultivars.
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Jujube has long been used for human consumption and medicinal purposes in China. It is recommended for some diseases in which radical species are produced as a result of oxidative stress. However, the systematic study on the antioxidant capacities of various tissues of jujube is still lacking. In order to address this, various tissues of three jujube varieties were characterized with respect to their antioxidant capacities and antioxidant compounds such as flavonoid, ascorbic acid, anthocyanin and phenolic. The results obtained in this study clearly indicate that Chinese jujube has a significant potential to use as a natural antioxidant agent.
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This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the added jujube pulp on the quality characteristics and antioxidant activities of goat milk yogurt (GMY) during 28 days of refrigerated storage. The addition of jujube pulp weakened greatly the goaty flavor, improving the sensory acceptance, and increased the antioxidant activities of GMY.
HEART & BLOOD
The jujube’s saponins, alkaloids, and triterpenoids play a pivotal role in cleaning the blood and heart health.
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Ziziphus jujuba (ZJ) mill. Belonging to the rhamnaceae family, has been consumed since ancient times as a medicine and a food. In the different traditional medical schools, ZJ has been used to treat various diseases such as respiratory system diseases (asthma, cough, and laryngitis), gastrointestinal problems (constipation, colitis and liver diseases), as well as, cardiovascular and genitourinary system diseases. From the perspective of Islamic traditional medicine (ITM) ZJ fruit is an emollient, laxative, and maturative, it can purify blood and improve blood circulation, relieve internal heat and reduce inflammation. Some therapeutic uses of ZJ such as antibacterial, antioxidant, sedative, hepato-protective, anti-hyperglycemic, and anti-hyperlipidemic activities have been shown in modern pharmacological studies. In the current study, traditional and ethno-medicinal uses, botany, phytochemistry and pharmacological activities of ZJ were reviewed.
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Ziziphus jujuba Mill. (ZJ), is utilized as a food and traditional medicine in China. In Traditional Chinese Medicinal (TCM) use, ZJ is traditionally used to treat and nourish the stomach, tonify the spleen, and nourish the blood, as well as for overall nutrition and strength. According to the available literature from 1974 to March 2019, more than 278 compounds have been isolated and identified from ZJ.
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Ziziphus jujuba Mill (ZJ) is a plant with anti-hypertensive property. In this regard, the present study investigated the effect of aqueous and ethyl acetate fractions of ZJ extract on acute hypertension (HTN) induced by nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME). The results of the current study showed that both the aqueous and ethyl acetate fractions of ZJ through the effect on nitric oxide system can prevent the development of HTN induced by L-NAME.
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Ziziphus jujuba stimulates the release of nitric oxide (NO). Because NO is involved in cardiovascular regulations, in this study the effects of hydroalcoholic extract of z. Jujuba on cardiovascular responses in acute ng-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-name) hypertensive rats were evaluated. Because long-term consumption of Z. Jujuba extract, especially its lowest dose, attenuated cardiovascular responses induced by L-NAME, we suggest that Z. Jujuba has potential beneficial effects in prevention of hypertension induced by NO deficiency.
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From jujube leaves, an endogenous prostaglandin inducer has been isolated and its structure was elucidated as a new neo-lignan. Neolignans are classes of organic compounds that have fascinated researchers over the years because of their variety of chemical structures and broad range of biologic activities. This neolignan was found to increase the release of endogenous prostaglandin I2 (the most potent natural inhibitor of platelet aggregation yet discovered and a powerful vasodilator) from the rat aorta by up to 25.3 % at 3 micro g/ml (62).
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Jujubes have been found to stimulate nitric oxide release in vitro, in cultured endothelial cells and in vivo, in the kidney tissues of rats. They believed that jujubes may contribute to its hypotensive (reduction of blood pressure) and antinephritic (reduction of inflammation of the kidney) action, possibly by increasing renal blood flow.
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Jujubes are an indigenous plant possessing terrific medicinal properties, attributed by a diverse group of secondary metabolites. Phyto-chemically 64 alkaloids, 16 glycosides and flavonoids, 14 terpenoids and others are present in this plant. Each ingredient has unique and multifactorial properties. This article provides excellent accessible source of active compounds for traditional medicine and allied applications.
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Diabetes mellitus is the most prevalent endocrine disease that increases blood glucose and lipids. This disease affects cardiovascular system, kidneys, nervous system and eyes. Studies have indicated some herbal extracts have anti-diabetic effects, and can be used in diabetic patients for reducing blood glucose. Hence, in the present study, we decided to induce diabetes, which was similar to human type 1 diabetes, in experimental rats and, after diabetes verification, we evaluated hypoglycemic effect of hydro-alcoholic extract of ziziphus jujuba leaves and blood lipoproteins (ldl, hdl, and vldl), triglyceride and total cholesterol changes. According to the results obtained, it was concluded that, z. Jujuba leaves can be used in treating diabeties for the purpose of glucose and lipid reduction.
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Today, the importance of physical activity as a preventative way for cardiovascular disease has attracted much attention. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of 6 weeks of interval training with or without extract of ziziphus jujuba on lipocalcin-2 (lcn2) and adiponectin levels in heart tissue in male wistar rats with myocardial infarction. Because the lcn2 inflammatory factor decreased after 6 weeks of exercise and consumption of the extract, it seems that performing interval training with jujube extract consumption can be an effective method in the cardiac rehabilitation phase after a heart attack.
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The effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Ziziphus jujuba (ZJ) on hypertension has been previously reported. This experiment investigates the effect of two ethyl acetate and aqueous fractions of ZJ extract on cardiovascular parameters in acute hypertension induced by angiotensin ii (angii). This study indicates that both fractions of the ZJ extract have a beneficial effect on hypertension. Because the effect of EA was greater than AQ, we suggested that antihypertensive effects of ZJ mediated polar and nonpolar compounds.
REST & RECOVERY
Modern pharmacological studies show that jujubes have therapeutic value to help users rest better and recover faster.
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Jujubes have been consumed since ancient times as a medicine and food. In the different traditional medical schools, jujubes have been used to treat various diseases such as respiratory system diseases (asthma, cough, and laryngitis), gastrointestinal problems (constipation, colitis and liver diseases), as well as, cardiovascular and genitourinary system diseases. From the perspective of Islamic traditional medicine, jujubes are used as an emollient, laxative, and maturative, it can purify blood and improve blood circulation, relieve internal heat and reduce inflammation. Some therapeutic uses of jujubes are antibacterial, antioxidant, sedative, hepato-protective, anti-hyperglycemic, and anti-hyperlipidemic activities have been shown in modern pharmacological studies. In the current study, traditional and ethno-medicinal uses, botany, phytochemistry and pharmacological activities of jujube are reviewed.
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Jujubes are a kind of traditional Chinese medicine used for its action on insomnia. In order to analyze the effective component, we investigated and compared the sedative and hypnotic effects of three kinds of compounds, flavonoids, saponins, and polysaccharides.
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The jujube extract is often mentioned in the treatment of nervous conditions or in a psychosomatic disease like asthma. This French study shows the effect of the jujube mother tincture in 15 adults, who were suffering from a general malaise. The trial on five men and ten women shows that the drug does have a sedative and adaptive effect.
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The seeds and leaves of many jujub species have been found to have anxiolytic and hypnotic-sedative effects. They are known to depress activity of the central nervous system which reduces anxiety and induces sleep. It was found that jujubes produced sleep, but was not anticonvulsant or muscle relaxant.
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50 Korean traditional natural plants were screened to measure the activation effect on choline acetyltransferase and attenuation of scopolamine-induced amnesia. The methanolic extracts from Zizyphus jujuba showed the highest activatory effect (34.1%) on choline acetyltransferase in vitro (an enzyme that controls the production of acetylcholine which appears to be depleted in the brains of Alzheimer patients); this active component was identified as oleamide. In conclusion, the study suggests that oleamide, a component of Z. jujuba extract, could be a useful chemo-preventative agent against Alzheimer’s disease.
NUTRITION
Jujubes have a high nutritive value, being a rich source of important vitamins and minerals to help you look and feel great.
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Jujubes have been used in Eastern medicine for over 4,000 years. The fruit contains 18 kinds of amino acids, and is rich in vitamins and minerals. In addition to general well-being, the vitamin and mineral content of the fruit helps to support cardiovascular health and enhance metabolism. This brief review provides information on nutritional composition, changes in nutritional components with maturity and maturity indices of [jujubes].
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This is the first report in the United States profiling Vitamin C in jujube cultivars. The vitamin C content of mature fruit of 45 (of 46) cultivars ranged from 225 to 530 mg/100 g fresh weight (FW) plus ‘Youzao’ having the highest content of 820 mg/100 g FW at early mature stage. In general, drying cultivars had higher vitamin C content than fresh-eating cultivars whereas ‘Jinsi’ series (multipurpose) had relatively higher vitamin C content than others (>400 mg/100 g FW). For mature fruit, ‘Li’ and ‘Li-2’ had the highest DPPH-scavenging efficiency (i.e. antioxidant activity).
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Compared with other edible fruits, one jujube per day meets the diet requirements for Vitamin C and Vitamin B complex for an adult man as recommended by the World Health Organization. The main biologically active components are vitamin C (high composition at 188 to 544 mg per 100 gm pulp), phenolics, flavonoids, triterpenic acids, and polysaccharides. This paper scrutinizes the available literature related to the restorative activity of the jujubes as a herbal medicine on mammalian physiology and to accumulate those scientifically valid data in a nut shell in the form of a mini review.
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The fruits of Ziziphus jujuba, known as jujube or Chinese date, are being consumed all around the world because of their health benefits, as both food and herbal medicine. Traditionally, one of the main functions of jujube, as described in herbal medicine, is to benefit our brain by calming down the mind and improving quality of sleep. Here, the activities of jujubes on nervous system are summarized and discussed. Jujube possesses neuroprotective activities, including protecting neuronal cells against neurotoxin stress, stimulating neuronal differentiation, increasing expression of neurotrophic factors, and promoting memory and learning. Flavonoid, cAMP, and jujuboside could be the potential bioactive ingredients to account for the aforesaid biological activities. These findings imply that jujube is a potential candidate for development of health supplements for prevention and/or treatment of neurological diseases.
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The nutritional components and antioxidative activities of jujube fruit and leaf were investigated and analyzed to provide basic data for functional food materialization and processing. This study verified that the leaf has strong antioxidative activities that are correlated with its high level of phenolics, particularly rutin and quercitrin. These phenolics of jujube leaf can be utilized as effective and safe functional food substances, i.e., natural antioxidants.
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Ziziphus jujuba (jujube) is a plant with a long history of consumption as a fruit and a medicinal plant, which has various pharmacological effects. This plant has been widely used in traditional Persian medicine (TPM) and modern phytotherapy. Therefore, the overarching goal of this research was to review the nutritional and pharmacological properties of this valuable plant. First, the descriptions of Z. jujuba in the books on traditional medicine were reviewed with regard to the experiences of past physicians. Next, the new findings reported by scientists about the pharmacological effects of Z. jujuba and its active ingredients were presented.
WEIGHT LOSS
Research shows that jujube extract has anti-obesity effects and can suppress lipid accumulation.
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Dried fruit consumption was associated with improved nutrient intakes, a higher overall diet quality score, and lower body weight/adiposity measures. Epidemiological studies examining potential associations between dried fruit consumption, diet quality, and weight status are lacking. The goal of this study was to examine the association of dried fruit consumption with nutrient intake, diet quality, and anthropometric indicators of overweight/obesity. A secondary analysis of dietary and anthropometric data collected from adult (19+ years) participants (n = 13 292) of the 1999-2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey was conducted. Dried fruit consumers were defined as those consuming amounts ⅛ cup-equivalent fruit per day or more and identified using 24-hour recalls. Diet quality was measured using the Healthy Eating Index 2005. Covariate-adjusted means, SEs, prevalence rates, and odds ratios were determined to conduct statistical tests for differences between dried fruit consumers and nonconsumers. Seven percent of the population consumed dried fruit. Mean differences (P < .01) between consumers and nonconsumers in adult shortfall nutrients were dietary fiber (+6.6 g/d); vitamins A (+173 μg retinol activity equivalent per day), E (+1.5 mg α-tocopherol per day), C (+20 mg/d), and K (+20 mg/d); calcium (+103 mg/d); phosphorus (+126 mg/d); magnesium (+72 mg/d); and potassium (+432 mg/d). Dried fruit consumers had improved MyPyramid food intake, including lower solid fats/alcohol/added sugars intake, and a higher solid fats/alcohol/added sugars score (11.1 ± 0.2 vs 8.2 ± 0.1) than nonconsumers. The total Healthy Eating Index 2005 score was significantly higher (P < .01) in consumers (59.3 ± 0.5) than nonconsumers (49.4 ± 0.3). Covariate-adjusted weight (78.2 ± 0.6 vs 80.7 ± 0.3 kg), body mass index (27.1 ± 0.2 vs 28.1 ± 0.2), and waist circumference (94.0 ± 0.5 vs 96.5 ± 0.2 cm) were lower (P < .01) in consumers than nonconsumers, respectively.
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The nutritional jujube (Ziziphus jujube Mill.) fruit belonging to the Rhamnaceous family grows mostly in Europe, southern and eastern Asia, and Australia, especially the inland region of northern China. Jujube has a long history of usage as a fruit and remedy. The main biologically active components are vitamin C, phenolics, flavonoids, triterpenic acids, and poly-saccharides. Recent phytochemical studies of jujube fruits have shed some light on their biological effects, such as the anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antiobesity, immunostimulating, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, and gastrointestinal protective activities and inhibition of foam cell formation in macrophages. A stronger focus on clinical studies and phytochemical definition of jujube fruits will be essential for future research efforts. This review may be useful for predicting other medicinal uses and potential drug or food interactions and may be beneficial for people living where the jujube fruits are prevalent and health care resources are scarce.
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Obesity, the leading metabolic disease in the world, is a serious health problem in industrialized countries. The Zizyphus jujuba fruit has been used as traditional Chinese medicinal herb and considered to affect various physiological functions in the body for thousands of years. A study of the anti-obesity effect of Z. jujuba on adipocyte differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes found that treatment with an extract of Z. jujuba suppressed lipid accumulation and glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPDH) activity without affecting cell viability. Further fractionation of the initial Z .jujuba extract with organic solvent revealed that the chloroform fraction (CHCl(3)-F) elicited the most inhibitory effect, which involved significant attenuation of the expression of key adipogenic transcription factors, including peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)gamma and CCAAT enhancer binding proteins (C/EBPs) at the protein level. These results suggest that CHCl(3)-F may block adipogenesis, at least in part, by decreasing the expression of PPARgamma, C/EBPalpha and beta.Jujube extract has been shown to prevent obesity on adipocyte differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadiocytes. The results showed that treatment with jujube extract could suppress lipid accumulation and glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase activity without affecting cell viability, and the chloroform fraction of jujube extract with organic solvents revealed the most inhibitory effect.
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This study aimed to assess the effects of Ziziphus jujuba (ZJ) fruit on controlling dyslipidemia in obese adolescents. This study suggests the ZJ's fruit is generally well tolerated and may have potential favorable effects on serum lipid profiles. While a healthy lifestyle is the mainstay of controlling childhood obesity, this nutraceutical may be considered as a complementary treatment.
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This study aimed to evaluate the effect of Ziziphus jujuba (ZJ) leaf extract in cafeteria diet and atherogenic diet induced obesity. The ZJ leaves extract treatment caused significant reduction in body weight, daily food intake, serum glucose and lipid levels, internal organs and fat pad weights in cafeteria and atherogenic diet fed rats when compared with the control group of rats. The results concluded that an alcoholic extract of ZJ leaves showed anti-obese property by decreasing the body weight, food intake, serum glucose and lipid levels and internal organs and fat pad weights in dietary obese rats. The effect produced was comparable with that produced by standard anti-obese drug, Sibutramine.
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This study was designed to assess the effects of Ziziphus jujube fruit (ZJF) infusion on lipid profiles, glycaemic control and antioxidant status in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). In this randomized controlled clinical trial, 116 participants with T2DM (older than 30 years) were assigned to consume a balanced diet or diet plus ZJF infusion (10 g/100 mL boiling water) three times/day before main meals for 12 weeks. The consumption of ZJF infusion compared with the control group was associated with significant improvement in glycosylated haemoglobin, total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and total cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratios. ZJF had beneficial effects on glycosylated haemoglobin and lipid profile in T2DM patients. Further research is needed to identify the mechanism of ZJF action on glucose and lipid metabolism.
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Rats were provided with 32% w/v sucrose solution as a supplement to their normal diet for 125 days to induce obesity. The parameters studied include body weight analysis on day 1, 30, 60, 90 and 125; daily food intake and serum lipid levels at the end of treatment. The hydroalcoholic extract of Zizjphus jujuba leaves at the doses of 200, 400 and 600 mg/kg, p.o. given daily for 125 days caused reduction in body weight, daily food intake and serum total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, VLDL-cholesterol and triglycerides along with an increase in HDL-cholesterol levels. The results obtained with 400 and 600 mg/kg dose of Ziziphus jujuba extract were significant when compared to sucrose control group. These results suggest that Ziziphus jujuba leaf extract possesses significant weight reducing, hypophagic and hypolipidemic properties in sucrose-induced obese rats.