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Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism logoLink to Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism
. 2016 Dec 7;2016:2867470. doi: 10.1155/2016/2867470

Potential Benefits of Jujube (Zizyphus Lotus L.) Bioactive Compounds for Nutrition and Health

Souleymane Abdoul-Azize 1,*
PMCID: PMC5174181  PMID: 28053781

Abstract

Zizyphus lotus, belonging to the Rhamnaceae family, is a deciduous shrub which generally grows in arid and semiarid regions of the globe. In traditional medicine, Z. lotus is used as antidiabetes, sedative, bronchitis, and antidiarrhea by local populations. Recently, several scientific reports for health benefit and nutritional potential of bioactive compounds from this jujube have been reported. This plant is rich in polyphenols, cyclopeptide alkaloids, dammarane saponins, vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and polyunsaturated fatty acids. These identified compounds were supposed to be responsible for most of Z. lotus biologically relevant activities including antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, hypoglycemic, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory effects. The aim of the present review was to give particular emphasis on the most recent findings on biological effects of the major groups of Zizyphus lotus components and their medical interest, notably for human nutrition, health benefit, and therapeutic impacts.

1. Introduction

Zizyphus Lotus (Z. Lotus), also known as jujube, belongs to the angiosperm Rhamnaceae family. This family includes about 135–170 species of Zizyphus [1]. As a tropical and subtropical plant, Z. Lotus grows generally in arid and semiarid countries and is widely distributed in China, Iran, Africa, South Korea, and Europe like Cyprus, Spain, Greece, and Sicily [2–4]. In Africa, Z. Lotus is widely distributed in Mediterranean region, like Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, and Libya [5]. This plant is employed in nutrition, health, and cosmetics in several forms, for example, honey, tea, jam, juice, oil, loaf, and cake. In addition, in traditional medicine, both in North Africa and Middle East, several parts of Z. lotus are given as antiurinary troubles agents, antidiabetes, skin infections, antifever, antidiarrhea, insomnia agents, sedative, bronchitis, and hypoglycemic activities [6–9]. On the other hand, this plant offers a delicious read fruit (jujube) that was consumed fresh, dried, and processed as food by local populations in substantial amounts [10].

In recent years, several scientific reports have been carried out about the presence of many biologically active molecules from Z. lotus, which may have high potential benefit in human nutrition, health, and disease [11, 12]. In herbal medicine, the properties of bioactive compounds from plants depend on the part of the plant concerned (root, leaf stalk, pulp, or fruit) and the type of extract used. Z lotus is known for its high content in polyphenols exhibiting antioxidant and antimicrobial, immunomodulatory properties [13, 14]. Importantly, others biologically active molecules, particularly cyclopeptide alkaloids, termed lotusines [15–17], dammarane saponins [12], and various flavonoids [18] have been isolated from this shrub, along with polyunsaturated fatty acids (oleic acid and linoleic acid), high carbohydrate, and fibers which are abundant in seed extracts and endowed with antiulcerogenic and antioxidants effects [11, 19].

This review is devoted to the most recent findings on biological effects of the major compounds isolated from different parts of Z. lotus and to the different usages of this plant in human foods, health promoting, and disease prevention.

2. General Compound Content of Z. lotus

Z. lotus fruit contains substantial amounts of glutamic acid, mineral matter, sterols, vitamins, tocopherols, fibers, amino acids, triacylglycerol, fatty acid, carbohydrate, and antioxidant compounds (phenols, flavonoids, etc.) which have been supposed to be responsible for most of its health benefits such as hypoglycemic, gastroprotective, immunomodulatory, and antioxidant properties [14, 21, 22]. In this respect, the fruit of Z. lotus is a valuable source of nutrients as well as antioxidant [4, 21, 23, 24], antimicrobial, and antifungal [13, 25], immunosuppressive [14], anti-inflammatory [26], and antiulcerogenic [21, 27] compounds. Z. lotus leaves contain different carbohydrates and dammarane saponins notably jujuboside B, three jujubogenin glycosides, and jujubasaponine IV [20]. Z. lotus seeds are used to prepare lotus oil enriched in essential fatty acids, liposoluble antioxidants, and many sterols [11]. Z. lotus root contains four dammarane saponins, large quantity of polyphenol, essential fatty acids, vitamin C, and several cyclopeptide alkaloids, termed lotusines which have a wide range of pharmacological activities including antioxidant, antiproliferative, and antidiabetic activities [12, 15–18, 22, 24, 28]. The pulp of Z. lotus contains a significant amount of carbohydrate, phenols, flavonoids, and tannins, which exhibit high antimicrobial activity [19, 25].

3. Classification of Natural Biomolecules of Z. lotus

As a source of polyphenols, fatty acids, vitamins, and other natural compounds, Z. lotus seems to be a potential candidate for human nutrition, health promoting, and disease preventing. An overview of bioactive compounds for each part of Z. lotus is presented thereafter.

3.1. Major Compounds including Phenols, Flavonoids, Alkaloids, Saponins, and Other Biomolecules

Plant-derived polyphenols are a family of organic molecules. During the last decade, there has been a growing interest in the role of polyphenols, in several human pathologies. They have been shown to possess cardioprotective [30], anticancer, antiviral, antiallergenic, and antispasmodic properties [31, 32]. Given their chemical structure characterized by the presence of many phenolic groups, polyphenols are also able to scavenge reactive radical species and prevent peroxidative reactions [33]. Numerous studies showed their ability to prevent damage of lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids by reactive oxygen and nitrogen species [34–36] and modulate transcription factors [37, 38] and protein tyrosine kinases activation [39, 40].

All parts of Z lotus are rich in polyphenol family members such as flavonoids, phenolic acids, and other natural compounds (Table 1). In the fruit, total phenols are the major compound, amounting from 297 to 4078.2 mg/100 g of dry matter; in addition, flavonoids and tannins are present in moderate quantities, 122 and 33 mg/100 g, respectively [13, 23]. In the leaf, total phenol content is 664 mg/100 g [13], along with flavonoids ranging from 130 to 199 mg/100 g [13, 18], high content of saponins (340 mg/100 g) [18], and large amount of carbohydrates (8720 mg/100 g) [20], and other molecules are found in small quantities under 10 mg/100 g (see Table 1). Interestingly, Z. lotus seeds contain a very high amount of several compounds such as fats (29.73 g/100 g), fibers (16.57 g/100 g), and protein (14.22 g/100 g) [19], along with carbohydrates (4720 mg/100 g) and small amounts of polyphenol (14.68 mg/100 g) [11]. In Z. lotus root bark, polyphenol content is 2009 mg/100 g [24], along with a high content of saponins 219 mg/100 g, high content of flavonoids (120 mg/100 g) [18], and large amount of proanthocyanidins (156 mg/100 g) [24] compared to other molecules such as cyclopeptide alkaloids, amounting from 1.4 to 23.95 mg/100 g [15–17] (Table 1). Z. lotus pulp contains high amounts of soluble sugars (10.55 g/100 g), fibers (4.84 g/100 g), mineral matter (3.2 g/100 g), and protein (1.18 g/100 g) [19], along with tannins (922 mg/100 g) and moderate amounts of polyphenol (325 mg/100 g) [25].

Table 1.

Distribution and contents of major bioactive compounds including phenols, flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins, and other phytochemicals in the various parts of Z. lotus.

Z. lotus part Major component Content in mg/100 g Authors
Fruit Total phenolic acid 297–4078.2 [13, 23]
Flavonoids 122
Tannins 33
Leaf Total phenolic 664 [13, 18, 20, 29]
Flavonoids 130–199
Tannins 39
Saponins 340
Jujuboside B 3
3 jujubogenin glycosides 9.33
Jujubasaponin IV 2
Monosaccharides (glucose, galactose, rhamnose, arabinose, and xylose) 8720
Flavonol glycoside 3
Rutin 3.66
3′,5′-Diglucosylphloretin 3
Seed Total carbohydrate 4087 [11, 19]
Polyphenol 14.68
Crud fats 29730
Soluble sugars 4100
Total fibres 16570
Pectins 1350
Crud protein 14220
Root bark Total flavonoids 120 [12, 15–18, 24]
Saponins 219
Jujuboside A 6.73
Jujuboside C 3.96
Lotoside I 2.774
Lotoside II 1.58
Lotusine A 11.56
Lotusine B 23.95
Lotusine C 23.95
Lotusine D 4.2–10
Lotusine E 2.9–10
Lotusine F 1.4–11.56
Lotusine G 1.5
Polyphenol 2009
Proanthocyanidins 156
Pulp Total phenols 325 [19, 25]
Flavonoids 173
Tannins 922
Crud fats 790
Soluble sugars 10550
Total fibres 4840
Pectins 2070
Crud protein 1180
Mineral matter 3200
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In summary, aerial parts (leaves and fruits) of Z. lotus are the most important source of polyphenols and flavonoids (3630–8144 mg/100 g) [26], while the seeds are rich in fats [19]. These variations in Z. lotus biomolecules content might be due to the environment, soil type, climate, or age of the plant.

It should be noted that the biological activities of Z. lotus are allocated to the different classes of pharmacologically active compounds such as flavonoids, several saponins, and alkaloids (Table 1). It has been reported that Z. lotus alkaloids exerted significant antifungal and antibacterial properties [12, 17]. Z. lotus saponins presented antisweet effects [12]. Currently, seven alkaloids (called lotusines, named from A to G) and nine saponins (seven jujubogenins and two lotogenins) (Figure 1 and Table 1) have been isolated from this plant, and the main chemical compounds including lotusine A, lotusine B, lotusine C, jujuboside A, lotoside I, and 3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-2)-[(4-sulfo)-β-Dglucopyranosyl-(1-3)]-α-L-arabino-pyranosyl-jujubogenin are presented in Figure 2.

Figure 1.

Figure 1

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Common structure of jujubogenins (a), lotogenins (b), and lotusines (c) found in Z. lotus [12, 15–17, 20].

Figure 2.

Figure 2

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Structure of Z. lotus main phytoconstituents. Note: ∗3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-2)-[(4-sulfo)-β-Dglucopyranosyl-(1-3)]-α-L-arabinopyranosyl-jujubogenin.

3.2. Z. lotus Fatty Acid Composition

The analysis of lipid composition showed that Z. lotus pulp (Table 1) was rich in palmitic acid (C16:0), oleic acid (C18:1), and linoleic acid (C18:2), amounting to 27.59%, 24.52%, and 36.63% of total fatty acid content, respectively (Table 2) [28]. Linoleic acid is considered as essential fatty acids. Its content in Z. lotus pulp (36.87%) is thus close to the amount found in olive oil (1.1%) [41] and argan oil (31.3%) [42] but lower to the percentage found in soybean oil (50.1%) [43] and corn oil (56%) [44] (Table 2).

Table 2.

Comparison of the fatty acid composition of Z. lotus and other edible oils; compositions are expressed in g/100 g fatty acids.

Fatty acid C12:0 C14:0 C16:0 C16:1 C18:0 C18:1 C18:2 C18:3 C20:0 C22:0 C22:1 C24:0 references
Z. lotus seed oil — 0.06 9.14 0.13 4.84 61.93 18.31 1.35 0.17 0.73 — — [11]
Z. lotus seeds — 0.15 10.8 0.130 5.45 62.79 14.22 1.30 0.1 — — 0.9 [28]
Z. lotus pulp — 0 27.59 0 11.25 24.52 36.63 0 0 — — 0 [28]
Z. lotus fruits 0.13 0.176 0.716 — — 88.12 0.48 0.715 0.178 0.116 0.316 — [13]
Z. lotus leaves — 0 43.41 5.96 22.15 6.30 6.20 9.15 0 — — 1.54 [28]
Z. lotus almond oil — 0.084 9.025 0.134 7.106 49.88 22.97 0.409 2.367 1.409 — — [19]
Z. lotus root — 0 38.76 0 22.00 19.73 13.24 0 0 — — 3.66 [28]
Z. lotus stem — 0 33.80 0 24.40 21.73 11.10 0 0 — — 0 [28]
Argan oil — 0.10 11.7 0.14 4.9 36.6 31.3 0.09 0.33 0.12 — 0.06 [42]
Cactus seed oil — — 20.1 1.80 2.72 18.3 53.5 2.58 — — — — [48]
Olive oil — 11.5 0.9 1.4 61.9 3.8 1.1 0.23 — — — — [41]
Prickly pear peel 0.71 1.95 23.1 2.48 2.67 24.1 32.3 9.27 — 0.5 — 0.41 [49]
Cactus cladodes 1.33 1.96 13.87 0.24 3.33 11.16 34.87 33.23 — — — — [50]
Grape seed oil — 0.06 8.3 0.1 3 12 67.6 0.3 0.2 0.1 0.02 0.01 [51]
Sunflower oil — 0.08 7.4 0.09 4.56 25.17 60.15 0.3 — — — 0.34 [52]
Soybean oil — — 6 0.4 2.2 26.1 50.1 14.5 — — — — [43]
Corn oil — — 13.4 traces 1.5 27.4 56 0.9 0.2 — — — [44]
R. stricta seed oil — <0.01 5.96 0.18 2.14 27.01 59.03 0.62 0.76 0.50 0.04 0.16 [53]
Z. jujuba pulp 4.68 2.91 18.67 8.69 8.43 36.67 10.88 1.63 1.59 0.56 — — [10]
Z. zizyphus seed — 0.14 4.67 0.06 2.64 46.55 40.77 0.36 0.78 0.98 — — [54]
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Numerous studies reported that all parts of Z. lotus particularly, seeds, pulp, fruits, leaves, almond, root, and stem, were rich in palmitic, stearic, linoleic, and oleic acid [11, 13, 19, 28]. Oleic acid was the most important fatty acid of Z. lotus fruits [13], seeds [11], and almond [19] at 88.12%, 61.93%, and 49.88%, respectively. In vivo studies in rabbit LDL model provided evidence that oleic acid is responsible of the potent antioxidant properties attributed to many edible oils rich in this fatty acid [45]. Moreover, it has been reported that oleic acid upregulated the expression of breast cancer resistance protein and thereby modulates intestinal retention of several food toxicants [46]. Z. lotus almond also presented moderate level of linoleic acid (22.97%). This fatty acid is the precursor of arachidonic acid, which has inhibitory effect of colon cancer [47]. Other fatty acids were also present in this plant like linolenic acid (9.15%) particularly in Z lotus leaves. Linolenic acid is the precursor of docosahexaenoic acid, known to have potential benefit for health and for other diseases like cardiovascular diseases.

3.3. Triacylglycerol Composition of Z. lotus Seed Oil

High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analyses of triacylglycerol (TAG) composition show that Z lotus seed oil contains several TAG (Table 3). The glycerol-trioleate was the most compound, amounting to 26.48 g/100 g, along with glycerol-palmitate-dioleate with 18.78 g/100 g [11] (Table 3).

Table 3.

Composition of triacylglycerol (TAG) in Z. lotus seed oil; TAG contents are expressed as g/100 g [11].

  Triacylglycerol Equivalent carbon number Content in g/100 g
  Fatty acids attached
Glycerol Dipalmitic and oleic acids 48 2.87
Palmitic, oleic, and stearic acids 50 4.69
Oleic and dilinoleic acids 44 2.20
Dioleic and linolenic acids 44 6.23
Palmitic and dilinoleic acids 44 2.65
Dioleic and linoleic acids + Palmitoleic and oleic acids 46 16.32
Palmitic, oleic, and linoleic acids 46 9.28
Dipalmitic and linoleic acids 46 1.32
Trioleic acids 48 26.48
Palmitic and dioleic acids 48 18.78
Stearic and dioleic acids 50 9.12
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It has been shown that many types of TG like glycerol-trioleate, glycerol-palmitate-dioleate, glycerol-dioleate-linoleate, and glycerol-palmitate-oleate-linoleate stabilized oil oxidation [56, 57]. Thus, Z. lotus seed represents a natural source of oil for food industry.

3.4. Vitamins Composition of Z. lotus

The pulp of Z. lotus is rich in vitamin C in amounts up to 190.65 mg/100 g, followed by Z. lotus seeds, leaves, root, and stem, containing 170.84, 63.40, 47.20, and 24.65 mg/100 g, respectively (Table 4). Z. lotus leaves content is high in vitamin E with 155.71 mg/100 g [28], while Z. lotus's seeds are enriched in β-tocopherols with 130.47 mg/100 g [11]. A little amount of carotenoids (1.47 mg/100) was found only in Z. lotus fruits. Vitamins B1 and B2 were present in Z. lotus seeds with 0.03 and 0.08 mg/100 g. Several parts of Z. lotus are rich in vitamin A, ranging from 3.8 to 71.63 mg/100 g. Collectively, these data provide evidence that Z. lotus might be considered as a source of many vitamins for human food.

Table 4.

Distribution and contents of vitamins in the different parts of Z. lotus. Vitamin contents are expressed as mg/100 g.

  Leaves Seeds Root Pulp Stem Fruit Reported by
Vitamin A 13.52 — 6.45 71.63 3.8   [11, 28, 55]
Vitamin B2 — 0.08 — — —  
Vitamin C 63.40 31.24–170.84 47.20 190.65 24.65 5.67
Vitamin B1 — 0.03   — — 0.039
Vitamin E 155.71 — 4.7 11.23 4.5  
Carotenoids — 0.634 — — — 1.47
α-Tocopherol — — — — — —
β-Tocopherol — 130.47 — — — —
γ-Tocopherol — — — — — —
δ-Tocopherol — 10.60 — — — —
Total tocopherols   141.07       0.97
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3.5. Sterols Composition of Z. lotus

Plant-derived sterols have been reported to decrease LDL cholesterol level in blood [58]. The quality of vegetable oil is correlated with its sterol contents. The sterol analysis of Z. lotus seed oil showed that seven compounds have been identified [11]. Δ7-Campesterol was the major compound with 147.82 mg/100 g (51.86% of total sterol), along with β-sitosterol and campesterol with 82.10 and 31.89 mg/100 g, respectively (Table 5). Other sterols notably stigmasterol, Δ5-avenasterol, Δ5, 24-stigmatadienol, and cholesterol are present in small quantities. Total sterols content in Z. lotus seed oil was 285.03 mg/100 g. Compared to other vegetable oils, this content is better than Z. jujuba oil (18.56 mg/100 g) [10] and virgin oil (150 mg/100 g) [59] but lower than those measured in Z. zizyphus (291.82 mg/100 g) [54] and soy oil (350 mg/100 g) [60]. It is important to indicate that there is no available data on the sterol content in the other parts of Z. lotus; this issue remains to be determined.

Table 5.

Comparison of sterols composition of Z. lotus seed oil and other edible oils. Sterol contents are expressed in mg/100 g.

Zizyphus species Z. lotus Z. jujuba Z. zizyphus References
Cholesterol 1.73 — 0.22 [10, 11, 54]
Campesterol 31.89 2.4 19.24
δ 7-Campesterol 147.82 — —
Stigmasterol 16.38 4.69 27.32
β-Sitosterol 82.10 10.65 214.32
δ 5-Avenasterol 0.57 — 10.41
δ 7-Stigmasterol — 0.82  
Δ5, 24-Stigmatadienol 4.45 — —
Cycloartenol — — 14.15
Methylene cycloartenol — — 3.32
Citrostadienol — — 2.84
Total sterols 285.03 18.56 291.82
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3.6. Mineral Composition of Z. lotus

The mineral analysis of Z. lotus fruit showed that calcium, magnesium, and potassium were the predominance compounds with 490.84, 397.91, and 134.99 mg/100 g, respectively, [55] (Table 6). Similar amounts for magnesium and calcium were found in Z. lotus pulp [19], while higher contents of these three minerals are present in Z. lotus seeds, with amounts ranging from 92.41 to 1349.06 mg/100 g [11, 19].

Table 6.

Distribution and contents of minerals in the various parts of Z. lotus. Mineral contents are expressed as mg/100 g.

Major component Seeds Fruit Pulp Source
Potassium 92.41–97.92 134.99 134.99 [11, 19, 55]
Calcium 110.58 490.84 —
Magnesium 153.92–1349.06 397.91 397.91
Sodium 7.30–17.41 — 11.45
Iron 1.21 1.33 1.33
Manganese 7.84 2.17 2.17
Zinc 1.38 0.44 0.44
Copper — — —
Phosphorus 24 — 10.62
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3.7. Amino Acids Composition of Z. lotus

Amino acids composition of Z. lotus seeds shows that threonine is the major amino acid in this part with 26.73% of total amino acid content, followed by glutamic acid (17.28%), leucine (13.11%), arginine (9.47%), aspartic acid (7.76%), and alanine (4.56%) (Table 7). In Z. lotus seed, total proteins represent 14.22% higher than Z. lotus pulp with 1.18% [19]. But nowadays, amino composition of Z. lotus pulp remains to be elucidated.

Table 7.

Comparison of amino acids content in Z. lotus seeds and other plants. Amino acid contents are expressed as g/100 g.

Amino acids Z. lotus seed Z. jujuba seed O. ficus-indica seed Source
Isoleucine 2.85 2.55 6.20  
Leucine 13.11 5.52 9.94  
Lysine 1.55 4.42 6.79  
Glycine 2.67 3.46 5.06  
Phenylalanine 2.65 2.82 5.25  
Threonine 26.73 30.98 1.53  
Valine + Methionine 1.80 4.05 0.7 + 6.02 [11, 67, 68]
Tryptophan 1.36   trace  
Glutamic acid 17.28 10.02 21.68  
Aspartic acid 7.76 6.38    
Tyrosine 2.27 1.59 3.09  
Serine + histidine + Glutamine 4.57 17 11.57  
Alanine 4.56 4.23 4.75  
Arginine 9.47 2.87 6.63  
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4. Traditional Uses of Z. lotus in Medicine, Nutrition, Health, and Disease

4.1. Z. lotus in Ancestral Medicine

Several parts of Z. lotus have been used in traditional medicine for the treatment of bronchitis, diarrhea, and abscess [61]. In addition, the powder of dried leaves and fruit mixed with water or milk is used for the treatment of boils [62] and the root bark for the treatment of diabetes [16]. The juice from Z. lotus root would be efficient in the treatment of eye leucomas [63]. The fruits and the leaves of Z. lotus are used as emollient [61] and in the treatment of diarrhea and intestinal diseases [63].

4.2. Z. lotus in Nutrition

Z. lotus fruits would still be consumed by local population in North Africa. The fruits are dried and processed into flour to make pancakes with very pleasant flavor [64]. The nutritional virtue of Z. lotus is mainly based on its composition rich in vitamin E, vitamin C, fibers, fatty acids, amino acids, calcium, magnesium, and considerable amounts of sugars as mentioned above. The vegetable oils are widely consumed in our diet. They contribute to foods flavor, taste, and texture. Consistent with this, it has been reported that Z. lotus oil is of high quality, because of its content in unsaturated fatty acids and other bioactive compounds [11].

4.3. Z. lotus in Health and Disease

Traditional uses of Z. lotus have reported several benefits of this plant and its bioactive compounds. Meantime, there has been a growing scientific data to support these beneficial properties of Z. lotus through several experimental models devoted to the assessment of Z. lotus natural molecules to cure numerous diseases. This plant is rich in polyphenols, flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, and saponins which have several healthy properties like antidiabetic, hypoglycemic, and gastroprotective actions [21, 22]. As mentioned above, lotusine B, lotusine C, jujuboside A, and jujuboside C are the main active constituents of Z. lotus root bark (Table 1) and might exert antibacterial and antifungal activity [65, 66].

5. Pharmacological and Biological Activities of Z. lotus Compounds

Therapeutic benefits of Z. lotus compounds or extracts have been highlighted by several experimental models (cell and animal) through in vivo and in vitro studies.

5.1. Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory

Several studies report that the extracts of Z. lotus exhibit anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. As shown in Table 1, Z. lotus is rich in many antioxidant compounds such as phenolic acids, flavonoids, alkaloids, and saponins. These components have been shown to prevent oxidative stress and inflammation by reducing reactive oxygen species (ROS) [69]. Interestingly, numerous in vitro studies have demonstrated the capacity of the different parts of Z. lotus for scavenging free radicals, for instance, in lipid peroxidation, resulting in cell damage prevention [4, 13, 21, 23, 24, 26]. Moreover, in diabetic rats, the aqueous extract of Z. lotus roots and leaves strongly increases the rate of haemolysis and glutathione reductase and decreases catalase activity, glutathione peroxidase, and the status of antioxidant, suggesting that this plant corrected diabetes-induced antioxidant status [22]. Besides, the involvement of glutathione in protein and DNA synthesis, cellular detoxification, and inflammation has been reported [70]. For this reason, Z. lotus extract might have potential benefit for cellular protection. In vitro data on human T cells suggest that Z. lotus fruits have higher antioxidant activities compared to other parts of this plant, followed by leaves, root, and stem [28]. Furthermore, the secondary metabolites of Z. lotus administrated orally in carrageenan-induced rat paw edema presented anti-inflammatory effects in dose-dependent manner [62] by inhibiting paw edema and the production of nitrite in lipopolysaccharide-activated RAW 264.7 macrophages without cytotoxicity [18]. These studies sustained that Z. lotus biomolecules might have beneficial effects for human health, for example, to reduce or prevent inflammation and oxidative damage.

5.2. Antimicrobial and Antifungal

In vitro studies have elucidated the effects of Z. lotus extracts on the growth of several bacteria and fungi species (see Table 8). They demonstrated that the extracts of Z. lotus fruits under etheric and methanolic solvents presented the most bactericidal effects to induce growth inhibition [13, 25]. These antimicrobial activities of Z. lotus fruits seem to be mediated by phenolic compounds content in this part of Z. lotus as shown elsewhere [71]. Altogether, these reports provided evidence that Z. lotus with antibacterial effects might be considered as source of natural biomolecules for producing synthetic bactericides and fungicides.

Table 8.

Overview of major bioactive effects of Z. lotus preparations in different experimental models.

Biological activity Z. lotus part used Experimental models References
Antioxidant Z. lotus pulp, seed, leaf, root, and stem extracts In vitro studies in jurkat cells [4, 13, 21–24, 26, 28]
Z. lotus fruits and root extracts Dpph radical and hydroxyl radical scavenging activities
Methanol extracts of Z. lotus leaf and fruit Dpph (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) assay
Z. lotus extracts from roots and leaves In vivo studies in wistar rats pancreas, liver, and erythrocytes.
Hydroalcoholic extracts of Z. lotus leaves and fruits Lipid peroxidation, dpph
Z. lotus (fruits) methanol extract Free radical (dpph) scavenging test
Antimicrobial Methanol extracts of leaves and fruits In vitro studies in Gram-negative bacteria: Escherichia coli atcc 8739, Salmonella typhimurium nctc 6017, Aeromonas hydrophila ei, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa atcc 27853 [13, 25]
In vitro studies in Gram-positive bacteria: Staphylococcus aureus atcc 29213, Listeria monocytogenes atcc 7644, and Bacillus cereus atcc 1247
Etheric, dichlorométhanic, and methanolic extracts of fruit and its active compounds (phenols, flavonoids, and tannins) In vitro studies in bacterial species: Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Salmonella typhi, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Antifungal Methanol extracts of leaves and fruits In vitro studies: Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus niger [13, 25]
Etheric, dichlorométhanic, methanolic, and difenoconazole extracts of fruit Fungal species: Penicillium italicum, Fusarium culmorum, Aspergillus ochraceus, and Rhizomucor sp
Anticandidal Methanol extracts of leaves and fruits In vitro studies: candida albicans [13]
immunosuppressive Polyphenols from Z. lotus fruit In vitro studies: human t cells [14, 28]
pulp, seed, leaf, root, and stem extracts In vitro studies: jurkat cells
Anti-inflammatory Flavonoid and saponin from root bark and leaves of Z. lotus In vivo studies in wistar rats and swiss albino mice
In vitro studies in raw 264.7 macrophages		 [18, 26, 62]
Methanolic extracts of root bark and leaves of Z. lotus In vivo studies in mice
Hydroalcoholic extracts of Z. lotus leaves and fruits Lipoxygenase assay
Analgesic Flavonoid and saponin from root bark and leaves of Z. lotus In vivo studies in wistar rats and swiss albino mice [18, 62]
Antiulcerogenic Aqueous, methanolic, ethyl acetate, and chloroformic extracts of Z. lotus root barks, leaves, and fruit In vivo studies in wistar rats [21, 27]
Z. lotus (fruits) methanol extract In vivo studies in wistar rats
Antispasmodic Aqueous and methanolic extracts of Z. lotus leaves and root barks Ex vivo studies on isolated rat duodenum [32]
Antidiabetic Z. lotus aqueous extracts from roots and leaves In vivo studies in diabetic wistar rats pancreas, liver, and erythrocytes. [22]
Hypoglycemic Aqueous extract of leaf and root from Z. lotus In vivo studies in wistar rats [22]
Gastroprotective Z. lotus (fruits) methanol extract In vivo studies in wistar rats [21]
In vitro studies in 22 clinical strains of helicobacter pylori j99
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5.3. Antidiabetic and Hypoglycemic

In a Wistar rat model of streptozotocin-induced hyperglycemia [72], hypoglycemic effects of Z. lotus indicate that the aqueous extracts of roots presented the most efficient activities compared to Z. lotus leaves [22]. This beneficial effect might be correlated with the high quantities of vitamin A observed in leaves and roots of Z. lotus. Indeed, it has been reported that insulin sensitivity was improved by vitamin A through activation of insulin receptor and protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B [73]. Moreover, lower amounts of vitamins were observed in diabetic animals compared to control animals [74].

5.4. Antiulcerogenic and Gastroprotective

Gastric ulcer is part of gastrointestinal disorder involving inflammation and default of defense mechanism. In many in vivo studies, protective effects of aqueous extracts of Z. lotus (root bark, leaves, and fruit) administered orally were observed in the lesions of several ulcerogenic induced models in Wistar rat [21, 27]. These reports suggest that the extracts of this plant act as antiulcer agent by reducing gastric acidity and juice secretion. Helicobacter pylori is the most common bacterium that can survive in the highly acidic environment of the human stomach involving different digestive diseases such as peptic ulcer, dyspepsia (heartburn, acid indigestion, and nausea) [75, 76], the stomach cancer (adenocarcinoma) [77, 78], and MALT lymphoma [79]. Interestingly, the effect of methanol extract of Z. lotus (fruits) has been studied in vitro on 22 clinical strains of Helicobacter pylori, indicating that this plant has bactericidal effects on these clinical strains [21].

5.5. Analgesic and Antispasmodic

In Swiss mice, analgesic effects of aqueous extract of Z. lotus root barks were observed in a dose-dependent manner [62]. In acetic acid-induced algesia in mice, analgesic activities were also reported by flavonoid and saponin extracts from Z. lotus leaves and root bark in vivo, while in vitro, this effect is modulated by nitrite production in RAW 264.7 macrophages [18]. In addition, ex vivo studies on isolated rat duodenum show that aqueous extract of Z. lotus leaves and root bark exerts antispasmodic activities by modulating Ca2+ signaling via cholinergic receptors [32].

6. Z. lotus Phenolic Compounds and Immune System: Mechanisms of Action

Beneficial effects of Z. lotus polyphenols on health might be generated by their antioxidant and radical scavenging properties. Interestingly, our previous studies demonstrated that Z. lotus polyphenols also modulate human immune cell signaling and exert immunosuppressive effects [14]. As shown in Figure 3, in human T cells, Z. lotus polyphenols (ZLP) upregulate thapsigargin- (TG-, inhibitor of Ca2+-ATPase) mediated calcium signaling at endoplasmic reticulum level, modulate plasma membrane, and, thus, block the entry of ions, decrease ERK1 and ERK2 activation, diminish cell proliferation and IL-2 expression by arresting S cell cycle, and increase intracellular acidification in dose-dependent manner [14]. ZLP alone do not induce elevation of intracellular calcium concentration, [Ca2+]i, in these cells. Consistent with this, Z. lotus might have a potential benefit in human autoimmune diseases.

Figure 3.

Figure 3

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Schematic representation of Z. Lotus phenolic compounds-induced immune cell signaling. Note: ZLP: Z. Lotus polyphenols; TG: Thapsigargin; PHA: phytohemagglutinin (see text for details).

7. Conclusion

Collectively, this review provides updated comprehensive information on Z. lotus as a source of several bioactive compounds which hold therapeutic potentialities for human nutrition, health promoting, and disease preventing. As mentioned in Table 8, several scientific papers have clearly reported many biological properties of the different parts of this plant and its constituents through in vitro and in vivo studies. The potent antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory effects of Z. lotus have been distinctly elucidated. On another side, Z. lotus extracts present beneficial effects on metabolic disorders via antidiabetic and hypoglycemic actions. In vivo studies showed that Z. lotus supplementation might be used to treat gastrointestinal disorders. On the nutritional level, this plant is rich in many nutriments which may be used in various fields such as food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutics.

8. Future Perspectives

Although several studies reported the benefit effects of Z. lotus in many facets of human nutrition, health, and disease, the exact mechanisms by which Z. lotus bioactive compounds exert their biological and pharmacological activities are not yet entirely elucidated.

Therefore, further studies are required to elucidate the effects of Z. lotus extracts and active compounds in some unexplored domains such as cancer, metabolic disorders, inflammation, and age-linked diseases as well as their mechanisms of actions.

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by grants from the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research.

Abbreviations

Z. Lotus:

Zizyphus lotus

ZLP:

Zizyphus lotus polyphenols

TG:

Thapsigargin

PHA:

Phytohemagglutinin

[Ca2+]i:

Intracellular calcium concentration

IL-2:

Interleukin-2

ERK1/2:

Extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2

ER:

Endoplasmic reticulum.

Competing Interests

The author has no potential conflict of interests to declare.

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