Research Advances in Bioactive Components and Therapeutic Benefits of Jujube Fruit, a Mini Review

Abstract

Jujube (Ziziphus jujuba) fruit has been routinely used as a food, additive, and flavoring agent for thousands of years due to its rich nutritional contents. Mounting evidence proves the therapeutic benefits of Ziziphus jujuba, including anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antiobesity, antioxidant, immune-stimulating, neuroprotective, and hepato- and gastro-protective properties, which are due to its main biologically active components: phenolics, triterpenic acids, flavonoids, α-tocopherol, β-carotene, cerebrosides, and polysaccharides. It is also used in conventional health care, for treating anorexia, fatigue, and diarrhea. Therefore, a deep focus on clinical studies and the phytochemical definition of jujube fruits will be critical for following research efforts. The current work aimed to cover all existing in vitro and in vivo discoveries linked to the therapeutically beneficial effects of Z. jujuba bioactive substances and the underlying molecular mechanisms. To write this review, the data were collected from valid scientific databases, including Science Direct, PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar (2014-2024). These findings could provide several lines of evidence for the medicinal uses of jujube as supplementary products for the prevention or treatment of several diseases such as cancer and other immune disorders.

Keywords

• anticancer
• bioactive compounds
• health benefits
• jujube fruit
• ziziphus jujuba