Pharmacognostic and Pharmacological Study of Syzygium Cumini

Abstract

Syzygium cumini commonly known as \"jamun\" has been used in traditional medicine systems like Ayurveda, Unani, and Siddha for treating various diseases. It contains diverse phytoconstituents, including tannins, alkaloids, steroids, flavonoids, and vitamins, contributing to its therapeutic effects. The plant exhibits pharmacological actions such as hypoglycemic, diuretic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and gastro-protective properties. Studies highlight its ability to protect against radiation-induced DNA damage and reduce the fertilizing capacity of male albino rats. It is effective in treating diabetes, inflammation, ulcers, and diarrhea, with preclinical studies showing chemopreventive and radio protective properties. The seeds contain compounds like jambosine and jambolin, which inhibit starch conversion to sugar. \"Further investigation is necessary to isolate and identify the active compounds responsible for the pharmacological effects. Identifying these bioactive constituents is crucial for developing safer and more effective drugs for treating various conditions, including diabetes.\"

Introduction

Syzygium cumini (Jamun) – Summary

Botanical Overview:

• Common Names: Jamun, Java Plum, Black Plum, Indian Blackberry.

• Family: Myrtaceae.

• Native Range: India and East Indies; also found in parts of Africa, Southeast Asia, and South America.

Traditional and Ethnomedicinal Uses:

• Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani systems use all parts of the plant—bark, leaves, seeds, and fruits.

• Treats conditions like diabetes, asthma, ulcers, sore throat, bronchitis, dysentery, skin ailments, and leucorrhoea.

• Leaf ash strengthens teeth and gums.

• In traditional medicine, Jamun seeds are notably used for diabetes management.

Phytochemical Constituents:

• Leaves, seeds, bark, and fruit contain:

  • Alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, glycosides, phenols, saponins, terpenoids.

  • Notable compounds: Gallic acid, ellagic acid, betulinic acid, kaempferol, anthocyanins.

  • Fruit is rich in anthocyanins responsible for color and antioxidant activity.

  • Nutritionally, Jamun offers vitamin C, iron, calcium, and dietary fiber.

Pharmacological Activities:

1. Antidiabetic (Hypoglycemic)

   • Seeds and pulp lower blood sugar.

   • Defatted seed extract and soluble fibers significantly improve glucose tolerance.

2. Anti-inflammatory

   • Ethanolic bark extract reduces inflammation, comparable to aspirin in effect.

3. Antioxidant

   • Rich in polyphenols and flavonoids.

   • Improves oxidative stress and protects pancreatic β-cells in diabetic rats.

4. Anticancer

   • Anthocyanin-rich fruit extracts and silver nanoparticles derived from the fruit exhibit anticancer effects, particularly on colon and cervical cancer cells.

5. Antibacterial

   • Seed and leaf extracts show broad-spectrum antibacterial activity.

   • Effective against E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and various Shigella species.

Additional Uses:

• Culinary: Fruits are consumed raw or processed into juices, squashes, jams, and wines.

• Cultural: Used in religious offerings and postnatal care (in Madagascar).

• Nutraceuticals & Functional Foods: High antioxidant content makes it ideal for supplements and health beverages.

Conclusion

Jamun seeds are a rich area of research due to their numerous beneficial effects. They are a significant source of phytochemicals, including both phenolic and non-phenolic bioactive compounds. Pharmacological studies link these phytochemicals to a range of therapeutic effects, such as antioxidant, anticancer, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, and radioprotective properties, with the most extensively researched being their ability to ameliorate diabetes mellitus. Additionally, the seeds contain alkaloids that contribute to their hypoglycemic effects. One of the key products derived from jamun seeds is seed powder, which is particularly developed for diabetes management and is often recommended to diabetic patients. This powder has also proven effective in addressing urinary issues and kidney infections. Sometimes, the powder is extracted from other parts of the plant and retains strong antioxidant properties. Overall, the entire jamun fruit is rich in therapeutic potential, indicating a promising future for its use. Although the levels of zinc, iron, copper, manganese, and chromium in jamun seeds are low, they are high in polyphenols and contain adequate amounts of vitamin C and iron. Supplementation with jamun seed powder has shown a significant improvement in lipid profiles in diabetic patients, although this effect was observed in a limited number of subjects. The powder also helps prevent oxidative stress and exhibits anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic activities in the liver of rats fed a high-carbohydrate, high-fat diet. This review, which provides comprehensive information on the nutritional, chemical, and therapeutic aspects of jamun seeds, aims to highlight their potential in the therapeutic and functional food sectors. Further research is necessary to explore various forms of jamun seed, such as seed powder, to fully realize their benefits.The current study explores the introduction of seed oil to a broader audience. It compares various methods for extracting phytochemicals and highlights the presence of numerous medicinally significant bioactive compounds in jamun leaves, supporting their traditional use in treating various diseases. Future research will focus on further purifying, identifying, and characterizing these bioactive chemical constituents. Emphasis should be placed on leveraging the biomedical applications of jamun leaves, thanks to specific classes of phytocompounds, to maximize their potential benefits.

References

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Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Neha Mohite, Sakshi Lagad, Anirudha Pawar, Akanksha More. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.