Tanka (Pyrus communis) in Ayurvedic Materia Medica: A Comprehensive Review of Its Health Benefits, Traditional Uses, Pharmacological Activities, and Phytochemical Constituents

Abstract

Natural compounds are fundamentally preferable to synthetic substances according to general people and have played an essential role in health care system for illness prevention. Tank (Nashpati), commonly known as the pear in English, is a fruit celebrated for its nutritional benefits and diverse applications. Fruits are an excellent way to boost your body’s wellbeing and get all the necessary nutrients. A fruit-rich diet reduces the risk of several diseases and provides your body with the best nourishment. It is the second most nutritious fruit in the world after apple. Pear is a rich source of many nutrients like vitamins, dietary fibre, amino acids, etc. It has various names in different cultures. In Hindi, it is called Nashpati, and in Ayurveda, it is known as Tank (Amritphala), as it is highly beneficial for the human body. Pear, due to its low-calorie content, is an excellent addition to a weight-loss diet. The pear is characterized by its distinctive pyriform shape, crisp to buttery flesh, and a wide range of cultivars exhibiting variations in flavor, texture, and color. The current review study comprises its brief description and cultivation, medicinal and traditional uses , Phytoconstituents of Pyrus communis fruit in order to highlight future research potential for this well-known and commercially relevant medication.

Introduction

The genus Pyrus, commonly known as pear or "Nashpati" in South Asia, is an important fruit-bearing group in the Rosaceae family, closely related to apples. Pears have ancient origins, likely from China and Western Asia, and are prized not only for their culinary uses but also for their rich nutritional and health benefits. They provide dietary fiber, essential vitamins (C, K), and minerals (potassium, copper), along with bioactive phytochemicals such as flavonoids and phenolic acids, especially concentrated in the peel, which have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer effects.

Traditional medicine has long used pears to treat coughs, constipation, hangovers, and inflammation, and modern research supports their role in preventing chronic diseases like diabetes, cardiovascular disorders, and certain cancers.

Botanically, Pyrus communis is a medium-sized tree with distinct leaves and flowers, adapted to temperate climates and specific soil conditions. Pear cultivation is widespread, with notable varieties classified mainly into European (soft, juicy) and Asian (crisp, apple-like) types.

Medicinally, pears and their parts (fruit, leaves, bark, flowers) exhibit antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hypoglycemic, skin-whitening, wound healing, and urinary therapeutic properties. They are traditionally used for digestive health, managing acidity, and as natural remedies for various ailments.

Pharmacological studies validate pears’ effects in lowering cholesterol, combating cancer, controlling blood sugar, promoting bone health, boosting immunity, aiding weight loss, and supporting cardiovascular and respiratory health. Their high fiber and pectin content also aid digestion and prevent constipation.

Overall, pears represent a nutritionally and medicinally valuable fruit with significant therapeutic potential and cultural importance.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Pyrus species exhibit significant therapeutic potential, largely attributed to their abundant phytochemical content and wide range of pharmacological effects. These fruits have demonstrated beneficial properties—including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and cardioprotective activities—that support their role in promoting human health and wellness. Key bioactive constituents such as phenolic compounds, flavonoids, triterpenoids, and essential vitamins contribute to their value as functional foods and natural therapeutic agents. Contemporary scientific findings increasingly validate the traditional uses of Pyrus species, paving the way for the development of innovative medicinal formulations and dietary interventions. However, further in-depth studies are essential to fully elucidate their mechanisms of action, refine extraction methods, and explore their clinical applications. Collectively, these insights position Pyrus species as promising valuable resource in the field of natural medicine and integrative health strategies.

References

[1] Lombard, P.B.; Westwood, M.N. (1987). Pear culture. The Pear. Timber Press. [2] Hedrick, U.P.; et al. (1921). The Pears of New York. J.B. Lyon Company. [3] Slavin, J.L. (2013). Fiber and prebiotics: mechanisms and health benefits. Nutrients, 5(4), 1417-1435. [4] Paoletti, R.; et al. (2010). The protective effect of dietary fiber on gut health and chronic diseases. Clinical and Experimental Gastroenterology, 3, 21-26. [5] U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central. [Accessed 2025-06-06]. [6] Zhou, Y.; et al. (2015). Systematic Review of Pears and Health. PLoS One, 10(9), e0135835. [7] Li, Y.; et al. (2014). Phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity of different pear varieties. Food Chemistry, 152, 281-289. [8] Kim, S. (2010). The pharmacological effects of traditional Chinese medicine and its active components on chronic diseases. Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine, 16(2), 103-109. [9] Tata AIG Blog. (2024). Pear (Nashpati): Health Benefits, Uses & Side Effects. [Accessed 2025-06-06]. [10] Nettles, R. (2014). Fruit and vegetable consumption and chronic disease risk. Advances in Nutrition, 5(2), 195-201. [11] Charak Samhita of Agnivesh,Pandit Kashinath pandey, Dr.Gorakhnath chaturvedi, Chokhamba Bharati Academy,Varanasi.Edition 2017,Sutrasthan,Chapter 27, Shloka 136 [12] Sushrut Samhita, Dr.Ambikadutt shashtri, Chaukhambha Sanskrit Sansthan, Varanasi. Edition-2016, Sutrasthan ,Chapter-46,Shloka 191 [13] Dr. J.L.N Sastry, Illustrated Madanapala Nighantu of Nrip Madanapala, Choukhamba Orientalia, Varanasi, 1st edition 2010, Phaladivarga 6/60 [14] Bhavaprakash Nighantu(Indian Materia Medica) of Sri Bhavamisra,by Prof.K.C.Chunekar, Chokhamba Bharati Academy,Varanasi, Amradi phala Varg,7/105 [15] P. Reig et al., \"Managing Crop Load in European Pear (Pyrus communis L.)—A Review,\" Horticulturae, vol. 7, no. 7, p. 197, 2021. [16] K. H. Kim et al., \"A review of pears (Pyrus spp.), ancient functional food for modern times,\" Food Science and Biotechnology, vol. 30, no. 9, pp. 1205-1216, 2021. [17] Kaur R, Arya V. Ethnomedicinal and Phytochemical perspectives of Pyrus communis (Linn). Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry [18] Guven K, Yucel E, Cetintas F. Antimicrobial activities of fruits of Crataegus and Pyrus Species. Pharmaceutical Biology. [19] Jin S, Sato N. Benzoquinone, the substance essential for antibacterial activity in aqueous extracts from succulent young shoots of the pear Pyrus spp. World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research and Phytochemistry. [20] Sharma K, Pasricha V, Satpathy G, Gupta R.K. Evaluation of phytochemical and antioxidant activity of raw Pyrus communis (l), an underexploited fruit. Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry [21] Büchner FL et al. Consumption of vegetables and fruit and the risk of bladder cancer in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition. International Journal of Cancer. [22] Linseisen J et al. Fruit and vegetable consumption and lung cancer risk: updated information from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC). International Journal of Cancer. [23] Freedman ND et al. Fruit and vegetable intake and esophageal cancer in a large prospective cohort study. International Journal of Cancer. [24] Velmurugan C, Bhargava A. Anti-Diabetic and hypolipidemic activity of fruit of Pyrus communis L. in hyperglycaemic rats. Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical and Clinical Research. [25] Velmurugan C, Bhargava A. Anti-Diabetic and hypolipidemic activity of fruit of Pyrus communis L. in hyperglycaemic rats. Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical and Clinical Research. [26] Kaur R, Arya V. Ethnomedicinal and Phytochemical perspectives of Pyrus communis (L). Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry [27] Vel Murugan Chinnasamy and Anurag bhargava. Wound healing activity of various extracts of fruit of Pyrus communis L. in normal rats. J Pharm Sci Innov;3(2):148-153 [28] Gudej J, Rychilnska I. Chemical compound in Pyrus communis L. Flowers. Acta Polonica Pharmaceutica-Drug ResearchDe Oliveira MC, Sischieri R, Venturium Mozzer R. A low- energy-dense diet adding fruit reduces weight and energy intake in women. Appetite. [29] Rychilnska I, Gudej J. Qualitative and quantitative chromatographic investigation of hydroquinone derivatives in Pyrus communis L. Flowers. Acta Polonica Pharmaceutica-Drug Research. 2003; 60: 309-312. [30] Nortje BK, Koeppen BH. The flavonol glycosides in the fruit of Pyrus communis L.cultivar bon chretien. Biochemical Journal. 1965; 97: 209-213. [31] Razavi SM, Zahri S, Zarrini G, Nazemiyeh H, Mohammadi S. Biological activity of quercetin-3-O-glucoside, a known plant flavonoid. Russian Journal of Bioorganic Chemistry. 2009; 35(3): 414-416. [32] Li X, Zhang JY, Gao WY, Wang Y, Wang HY, Cao JG, Huang LQ. Chemical composition and anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of eight pear cultivars. Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry. 2012; 60(35): 8738-8744. [33] Mahammad M.U., Kamba A. S, Abubakar L. and Bagna E.A. Nutritional composition of pear fruits ( Pyrus communis). African Journal of Food Science and Technology. 2010; 1(3): 76-81. [34] Mahammad M.U., Kamba A. S, Abubakar L. and Bagna E.A. Nutritional composition of pear fruits ( Pyrus communis). African Journal of Food Science and Technology. 2010; 1(3): 76-81.

Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Dr. Devesh Pareek, Dr. Chandan Singh, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Purvia, Dr. Manoj Adlakha, Dr. Akash Meghwal. 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.