Zimbro ( Juniperus communis L.) as a Promising Source of Bioactive Compounds and Biomedical Activities: A Review on Recent Trends

• Published in: International journal of molecular sciences Vol. 23; no. 6; p. 3197
• Main Authors: Gonçalves, Ana C, Flores-Félix, José David, Coutinho, Paula, Alves, Gilberto, Silva, Luís R
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 16-03-2022; MDPI
• Subjects: Amenorrhea; Anti-Inflammatory Agents - pharmacology; Anti-Inflammatory Agents - therapeutic use; Antidiabetics; Antiinfectives and antibacterials; Antioxidants; Antioxidants - pharmacology; Antioxidants - therapeutic use; Berries; Bioactive compounds; Biological activity; biological potential; Catarrh; Diabetes; Diabetes mellitus; essential oils; Female; Folk medicine; Foodborne pathogens; Herbal medicine; Humans; in vitro studies; in vivo studies; Inflammation; Juniperus; Juniperus communis; Medicine; Metabolites; Microorganisms; Mountains; Natural products; Neuroprotection; Oils & fats; Organic acids; phenolic compounds; Phenols - pharmacology; Phytochemicals; Plant extracts; Plant Extracts - pharmacology; Plant Extracts - therapeutic use; Plants; Population; R&D; Research & development; Review; Seeds; Volatile compounds; Iberian Peninsula; Portugal; in vitro studies; biological potential; in vivo studies; phenolic compounds; bioactive compounds; Juniperus communis L; essential oils
• ISSN: 1422-0067; 1661-6596; 1422-0067
• DOI: 10.3390/ijms23063197

Plant-derived products and their extracted compounds have been used in folk medicine since early times. Zimbro or common juniper (
) is traditionally used to treat renal suppression, acute and chronic cystitis, bladder catarrh, albuminuria, leucorrhea, and amenorrhea. These uses are mainly attributed to its bioactive composition, which is very rich in phenolics, terpenoids, organic acids, alkaloids, and volatile compounds. In the last few years, several studies have analyzed the huge potential of this evergreen shrub, describing a wide range of activities with relevance in different biomedical discipline areas, namely antimicrobial potential against human pathogens and foodborne microorganisms, notorious antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, antidiabetic, antihypercholesterolemic and antihyperlipidemic effects, and neuroprotective action, as well as antiproliferative ability against cancer cells and the ability to activate inductive hepato-, renal- and gastroprotective mechanisms. Owing to these promising activities, extracts and bioactive compounds of juniper could be useful for the development of new pharmacological applications in the treatment of several acute and chronic human diseases.