Juglans mandshurica Maxim.: A Review of Its Traditional Usages, Phytochemical Constituents, and Pharmacological Properties

• Published in: Frontiers in pharmacology Vol. 11; p. 569800
• Main Authors: Luan, Fei, Wang, Ziyan, Yang, Yan, Ji, Yafei, Lv, Haizhen, Han, Keqing, Liu, Daoheng, Shang, Xiaofei, He, Xirui, Zeng, Nan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland Frontiers Media S.A 21-01-2021
• Subjects: antitumor activities; Juglans mandshurica; Pharmacology; phytochemistry; traditional uses; antitumor activities; Juglans mandshurica; pharmacology; traditional uses; phytochemistry
• ISSN: 1663-9812; 1663-9812
• DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.569800

Maxim., also known as "Manchurian walnut" (Chinese) and "Onigurumi" (Japanese), is a medicinal plant widely distributed in Western and Central Asia, especially in China. It has been traditionally used to treat cancer, gastric ulcers, diarrhea, dysentery, dermatosis, uterine prolapse, and leukopenia. To date, more than 400 constituents including quinones (e.g. naphthoquinones, anthraquinones, naphthalenones, tetralones), phenolics, flavonoids, triterpenoids, coumarins, lignans, phenylpropanoids, diarylheptanoids, and steroids, were isolated and structurally identified from different plant parts of
. Among them, quinones, phenolics, triterpenoids, and diarylheptanoids, as the major bioactive substances, have been extensively studied and displayed significant bioactivity. Previous studies have demonstrated that
and a few of its active components exhibit a wide range of pharmacologically important properties, such as antitumor, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, anti-diabetic, antiviral, antimicrobial, and anti-melanogenesis activities. However, many investigations on biological activities were mainly based on crude extracts of this plant, and the major bioactive ingredients responsible for these bioactivities have not been well identified. Further
and
studies on the mechanisms of action of the pure bioactive compounds, and more elaborate toxicity studies as well as clinical studies are needed to ensure safety and effectiveness of the plant for human use. Taken together, the present review will provide some specific useful suggestions guide to further investigations and applications of this plant in the preparation of medicines and functional foods.