| Title: | Zimbro (Juniperus communis L.) as a Promising Source of Bioactive Compounds and Biomedical Activities: A Review on Recent Trends |
| Author(s): | Goncalves AC; Flores-Felix JD; Coutinho P; Alves G; Silva LR; |
| Address: | "CICS-UBI-Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, 6201-506 Covilha, Portugal. CPIRN-UDI/IPG-Center of Potential and Innovation of Natural Resources, Research Unit for Inland Development (UDI), Polytechnic Institute of Guarda, 6300-559 Guarda, Portugal" |
| ISSN/ISBN: | 1422-0067 (Electronic) 1422-0067 (Linking) |
| Abstract: | "Plant-derived products and their extracted compounds have been used in folk medicine since early times. Zimbro or common juniper (Juniperus communis) 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" |
| Keywords: | Anti-Inflammatory Agents/pharmacology/therapeutic use Antioxidants/pharmacology/therapeutic use Female Humans *Juniperus Phenols/pharmacology Plant Extracts/pharmacology/therapeutic use Juniperus communis L.bioactive compounds biological potential essent; |
| Notes: | "MedlineGoncalves, Ana C Flores-Felix, Jose David Coutinho, Paula Alves, Gilberto Silva, Luis R eng 2020.04947.BD/Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia/ Marie Sklodowska-Curie grant agreement No 101003373/European Commission/ Review Switzerland 2022/03/26 Int J Mol Sci. 2022 Mar 16; 23(6):3197. doi: 10.3390/ijms23063197" |
