Bioactivities and Health Benefits of Ximenia americana L.: A Wild Edible Fruit

Abstract

Ximenia americana is one of the most valuable wild edible fruits in the world, but it is still neglected and underexplored. The fruit is reported as indispensable source of phytochemicals and health imparting components. However, review on the bioactivities of X .americana is still scarce. X. americana contain many bioactive compounds, such as polyphenols, anthocyanins and flavonoids. Many studies have shown that X. americana possess various bioactivities and health benefits, such as free radical scavenging, antioxidant, antiinflammatory, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, antitrypanosomal, antiviral, anticancer and analgesic activities. It was demonstrated that the fruit's antioxidant activity was correlated with its anthocyanin, flavonoid, and polyphenol contents. They are also used as food source for the native people. Therefore, X. americana has the potential to be developed into functional foods or pharmaceuticals to enhance, prevent and treat a variety of chronic diseases. In this study, we review researches regarding the bioactivities and health benefits of X. americana, which is important for its exploitation and utilization. The therapeutic efficacy of X .americana is no longer in doubt. It is anticipated that this review will aid researchers, herbal medical practitioners and agriculturists, and it will also improve the plant's optimal utilization for its several benefits.