Bioactive Compounds and Health Benefits of Jamun (Syzygium cumini)

Abstract

Jamun (Syzygium cumini) which is indigenous to India has been used as medicine for century in Unani and Ayurveda. The presence of bioactive compounds such as alkaloids, tannins, phenols, lipids, flavonoids in its leaves, barks, fruits, stems, and roots contributes to rich source for nutrition and medicine. Due to the presence these compounds, they have pharmacological effects with antioxidant, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, central nervous system activity (CNS), chemo preventive, anti-inflammatory, antiallergic, hepatoprotective, etc. properties. Jamun is commonly known for its antidiabetic activity as it has been proved to be the most promising nutraceutical value. Bioactive compounds are result of evolution, which may be due to specific requirement of plant by mutualistic or antagonistic interaction with another organism. The structure, action, metabolism, and health benefits of bioactive compounds in Jamun have been discussed in this article.