Chemistry, Pharmacology and Medicinal Property of Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia L.)

Abstract

Russian olive is known as the Functional Novel Natural Medicine, Elaeagnus angustifolia L. Extract are considered important for drug development, because they are reported to have Pharmacological activity in the Asia, Middle East especially China and India. For a long time Elaeagnus angustifolia L., which is commonly known as oleaster or Russian olive, is a deciduous plant from Elaeagnacea family. This plant can tolerate and survive a wide variety of environmental conditions. Traditionally, different parts of Elaeagnus angustifolia plant especially fruits and flowers have been used in treating some common problems such as nausea, cough, asthma, fever, jaundice, and diarrhea. The use of fruit powder and extract of E. angustifolia have shown to be effective in alleviating pain in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and also reducing the healing time of the wounded area. In addition, some recent reports have indicated the anti-oxidant, antiinflammatory, antimicrobial, anticancer activities of oleaster plant. The other important property of this plant is its role in bio-monitoring the environment for some toxic elements and also its action as a biofertilizer agent in distressed lands. It seems that with more advanced studies on E. angustifolia and its bioactive components, this plant might be potentially effective and can be used as a natural alternative resource in pharmaceutical industries for treating chronic and serious problems.