Bioactive compounds and medicinal importance of Litchi chinensis

Abstract

Litchi chinensis Sonn. has been widely used as anti-cancer, antiseptic, hypoglycemic, antihyperlipidemic, antiplatelet, antitussive, analgesic, anti-pyretic, diuretic, anti-viral, and hemostatic activities. Several bioactive compounds have been isolated and reported by the scientist using the modern techniques. Several new compounds are being reported. The litchi has now gained a status like other important medicinal plants because of its compound constituent as well as the activities like therapeutic drugs. The ethnomedical use of L. chinensis has been recorded in China, India, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Philippines. Phytochemical exploration has established that the key chemical constituents of litchi are flavonoids, sterols, triterpenes, phenolics, and other bioactive compounds. Crude extracts and pure compounds isolated from L. chinensis exhibited noteworthy anti-oxidant, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anti-viral, anti-diabetic, anti-obesity, hepato-protective, and immunomodulatory activities. The civilized cultures are using this since ancient time for the treatment of several diseases such as diabetes, stomach ulcers, cough, flatulence, obesity, testicular swelling, epigastric, and neuralgic pains. However, litchi extracts and fruit juices have been established to be secure at a dosage from the toxicological point of view.