Overview on the agronomic, phytochemical and therapeutic traits of bladder cherry (Physalis alkekengi L.)

Abstract

Bladder cherry (Physalis alkekengi L.) is a valuable medicinal plant of the Solanaceae family which has been used in the traditional medicine of Iran and the world and numerous therapeutic properties such as anti-fever and inflammatory, analgesic, anti-bacterial and virus have been reported for this plant. Bladder cherry is extensively used in Chinese medicine, and its fruit is used to treat abscess, cough and relieve fever, and sore throat. Brewed and boiled flower of this plant is also suitable for the treatment of diabetes and its root is used to urinary problems, skin inflammation, uric acid excretion, gout, arthritis, hemorrhoids, hepatitis, bronchitis, and liver enhancement. The most important phytochemical studies of bladder cherry originated in 1965. To date, about 124 components including steroids, flavonoids, phenylpropanoids, and alkaloids have been extracted from different parts of the plant. Approximately, 58 combinations of steroids have been reported with the highest amount of physalins in the different parts of the bladder cherry. Moreover, 19 flavonoid compounds of the bladder cherry have been extracted from its calix in the form of flavon and flavonol. In general, the results of this study indicate that the bladder cherry due to the effective phytochemical properties of the nutrition and treatment of some diseases can be used as an important medicinal plant in the pharmaceutical industry.