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Almond as a nutraceutical and therapeutic agent in Persian medicine and modern phytotherapy: A narrative review
Author(s) -
Karimi Zahra,
Firouzi Mojdeh,
Dadmehr Majid,
JavadMousavi Seyed Ali,
Bagheriani Najmeh,
Sadeghpour Omid
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
phytotherapy research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.019
H-Index - 129
eISSN - 1099-1573
pISSN - 0951-418X
DOI - 10.1002/ptr.7006
Subject(s) - phytochemistry , traditional medicine , phytochemical , nutraceutical , phytotherapy , medicine , anxiolytic , alternative medicine , anxiety , pathology , psychiatry
Sweet almond ( Prunus dulcis (Mill.) D.A.Webb) is a known nut, which has long been used in several ethnomedical systems, especially in Persian medicine (PM) for its nutritional and therapeutic activities. In this study, we aimed to provide a summary on traditional uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacological activities of sweet almond. Thus, we reviewed textbooks of PM and electronic literature on traditional medicine. Moreover, the available data on the usage of sweet almond were searched in electronic databases to find articles on its pharmacological properties and phytochemistry. According to phytochemical investigations, this plant contains macronutrients, micronutrients, essential oils, various phenolic compounds, and phytosterols. Current pharmacological studies represent that Prunus dulcis has several biological activities including prebiotic, antimicrobial, antioxidant, antiinflammatory, anticancer, hepatoprotective, cardiometabolic protection, nootropic, anxiolytic, sedative–hypnotic, and nervous‐improving effects. Further clinical trials and meta‐analysis are required to draw a definitive conclusion on the efficacy and therapeutic activities of almond.