Open AccessBiological activities and health-promoting effects of Pyracantha genus: a key approach to the phytochemical's potential
Author(s) -
Javad SharifiRad,
Yasaman Taheri,
Seyed Abdulmajid Ayatollahi,
Nima Naderi,
Anil Kumar N,
Niranjan Koirala,
Sujan Khadka,
Natallia Karazhan,
Muhammad Shahinozzaman,
Surjit Sen,
Krishnendu Acharya,
Abhijit Dey,
Miquel Martorell,
Natália Martins
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
cellular and molecular biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.371
H-Index - 71
eISSN - 1165-158X
pISSN - 0145-5680
DOI - 10.14715/cmb/2020.66.4.4
Subject(s) - phytochemical , biology , antimicrobial , traditional medicine , ingredient , botany , medicine , microbiology and biotechnology , food science
Pyracantha spp. are commonly called firethorn, and attract human attention due to their colorful berries. These berries are eaten globally as a traditional remedy for treating different stomach abnormalities, and as a cooking ingredient for folk diets. The present review aims to provide an overview on Pyracantha genus' geographical distribution and botanical description, traditional uses, phytochemical composition, biological activities and safety issues. Several biological activities have been reported to Pyracantha species, namely antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, larvicidal and cytotoxic properties, most of them attributed to the use of their fruits. Pyracantha species phytochemical composition reveal the presence of interesting bioactive molecules, such as pyracrenic acid and fortuneanosides. The currently reported biological activities to these plants derive from in vitro and in vivo studies, so that clinical trials are needed to confirm these preclinical results. Nonetheless, Pyracantha species can be suggested as a safe herb useful to develop future drug formulations and functional foods.