PHYTOCHEMISTRY AND BIOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS OF PRUNUS ARMENAICA L. FRUITS
S. H. A. Kazmi, Syed Rais Haider and M. M. Abid Ali Khan*
ABSTRACT
Prunus armenaica L. (Apricot) is a fruit species has a high nutritional value with good source of fiber, minerals (potassium but also Ca, Fe, Zn,Mg, P & Se etc) and vitamins such as vitamin A, vitamin C, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin and pantothenic acid. Moreover, apricot contains a number of secondary metabolites such as polyphenols, carotenoids, fatty acids and polysaccharides whose biological activities are useful for exerting various desirable benefits for human health. Apricot is a rich source of strong antioxidant phytonutrients. Quercetin, a flavonoid occurring in apricot possesses anti-cancer property. Proanthocyanidins exhibits inflammatory property. Along with it protect from CVDs by vessel relaxation and LDL oxidation inhibition. Apricot contains catechins in low quantity compared to tea. Studies have shown that epicatechin plays protective role as insulin and significantly lowers diabetes type 2 and improve diabetes complication. It relaxes heart muscles for better heart health. Numerous studies support hydroxycinnamic benefits from diabetes, Alzheimer‘s disease, cardiovascular diseases and chronic lung disease. Gallic acid caffeic acid, coumaric acid, ferulic acid and β-cryptoxanthin are in apricot have multiple properties like anti-mutagenic, anti-angiogenic, anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic. Apricot tends to be healthy fruit option due to its high nutrient content. The Fe content in apricots is helps preventing from developing anemia. It is often characterized by dizziness, weakness, fatigue, nausea and inability to carry out day to day activities due to persistent tiredness. It is also a good source of calorie required for proper nourishment. So it is highly beneficial for therapeutic uses and supplementary health.
Keywords: Prunus armenaica L., Secondary metabolites, Antioxidant phytonutrients, Anticancer property, Cardiovascular Disease (CVD).
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