Abstract

ROSE APPLE FRUIT: A PHARMACOLOGICAL REVIEW

Subbulakshmi K.*, Satish S. and A. R. Shabaraya

ABSTRACT

Rose apples, scientifically called as Syzygium jambos is addressed by several common names which reflects the large number of areas in which it occurs as a garden or fruit tree or as an invader. They are commonly called rose apples since the fruit flesh has the sweet taste of rose petals. It is native to South East Asian regions belonging to the family Myrtaceae. It is a sensitive fruit which get bruises easily. The fruits are very light in weight because they are hollow. The word ‘Rose apple’ has appeared in the Buddhism and ancient Indian history. In the Chinese system of traditional medicine, the fruit and root bark are believed to be of use as a blood coolant. In India, traditionally the fruit has been used as brain and liver tonic and to prepare rose water and wine. Scientific studies suggest that rose apple has diverse health benefits such as antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antiviral, antidermatophytic, anticancer, and hepatoprotective activity effects. The seeds are also employed in the treatment of diabetes, diarrhoea and dysentery and an extract of the seeds is found to have antibacterial activity. The chemical analysis of the extract from the fruit showed the presence of flavonoids, volatile oil and aldehyde derivatives as main constituent. Medicinally the fruit is reported to have anti-cancer and the ethanol extract was effective as a free radical scavenger in the 1, 1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl free radical scavenging assay, reducing total phenol capacity, total flavonoid content, and total antioxidant capacity. This review paper presents an overview of Syzygium jambos fruit and its pharmacological actions.

Keywords: Fruit, Pharmacological action, Rose water, Syzygium jambos.