Phytoconstituents of Ziziphus jujuba Fruit Extracts

The fruit of Ziziphus jujuba Mill which is a member of the Rhamnaceae family is known as jujuba also known as a red date or a Chinese date. Jujuba is a plant that originated in China and has been used in traditional Chinese medicine and as a food supplement for thousands of years. Jujuba plants are now readily available not only in China but also in other nations like Korea India Japan Europe and the US. Jujuba was listed as one of the exceedingly beneficial fruits in the ancient Chinese medical literature Huangdi Neijing (475-221 BC). According to the literature jujuba''s anti-oxidative action may be attributed to both flavonoids and polysaccharides. Triterpenic acids were thought to be the main components responsible for the anti-inflammatory and anticancer effects. Moreover jujuboside B and betulinic acid may be the active ingredients with positive effects on the cardiovascular system. The biological activity research has confirmed the jujuba''s health advantages as a food and a therapeutic plant. This book focused on the phytoconstituents of Ziziphus jujuba fruit extracts and their anti-oxidant anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial potential.