Exploring The Ethnobotany and Therapeutic Potential of Zizyphus xylopyrus

Medicinal plants have been an integral part of human civilization for centuries, serving as a primary source of healthcare across cultures and traditions. Traditional medicine is defined as the knowledge skills and practices used by various ethnic groups to preserve, prevent, diagnose, mitigate, and treat 'physical and/or psychological' health problems with reference to theories, beliefs, and experience.^[1] The use of medicinal plants for treating illness dates back centuries, as evidenced by historical records and monuments.^[2] Plants medicinally accepted by different cultures have always been available at reasonable costs which made them an important part of people’s life across the globe. In the present context, interest in plant-based products is increasing rapidly across the globe. Herbal medicine is becoming one of the components of both modern and traditional medicines used to manage different types of ailments and diseases. Ziziphus xylopyrus (Retz.) Wild. is one of several plant components being studied for their possible medicinal uses. Zizyphus has about 40 species multiplied all over the Asia in the warm temperate and subtropical regions. Zizyphus is a genus of sometimes spiny shrubs, infrequently spined trees in the family Rhamnaceae.^[3] It is known that several species of the genus Zizyphus are of medicinal interest. Great attention has been paid to species of Zizyphus xylopyrus and a great number of papers have emerged which prove the stance with regard to their medicinal and biological activity. Zizyphus xylopyrus (Retz.) Willd. (Rhamnaceae) is a straggling shrub or a small tree, armed with backbones, upto 4 m in height, set up throughout north? western India, Pakistan and China. The arial and root barks, leaves, and fruits of Zizyphus species used in Indian system of drug for the treatment of various conditions such as weakness, liver complaints, obesity, diabetes, skin infections, fever, diarrhoea, wakefulness and digestive disorders.^[4] The pharmacological properties of Zizyphus xylopyrus have gained more popularity in its phytochemistry. This review gives the idea about scientific research activity on this plant. This review aims to provide a detailed and updated overview of the ethnobotanical significance, phytochemical constituents, and pharmacological activities of Zizyphus xylopyrus.

METHODOLOGY

Search Strategy:

A systematic search conducted using keywords “Zizyphus xylopyrus” “Zizyphus” in electronic databases, including, Web of Science, PubMed, and Google Scholar.

Inclusion Criteria:

Articles published in English between 2000 and 2024 focused on Zizyphus xylopyrus.

Data Extraction:

Extracted information related to the traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacological activities of Zizyphus xylopyrus.

Data Analysis:

Collected data was qualitatively examined in order to discuss critical aspects as well as to summarize major findings.

Ethical Considerations:

No ethical approval was required as the review involved analyzing existing literature without human or animal subjects.

Dissemination:

Findings will be disseminated through publication in peer-reviewed journals, presentations at conferences, and sharing with relevant stakeholders in the medical and research communities.

Description of the plant

Ziziphus xylopyrus is known as a weakly thorny evergreen tree. It is referred to as Jujab all around the world. Z. xylopyrus is an enormous, expansive shrub 6 – 10 m tall with rudimentary shoots and rusty covered with hair. The fresh stems have two spines; the first is straight, while the second is a bit curved and has swollen joints at the leaf scars. ^[3,5] The tree is collected from the natural habitat for use as a food source, material, and for medicine. It is harvested in bulk for trade because of its medicinal value and is sometimes grown as a useful tree in South East Asia.^[6]

Figure 1: Ziziphus xylopyrus (Retz.) Wild plant

Fruits: Z. xylopyrus bears a fruit which is dark brown in color with an astringent taste. This is rounded or globular with a somewhat fibrous pericarp and hard stone like endocarp. The fruit contains three cells and has ridges on its surface. The stalk of the plant bears a seed which is long with a concave diameter of 2 mm at the separation point. The seed is long measuring 5-8 mm. ^[5,7]

Fig 2: Ziziphus xylopyrus Fruits

Leaves: The foliage of Z. xylopyrus is green, has a strong taste, and slight fragrance. Their surface is glabrous and is arranged in an alternate disposition. The leaves are symmetrical and obliquely rounded at the base, while the apex is obtusely rounded. The length of the leaves ranges from 2 to 7 centimeters with a serrulate margin; the leaves also have pinnate venation.

Fig 3: Ziziphus xylopyrus Leaves

Flowers: The flowers of Z. xylopyrus are a pale structure with 2 to 5 lobes, the petals at the base being whiter and the stem more yellow. They are youthful, round and compacted measuring 3-4 mm with the seed stem forming the cup shape. Folded calyx lobes which measure up to 2-2.5 mm long shift towards the center. The flat petals of 1.5 to 2 mm are egg shaped.

Fig 4: Ziziphus xylopyrus Flowers

Vernacular names:^[9]

Scientific Classification of Z. xylopyrus: ^[10]

Phytoconstituents of Zizyphus xylopyrus:^[9]

The information of chemical constituent and medicinal uses of plant is essential to understanding the pharmacological activity as well as to enhance the extraction procedure. A large number of compounds have been extracted from Zizyphus xylopyrus such as flavonoids, carbohydrates, tannins, saponin, alkaloids, glycosides, proteins and amino acid. From Zizyphus xylopyrs, mauritine D, nummularine B, have been isolated for the first time. Ning hua et al have isolated amphibine H, mauritine D, nummularine B and K.

Table 1: Phytoconstituents present in different parts of Z. xylopyrus.

The acute oral toxicity study for the aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Ziziphus xylopyrus was conducted on Wistar Albino rats. The study was performed by using OECD guidelines 420. Fixed dose procedure (FDP). Up to 2000 mg/kg/body weight of the rats was used and there was no mortality or any signs of toxicity. The Ziziphus xylopyrus extracts of ethanol, and aqueous was found to have more than 2000mg LD50. Hence the biological dose was fixed 100 and 200 mg/kg for both the extracts.^[16]

Medicinal uses

Traditional Uses:^[6]

The folkloric uses of Zizyphus xylopyrus is numerous in preclinical medicine, even though it lacks clinical evidence. Different sections of the plant have been utilized by a folk practitioner for the cure of Ailments. It is suggested that the root bark of a plant is used in various crude surgical procedures including Skin rashes along with bleeding piles, nose and mouth. The herbalists use stem bark in Stomach ache and also in cholera. The fruit boasts multiple purported uses including treating Diabetes, Stomach ache, Urinary spasm, and Female sterility. The bark and fruit are used as folk medicine for Diarrhea. The flowers and leaves tend to solve the problem of Urinary issues, Pimples and boils, and is also worn as a protective charm against snake bites. Leaves and stems Antidote for a mad dog, used in Hysteria, Antiseptic and Headache Remedy. The seed is used for folk treatment of Diarrhea and pain after cough and cold.

Pharmacological Uses:

Despite its extensive application in Zizyphus xylopyrus for various apprehensive symptoms and diseases, there have been only a few reports of pharmacological investigation conducted. It is documented to have Anti-depressant activity,^[11] Anti-nociceptive, anti-convulsant and anti-inflammatory activity,^[17] Anti-steroidogenic activity,^[18] wound healing activity,^[19] Anti-bacterial activity,^[20] Anti-cataract activity,^[21] Mast cell stabilization.^[22] and Anti-microbial activity.^[23]

Ayurvedic properties:^[9]

Rasa: Madhura

Guna: Laghu

Virya: Usna

Vipaka: Katu

Karma: Visghma, Vatakaphahara

Figure 5: Pharmacological activities, plant part used, and phytoconstituents of Ziziphus xylopyrus