Medicinal Plant Research 2024, Vol.14, No.4, 196-209 http://hortherbpublisher.com/index.php/mpr 196 Feature Review Open Access Comprehensive Review of Bioactive Compounds in Loquat and Their Pharmacological Mechanisms Xiuying Zhao Traditional Chinese Medicine Research Center, Cuixi Academy of Biotechnology, Zhuji, 311800, Zhejiang, China Corresponding email: xiuying.zhao@cuixi.org Medicinal Plant Research, 2024, Vol.14, No.4 doi: 10.5376/mpr.2024.14.0017 Received: 15 Jun., 2024 Accepted: 23 Jul., 2024 Published: 06 Aug., 2024 Copyright © 2024 Zhao, This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Preferred citation for this article: Zhao X.Y., 2024, Comprehensive review of bioactive compounds in loquat and their pharmacological mechanisms, Medicinal Plant Research, 14(4): 196-209 (doi: 10.5376/mpr.2024.14.0017) Abstract Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica Lindl.) is a subtropical fruit tree with significant medicinal value that has been widely used in traditional Chinese medicine throughout history. Various parts of the loquat plant, including its leaves and fruits, contain numerous bioactive compounds that exhibit a wide range of pharmacological activities. This study comprehensively summarizes the bioactive compounds found in loquat and elucidates their pharmacological mechanisms. Research indicates that the main bioactive compounds in loquat include phenolics, terpenes, kaempferol, ursolic acid, oleanolic acid, and quercetin, which possess strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, antitumor, and antibacterial properties. The bioactive compounds in loquat can improve conditions such as diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and hyperlipidemia by inhibiting cytochrome P450 2E1, reducing oxidative stress, and regulating metabolic pathways. Additionally, studies have found that loquat leaves and fruits have high antioxidant capacities, which are closely related to their phenolic content. These findings highlight the potential of loquat as a source of bioactive compounds with significant health benefits. Further research into the bioavailability, metabolism, and toxicity of these compounds is crucial for fully realizing their therapeutic potential. Keywords Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica Lindl.); Bioactive compounds; Phenolics; Terpenes; Pharmacological mechanisms; Traditional medicine 1 Introduction Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica Lindl.) is a subtropical evergreen tree native to China and widely cultivated in various regions, including the Mediterranean (Liu et al., 2016; Khouya et al., 2022). Loquat is renowned for its small, round fruits that are sweet and tangy, rich in vitamins and minerals, as well as its large, glossy leaves (Dhiman et al., 2021). The leaves of the loquat tree have a long history of use in traditional medicine. And the fruits are typically consumed fresh but can also be processed into products such as jams and jellies. In traditional medicine, loquat is highly valued for its various therapeutic effects. The leaves, seeds, and fruits of the loquat are used in different forms, such as tea, syrup, and poultices, to treat respiratory ailments, digestive issues, and skin diseases (Liu et al., 2016; Fu et al., 2020). Traditional Chinese medicine particularly emphasizes the benefits of loquat leaves, which are effective in relieving coughs, reducing phlegm, and soothing the throat. The medicinal use of loquat is not limited to China; for instance, in Morocco, loquat leaves are traditionally used to manage diabetes and its complications (Khouya et al., 2022). Bioactive compounds are naturally occurring chemical constituents in plants that have biological activity in the body. These compounds are significant because they can influence health positively by providing antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and other therapeutic effects (Liu et al., 2016). In loquat, bioactive compounds such as phenolics, terpenoids, and flavonoids have been identified and studied for their health benefits (Liu et al., 2016; Dhiman et al., 2021). The general health benefits associated with bioactive compounds include the reduction of oxidative stress, improvement of metabolic functions, and enhancement of immune responses (Ibrahim et al., 2021). For instance, phenolic compounds in loquat have been shown to exhibit antidiabetic, antihyperlipidemic, and antioxidative properties (Liu et al., 2016; Khouya et al., 2022). These compounds can help manage blood sugar levels, reduce lipid profiles, and protect against cellular damage caused by free radicals.
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