Medicinal Plant Research 2024, Vol.14, No.4, 196-209 http://hortherbpublisher.com/index.php/mpr 197 This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the bioactive compounds found in loquat and their associated pharmacological mechanisms. It systematically reviews existing research findings, highlighting the health benefits and potential therapeutic applications of loquat-derived compounds. The study further emphasizes the significance of these compounds in both traditional medicine and modern pharmacology, offering valuable academic insights into the nutritional and medicinal value of loquat. This study leverages an in-depth understanding of the bioactivities and mechanisms of loquat to further showcase its potential as a functional food and natural therapy, inspiring future research advancements in this field. 2 Phytochemical Composition of Loquat 2.1 Bioactive compounds in loquat Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica Lindl.) is rich in various bioactive compounds that confer its pharmacological properties. The fruits, leaves, and seeds of loquat contain high levels of vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals. The main bioactive compounds identified in loquat include flavonoids, phenolic acids, triterpenes, vitamins, carotenoids, and polysaccharides (López-Lluch et al., 2020). Loquat leaves are particularly rich in flavonoids such as quercetin, kaempferol, and rutin, which exhibit strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer activities. Phenolic acids, including chlorogenic acid and caffeic acid, also contribute to the antioxidant capacity of loquat and play a role in protecting cells from oxidative damage (de Almeida Lopes et al., 2018; López-Lluch et al., 2020; Dhiman et al., 2021). Triterpenoids, another significant group of compounds found in loquat, include ursolic acid and oleanolic acid. These compounds have demonstrated anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, and anticancer effects. Vitamins, particularly vitamin C, are present in loquat fruits, enhancing its nutritional value and contributing to its overall antioxidant properties. Carotenoids, such as beta-carotene and lutein, are also present and play a role in eye health and immune function (Ahn and Kim, 2021). Polysaccharides in loquat have been studied for their immunomodulatory and antidiabetic effects, highlighting the broad spectrum of bioactive compounds in this versatile plant (Chen et al., 2021). 2.2 Identification and quantification of phytochemicals The identification and quantification of phytochemicals in loquat have been extensively studied using various analytical techniques. For instance, Silva et al. (2020) analyzed the chemical composition of loquat leaves using paper spray mass spectrometry (PS-MS) and identified 49 compounds, including organic acids, phenolic acids, flavonoids, sugars, quinones, and terpenes. The study also explored the impact of different dehydration temperatures and extraction methods on the phenolic compounds in the extracts, as well as their antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. The results showed that ultrasonic ethanol extraction from loquat leaves dehydrated at 40 °C yielded the best results, demonstrating significant antioxidant and antimicrobial activities (Silva et al., 2020). Another study analyzed loquat leaf extracts collected from southern Tunisia using liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (LC–ESI–MS), revealing that different extraction methods significantly affected the phenolic acid and flavonoid content, as well as the antioxidant activity of the extracts. This study further confirmed the potential of loquat leaves in pharmaceutical and food applications (Yahia et al., 2020). High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC), and high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) have also been used to quantify phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and antioxidant activity in loquat leaves and fruits (Hasibuan et al., 2020; Yan et al., 2023). Yan et al. (2023) conducted a qualitative and quantitative analysis of 22 phenolic compounds and 2 terpene compounds in the peel and pulp of different loquat varieties using UPLC and HRMS. The study found that loquat peel extracts exhibited higher antioxidant capacity compared to pulp extracts. Additionally, the methanol extracts of loquat leaves, containing alkaloids, flavonoids, and steroids/terpenes, showed significant antioxidant activity.
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