Medicinal Plant Research 2024, Vol.14, No.4, 210-222 http://hortherbpublisher.com/index.php/mpr 210 Research Insight Open Access Chemical Constituents of Kiwifruit (Actinidia spp.) and Their Pharmacological Effects Jianmin Zheng1, Guangman Xu2 1 Institute of Life Sciences, Jiyang Colloge of Zhejiang A&F University, Zhuji, 311800, Zhejiang, China 2 Traditional Chinese Medicine Research Center, Cuixi Academy of Biotechnology, Zhuji, 311800, Zhejiang, China Corresponding author: guangman.xu@cuixi.org Medicinal Plant Research, 2024, Vol.14, No.4 doi: 10.5376/mpr.2024.14.0018 Received: 27 Jun., 2024 Accepted: 30 Jul., 2024 Published: 15 Aug., 2024 Copyright © 2024 Zheng and Xu, 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: Zheng J.M., and Xu G.M., 2024, Chemical constituents of kiwifruit (Actinidia spp.) and their pharmacological effects, Medicinal Plant Research, 14(4): 210-222 (doi: 10.5376/mpr.2024.14.0018) Abstract Kiwifruit (Actinidia spp.) has garnered significant attention due to its rich nutritional content, unique flavor, and considerable economic value. This study systematically analyzes the chemical constituents of kiwifruit, including polyphenols, vitamins, and dietary fiber, as well as their pharmacological effects in areas such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and cardiovascular protection. The results indicate that kiwifruit is rich in various bioactive compounds that not only have remarkable health-promoting effects but also hold potential clinical significance in the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases. Although existing foundational studies confirm the multiple health benefits of kiwifruit, clinical research remains insufficient, particularly in verifying the chemical composition differences and specific therapeutic effects among different kiwifruit varieties. Kiwifruit holds great potential as a functional food and medicine, and future research should focus on its bioactive mechanisms and sustainable utilization. This study provides valuable insights for the future application of kiwifruit in the fields of food, medicine, and nutritional supplements, facilitating the development of functional foods and the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases. Keywords Kiwifruit; Chemical constituents; Antioxidant activity; Anti-inflammatory effects; Pharmacological effects; Disease prevention 1 Introduction Kiwifruit (Actinidia spp.) is a highly valued fruit crop known for its unique flavor, nutritional benefits, and economic importance. Originating from China, kiwifruit has gained global popularity and is now cultivated in various regions worldwide. The fruit is rich in essential nutrients such as vitamin C, polyphenols, dietary fiber, and bioactive phytochemicals, which contribute to its health-promoting properties (He et al., 2019; Wang et al., 2020). Different species and cultivars of kiwifruit, including Actinidia chinensis and Actinidia arguta, exhibit significant variability in their chemical composition and biological activities, making them a subject of extensive research and commercial interest (Latocha et al., 2013; Lin et al., 2022). Understanding the chemical diversity and bioactivity of kiwifruit is essential. The phytochemical components in kiwifruit, such as antioxidants, vitamins, and polyphenols, demonstrate significant potential in promoting health. Studies have shown that these compounds possess multiple bioactivities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial effects, which may contribute to the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases (He et al., 2019; Wang et al., 2020; Wang et al., 2021). However, despite numerous foundational studies exploring the health benefits of kiwifruit, systematic clinical research remains insufficient, and its specific therapeutic effects are yet to be fully validated (Ma et al., 2019). Additionally, the differences in the chemical composition and bioactivity of various kiwifruit cultivars and parts, such as fruits and leaves, require further in-depth analysis to optimize their application in food and medicine. Moreover, the metabolic and gene regulatory mechanisms in kiwifruit, especially those related to the accumulation of key bioactive compounds, have not been thoroughly elucidated. This gap in research not only limits a deeper understanding of kiwifruit’s nutritional and medicinal value but also hinders the potential to improve fruit quality through the enhancement of chemical constituents in breeding programs (Wang et al., 2021;
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