A review on phytochemical, biological screening and importance of Wild Apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.
Wild apricot (Prunus armeniaca L. is an important fruit tree species found in temperate regions of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand states of India at an altitude up to 2500 3000 msl. From time immemorial P. armeniaca L. has been used in folk medicine as a remedy for various diseases. Apricot seed oil has been used as biodiesel and oil cake as organic manure. The plant is rich in sugars, mono and polysaccharides, polyphenols, fatty acids, sterol derivatives, carotenoids, cynogenic glucosides and volatile compounds. Polyphenols are abundant micronutrients in the human diet, and evidence for their role in the prevention of degenerative diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular diseases is emerging. Cyanogenic glycosides responsible for a bitter taste of apricot seeds and these seeds cause some degree of intoxication primarily on nervous system and thyroid. P. armeniaca L. has also been investigated for various biological activities such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, antinociceptive, antiinflammatory, antimutagenic, inhibitory activity against several enzymes. Among them the antimicrobial and antioxidant potential has been of much exploration and were proved to be highly efficacious under in vitro conditions. In the present review, the antioxidant properties of P. armeniaca L. and its potential use as natural dietary supplement has been discussed. We have also thrown light on the phytochemistry and biological activity reports published on the species worldwide.
Oriental Pharmacy and Experimental Medicine