Juglans Regia L: A Review of its Traditional Uses Phytochemistry and Therapeutic Applications

Abstract

Medicinal plants have been used since ancient times for the treatment of different diseases. Natural sources are one of the important fields of research for preventing immunological complications. Herbal extracts have been used in traditional medicine for several thousand years due to a number of reasons including affordability accessibility and low cost and have little side effects.

According to World Health Organization, the use of herbal remedies throughout world exceeds that of the conventional drugs by two to three times because of general belief that herbal drugs are without side effects besides cheap and locally available. Juglans regia L also known as walnut plant is a medicinal plant which possesses various therapeutic properties and used in traditional medicine however it is considered less, Juglans regia l is one such medicinal plant whose all parts namely bark, kernel, leaves, etc. are extensively useful.

Phytochemical analysis of various parts of Juglans regia reveals that it contains reducing sugars, carbohydrates, alkaloid, tannins, phenols and saponins, cardiac glycosides, flavanoids, steroids. Juglans regia possesses wide range of pharmacological properties such as analgesic/anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, antimicrobial, anticancer, antihypertensive properties. Preparations made from Juglans regia are widely used in cardiovascular diseases, type II diabetes mellitus, anti-infective, anti-microbial, anti-fungal, anti-hypertensive, hepatoprotective, anticoagulation, anticancer and lipid lowering agents.

This review aimed to study pharmacological properties possessed by Juglans regia. Review articles pertaining to Juglans regia and its therapeutic effects was searched” in two databases of PubMed, and Google Scholar among published studies. All review articles, original articles, were evaluated.

 In present study it was found that Juglans regia was widely used in the treatment of diseases in traditional medicine, and do not have any side effects. Despite the development of many chemical drugs, usage of Juglans regia is highly demanded.