Ziziphus xylopyrus (Retz.) Willd.: A comprehensive review of the phytochemistry and multifaceted pharmacology of an underexplored medicinal plant

Shyalu Gajbhiye*

Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India

Refer this article

Shyalu Gajbhiye, 2025. Ziziphus xylopyrus (Retz.) Willd.: A comprehensive review of the phytochemistry and multifaceted pharmacology of an underexplored medicinal plant. Journal of medical pharmaceutical and allied sciences, V 14 - I 6, Pages - 05 – 08. Doi: https://doi.org/10.55522/jmpas.V14I6.6989.

ABSTRACT

Ziziphus xylopyrus (Retz.) Willd., a member of the Rhamnaceae family, is a perennial shrub traditionally used across the Indian subcontinent for treating a diverse range of ailments, including liver disorders, ulcers, diarrhea, diabetes, and skin infections. Despite its rich ethnomedicinal history, scientific validation of its therapeutic claims remains fragmented. This comprehensive review synthesizes contemporary research to critically evaluate the botanical, phytochemical, and pharmacological profile of Z. xylopyrus. The analysis consolidates evidence demonstrating significant hepatoprotective, antiulcer, antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and wound-healing activities, primarily attributed to bioactive constituents such as flavonoids (quercetin, quercitrin), cyclopeptide alkaloids (xylopyrines, amphibine-H, nummularine-K), and tannins. A critical examination of methodologies, including extraction techniques and in-vivo models, is presented. The review identifies that methanolic and ethanolic extracts, particularly from roots, stem bark, and leaves, exhibit the most potent bioactivity. While promising, the existing research is characterized by a predominance of preliminary studies. This article concludes by highlighting significant research gaps, including the need for rigorous bioactivity-guided fractionation, detailed mechanistic studies, toxicological profiling, and standardization of extracts. We posit that Z. xylopyrus holds substantial promise as a source of novel phytopharmaceuticals but requires a systematic, translational research approach to bridge traditional knowledge with evidence-based therapeutic application

Keywords:

Ziziphus xylopyrus, Hepatoprotective, Antiulcer, Antimicrobial, Cyclopeptide alkaloids, Quercetin, Ethnopharmacology, Drug discovery.

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