Capparis species: A potential source of bioactives and high-value components: A review

•The present manuscript gives a critical review of research work that has been published regarding bioactive compounds of Capparis species and their biological activities and pharmaceutical potential.•Capparis species especially C. spinosa and C. decidua are cultivated commercially and being used in food based industries.•Capparis species are rich sources of antioxidants and bioactive compounds being responsible for various biological activities.•Various chemical constituents have been identified and isolated from Capparis species that can be further utilized in food based and pharmaceutical industries.

Capparis species, also known as Caper plants, are recognized as a potential source of valuable nutrients and biochemical compounds with physiological functions. The multiple biological activities including antibacterial, antifungal, hepatoprotective, anthelmintic, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and antihyperlipidemic as well as folk medicinal uses of Caper plants have been ascribed to the presence of functional bioactives, such as phenolic acids, flavonoids, alkaloids, phytosterols, natural sugars, vitamins, and organic acids. In view of the high nutritional value and traditional food and folk medicinal uses of Capparis species, it is important to compile a comprehensive review on related aspects of these multipurposes plants. Hence, the present review manuscript focuses on the detailed profile of valuable nutrients and biochemical compounds as well as medicinal health functions and biological activities of selected species of Capparis, so as to explore their potential uses as ingredients of functional food and nutraceuticals and natural pharmaceutics.