Phytochemistry, traditional uses and pharmacology of Eugenia jambolana Lam. (black plum): A review

Eugenia jambolana Lam. (syn. Syzigium cumini (L.) SKEELS; S. jambolana DC; Family: Myrtaceae), commonly known as black plum or Jamun is a plant native to India. Annually the trees produce oblong or ellipsoid fruits (berries). They are green when raw and purplish black when fully ripe. The ripe fruits are sweetish sour to taste and are used to prepare health drinks, squashes, juices, jellies and wine. Studies have shown that the berries contain carbohydrates, minerals and the pharmacologically active phytochemicals like flavonoids, terpenes, and anthocyanins. Jamun is a plant with known ethnomedicinal uses. Before the discovery of insulin, Jamun was useful in the treatment of diabetes and is an integral part in the various alternative systems of medicine. Scientific studies have shown that the various extracts of Jamun possess a range of pharmacological properties such as antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, anti-genotoxic, anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcerogenic, cardioprotective, anti-allergic, anticancer, chemopreventive, radioprotective, free radical scavenging, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, anti-diarrheal, hypoglycemic and antidiabetic effects. The present paper reviews these aspects and also addresses the lacunas in the existing knowledge.