Zimbro (Juniperus communis L.) as a Promising Source of Bioactive Compounds and Biomedical Activities: A Review on Recent Trends

Abstract

Plant-derived products and their extracted compounds have been used in folk medicine since early times. Zimbro or common juniper (Juniperus communis) is traditionally used to treat renal suppression, acute and chronic cystitis, bladder catarrh, albuminuria, leucorrhea, and amenorrhea. These uses are mainly attributed to its bioactive composition, which is very rich in phenolics, terpenoids, organic acids, alkaloids, and volatile compounds. In the last few years, several studies have analyzed the huge potential of this evergreen shrub, describing a wide range of activities with relevance in different biomedical discipline areas, namely antimicrobial potential against human pathogens and foodborne microorganisms, notorious antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, antidiabetic, antihypercholesterolemic and antihyperlipidemic effects, and neuroprotective action, as well as antiproliferative ability against cancer cells and the ability to activate inductive hepato-, renal- and gastroprotective mechanisms. Owing to these promising activities, extracts and bioactive compounds of juniper could be useful for the development of new pharmacological applications in the treatment of several acute and chronic human diseases.

Keywords: Juniperus communis L.; bioactive compounds; biological potential; essential oils; in vitro studies; in vivo studies; phenolic compounds.

Figure 1

Juniperus communis (A) main view of the plant growing in Serra da Estrela, (B) detail of leaves, and (C) details of berries. Images under Creative Commons licence, authorship: João Domingues Almeida and Paulo Ventura Araújo from www.flora-on.pt, accessed on 10 March 2022.

Figure 2

Main phytochemicals found in Juniperus communis L. (adapted from Fátima et al. [55]).

Figure 3

Main phenolic compounds found in Juniperus communis L. vegetal parts.

Figure 4

The main volatile organic compound found in Juniperus communis L. parts.

Figure 5

Main health-promoting properties attributed to Juniperus communis L. AST: aspartate aminotransferase; ALT: alanine aminotransferase; AChE: acetylcholinesterase; BChE): butyrylcholinesterase; Bax: Bcl-2-associated X protein; AIF: apoptosis-inducing factor; Fas: cell-surface death receptor; FasL: Fas ligand; Bcl-2: B-cell lymphoma 2; ↑: increase; ↓: reduction; T: inhibition.