Nahar, L, Ahmed, N, Afroze, CA, Santhong, S, Guo, M and Sarker, S (2025) Phytometabolites, Pharmacological Effects, Ethnomedicinal Properties, and Bioeconomic Potential of Velvet Apple (Diospyros discolor Willd.): A Review. Chemistry and Biodiversity. ISSN 1612-1872

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Abstract

Diospyros discolor Willd., commonly known as Velvet apple or Mabolo, is an underutilized fruit. Traditionally, various parts of D. discolor have been used in medicine for treating dysentery, diarrhoea, and respiratory issues. Pharmacologically, the plant has exhibited diverse effects including anti-acetylcholinesterase, anti-asthmatic, anti-aging, antimicrobial, antioxidant, cytotoxic, and thrombolytic activities. These findings substantiate its traditional uses, particularly its potential as an antidiabetic, antidiarrheal, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and vasorelaxant agent. This plant is notable for its rich aromatic profile, containing 39 volatile compounds in the fruit and peel, with esters and α-farnesene being the predominant compounds. Volatile esters such as methyl butyrate and ethyl dominate the aroma. Nutritionally, the fruit contains dietary fibre, malic acid, vitamins, essential fatty acids, flavonoids, and triterpenes. Additionally, bioactive compounds including flavonoids, triterpenes, and dimeric naphthoquinones (e.g., diospyrin) have been isolated from the plant. The essential oil derived from its flowers further enhances its bioeconomic and health benefits. Moreover, D. discolor holds bioeconomic potential as a biosorbent, a source of timber and edible fruits, and a material for synthesizing silver nanoparticles. This review consolidates current knowledge on the traditional uses, phytometabolites, pharmacological properties, and bioeconomic potential of D. discolor. The potential toxicity of this plant and its components has also been reviewed.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Nahar, L., Ahmed, M.N., Alfi Afroze, C., Sangthong, S., Guo, M. and Sarker, S.D. (2025), Phytometabolites, Pharmacological Effects, Ethnomedicinal Properties, and Bioeconomic Potential of Velvet Apple (Diospyros discolor Willd.): A Review. Chem. Biodiversity e202402168. https://doi.org/10.1002/cbdv.202402168, which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1002/cbdv.202402168. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions. This article may not be enhanced, enriched or otherwise transformed into a derivative work, without express permission from Wiley or by statutory rights under applicable legislation. Copyright notices must not be removed, obscured or modified. The article must be linked to Wiley’s version of record on Wiley Online Library and any embedding, framing or otherwise making available the article or pages thereof by third parties from platforms, services and websites other than Wiley Online Library must be prohibited.
Uncontrolled Keywords:	0304 Medicinal and Biomolecular Chemistry; 0305 Organic Chemistry; Medicinal & Biomolecular Chemistry
Subjects:	R Medicine > R Medicine (General) R Medicine > RM Therapeutics. Pharmacology R Medicine > RS Pharmacy and materia medica
Divisions:	Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences
Publisher:	Wiley
SWORD Depositor:	A Symplectic
Date Deposited:	06 Jan 2025 11:29
Last Modified:	17 Feb 2025 09:30
DOI or ID number:	10.1002/cbdv.202402168
URI:	https://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/id/eprint/25166

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