A REVIEW ON PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTIVITY OF JUGLANS REGIA

From ancient times, various natural products are used as food and as medicine for the treatment of diseases. In the last few decades, herbal medicine has been used in the field of medicine because of its natural origin and lesser side effects. One such medicinal plant is Juglans regia (Family: Juglandaceae). The plant is also known as Persian walnut, English walnut, white walnut, or in common known as walnut. All parts of this plant viz. bark, kernel, leaves, etc. are extensively useful. Traditionally the kernels of walnut are used for the treatment of diabetes, asthma, gastric cancer, prostate cancer, liver damage, malaria, arthritis, toothache, dermal inflammation, etc. by the folk of different countries. Whereas researchers worldwide also proved that different parts of Juglans regia (JR) also possess beneficial effects such as anti-oxidant, anthelmintic, insecticidal, hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, wound healing, anti-depressant, fungicidal, anti-microbial, anti-nociceptive, anti-cancer, analgesic, immunomodulatory, lipolytic, neuroprotective and many other medicinal properties. Chemical analysis indicates that presence of various phytochemicals like alkaloids, flavonoids, carotenoids, glycosides, saponins, polyphenols, omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, steroids and other compounds are responsible for the pharmacological effects of J. regia. The objective of this review article is to summarize the traditional, phytochemical, and various pharmacological activities of J. regia for future research work.