Chapter 19 - Health-promoting effects of Physalis peruviana bioactive compounds

Abstract

Since plants were believed to be the earliest source of safe treatments in human history, the use of various plant-derived bioactive substances as alternatives to modern medicine is growing in favor today. Consuming fruits and vegetables reduces your risk of developing malignancies and digestive, respiratory, and cardiovascular disorders. Therefore it is advisable to consume more vegetables and berries like cranberries, blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries, and Physalis peruviana (PP) have been linked to antiinflammatory, anti-diabetic, antitumor, cardio-protective, and antihypertension properties. PP, a fruit with great potential, is a member of the Solanaceae family, including the cape gooseberry and goldenberry. PP is frequently used in traditional medicine as analgesics, antimycobacterial, antileukemics, anticancer, immunomodulators, and for treating various illnesses. PP is a rich source of various bioactive constituents with potential health effects. Thus, PP has been the subject of commercial and scientific interests. This chapter highlights changes in health-enhancing bioactive constituents and antioxidant potential in PP. According to literature, PP contains β-carotene, vitamin C, phenolic compounds (p-cumaric, chlorogenic, gallic, caffeic, and ferulic acids), and flavonoids (myricetin, rutin, quercetin, catechin, epicatechin, and kaempferol). The correlations between phytochemicals and health effects include phenolic compounds, withanolides, minerals, vitamins B, tocols, and physalins. Despite the wide use of PP in folk medicine, a literature survey revealed that no systemic reports are available concerning PP bioactive compounds and their health-promoting effects. As a result, this chapter strives to provide a summary of the PP’s bioactive components that promote health.