Health Benefits of Cornelian Cherry (Cornus mas L.)

Abstract

Medicinal plants have been used for medical objectives since ancient times due to their beneficial properties, and their uses continue to this day. The Cornelian cherry fruit (Cornus mas L.) is considered to be one of those medicinal plants with important nutritional and therapeutic properties. It has been also used for different medical purposes in many countries in Europe and Asia for centuries due to its various important components in terms of health. Cornelian cherry is known to have antimicrobial, antioxidant, anticancer and anti-inflammatory effects due to its composition of phenolic compounds and ursolic acid. It is reported in the literature that This fruit is used in different countries for different purposes; for the treatment of intestinal and kidney diseases, strengthening immunity, and preventing some types of cancer and others. It is also used in traditional medicine to cure fever, cholera, kidney stones, malaria, urinary tract infections, heat stroke and bleeding. Many studies have reported the positive effect of Cornelian cherry in regulating blood sugar and preventing fat accumulation in the liver. Similar to many countries, it is grown in Turkey in many regions and it is consumed processed or fresh into several crops such as compote, jam, marmalade and fruit leather. This paper has reviewed the investigative studies of the health effect of cornelian cherry.