Therapeutic Potential of Sky Fruit Seeds and its Utilization in Functional Foods and Nutraceutical: A Review

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The prevalence of NCDs (non-communicable diseases), which include diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and chronic inflammatory conditions has been rising globally, posing significant challenges to public health systems. Remedies from natural ingredients and functional foods have gained attention these days for their potential to prevent and manage these conditions. Local communities in Southeast Asian countries have been using sky fruit seeds for centuries as a traditional medicine because of their unique characteristics and therapeutic potential. Sky fruit seeds rich in phytochemical compounds such as phenolic acids, flavonoids, limonoids, saponins, tannins, etc., which show antioxidant, antihyperglycemic, antihypertensive, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. These phytochemicals also play a crucial role in inhibiting the production of ROS (reactive oxygen species) through the activation of antioxidant enzymes. A literature review of 25 relevant scientific articles that were published in the last 10 years from PubMed and Google Scholar was conducted, using the search terms “Swietenia macrophylla and Swietenia mohogany” to identify articles related to the botanical species. This review provides a comprehensive understanding of current knowledge on the phytochemical composition, biological activities and health benefits of sky fruit seeds, as well as their potential applications in the development of nutraceuticals and functional food products.