Therapeutic potential of various functional components presents within dragon fruit: A review

Abstract

Dragon fruit or pitaya is an incredible functional food that provides nutraceutical benefits owing to its prebiotic activity and has gained attention in recent years owing to its multiple therapeutic values such as anti-oxidant, anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, anti-microbial, hepatoprotective and anti-hyperlipidemic activities. It also exhibits wound healing, anti-anemic, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory and microvascular protective properties. These therapeutic values have been a result of different phytoconstituents such as polyphenols, pigments, flavonoids, fatty acids, terpenoids, steroids, vitamins, sugars, minerals and dietary fibers which can be extracted from peel, seeds and flesh part. This review describes wide range of functional components that the fruit contains; their method of extraction and the therapeutic activities they offer. The anti-oxidant and anti-cancer effects of the dragon fruit are attributed to the presence of polyphenols, terpenoids, flavonoids and pigments etc. Its nutraceutical activities are facilitated by the fatty acids, vitamins and sugars; while the anti-diabetic effects are mainly due to presence of flavonoids. Further, flavonoids are also responsible for the hepato-protective and tissue repair activities. The increasing interest of researchers on this fruit may further reveal new therapeutic activities of this extraordinary fruit in coming years.