Medicinal and Nutritional Aspect of Genus Prunus L. with Phytoetymology

Abstract

Prunus L. is a genus belongs to deciduous, evergreen trees and shrubs native to the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, with around 343 species worldwide. Hooker discovered 19 Prunus species in India, ranging in altitude from 760 to 4000 metres. Many wild species fruits are high in vitamins and minerals, and local residents gather them from their natural habitats to meet their daily nutritional needs. Jam, jelly, alcoholic beverages, and fruit juice are all made of fruit pulp from edible species. The kernels of some species produce edible and industrial oils, while others provide high-quality timber and medicines. The authors of this study about the genus Prunus choose five nutritional and four medicinal Prunus species and found that Prunus dulcis (Mill.) D.A.Webb having the highest concentrations of protein (21.2g), carbohydrates (21.6g), and dietary fiber (12.5g) respectively. Prunus cerasoides Buch.-Ham. ex D.Don has also been reported to have high medicinal properties. Since this plant component contains numerous phytochemical such as flavones and isoflavones, flavones Glycoside, with this its berries, including stem, roots, heartwood, and fruit are all used as therapeutic agents. Other Prunus species contain important phytochemicals as well, but due to lack of research in the area of other species, data on the rest of the species is missing. As a result, it is important to explore this research gap, which will support a wide variety of research fields.