Phytochemistry, pharmacological, medicinal significance of Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam. (Jackfruit)

Abstract

Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam. is commonly known as Jackfruit belonging to the family moraceae, is a tropical climatic fruit native to Western ghat of India and common in Asia, Africa, and some region in South America. The various parts of this tree including bark, leaves, fruits, and seeds have a wide range of medicinal properties. It is used in the numerous traditional systems of medicine to treat a vast range of diseases. Various studies have shown that jackfruits possess antioxidant, anti- inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-cancer activity. The phytochemical studies have found that it contains flavonoids, sterols, and prenyl flavones which contributes in various pharmacological activity. Culinary uses include jam, wine, chips, pickle and leather. Even it has several benefits, unfortunately, the fruit is underutilized at commercial scale within those regions where it is grown. This review paper contributes towards phytochemical properties, pharmacological effects, and medicinal significance of the jackfruit.